Madagascar why visit

A fantastic small group safari to Madagascar that gives you the opportunity to explore a number of destinations, in the company of just seven others. Island hop your way round the unique island of Madagascar with baobabs, turtles, lemurs and beaches on this two week bespoke safari.

A luxurious and adventure-filled safari encountering the lemurs and cultural experiences of Anjajavy and Masoala before flying to the exclusive Miavana for exceptional beachside relaxation and blue safari excursions. A truly explorative safari through Madagascar. You will have the opportunity to explore the stunning beaches of Ile Sainte Marie as well as the bustling city of Antananarivo and the private reserves of Palmarium and Anjajavy.

A honeymoon safari discovering the big game of the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya followed by incredible landscapes and wildlife in Madagascar. Talk to one of our specialists for further details on travelling to Madagascar.

Call Us Contact Us. The best time to go to Madagascar Whilst Madagascar holidays can be enjoyed year-round, the principal wet season is from late December through to the month of March; often involving cyclones, it is probably best avoided! July to September to see humpback whales. These are often considered the prime months to visit with excellent weather and stunning beach relaxation accommodation. Lemurs in general can be seen year round. April avoids peak season and is ideal for lush landscapes, bounding lemurs and quiet parks and beaches.

September to December is a great time for combining lemur watching, chameleons and beach holidays with hot, relatively dry weather.

When to go to Madagascar by Wildlife and events Discover the best time to go to Madagascar by the wildlife you want to see, from baby lemurs and chameleons, to humpback whales. When to go to if you want to see Here the adventurous hiker can not only soak in views like the one above but also catch glimpses of the dozens of species of lemur, birds, reptiles and frogs. There are many different ethnic groups living in Madagascar, many directly descended from the first permanent human arrivals nearly years ago.

All have their own customs and beliefs, and on our Wild Frontiers tours we organise meetings with groups like the Mikea — a group of traditional hunter gatherers - and the Zafimaniry people - recognised by UNESCO for their wood carving abilities — in a sensitive and educational way. The stunning rock formations of Tsingy National Park are arguably one of the standout geological features anywhere in Africa.

My account Enquire now. View trip. Indian Subcontinent. Featured Tour Laos Unlocked Discover this gentle land with tranquil temples, rural Mekong villages, 4, islands and the Plain of Jars. A far cry… View trip.

Sub Saharan Africa. Meet the Himba and Herero people, view desert… View trip. Group Tours. About Us. In addition to this mind-blowing spectacle, you can also listen to the powerful song of the males.

What else would heal the soul more than resting on a calm and peaceful beach away from home? These places are perfect for that crucial wedding proposal moment and as a honeymoon destination for newlyweds. You can also have this same experience in the north and within the surrounding islands of Nosy Be.

In western society where people tend to prefer European-style dishes, this brown cake has recently gained a prestigious place among desserts during luxury weddings, being presented with vanilla ice cream. One of the most traditional Malagasy foods , koba is a cake made of peanuts and rice flour. It is sold by street vendors, or in a tightly-packed tin in supermarkets. It makes for an authentic gift for friends upon your return. Madagascar is the fifth poorest country in the world and, with our time on this earth being so short, giving a helping hand at least once in your life is always more than welcome.

Many volunteering opportunities are available with local organizations: you can teach French or English to children in remote villages, help environmental NGOs with scientific research and above all, work in the humanitarian sector by helping non-profit organisations which look after sick children from impoverished areas, most of whom suffer from critical illnesses.

Six out of eight existing baobab species can be found in Madagascar , where they form a vast forest in semi-arid regions in the south. Some baobab can reach Enough to remind how small you are regardless of your size, these natural jewels will leave you mesmerised. Romazava is a soup essentially prepared with different leaves and meat, which is an optional addition. With its many sheer granite and sandstone rock walls, Madagascar is full of excellent climbing opportunities.

Mountain biking is only allowed in some areas of the national parks but cycling can be a great way to get around remoter areas where the rewards combine a mixture of culture, nature and landscape, rather than providing a more purely wildlife experience. Many hotels also have a few mountain bikes to loan or rent for short trips, but for something longer, check out Rando Raid , based in Antsirabe who also offer horse riding, or VTT Madagascar who organize bike tours in remote parts of southeast Madagascar.

The best options are less from the main island itself, and more from some of its smaller neighbours — Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Mitsio and Nosy Radames are particularly good.

The reefs of southwest Madagascar, between Andavadoaka and Anakao, are also spectacular, and the waters around Diego Suarez have numerous wrecks to explore. Most larger beach hotels around Madagascar can offer windsurfing, or organize it for you. Kayaking and rafting can be pursued on larger rivers such as the Namorona, Tsiribihina and Manambolo. Several traditional sports are still popular with visitors to Madagascar. Moraingy, a bare-fisted combination of boxing and kick-fighting, comes from the Sakalava country of western Madagascar and can be seen on weekends in the dry season.

For visitors to Madagascar, staying healthy should not be a big issue. You need to be aware of malaria but generally, so long as you take sensible precautions, you should have no problems beyond the occasional stomach upset.

Despite warnings from some official government travel advisories, most people visit Madagascar without incident. However, you should certainly heed warnings about night-time travel and avoid it if you can, particularly the lonely dirt roads in the south, which are prone to banditry. Also be aware of pickpocketing, muggings and hotel thefts especially your hotel has no safe , avoiding late arrivals in towns or taking a taxi.

A few items to avoid when shopping are timber products, which often have a dubious source, and anything with a wildlife origin, which is likely to get you in trouble when leaving Madagascar. Read more advice and tips to make your Madagascar trip stress-free and safe. This section will look at travel requirements for Madagascar. Visas are required by all nationalities. Planning to travel here? Go tailor-made! Travel Guide Madagascar Tailor-made Travel.

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts. Consider changing the search query. List is empty. Continue reading to find out more about Madagascar travel facts Size: Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world. Measuring , square kilometres, it is more than double the size of Texas and nearly two-and-a-half times the size of the UK.

Conservation: Madagascar has more than 40 national parks and reserves, managed by Madagascar National Parks. Religion: Traditional religious beliefs are still widely upheld in Madagascar, with some 4 million Roman Catholics, and 3. After years of chaotic dictatorship, the country now has a presidential, multi-party democracy. Biodiversity: Dozens of new species are discovered in Madagascar every year: more than species of lemurs are now recognized and nearly 80 species of chameleons are endemic to the island.

Exports: Madagascar is associated with vanilla or rum and sugar cane, but the national crop with no equal is rice vary in Malagasy , with the highest consumption per capita in the world — around kg per person g or a pound of rice a day.

Where to go in Madagascar Madagascar has an entrancing tableaux of landscapes: dripping emerald rainforests, baobab trees like giant windmills towering over the savannah, and crazy outcroppings of limestone pinnacles, like a million wonky Gothic church spires.

Central Madagascar The highlands of central Madagascar stretch from north of Antananarivo far towards the south of the island, undulating wildly across dramatic granite mountain ranges, lava ridges and outcrops. Western Madagascar Way off the tourist trail, the vast region of western Madagascar has some unexpected surprises for those who slog to this barely visited backcountry.

Northeastern Madagascar The rainforests of northeastern Madagascar are some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Nosy Be Off the sheltered west coast lies the fabled island of Nosy Be , with smaller and even more alluring islands dotted around the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel.