Magical  Madagascar holidays & tours

Absolutely. Madagascar is quite simply unique, with wildlife found only on this island in the Indian Ocean. As well as the chance to spot lemurs in the wild, you’ll find glorious beaches and fascinating culture, with a melting pot of influences over the centuries. You’re guaranteed unforgettable adventures and experiences on our Madagascar holidays. 

Madagascar is a big place – nearly three times the size of Great Britain, in fact – so having an itinerary designed by those who really know the country is a big help. We’ve joined forces with experts in Madagascar to ensure that you’ll see as many highlights as possible (without spending 90% of your time on the road). 

A local tour manager will take care of you throughout the trip, and give you that extra insight into Malagasy life. And we’ll also arrange forest guides and trackers to help you locate that all-important wildlife. Our small-group holidays in Madagascar, with no more than 18 guests per departure, make it easier for us to visit local villages and markets.

Although there’s plenty to attract visitors to the country, Madagascar is not a highly developed tourist destination so it’s best for those looking for adventures off the beaten track or who want to see the destination before it becomes commercialised. Travelling around this vast island can also be difficult, so it’s best to book a guided Madagascar tour as visiting independently can be harder than other more popular destinations. Accommodation is often basic though comfortable, especially in more remote areas. But with its unique natural treasures and welcoming people, it’s well worth adding to your travel wish list. 

The best season to visit Madagascar is during the country’s dry season which runs from April to October, with the best conditions for viewing wildlife across the island. The tropical rainy summer season runs from November to March, when you can expect monsoons, cyclones and heavy thunderstorms.

The months from April to October are the best time to visit Madagascar if you’re hoping to see the country’s famous wildlife. This dry winter season is cooler and means you’ll avoid the worst of the wet weather, making it easier to travel too. These are also the busiest months, so the shoulder months of March and November are also worth considering as the island has fewer tourists, while the weather is often sunny during the mornings although the rain can be unpredictable. 

UK citizens can visit Madagascar for up to 15 days without a visa, although you’ll need to pay a 10 Euro administration fee on arrival and have proof of tickets departing the country. If you’re staying longer than 15 days, you can buy a 30 or 60-day single-entry tourist visa on arrival at the airport (using US dollars, Euros or Malagasy ariary) as well as applying in advance to the Embassy of Madagascar in London. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page. 

The country’s national parks, home to the island’s unique flora and fauna, are one of the main attractions in Madagascar, especially Andasibe, Ranomafana and Masoala, plus the striking Allee des Baobabs in the west of the country. It is also home to unique landscapes, including the rock formations known as tsingy in the north of Madagascar. Expect beautiful beaches, snorkelling and whale-watching too, along with colourful cities and towns, such as capital Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Antsiranana in the north. 

The biggest risk to tourists is theft and pickpocketing, so avoid walking alone in urban areas after dark, as well as visiting isolated beaches or other remote areas alone. It’s best to leave valuables at home where possible, and keep them concealed or safe in busy areas. UK government advice is to get advice from locals or an experienced tour operator to ensure you know of any particular risks at locations across the country. Joining a Madagascar tour, with our knowledgeable guides, is a good way to stay safe while you explore. 

Since 2003, the local currency is the Malagasy ariary (formerly the franc malgache (FMG)), with 1 ariary nominally divided into five iraimbilanja. However, as the iraimbilanja has no purchasing power any more, they’re no longer used. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 ariary, although smaller coins are rarely seen. Banknotes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 ariary, although the largest note is less common. It is often difficult to get ariary outside Madagascar, but you can withdraw cash from an ATM on arrival (usually limited to the equivalent of 150 Euros, only Visa cards may be accepted). The most commonly accepted foreign currency is Euros, although US dollars and British pounds can also be exchanged and may be accepted by some hotels. Madagascar is still a cash economy so credit cards are only accepted in limited places, with Visa the best option.

Madagascar’s tropical climate means that you’ll find hot and humid conditions across the island for much of the year. Light-weight fabrics which will dry quickly are ideal, as well as long sleeves and trousers against mosquitoes and for hiking in the forests. It’s worth knowing that camouflage print is illegal, although khaki and neutral coloured clothing is fine. Sturdy walking shoes are best for exploring in the national parks, plus sandals for the beach and city sightseeing. If you’re heading into the highlands, be prepared for cooler temperatures and take layers for mornings and evenings in particular, while a light-weight shawl or scarf is also useful to cover up. Don’t forget swimwear for the beaches, along with high-factor reef-safe SPF and a hat. With many products imported to Madagascar, it’s a good idea to pack all toiletries that you might need and a well-stocked first aid kit, as there may be more limited options available to buy. Do bring binoculars, battery packs to keep phones charged and spare memory cards for cameras too. For more tips, check out our packing guide.

Along with the vaccinations recommended for everyday life in the UK, including Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis and Tetanus, you’re advised to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A (or ensure boosters are up to date). The malaria risk is also high across the entire country year-round, so ensure you take anti-malarials (atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine are all recommended). Dengue Fever is also present so high-strength mosquito repellent is essential. The bilharzia parasite (or Schistosomiasis) may also be present in fresh water so take advice before swimming or paddling in any lakes or rivers. Tap water is also unsafe so this should not be drunk or used to clean your teeth while in Madagascar. 

Madagascar is the only place where lemurs are found in the wild and it’s one of the wildlife sightings which most visitors hope for during their Madagascar holidays. Over 30 lemur species have been recorded in the country, including the indri, the largest species, and the tiny aye-aye and mouse lemurs. You’ll also see more familiar species including ring-tailed lemurs, as well as sifaka. The island is also home to the fossa, its largest mammal carnivore (around the size of a small dog or large cat) and countless types of chameleon. You can also see almost 300 bird species, around a third of which are endemic, such as coua and vanga. If you visit between June and October, there’s also the chance to spot whales off the east coast as humpback whales migrate here from Antarctica to breed and calve.

Madagascar’s culture has been influenced by a succession of rulers and traders over the centuries, from Arab and Tamil merchants to sailors from Africa and Asia, plus more recent French colonisation. Today, there are 18 separate subcultures across the island, all with their own traditions, beliefs and often their own dialects. In general, Madagascan culture is very traditional, particularly outside the cities and regulated by taboos known as ‘fady’ which can vary from specific forbidden foods like goat and eel to rules about clothing, with particular colours frowned upon in some areas. If you’re heading to a more remote location, ask advice from locals or your guide. It’s considered respectful to defer to elders as well as dressing modestly when visiting rural villages or sacred sites but there’s no specific dress code. 

With influences from India, China, Arabia and France, as well as local ingredients, you’ll find a whole mix of different dishes as you travel. Traditional Malagasy recipes tend not to be too spicy, although you’ll find chilli and ginger-based accompaniments to many. Rice is a staple, as is fresh fish and seafood, plus beef (zebu) steak – look out for fish in coconut sauce. Other typical dishes include akoho, spiced roasted chicken in coconut milk with rice, ravitoto, mashed cassava leaves accompanied by pork or beef, and romazava, a zebu stew with ginger and bredes, a slightly peppery green leafy vegetable. Tropical fruit, including mango, guava, pineapple and coconut (along with tamarind and avocado) are also common ingredients. You’ll also find local drinks including alcoholic litchel, made from lychees, or ranonapango, a soft drink which translates as burned rice water – something of an acquired taste.

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and its 46th largest country overall – slightly larger than France - so don’t underestimate the time needed to get around. Roads are often in bad repair, especially during and after the rainy months, so journeys can take longer than their distance suggests. Having said that, it’s certainly possible to explore several areas of the country on one Madagascar tour, especially if you’re taking any internal flights or travelling with an experienced tour operator who can make plans for you. It’s well worth allowing time to travel beyond the capital, with a string of national parks, smaller islands, fascinating landscapes, multicultural cities and towns, and endless beaches to discover. 

With more than 3,000 miles of coast, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. Some of Madagascar’s best beaches are found on the country’s smaller islands, including Nosy Be off the north-west coast and neighbouring Nosy Komba and the marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely. To the east, Ile Sainte-Marie (or Nosy Boraha) was once a pirate stronghold and you’ll find a pirate cemetery alongside spectacular white sand beaches, or similarly idyllic coves on Ile aux Nattes without the pirate history. On the mainland, Anakao in the south-west stretches for around a mile, with the chance to spot whales at some times of the year. Or Nosy Mangabe is part of Masoala National Park with lemurs and waterfalls in the forest behind the unspoiled beach. For somewhere less isolated, Ramena is easy to reach from Antsiranana (otherwise known as Diego Suarez) with seafood restaurants and day trips to the Emerald Sea lagoon. 

Most Malagasy are Christian with a small Muslim population so you’ll can also expect major Christian and Islamic festivals to be marked throughout the year. Alahamady, the traditional Malagasy New Year (also known as Taom-baovao), is celebrated in Madagascar in March, just after the full moon. Towards the end of April or early May, Santabary celebrates the first rice harvest with a folk festival, and on June 26, there is a public holiday for Madagascar’s National Day, commemorating the country’s independence from France. 

Yes, Madagascar is a great place for family holidays, with a few caveats. As there’s limited tourist infrastructure across the country, long, slow journeys to get around and active adventures among the main attractions, this is a destination which is better visited with older kids than toddlers and younger children. But the wildlife in Madagascar will appeal to animal-loving children, who’ll be able to see lemurs first-hand and enjoy the adventure of venturing into the rainforests. Teens can enjoy some of the longer hikes, including a chance to walk through the tsingy rock pinnacles, while there’s also great snorkelling for all ages, as well as beautiful beaches to chill out after days exploring. It’s possible to visit with all ages, but Madagascar holidays are likely to be best for families with children aged 7+. If you're interested in a Titan tour, children need to be 12 or over to join.

Tipping is not compulsory in Madagascar but it’s common to leave a small amount if you’ve received good service, the equivalent of around a few Euros in restaurants. Your tour manager can advise on tips for drivers and guides; you can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included in our Madagascar holidays.