Travel to Madagascar
The red island
Baobabs against the sunset, lemurs calling in the forest, needles of limestone, rice terraces on red earth and islands of white sand. Madagascar is a world of its own, and the Malagasy welcome makes every road worth taking.
Plan my Madagascar journeyThe north & Nosy Be
Antananarivo & Diego-Suarez
Arrival in the capital and a first evening on its hills. A short flight north to Diego-Suarez and its immense bay, one of the largest in the world.
Emerald Sea & Montagne d'Ambre
A boat out to the turquoise lagoon of the Emerald Sea, the Three Bays on foot, then the cool rainforest of Montagne d'Ambre: waterfalls, crater lakes and tiny chameleons.
Tsingy Rouges & Ankarana
The red sandstone needles of the Tsingy Rouges, then Ankarana National Park: grey limestone tsingy, caves, suspended bridges and crowned lemurs.
Nosy Be & its islands
The crossing from Ankify to Nosy Be. The Lokobe forest by pirogue, Nosy Komba and its lemurs, snorkelling in the Nosy Tanikely marine reserve, the white sandbank of Nosy Iranja, and sunset from Mont Passot.
Departure
Flight from Nosy Be, or extend your stay on the islands.
The RN7, from the Highlands to the sea
Antananarivo & Antsirabe
The royal hill of Ambohimanga, then south on the RN7 through the Highlands and their rice terraces to Antsirabe, the old spa town and its pousse-pousse.
Ambositra & Ranomafana
The Zafimaniry woodcarvers of Ambositra, then the rainforest of Ranomafana: golden bamboo lemurs, waterfalls and a night walk among the chameleons.
Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao & Anja
The old town of Fianarantsoa and its tea plantations, the Antaimoro paper makers of Ambalavao, and the community reserve of Anja with its ring-tailed lemurs.
Isalo National Park
Sandstone canyons, palm-lined oases and natural pools, and the Window of Isalo at sunset: the most spectacular hiking of the south.
Tuléar & the lagoon
Down to the coast through the spiny forest, then days on the lagoon of Ifaty or Anakao: the reef, the Vezo fishing villages and their outrigger canoes.
Departure
Flight back to Antananarivo, or extend your journey with the Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava.
Three ways to discover Madagascar
The north & Nosy Be
Rainforest, tsingy and the islands of the north: lemurs, reefs and turquoise water.
The RN7 road trip
The great classic: the Highlands, the rainforest of Ranomafana and the canyons of Isalo, down to the lagoon of the south-west.
The grand tour
Both itineraries combined with domestic flights, plus the Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava.
Activities to add to your journey
Choose the experiences that suit you: we fit them into your itinerary.
The Avenue of the Baobabs
Sunset among the giant baobabs near Morondava, a short flight from the capital.
The Tsingy de Bemaraha
A UNESCO-listed forest of stone needles, crossed by suspended bridges and via ferrata, in the dry season.
Sainte-Marie Island
Humpback whales in the austral winter, a pirates' cemetery and quiet beaches off the east coast.
Andasibe and the indri
A few hours from the capital, the song of the indri, the largest living lemur, echoes through the rainforest.
By pirogue down the Tsiribihina
Several days drifting downriver, camping on sandbanks and stopping in riverside villages.
Night walk in the rainforest
Mouse lemurs, chameleons and leaf-tailed geckos come out after dark, torch in hand with a local guide.
Whale sharks off Nosy Be
Swim alongside the largest fish in the ocean with a responsible operator, in season (roughly October to December).
Snorkelling at Nosy Tanikely
Sea turtles, reef fish and coral in a protected marine reserve.
Scuba diving in the north
Reefs and drop-offs around Nosy Be and its islands, for beginners and experienced divers alike.
The lemurs of Nosy Komba
A village island where black lemurs live alongside the inhabitants, known for its embroidery and woodcarving.
Ylang-ylang distilleries
The perfume plantations of Nosy Be, the island of scents, and the distilleries that still work them.
The chameleons of Montagne d'Ambre
Some of the smallest chameleons in the world, in a cool forest of waterfalls and crater lakes.
Trekking in Isalo
Canyons, oases and natural pools, from half-day walks to treks of several days with a night under canvas.
4x4 on the red tracks
Off the main road to remote villages, with an experienced local driver.
Sunset from Mont Passot
The highest point of Nosy Be, overlooking its crater lakes and the islands.
Vanilla and cocoa
The cocoa plantations of the Sambirano valley, near Ambanja, and the vanilla that made the island famous.
Malagasy cooking
Romazava, ravitoto and zebu: cook and share a meal with a local family.
Markets and crafts
Wild silk, Antaimoro paper and the colourful village markets of the Highlands.
Activities depend on the season and the weather, and are booked on request.
From the islands to the Highlands
Island bungalows
Beach lodges on Nosy Be and the neighbouring islands, some reached only by boat.
Highland guesthouses
Family-run hotels full of character in Antsirabe, Ambositra and Fianarantsoa.
Lodges by the parks
Eco-lodges at the gates of Ankarana, Ranomafana and Isalo, for early starts with the guides.
Tailor-made or in a small group
Tailor-made
Your dates, your pace: more time on the islands, more hiking, or a family trip. We adapt every stage, and combine road and domestic flights to save you long drives.
Small group
Share Madagascar with a small group of curious travellers, guided by people who know it from the inside.
A Zoom briefing with our team
A member of our team meets you on Zoom to answer your questions and prepare your trip: visa, health, equipment, climate and Malagasy customs.
An Impact Day with a local association
Traveling means both: receiving and giving. In Madagascar, your journey includes a day alongside a local association we work with: a time to meet, share and contribute, rather than simply pass through.
Practical information
- Visa: a tourist visa is required, available online or on arrival for most nationalities. We confirm the current rules for your passport.
- Climate: the dry season, from April to November, is the best time to travel. From December to March it is hot and rainy, with a risk of cyclones, and some tracks become impassable.
- Distances: roads are long and slow. We plan realistic stages, avoid driving at night and use domestic flights where they save time.
- Health: ask your doctor or a travel clinic before you leave, especially about malaria prevention, which is recommended in many regions.
Your questions about Madagascar
How many days do you need in Madagascar?
The island is huge: allow 12 to 14 days for one region, the north and Nosy Be or the RN7. Three weeks let you combine both.
When is the best time to go?
During the dry season, from April to November. July and August are cooler in the Highlands; September to November is warm, ideal for the islands and the start of the whale shark season.
Can I combine Madagascar and Réunion?
Yes: the two islands are a short flight apart. We can build a journey that pairs the wild landscapes of Madagascar with Réunion's volcano and cirques.
Is Madagascar safe?
Madagascar is a welcoming country that calls for a few sensible precautions: we avoid driving at night, work with trusted local guides and drivers, and follow the situation on the ground.
Is Madagascar suitable for families?
Yes: lemurs, easy forest walks and the beaches of Nosy Be delight children. We adapt the pace and favour short flights over long drives.
Other skies to discover
Ready to discover Madagascar?
Tell us your dates and what you dream of: the islands of the north, the RN7, or both. We will build your journey.
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