Madagascar Holidays

Unique Wildlife, Fabulous Beaches and Friendly People

Madagascar may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of an African safari, and it’s true that you won’t be spotting the Big Five from the comfort of an open-top jeep, but this exotic Indian Ocean island has so much more to offer.

Our team of experts know Madagascar inside out, and can show you its unique wildlife, the incredible walks, the amazing culture and (let’s not forget) the beautiful beaches that combined to make this a perfect holiday destination.

Whether you are travelling as a couple, family, group or solo, we believe Madagascar can offer you a truly remarkable, hands-on safari experien

Planning Your Safari Holiday in Madagascar

Don’t make the mistake of trying to see too much – this is, after all, the fourth largest island in the world. Listen to the experts and prioritise what you want to see in the time you have available. Maybe it’s the southern highlights of Andasibe, Ranomafana, Isalo and Ifaty, or the eastern coastline of Andasibe, Palmarium, Masoala and Ile Sainte Marie. Or why not relax for a week at the private nature reserve of Anjajavy?

The endemic wildlife here is unlike that of any other destination, and some beach relaxation does not mean the end of your wildlife safari. At Princess Bora Lodge you can watch breaching whales in the right season, and at Anjajavy you can enjoy the company of the dancing sifaka.

By designing a bespoke Madagascar holiday, you have complete flexibility and freedom throughout the planning process, whether you know exactly what you want to see and do, the dates and budget, or you want someone to guide you in the right direction.

Being very reasonably priced and providing great value for money, holidays can cost anything from £2,500 to £5,000, whether you want a basic “off-the-beaten-track” adventure or a luxury break.

No matter what you want to see, our safari experts can help you out and maximise your chances. Simple things like knowing the best time to travel makes all the difference; October and November for baby Lemur spotting, whales off the coastline between July and September. Chameleons are more commonly seen in the wetter months of January to March.

Madagascar is also one of the few destinations for which we offer two set-departure safaris. These are conducted in the months of August and October and offer guests the chance to travel with other like-minded travellers (usually a maximum of 8 people), with a set itinerary exploring some of our favourite gems of the Island. We also have some great honeymoon ideas in Madagascar.

Our local guides will impress you. They are welcoming and friendly, with hard to beat hospitality and an unrivalled knowledge of the country. Their English skills are also excellent, despite living in a French speaking country. 

FAQ’s

Climate:

Because of its geography, Madagascar’s climate varies a lot throughout the year. Generally, there are two seasons: a hotter, wet season between November and April and a cooler, dry season between May and October. Of course, where you will be travelling in Madagascar makes a difference of what weather to expect, however we tend to  we tend to recommend travelling to Madagascar between June and November, to avoid the wettest, and hottest months of the year, and avoid any nasty cyclones! If you are interested in seeing anything specific, just ask one of the members of our team and we will recommend the best times and places to give you the highest chances of successful sightings.

Health Issues:

Although Madagascar is not a country with a disease risk of yellow Fever, travellers to Madagascar who have previously visited a country prevalent with Yellow Fever need to present a certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever in order to enter the country.

We also recommend visiting your GP about 8 weeks prior to travelling, to ensure that all standard and recommended vaccinations are up to date.

Transportation:

We strongly recommend that our clients travel to Madagascar by air. If travelling from UK this is often via Paris with Air France.

Flights:

Ticket prices are constantly fluctuating; however, you can expect an adult return ticket from London (Via Paris) to cost about £1,000. The flight time is about 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Taking Kids:

Madagascar is a fantastic destination choice for families. The wildlife on the island is mostly harmless, and the hands-on, up-close-and-personal safari experience makes it a winner with kids. The diversity of the country also means that the ages and abilities of the children can be taken into account, and an incredible Madagascan Safari experience can be created to suit all kinds of families. Most accommodations also accept children, and staff are experienced and friendly.

Common Wildlife & Sighting Chances:

Madagascar is the only place in the world where the wild lemur population can be found, in excess of 50 species! This makes the lemur a very popular item on the wish-list of travelers. Although we can never 100% guarantee wildlife sightings of any particular animal on safari, speak to our expert team and we can advise on the best areas and the best times for you. If you travel to Madagascar in October or November, you will stand a fantastic chance of seeing young lemurs after the birthing season.

Humpback whales are seasonal, and arrive off Madagascar’s Eastern coastline to give birth and nurture their calves between June and September. We recommend Princesse Bora Lodge as a base if this is one of the items on your wildlife wish list.

Amphibians and reptiles are most commonly sighted during the tropical wet season, however September through to December is when we would recommend the avid bird watcher travels, as it is breeding season.