Unique
Madagascar
Why holiday in Madagascar?
It is true, there is nowhere like Madagascar. Unique wildlife, diverse and incredible landscapes and the fascinating Malagasy culture, a visit will leave you stunned. A must see are the lemurs with over 110 species found across the country in forested reserves like Andasibe, Berenty or Ranomafana.
Marvel at the varied landscapes from sandstone plateaus intersected by canyons with waterfalls to rainforests and lines of giant baobabs. However, it is sights like the red limestone Tsingy or the spiny forests of Tsimanampetsotsa that will take your breath away. Then end your trip perfectly by relaxing on one of the island’s many idyllic beaches.
Discover Madagascar
Tenrec
Stunning beaches
Diademed Sifaka
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
Chameleon
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Tsarabanjina beach
Explore Madagascar
From unique wildlife to beaches and parks, incredible landscapes and bustling cities full of local colour: Madagascar is, quite simply, exceptional.
Madagascar’s many national parks are perfect places to see first-hand an extraordinary variety of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Naturally there are plenty of lemurs throughout the island yet the many parks offer so much more to see and explore.
Take the breathtaking landscapes: unique ‘forests’ of towering limestone needles carved over centuries at Bemaraha and Ankarana; Baobab Alley with its towering baobabs; sandy beaches and castaway islands to explore. There are mountains covered in dense, green rainforest with lakes and waterfalls, orchids and ferns. In short, it is a nature lover’s paradise.
Explore the island’s fascinating towns and cities such as Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Fianarantsoa, where you’ll find cobbled streets, colourful houses, palaces, churches and bustling local markets. Along the coastline you’ll encounter fishing villages where time honoured traditions are still very much alive.
Madagascar has some stunning beaches, where verdant forest meets golden sands and azure seas. Just offshore are some beautiful islands where you’ll find beachfront lodges purpose built for relaxation.
Experience Madagascar
Unique wildlife. Much of what you’ll see on Madagascar is endemic to the island, which makes a visit here all the more special. Lemurs are undoubtedly a highlight, and these captivating creatures come in all shapes and sizes. Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world; the Indri, the largest of the lemurs, can grow to the size of a small child, its haunting screech a familiar sound in the depths of the rainforest. The comical Verreaux’s sifaka and the photogenic ring-tailed lemurs are visible in a number of parks; the nocturnal Aye Aye can be seen on night walks in Mantadia while in Ranomafana you may spot the rare golden bamboo lemur. Lemurs aside, there is so much more that is unique – nocturnal and elusive, the fossa is the largest carnivore on the island and hedgehog-like tenrecs inhabit the Kirindi Forest. For exceptional birdlife, visit Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, a birder’s paradise and home to 80% of the island’s birds.
Natural wonders. You won’t see anything like Madagascar’s Tsingy anywhere else on earth. The ‘forests’ of sharp, needle-like limestone pinnacles create a dramatic rugged landscape. Reaching heights of up to 100 metres, the impressive Tsingy de Bemaraha are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Ankarana, the Red Tsingy, canyons, caves and underground rivers are a spectacular sight. Tsingy translates as ‘where one cannot walk barefoot’ – and as a result plants and animal species are still being discovered in these relatively inaccessible and utterly unspoiled areas. North of Morondava, the Avenue of the Baobabs is a unique and awe-inspiring natural landmark. Ancient baobab trees, reaching up to 30 metres tall and some estimated to be over 800 years old, line the dirt road. They are a species of baobab endemic to Madagascar and are a spectacular sight, especially in the golden glow of a Madagascan sunset.
Breathtaking landscapes. Madagascar’s scenery is a kaleidoscope of colour. From limestone plateaus and evergreen forest on the slopes of an extinct volcano to verdant rainforests, lakes, waterfalls and canyons, it’s a photographer’s dream.
Historic cities. The island’s capital, Antananarivo, Tana for short, was built on a rocky cliff, the steep cobbled streets of the Upper Town lined with churches and colourful houses. Shop for traditional crafts and Malagasy street food in the central market and head to the Queen’s palace for a panoramic city view. Explore Antsirabe in a ‘pousse-pousse’, these hand-drawn rickshaws are the most popular form of transport. Ambositra is renowned for its Zafimaniry art, intricate woodcarvings with centuries-old significance. In the centre of the wine region, Fianarantsoa’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beaches & Islands. Madagascar’s coastline is peppered with fishing villages, resorts and sandy beaches. In the southwest of the island, the semi-nomadic Vezo practice their centuries-old fishing skills in traditional pirogues (dug out canoes). The waters of the Mozambique Channel are famous for their marine life, coral reefs and excellent snorkelling and diving. Islands such as Nosy Be and Sainte Marie offer peaceful beaches for relaxation. Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters to breed and give birth.
Where to stay in Madagascar
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DiscoverTravel Madagascar Your Way
Madagascar is unique and travelling to and around the island to ensure that all its amazing sights are included in an itinerary does need careful and detailed planning. We’re here at African Pride to help plan and advise how to do this in a way that meets your wishes as effortlessly as possible.
Private Guided Tours
Travelling with a private driver/guide allows you full flexibility to tailor the itinerary exactly to your requirements. The roads in Madagascar are often untarred so journeys can be longer than they look on a map. Our team will use their knowledge to plan the best route for you, which will often mean combining journeys by road, which allow you see the ‘real’ Madagascar, with flights to cover the longer distances and maximise your time.
Flying in Madagascar
The main airport is based near the capital Antananarivo and whilst there are no direct flights from the UK, a selection of international carriers fly to the island. Regionally, there are flights to the island from South Africa, Kenya and the Seychelles, whilst there is a network of domestic flights around the island. The African Pride team can advise on the best routes and fares to ensure the most straightforward journey.
Cruise
Madagascar is often incorporated into many Indian Ocean cruises, and usually this involves a call at the northwest tip of the island, where the opportunities await to see lemurs and visit local villages. Voyages are planned well in advance and working with the cruise companies we can incorporate a cruise into a pre or post Africa itinerary to help plan the trip of a lifetime.
Multi-Country Combinations
If the holiday of a lifetime would be to combine Cape Town set under the awe-inspiring Table Mountain, Victoria Falls, and a safari in the Kruger National Park before ending on an idyllic beach in Madagascar with the chance to see lemurs, then no problem, the African Pride team relish and excel at making such dreams come true.
Madagascar’s Accommodation
The choice is yours! Hotels range from beautiful lodges in the most remote and beautiful of settings to authentic tented camps, luxurious coastal resorts and intriguing town hotels. Discuss with us the accommodation styles you prefer and we can suggest properties to suit from the wide selection of hotels, camps and lodges.
When to travel to Madagascar
Madagascar is a year round destination however December to March is the wet season with monsoons a possibility so we recommend travelling between April and December. September to November is often the warmest and driest period. July and August are the coolest months, which can be more comfortable for exploring.
For whale spotting, the best months are July to September.
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Madagascar
Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, located off Africa's south-east coast.
Why Travel with African Pride?
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Explore some of the best experiences that Africa and the Indian Ocean has to offer in the African Pride brochure.
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How to plan a holiday
Your choice of holiday and safari to Africa & the Indian Ocean will be unique to you.
Using our extensive knowledge, experience and passion for Africa built up over many years, we are perfectly placed to tailor your personalised itinerary.
Choose your preferred destinations or experiences to include in a holiday
Talk to your travel adviser or us about your holiday requirements
We use our expertise to design an ideal holiday based on your preferences
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