Madagascar

Get the most out of your journey to Madagascar with our essential Madagascar travel advice, covering everything from lemur-trekking and etiquette to the logistical insights needed to navigate this wonderfully wild and diverse island.

Money & Spending

The currency in Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary but almost all tourist-related costs and fees are contracted in euros. Take euros in cash to pay for sundry personal items not covered by your all-inclusive itinerary.

It is also best not to rely on credit cards as they are not accepted widely at all.

Tipping

As in customary in Africa, tipping is voluntary in return for good service or assistance. It is usual to tip drivers, servers, skippers and their crew, and guides. It is not necessary to tip pilots. Gratuities should be in euros, if possible.

Climate

Madagascar has a classic southern hemisphere seasonal pattern: it is usually hot and rainy between about November and April (summer), and colder and drier between about May and October (winter).

January is generally the hottest month with an average temperature of 22°C / 72°F while July is the coldest at about 15°C / 59°F. December is the rainiest month with an average of 310mm / 12in of precipitation.

The climate is determined by the dominant south-eastern trade winds that originate in the Indian Ocean anti-cyclone.

Check out our Month-by-Month Guide for Travelling to Madagascar

What To Pack

Tourism is not well developed in Madagascar so it is important to pack thoughtfully as you will be unlikely to be able to easily buy items you forget once you leave Antananarivo and start to explore different parts of Madagascar. 

Essentials include:

• A camera with a good zoom for photographing lemurs.
• Binoculars for spotting lemurs and birds.
• Comfortable clothes in neutral colours like grey, green, khaki or brown including a warm jacket and a pair of trousers for cool evenings. Clothes should cover you from above the knee to your shoulders – avoid revealing clothing.
• Closed walking shoes for hiking.
• Your medications with accompanying prescriptions. There is a moderate risk of malaria outside Antananarivo so discuss mosquito avoidance and anti-malarial prophylactics with your doctor or travel clinic before leaving.
• Hat or cap and sunglasses.
• Organic, biodegradable sun-protection lotion (non-organic ones have been linked to the bleaching of coral reefs).
• Swimming costume.
• Organic insect repellent.

Etiquette

Madagascar does not have a highly developed tourism industry and most citizens are not used to tourists in their town or villages. It is very important to be mindful of this and show respect to people by:

• Asking permission – through your guide – before photographing them, their children or their houses.
• Obeying local customs around entering churches or mosques.
• Dressing ‘modestly' by covering everything between your shoulders and above the knees. Avoid very tight, revealing clothing.
• English is not widely spoken so be patient as your guide translates into Malagasy or French.
• Do not take candy or sweets to hand out to children – rather discuss any charitable contribution you want to make with your Africa Safari Expert so you can do the most good in a structured way.

What are Fady and why should I know about them?

Fady are local taboos or ancestral prohibitions that are central to Malagasy culture. They can vary from village to village, for example, a certain forest may be fady to enter on a Tuesday, or a specific animal may be considered sacred. Your guide will be your cultural ambassador, explaining these customs so you can travel respectfully. Following fady is a vital part of showing respect to the local communities that host you.

Is the food safe for sensitive stomachs?

Madagascar offers an incredible fusion of French techniques and tropical ingredients; the zebu (local beef) steaks and fresh vanilla-bean sauces are legendary. However, because infrastructure is limited, we recommend a ‘peel it, cook it, or forget it’ approach to fruits and vegetables in smaller villages. Always stick to bottled water (even for brushing teeth) and enjoy the world-class seafood at our recommended luxury lodges, where hygiene standards are excellent.

Is there Wi-Fi and reliable electricity?

In Antananarivo and at high-end island resorts (like those in Nosy Be), you will find reliable Wi-Fi and power. However, in more remote rainforest lodges, connectivity is often limited to the main reception area or may be unavailable entirely. Many eco-lodges run on solar power or generators that are turned off late at night. We recommend bringing a power bank for your devices and preparing for a refreshing ‘digital detox’ while you're in the deep bush.

Flights & Getting Around

There are direct flights into Antananarivo from Johannesburg in South Africa, Istanbul in Turkey, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Paris in France. You can easily combine a Southern African safari with time in Madagascar.

Madagascar is not a self-drive destination. Your Africa Safari Expert will put together a complete itinerary with all drivers and transfers included so you really enjoy your time on the island. Most journeys start in Antananarivo and go onto to Nosy Be in the north but we can create a tailor-made holiday based exactly on your interests, whether they are birding, hiking, diving or photography.

Because Madagascar is so vast, journeys will generally encompass flying and road transfers in 4x4s or ‘taxi-be’ as mini-busses are known on the island. Flights will all connect in Tana.

Visas & Passports

All visitors pay for a visa (in euros or US dollars) regardless of your citizenship. Please contact your nearest Malagasy consulate for the latest fees and applications. The short-term tourist visa will allow you 30 days' entry into the country.

Your passport must be valid for six months after your day of entry.

History & Economy

The history of Madagascar is as diverse as its landscapes, fauna and flora. It was originally part of the super-continent Gondwana; when it broke away from the mainland, the surviving species evolved into the endemic ones found today because they were cut off from outside influences and predators.

Although it is only about 400 kilometres or 250 miles from the African mainland, it has a wealth of other influences. The Mozambican Channel is very treacherous but other settlers may have arrived over the Indian Ocean from Indonesia, the Philippines and India, bringing rice with them. The Chinese and French also landed on Madagascar and, of course, the island's history includes African slavery and British colonialism.

Today there are at least 18 ethnicities – many with their own dialects. Most of the island is given over to agriculture but tourism, logging and mining are also making inroads (at least half the world's sapphires are said to originate from Madagascar).

People & Culture

The population is estimated at 20 million people and over 80 percent of them speak Malagasy. A small portion speak French while even fewer speak or are literate in English (this is why a Malagasy-speaking driver-guide is essential for your visit).

The culture is an enticing mix of African, South-East Asian, French, British and Chinese influences. Traditional clothing, houses and cuisine all have echoes of other world cultures, giving Madagascar an exotic accessibility.

Landscapes & Wildlife

The most iconic species that are most closely associated with Madagascar are, of course, lemurs. With their large eyes, acrobatic behaviour and multi-hued coats, lemurs are a type of primate that are distinct from apes and monkeys. They are the island's biggest attraction and the more travellers undertaking safaris to see them, the better their precious habitats will be protected. Lemurs are found across the country so it's worth combining two different areas to see as many types as possible.

Because it faces directly onto the Indian Ocean, the east coast is the wettest and lushest part of Madagascar and is covered by protected rainforest national parks. If you want to see lemurs, be sure to include this area in your itinerary. Head to Sainte Marie Island for seasonal whale watching. It is the most affected by the annual cyclone season (generally over December and January) so bear this in mind.

Directly opposite, on the west coast, you find a much more arid landscape that borders on semi-desert in some areas of the south-west. This drier climate is perfect for the growth of Africa's biggest tree – the baobab – and the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs is found here.

When can I see the Baobabs and the Lemurs in one trip?

Because Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island, its icons are spread across different climates. The famous Avenue of the Baobabs is in the arid West, while the most popular lemur-watching rainforests are in the East and Center. To see both in one trip, you will typically need to fly via Antananarivo. The best time to combine these is during the dry season (May to October), when the roads to the baobabs are accessible and the rainforest trails are less muddy.

Can I see the Singing Lemurs (Indri Indri)?

Yes, and it is an experience you will never forget! The Indri Indri is the largest lemur species, known for its haunting, siren-like call that echoes through the canopy. They are found specifically in the rainforests of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Because they do not survive in captivity, seeing them in the wild is the only way to experience their song. We recommend including at least two nights in this region to ensure a sighting.

Do I need to be hiking fit for a Madagascar trip?

To see lemurs in their natural habitat, you generally need a moderate level of fitness. The rainforest trails can be steep, narrow, and slippery after rain. However, the pace is usually slow as you'll be stopping frequently to spot wildlife. Most parks offer a variety of trails, from short botanical walks to more strenuous half-day treks. If you have mobility concerns, let your Safari Expert know so we can select lodges with easier access to the surrounding wilderness.

How adventurous is the travel in Madagascar?

Madagascar is a destination for the true explorer. Unlike the highly developed tourism infrastructure of South Africa or East Africa, Madagascar is more raw. Outside of the main towns, roads can be notoriously bumpy and slow-moving, a 100-mile journey can often take a full day. While the luxury lodges on the outer islands are world-class, the mainland experience involves a bit of grit and patience. We recommend embracing the slow pace as part of the island’s unique charm.

Start Planning Your Madagascar Holiday

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