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Madagascar Travel: 33 Things You Need to Know Before You Go

33 tips that will help you travel in Madagascar and make your time in this unique country so much more enjoyable. 

Table of Contents

These travel tips are aimed to help you prepare for an unforgettable journey to this bizarre “ Red Island !” Written by an adventurer who’s spent more than a year in Madagascar, it’s the real deal. 

The 33 recommendations below ( in violet ) are divided into 11 main sections ( in green ). This will make it easier for you to find the answers to a specific question.

HEALTH  AND  WELLNESS IN MADAGASCAR

Vaccinations to get before visiting madagascar.

• Visit a travel doctor well in advance. There are vaccinations you may need to be administered. These may take weeks to become effective. Refer to your vaccination records. Make sure you are up to date on the following: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Polio, MMR, Tuberculosis (BCG) and/or Tetanus (DTP).
• You don’t need the Yellow Fever vaccine for Madagascar. However,  if you plan to travel in mainland Africa on your way there, you DO need it. You will also need to provide proof of administration upon entering Madagascar if they see African countries stamped into your passport within the past 6 months.

Malaria Prevention

• You should discuss a Malaria prophylaxis prescription with your doctor. This is especially true if you are travelling between September and May. This is Madagascar’s warmer, rainier season.
• Take every day – tetracycline antibiotic.
• Pros : Least expensive, used to treat many bacterial infections (ex: urinary tract infections) and tick-borne infections. A double dose can be used to treat Malaria if someone in your group contracts it.
• Cons : Side effects may include sensitivity to the sun, increased likelihood of vaginal yeast infections, and weakened gut microbial health.
• Suggestions : Doxycycline is the prophylaxis I prefer.  I just prepare for the side effects. I bring and use plenty of sunscreen and take probiotics to help my gut microbiome recover. Additionally, my doctor writes me a prescription for a burn cream (in case of sunburn), and treatment for yeast infections ( Fluconazole ).
• Take every day. It prevents the growth of parasites in red blood cells.
• Pros : Specific for malaria and also may be used for treatment.
• Cons : Relatively expensive. Its side effects may include mild stomach pain and diarrhea, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and vivid dreams.
• Take once a week. It prevents the growth of parasites in red blood cells.
• Pros : Don’t have to remember to take it every day.
• Cons : It. Has the most serious side effects. They include dizziness, severe anxiety, violent dreams, paranoia, hallucinations, depression. These nerve and psychiatric effects can sometimes last long after you stop the medication.
•  Insect repellents. In addition to long pants/sleeves, they are the obvious methods of limiting mosquito bites. But they also help prevent flea bites. The bubonic plague is still present in Madagascar. It’s seasonal and rare but is transmitted through flea bites.

First Aid and Medications While Travelling in Madagascar

• You should have antibiotics , such as Ciprofloxacin. It will be useful in the event that you get a bacterial infection.
• If your burps begin smelling like sulphur and rotten eggs, you likely contracted Giardia parasites. Otherwise known as traveller’s diarrhea from contaminated water or food. Acquiring a Flagyl (metronidazole) prescription and taking this treatment once the burps start can prevent Giardia from becoming much of a problem.
• Useful over-the-counter medications – antibacterial ointment (ex: Neosporin / bacitracin), Anti-diarrheal drugs (ex: Imodium A-D / loperamide), allergy medication (ex: Benadryl ), anti-inflammatory drugs / pain relievers (ex: Ibuprofen ), antacids (ex: TUMS or Pepto-Bismol ) and rehydration tablets. Most cities will have pharmacies, but drug names and doses will likely be in French. It’s much easier to bring your own.
• You can never bring too much hand sanitizer ! Sometimes there won’t be soap available. Or you may make a bathroom stop on the side of the road.  I also suggest rolls of toilet paper for the car. Our bodies aren’t familiar with the microbes in Madagascar. That makes it easier for us to get sick if we don’t remain mindful.
• Pack sunscreen and bug spray but check the ingredients list for harmful chemicals. If you’re planning to swim or snorkel in the ocean, please bring waterproof and “reef-safe” sunscreens that don’t include oxybenzone, butylparaben, or octinoxate that can bleach the corals!
• Menstrual supplies are limited and expensive in Madagascar. Women should bring their own.

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Travel Insurance

• Invest in travel insurance. Be sure that it doesn’t just cover cancelled flights, lost or stolen items, and unexpected medical expenses. But also includes emergency medical evacuation . Madagascar’s road conditions are poor. And the health care isn’t generally what Westerners are accustomed to. Typically, being medevacked is your best option if it’s something serious.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND IN MADAGASCAR

Flights to madagascar.

• If travelling from the United States: Air France and South African Air are usually the best airlines to limit the number of layovers. However, I have also used Etihad Airways, Turkish Air, and Ethiopian Air. They typically cost significantly less money. However, expect multiple and longer layovers. Check out Skyscanner to compare prices.
• You will more than likely fly into Ivato Airport (TNR). It’s located 20 km north of the capital, Antananarivo (Tana).
• Air Madagascar is the domestic airline. It can save you a lot of driving time for long distance, internal travel.

Personal Vehicles in Madagascar

• If you don’t want to fuss with the scheduling and frequent discomfort of public transportation, it’s easy to hire a driver and guide for your entire stay.
• I don’t suggest driving yourself. However, if you have an International Driver’s License and nerves of steel, it’s possible to rent a car.
• You will not need a 4WD vehicle if you are going south on RN7. However, you will need a 4 wheel drive for travelling west on RN5 and north.
• Make playlists, download podcasts, charge your Kindle, and be ready to spend a lot of time in the car. Even though Madagascar is almost twice the size of the UK, it has only 1% of the paved road length that the UK has.
• Bring motion sickness medication , such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), if you have even the slightest tendency to get car sick! The roads can be quite twisty and bumpy.
• It’s not advisable to travel at night. Many drivers will refuse to continue much past sunset. Listen to your drivers. Bandits only strike at night for the most part.

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Public Transportation in Madagascar

• Hired Taxi – like most cities across the globe, there will always be a taxi cab eager to assist you. The fare is negotiable and you should haggle. The taxi drivers are known to charge tourists highly inflated rates. 
• Taxi-Brousse are large vans with designated routes to almost anywhere in the country. They are the least expensive method of getting around. However, they generally aren’t comfortable, efficient, or particularly safe. It’s not uncommon to end up with a child or chicken in your lap. And if you’re carrying anything larger than a backpack, it will be tied to the roof. 
• Taxi-Be are almost identical to taxi-brousse, except taxi-be is the term used for the organized minibusses within major cities. Whereas taxi-brousse are generally used for travel between cities. 
• Cotisse – a transport company with minibusses similar to taxi-brousse. However, it’s higher end and much more comfortable. They always leave when scheduled instead of waiting until the car is full and packed. They also drive more carefully. And if you’re really lucky, you can connect to free WiFi. 
• Trains – there are over 1000 km of railroads tracks in the RNCFM Malagasy rail system. But it’s primarily used to transport cargo. There are only 6 routes with passenger trains. While travelling by train in Madagascar is a lovely way to see the country, they run notoriously late. 
• Cyclo-Pousse – a covered rickshaw cart fastened to a bicycle. They’re used in most major cities (though, not the capital). Pay the bike ‘driver’ a small fare (Ar 5000 or less), and they’ll bring you to your destination. With frequent traffic jams in major cities, they are often faster than a car .
• Tuk-Tuk – motorized three-wheeled rickshaws that hold three people and are almost always yellow. It is usually a flat fare, but the prices are quite reasonable (similar to cyclo-pousse).
• Charette – a wooden cart pulled by zebu cattle is the most common way of getting around in rural areas. There is no set price. Haggle for what you are willing to pay.
• In some coastal areas, especially the southwest and the northeast, the primary means of transportation is by cargo boats. Avoid them during rough seas and cyclone season (Jan-Mar).

Dugout canoes called pirogues are common for crossing rivers or for getting to the best snorkelling areas.

8. Flexibility is KEY When Travelling in Madagascar

Please remember to be flexible, patient, and respectful to your drivers and other Malagasy people you encounter.

Most Malagasy don’t like rushing. And in a country with limited resources, it’s easier to just go with the flow .

The Malagasy have a saying, “Mora Mora,” which translates to slow living and no worries.

They are going to be relaxed, and I promise that you will have much more fun if you relax too!

FOOD AND WATER IN MADAGASCAR

Filtered water.

• Lifestraw Go water filter bottles are legitimately a life saver. Especially if you are environmentally conscious or an avid hiker. If you don’t want to constantly be buying water bottles, you can fill your LifeStraw up with unfiltered tap water. Or if you’re on the trails … anywhere !This allows you to avoid starting hikes with 3+ litres of heavy water. I have even filled my Lifestraw in a warm and murky rice paddy during desperate times. I never felt any signs of sickness. Lifestraws are relatively prone to leaking and should be kept upright. But they are 100% worth the small investment!
• Avoid ice in your drinks unless you can guarantee that it was made with filtered water.

Food and Drink in Madagascar

• Sometimes there isn’t much variety in the cuisine. On the plus side, meals come at a fantastic value! The capital – Antananarivo – and touristy areas, especially along the coasts, will have more to offer. I’ve had some of the best meals of my life in Madagascar. Just be flexible during monotonous periods.
• Like with ice, avoid uncooked vegetables unless you’re certain they were washed with filtered water.
• I encourage everyone to try the “Ranonapango.” It’s essentially burnt rice tea. Although it’s not actual tea, it’s comforting and reminds me of popcorn… Rice is the cornerstone of the Malagasy diet. It’s the base of every meal, including breakfast.
• “Toka-gasy” is a Malagasy moonshine made with sugar cane. You could be offered a drink by a village King. It’s considered rude not to accept. However, do be aware that it is technically illegal. Though, not enforced because the alcohol content cannot be controlled. Some batches seem weak and others will knock you on your feet!
• It’s a good idea to bring protein bars . Especially if you have dietary restrictions (such as vegetarian or vegan) and/or plan on long hikes.
• Here’s some additional info on local food and what to expect.

LANGUAGE IN MADAGASCAR

• Brush up on your French.  Madagascar was once a French colony.  French is still one of the official languages.
• Many signs and restaurant menus will be in French.
• Most prices will be told to you in French. It will be beneficial to at least learn your numbers .
• Try learning simple Malagasy phrases. The locals sincerely appreciate when you invest time and interest in their native language. For starters, “ Salama ” means hello.  “ Veloma ” means goodbye!
• Malagasy people are more inclined to be open and friendly with people who aren’t from France. So don’t feel like you should become fluent in French!
• There are a few Malagasy/English handbooks available if you’re interested in languages. Malagasy is a tough language to learn until you’re immersed, especially the pronunciations! This short video of a few keywords in Malagasy with pronunciations will get you started. 

MONEY IN MADAGASCAR

Malagasy currency.

• The currency in Madagascar is called Ariary (MGA)
• Ar 4000 = 1 EUR
• Ar 4600 = 1 GBP
• Ar 2500 = 1 AUD
• Ar 250 =  1 ZAR
• The largest bill – Ar 20,000 – is equivalent to less than 6 USD. However, it’s considered substantial to most Malagasy. You’ll want a safe money bag or belt because you will be carrying many more bills than you are used to.
• The Ariary notes changed in 2017. Therefore, there are two designs for every bill, excluding the Ar 20,000. The Ar10,000 was the largest bill until 2017.

Access to Cash and Using Credit Cards in Madagascar

• To exchange your currency into Ariary, bring relatively large and new bills. They shouldn’t be older than 2010. It will be easiest for you to exchange your currency right at the airport. That way you’ll avoid the long lines and limited hours of banks. I find this to be the easiest way to access money.
• Credit and Debit cards. Some places in cities accept cards, but only VISA is reliable. Other networks like MasterCard and AmEx often won’t work. Honestly, it is best to carry cash !
• ATMs are only available in big cities. And there’s a limit to how much you can take out. Also, it’s not uncommon for ATMs to be out of order or empty.

Begging in Madagascar

• You will have people begging you for money. Especially children, mothers, the elderly, and the disabled. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t difficult to witness. But it’s unavoidable, especially in big cities.
• Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on how to handle these situations. But do acknowledge that your actions will impact more than just the beggar. Begging is not a sustainable way to make a living.
• If you decide to give, be tactful about it. Don’t flash large wads of cash. And understand that successful beggars often return with friends. To avoid being surrounded and causing a scene, wait until you are about to get back into your vehicle.
• I generally only give to those performing – sometimes people sing, dance, or play an instrument. And I never give to overly pushy people. I don’t want them thinking that’s the way they should approach all tourists.
• When giving money, I keep it discrete and politely urge them to use it for food.

Tipping in Madagascar

• Tips are generally well received and deeply appreciated. They’re sometimes it’s your biggest daily expenditures. Especially if you’re on a guided tour where most expenses are paid for ahead of time.
• When you can break large bills into smaller bills for tipping. Keep these tips in a separate pocket from the majority of your cash.
• To offer you a perspective, Malagasy people who are fortunate enough to be employed typically don’t make more than Ar 200,000 (~$56 USD) a month .
• If you want to keep your tips within the average range of other tourists, roughly follow the guide below. However, you are welcome to give more. Especially with guides and drivers. But only if they exceeded your expectations.
• Taxis and bars : Not expected or small bills.
• Porters : small bills, likely not over Ar 1000.
• Restaurants : 5% of the bill or less.
• Guides : 10% of the fee.
• Personal Drivers : Ar 5000 – Ar 20000 a day.

PACKING FOR MADAGASCAR

• Bring more warm clothes than you would think necessary. This includes thermals, hat, gloves, and fleece. Especially if you are travelling during Madagascar’s winter months (May – September).
• However, the climate throughout Madagascar changes rapidly . While the cool rainforest fog may send shivers down your spine in the morning, you can jump in the car and find yourself in a desert ecosystem by late afternoon. Therefore, you will want to pack a variety of clothing. Be sure to bring shorts, T-shirts, and durable sandals.
• If you plan on hiking , you should pack quick-drying field pants, sturdy hiking boots , wool socks, a baseball cap, and a rain jacket. While hiking in rainforests, I advise tucking your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants to minimize leech bites. Leeches don’t transmit diseases, their bites don’t hurt, and they only remain attached for about half an hour. However, they do have an anticoagulant in their saliva. This causes you to continue bleeding even after they drop off. And these bites can itch worse than mosquito bites. Take precautions but don’t panic if you get a leech.
• I also recommend a substantial daypack with a supportive waist belt and chest strap. This could double as your carry-on luggage for the flight!
• Don’t forget bathing suits ! Beaches aren’t the only places to swim; some parks have natural swimming holes you can hike to.

Travel Documents For Madagascar

• Your passport cannot expire within 6 months of entry and must have at least 3 blank pages. They are strict about this!
• Carry your immunization records. They may not be requested if you haven’t been in countries with Yellow Fever.
• If you’re travelling with a large group, it’s beneficial to obtain your Madagascar VISA within your home country. Otherwise, it’s easy to purchase a tourist VISA upon arrival at the airport for 30, 60, or 90 days.
• I prefer to have paper photocopies of my passport and tourist Visa. The police will occasionally ask to see your passport, especially in cities and on the road, but I don’t like carrying it wherever I go.

Power in Madagascar

• Bring European plug adaptors if necessary: 220 Volt, 50Hz AC (Two circular metal pins).
• Charged power banks are invaluable, especially considering the amount of travel time. If you need your phone to stay alive for the entire day, I would bring a power bank or two.

General Equipment

• Pack binoculars for lemur and bird watching! If you’re concerned about them occupying souvenir space in your suitcase, donate them to a deserving park guide near the end of your journey. Malagasy guides are often in need of functioning binoculars.
• Bring a bright headlamp and/or flashlight for night hikes. There are nocturnal lemurs, chameleons, frogs, snakes, geckos and so many other creatures you don’t want to miss!
• Wristwatches are convenient for checking the time. I t might not always be a good time to pull out your phone.
• All sizes of Ziplock bags are precious. Smaller bags can organize your medications and chargers; medium bags can keep your electronics and books dry; large bags are perfect for wet or dirty laundry.
• I recommend silica gel packets and dry bags for your electronics and camera if you’re spending an extended time in humid, rainforest environments.
• Remember the items mentioned in previous sections : medications, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, LifeStraw water bottle , protein bars, bills to exchange, designated money bag, VISA credit/debit cards, etc.

THINGS TO BE  MINDFUL  OF IN MADAGASCAR…

Internet and phones.

• Most hotels have complimentary WiFi. However, even luxury hotels don’t always have internet or outlets in individual rooms/bungalows. Sometimes you have to sit in the reception area for internet access and charging. WiFi is available in some restaurants, but you will need to ask for the password.
• If you have an unlocked GSM cellphone, you may want to buy a local SIM card (Airtel, Orange, or Telma) and a 3G package. You can do this at the airport. If you don’t want to purchase a plan, you can buy phone credit at virtually any shop.  

Cultural Awareness in Madagascar

• Avoid pointing with only your index finger extended. While it’s not considered offensive everywhere in Madagascar, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Pointing with your index finger is considered a “ fady ” or taboo in many regions of Madagascar. Especially when pointing directly at a tomb or grave. You can either gesture with your whole hand open, or bend your finger as you point.
• It is expected to haggle prices unless the price is already established, such as in tourist shops, restaurants, and hotels. It’s part of the culture.
• It’s respectful to dress fairly modestly . You’ll see everything in tourist areas. However,  I personally avoid low cut tops, short skirts and shorts. And I only wear one-piece swimsuits.
• While difficult to ignore their puppy-dog stares, don’t feed street dogs . Malagasy people can view it as highly offensive that you took the time and money to feed a dog, but not their family.
• Most Malagasy actively avoid confrontation, especially with foreigners. Don’t take advantage of this.

Saying “Thank You” in Madagascar

• In Malagasy, “ Misaotra ” means thank you. Add “betsaka” if you want to say, “thank you very much.”  
• If you anticipate any village visits, a gift that would be appreciated by everyone is a high-quality soccer ball . I always bring several deflated soccer balls and an air pump from the States.
• You’ll probably become close with your driver and guide. In addition to a tip, you may want to thank them with foreign gifts . A T-shirt representing your city or country, candy from abroad, or something else they wouldn’t find in Madagascar are the most cherished gifts.

PHOTOGRAPHY IN MADAGASCAR

Keep your camera close.

• If you have a DSLR camera, keep is safe, but don’t be afraid to bring it . There are countless sites and creatures to document that small cameras and phones just can’t capture.
• Keep all valuables close, especially in big cities like the capital of Antananarivo (Tana). I wouldn’t worry about being attacked. However, there are some skilled pick-pocketers. They can swipe your cash, phone, or other items without you even noticing.
• Just as you would back home, ask before taking someone’s picture. If you don’t speak French, saying “ Sary? ” (pronounced similarly to the English, “sorry”) – which means “Picture?” in Malagasy, should sufficiently get the point across.
• Adults will occasionally wave you off, but kids love to pose. You should show them their picture. But remember to wipe down your camera with a disinfectant afterward. The kids may excitedly grab your camera for a closer look with their cute, but dirty little hands.  

Selfies in Madagascar

• NEVER pay to take pictures with wildlife kept at restaurants or hotels.
• Paying for these photos encourages the illegal and devastating pet trade. One of the reasons lemurs are endangered .
• Many of these animals, especially lemurs, don’t survive these conditions. If they don’t die from a poor diet, they may be killed when they display aggression as they become sexually mature. The “Magic of Madagascar Ecotour” will take you to one of the only rescue centers in Madagascar that confiscates pet lemurs and teaches them how to survive the wild.

SOUVENIR SHOPPING IN MADAGASCAR

Avoid purchasing….

• Carvings made from precious woods like Rosewood and Palisander
• Butterflies and other preserved insects
• Sea turtle shells
• Sapphires, other precious gemstones, and gold

    28. Ethical Shopping

• Aim for sustainable gifts that don’t negatively impact wildlife or people while simultaneously expressing Malagasy culture.
• My main suggestions include… hand-dyed and spun silk scarves woven from sustainably farmed silk, items made out of recycled aluminium, and art constructed from repurposed zebu horns.

EXCLUSIVE  TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN MADAGASCAR

Places to visit in madagascar.

• RN7 is your best friend.  This route starts at the capital and works its way south, then slowly west. It is accessible year-round and brings you through every incredible ecosystem Madagascar has to offer! That’s the route that we take on our Ecotour through Madagascar from July 1st – 12th, 2019!  
• RN5 takes you west to see the “ Alley of Baobabs ” or possibly even the limestone forest of Tsingy ! This road is more difficult to navigate. It’s comical that it can even be considered a national route.
• The north is also beautiful, but similar to the west, the roads are very poor, especially as you work your way west. 
• There are stunning places that are easiest to fly to, such as the rainforest peninsula of Masoala and the island of scuba-divers dreams – Nosy Be .

   30. Wildlife You CANNOT Miss in Madagascar!

• “The Magic of Madagascar Ecotour” brings you to the largest species of lemur (indri) and the smallest lemur (mouse lemur), with many lemur species and sizes in between!

If you love Madagascar as much as we do, you’ll love our lemur t-shirts:

This meditating lemur t-shirt is the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life whether it be your wife, husband, sister, brother, best friend, son or daughter. It looks great with jeans and is perfect for a casual day out.

This t-shirt with words about lemurs is perfect for animal lovers – who want to show their love for ring-tailed lemurs and to raise awareness about this endangered species – see how many words related to lemurs you can find.

This ring-tailed lemur t-shirt will be a hit with animal lovers who want to show their love for these unique creatures while raising awareness about these critters from Madagascar who need our help.

ADDITIONAL  MADAGASCAR  INFORMATION

• Films and Books about Madagascar
• If you are keen to learn more about the creatures and culture before going or booking a ticket to Madagascar, I recommend either of the following  films :  Planet Earth II  (on Netflix) and  Island of Lemurs: Madagascar  (IMAX) .  
• Additionally, I recommend the following  books :  For the Love of Lemurs  (Patricia Wright);  Thank You, Madagascar  (Alison Jolly);  The Aye-Aye and I   (Gerald Durrell); and  Madagascar – The Eighth Continent   (Peter Tyson).
• Field Guides for Madagascar
• There are good field guides available for most  taxonomic groups  in Madagascar. I have personally had the best luck with  Lemurs of Madagascar: Third Edition  and  Birds of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands . Note: if you can’t find that check out  Lemurs of Madagascar: Tropical Field Guide Series .
• For travel guides, the  Bradt Guides   are probably the best guide I have come across. The author has been travelling to Madagascar for over 30 years!  The Lonely Planet – Madagascar: 8 th  Edition  is also quite thorough.
• Online Info on Travel in Madagascar
• While this article provides a comprehensive list, you can’t fit everything into a single post! I recommend perusing additional online resources that can provide even more information about Madagascar. Be sure to check out   28 Interesting Facts About Madagascar ! 
• Continue researching and reading! The more you know, the better you can prepare for  culture shock.  And the more you will appreciate all the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Madagascar!

The long-ground roller is a bird species endemic to the spiny forests of Madagascar; Photo: Alicia Lamb.

Best of luck with your travels in Madagascar! Take care and enjoy, or as they say in Madagascar, “Mazotoa!”

Madagascar   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Pierre-Yves Babelon | Getty Images

10 Best Things To Do in Madagascar

Updated February 12, 2021

Madagascar appeals to both animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. At national parks like Lokobe , Mantadia and Isalo , visitors can come face-to-face with creatures like lemurs, birds, chameleons and snakes, plus an array of trees and plants. Towering

• All Things To Do

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Situated along Madagascar's west coast, Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is home to impressive geological structures and a variety of endangered species. More than 328 miles of forests make up this UNESCO World Heritage site, where 11 kinds of lemurs, 17 types of reptiles, 6 bird species and more reside. But the standout here is the park's towering gray limestone pinnacles, which stand up to 328 feet tall.

Past visitors said Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a "must-see adventure" that's "definitely worth the drive." Although the locale can be a bit challenging to traverse – some former travelers reported crawling through tight gaps and lots of climbing – many described the views from the top of the pinnacles as "spectacular."

Avenue of the Baobabs Avenue of the Baobabs free

As its name suggests, the 853-foot-long Avenue of the Baobabs is a stretch of giant baobab trees believed to be up to 800 years old. Though the avenue is situated roughly 405 miles away from Antananarivo, it offers close proximity to Kirindy Mitea National Park, which sits along Madagascar's west coast.

According to recent travelers, the Avenue of the Baobabs is one of the country's best places to snap photos, especially at sunrise and sunset. But remember, these are the avenue's peak visiting hours, so arrive early. Visitors recommend paying for a guide's services, or you can opt for a multiday tour by local companies like Intrepid Travel and G Adventures . Itineraries vary by tour, but expect to spend at least an hour on-site. Tour fees start at $1,140 per person. If you're sticking to a tight budget, consider driving yourself or flying into Morondava Airport (which sits less than 10 miles away from the attraction) – accessible from Antananarivo's Ivato International Airport.

Mantadia National Park (Parc National Mantadia) Mantadia National Park (Parc National Mantadia)

One of Madagascar's most convenient parks to explore is Mantadia National Park. Located about 100 miles east of the capital city of Antananarivo, Mantadia National Park is home to 14 species of lemurs, plus 117 types of birds and 84 kinds of amphibians. Plant enthusiasts will also find plenty to admire here. More than 1,200 plant species grow in this lush park, 120 of which are orchids.

Past travelers enjoyed wandering along Mantadia National Park's five trails, adding that each path and stairway was well-maintained. What's more, several said this protected area is a must-see if you love lemurs and recommend hiring a local guide for a fee at the park's reception counter. Each local guide is an experienced spotter, meaning you'll increase your chances of seeing an array of animals.

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Lokobe National Park (Parc National Lokobe) Lokobe National Park (Parc National Lokobe)

If your idea of a Madagascar getaway consists of hiking through a tropical forest and observing lemurs in the wild, then you must visit Lokobe National Park. Situated on the southeastern tip of Nosy Be, an island off Madagascar's west coast that's known for its picturesque beaches and sunsets, Lokobe National Park is one of the Sambirano region's only remaining forests. The park can only be accessed by motorized, canoe-like boats called pirogues , adding to its tranquil, unspoiled atmosphere.

Although some recent visitors cautioned that getting to the park and exploring it can be quite exhausting, most raved about its beauty and wildlife. You'll have the chance to spot three lemur species here, as well as multiple kinds of amphibians and reptiles. Highlights for past travelers included watching boa constrictors slither in the trees, seeing chameleons blend in with their surroundings and feeding lemurs bananas. Since you'll be trekking through wild terrain, remember to wear comfortable sneakers, as well as long-sleeved clothing and bug spray to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

The Three Bays (Les Trois Baies) The Three Bays (Les Trois Baies) free

If you want to take in water vistas without trekking offshore to islands like Nosy Sakatia or Nosy Be, head to The Three Bays. Made up of three bays – Sakalava, Pigeon and Dune – this area features pristine beaches where activities like swimming, hiking, windsurfing and kitesurfing can be enjoyed. You'll also have ample opportunities to take jaw-dropping photos here.

Visitors rave about The Three Bays' beautiful setting, adding that the kitesurfing conditions at Sakalava Bay are superb. The area is also easy to reach by car since it's just 10 miles northeast of Antsiranana. For those who'd rather explore The Three Bays on a quad bike, Diego Raid offers four-wheel drive tours for $21 per person (or $120 per vehicle).

Anja Community Reserve Anja Community Reserve

Although Madagascar offers several places to spot lemurs, one of its more unique animal locales is Anja Community Reserve. Located about 41 miles southwest of Fianarantsoa along National Road No. 7, this environmental and cultural preservation site strives to protect local flora and fauna within an inhabited area. Ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons, snakes and more live here, and the reserve's surrounding granite mountains feature two hiking trails, various caves and a campsite with water, restrooms and a shower area.

Past travelers enjoyed checking out Anja Community Reserve on foot, saying they saw multiple lemurs during their visits. Many also raved about the easier Small Circuit Loop, which takes about two hours to complete. For a more challenging hike, consider trekking the six-hour-long Large Circuit Loop. If you decide to stay overnight, remember to bring camping equipment since it is not available at the campsite.

Isalo National Park (Parc National Isalo) Isalo National Park (Parc National Isalo)

Isalo National Park woos visitors with its vertical rock walls, lush vegetation and picturesque waterfalls. Throughout this tropical paradise, travelers can hunt for reptiles and primates – there are more than 50 species living here – while strolling along 10 walking, hiking and bike trails. Some paths even lead to natural swimming pools, where you can cool off while taking in your surroundings.

Previous visitors had mixed feelings about Isalo National Park. While some described it as Madagascar's best national park, others felt it was too expensive. But if you can pay the park's 65,000 Malagasy ariary ($20) entrance fee and roughly 4,000 to 113,000 Malagasy ariary (or $1 to $36) to explore one of its paths during a guided tour, past travelers said you'll be rewarded with "stunning" views of an "incredibly beautiful" area.

Tsingy Rouge Park Tsingy Rouge Park

Although this attraction in northern Madagascar is a bit removed from the main roads, Tsingy Rouge Park's dramatic landscape cannot be missed. Featuring tall clay-like rock formations created by landslides and mudslides, this area's red rocks are often compared to the larger ones found at Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park.

You'll need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to this natural wonder, but recent travelers recommend making the trek. If you don't rent a car while in Madagascar, you can take one of several organized tours to the site; rates start at $168 per day, excluding lodging and meals. Tour operators that visit Tsingy Rouge Park include Soa Tours and Visit Mada Tours . Since the terrain is rough in this park, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Guided day tour to the Nosy Iranja Natural Island

from $ 86.89

Tsingy Tour 04 Days

(13 reviews)

from $ 744.92

Guided tour of the Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely Islands

from $ 92.32

Nosy Sakatia Nosy Sakatia free

When you're in need of a break from Madagascar's parks and forests, head to the quaint island of Nosy Sakatia. This tropical oasis – which measures just 1 square mile – boasts an array of orchids but is best known for its water sports activities. Everything from sailing to fishing to snorkeling and diving is offered here, and you can even spend a night or two at one of the island's hotels .

Past visitors loved scuba diving and snorkeling in Nosy Sakatia's waters during half-day excursions. Many, in fact, saw sea turtles grazing in shallow areas. However, a few travelers were less than impressed with the island's beaches and desired more things to do on shore. If you do decide to visit Nosy Sakatia, consider booking a half- or full-day tour through companies like City Discovery and Les Baleines Rand'eau . Tour rates start at $50 per person and generally include snorkeling equipment rentals and lunch.

Lemurs' Park Lemurs' Park

Although you'll have ample opportunities to spot lemurs in national parks like Mantadia and Lokobe , for even more chances to see these furry creatures, travel 16 miles southwest of Antananarivo to Lemurs' Park. This private, 12-acre reserve houses nine lemur species, as well as various lizards and birds and 70-plus types of plants. In addition to welcoming tourists, the park works with other Malagasy reserves to rehabilitate and breed lemurs.

Travelers say Lemurs' Park is a great place to see lemurs without venturing far from Antananarivo. Though you won't be allowed to touch the lemurs, the property's animals move freely around the park, so one may try touching you. Many also rave about the attraction's well-maintained facilities and knowledgeable guides.

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12 Best Things to Do in Madagascar

Located several hundred miles off the coast of Mozambique , Madagascar is one of the most unique places on Earth. It is a land with many different faces—golden shores, lush mountains, jagged limestone karsts, and plunging, arid canyons. These eclectic habitats are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, 90 percent of which is found nowhere else on Earth. There is something for everyone in Madagascar , whether you’re looking to relax on untouched beaches or to escape off the grid into pristine rainforest. The country’s capital, Antananarivo, is a melting pot of history, diverse culture, and fine modern cuisine. 

Read on to discover the best things to do in Madagascar.

Look for Lemurs

Of all Madagascar’s weird and wonderful creatures, lemurs are without a doubt the most iconic. There are nearly 100 different species and sub-species of lemur on the island, all of which are endemic. These charismatic primates range in size from the tiny pygmy mouse lemur to the majestic, monochrome indri. The best way to spot Madagascar’s lemurs is to head to one of its many national parks . In particular, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is known for its large indri population while Ranomafana National Park is home to 12 species, including the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur. While exploring the island’s parks, keep an eye out for other endemic species, including tenrecs, civets, and the cat-like fossa. 

Swim with Whale Sharks

There’s nothing quite like an encounter with the world’s largest fish . Those visiting Madagascar from September to December can do just that, off the northwestern island of Nosy Be . At this time, these behemoth fish gather to feed on blooming plankton and can easily be spotted from the surface. Despite their huge size (whale sharks reach an average length of around 9.5 meters (31 feet), they are naturally docile and pose no threat to humans . In season, operators like Baleines Rand’eau offer whale shark snorkeling trips with a 95 percent chance of success. While you’re out there searching for sharks, remember to look for Madagascar’s other marine life, including turtles, manta rays, and dolphins.

Marvel at Baobabs

Baobab trees are intrinsically woven into the fabric of African folklore. In the past, Indigenous people depended upon their products for survival, and as such, these strange trees are often called the “Tree of Life.” Today, they are remarkable for their vast size, with the largest species growing up to 14 meters (46 feet) in diameter. Madagascar is home to six types of endemic baobab. Although they can be seen all over the island, the most famous place for baobab-worshipping is the Avenue of the Baobabs. Located in the Menabe region of western Madagascar, the Avenue comprises some 25 trees strung out like sentries along the Morondava-Belon’i Tsiribihina dirt road. Many of the trees are more than 30 meters (100 feet) tall.

Explore Antananarivo

Founded by the king of the Merina people at the beginning of the 17th century, the Malagasy capital is steeped in history. Known locally as Tana, Antananarivo also served as the capital for French colonialists in the 19th and 20th centuries and remains the island’s center of political and economic power today. There is much to explore in Tana. For beautiful architecture, head to the old Haute-Ville area of the city. Get your cultural fix in the city’s art galleries and museums, or soak up the atmosphere while browsing the open-air produce stalls at Analakely Market. Tana is known for its culinary culture, whether you’re hoping to sample street-food delicacies or experience fine French dining in restaurants that compete on an international level. 

Sign Up for Scuba Diving

Whether you’re an experienced diver or a beginner hoping to take the plunge for the first time , there are plenty of incredible scuba diving opportunities in Madagascar. With approximately 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles) of coastline, you’re never far from the ocean. In the southwestern part of Madagascar, you'll find the world’s third largest coral reef system: the Tuléar reef. It provides a habitat for more than 6,000 marine species, many of which are unique to Madagascar. The island of Nosy Be is perhaps the most famous destination for divers, while charter boats in the north can be hired as dedicated diving liveaboards. Conditions are ideal, with good visibility year-round and balmy water temperatures. Bucket-list animals include whales, dolphins, sharks, and manta rays.

Sample Local Cuisine

Wherever your adventures take you, make sure to sample the local cuisine. Traditional Malagasy dishes usually consist of either meat or seafood served with vegetables and rice. Spices are used sparingly, but the food is nevertheless flavorful. Try koba, a popular street food consisting of banana, peanut, and rice paste wrapped in a banana leaf casing. Romazava is the traditional beef stew, while kabaro (curried lima beans and coconut) is popular in the Morondava region. On the coast, fresh seafood dominates the menu. Wash your meal down with the local Three Horses Beer (THB) or with ranonapango (sometimes called ranovola). The latter is made from burnt rice water and may be an acquired taste. 

Visit the Stone Forests

Günter Lenz / Getty Images

Madagascar is full of extraordinary scenery, but perhaps the most striking of all its alien landscapes are the limestone karsts of northwestern  Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park . Approximately 200 million years ago, the limestone seabed was pushed upwards, creating a vast plateau. Over time, the plateau was eroded, eventually becoming a dense “forest” of jagged limestone needles interspersed with canyons, waterfalls, and an almost impenetrable forest. In addition to its prehistoric badlands scenery, Tsingy offers the opportunity to look for 11 different lemur species, some of which are only found in this specific area. There are also endemic reptiles, birds, and a plethora of utterly unique botanical species.

Spot Endemic Birds

There are approximately 280 bird species in Madagascar. Although this isn't a particularly high figure for the fourth-largest island in the world, a high level of endemism confirms its status as a prime birding destination. More than 100 species are Madagascar exclusives, and there are three main regions for those in search of endemic birds: the eastern rainforest, the southern spiny bush, and the deciduous forests in the west. If you have limited time, try Ranomafana National Park , home of rarities like the short-legged ground roller and the yellow-bellied sunbird-asity. The best time for birding is in late spring or early summer (August to December), when birds are at their most active and are dressed in their finest breeding plumage. 

Discover Pristine Beaches

White sand, abundant palms, and azure waters make Madagascar one of the most beautiful island destinations in the Indian Ocean . Some of the country’s best stretches of sand are found on outlying islands in the northwest. Tiny Tsarabanjina, for example, evokes Robinson Crusoe with its deserted sandy coves and crystalline seas. The island is only accessible by boat and offers luxury accommodations in the form of private beach bungalows. The beaches of nearby Nosy Iranja are frequented by nesting turtles, while on the east coast, Île aux Nattes is a tropical paradise with several options for accommodation and activities. On the mainland, the beaches around Anakao in the south offer reliable swells for surfing and kite surfing.

Go Whale Watching

Those heading to Madagascar between July and September should make their way to the northeastern island of Île Sainte-Marie to witness the annual humpback whale migration. Also known as Nosy Boraha, this idyllic island plays host to hundreds of humpbacks, all of whom have traveled thousands of miles from the nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean. Their sojourn to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean is something of a wintertime vacation—a time to come together, mate, and give birth before returning to Antarctica . Humpback whales are the most acrobatic of all whale species, and if you join an Île Sainte-Marie whale-watching tour , you’re likely to see them breaching, spy-hopping, and slapping their giant pectorals.

Get Lost in Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park, which protects more than 190,000 acres of land, is a nature lover's paradise. Here, you will find thick forests of pandanus trees, natural swimming holes, and dramatic geologic formations such as plateaus, gorges, canyons, and pinnacles. For wildlife, you're in for a treat: Within the park, you can spot some 14 species of lemurs, over 80 different types of birds, and reptiles and amphibians like the Malagasy rainbow frog and the Madagascar boa. Visitors to the park mainly come here to hike, with the Piscine Naturelle Trail being one of the more popular trails. Be aware that you will need to hire a local guide to explore the park, either through an organized Madagascar tour or at the park office in Ranohira.

Spot Wildlife in Lokobe Nature Special Reserve

Located in Nosy Be, Lokobe Nature Special Reserve is the island's last remaining lowland rainforest, and a must-see if you're in Madagascar to see wildlife. Among the island's residents, you'll find nocturnal mouse lemurs, Madagascar long-eared owls, leaf-tailed geckos, and Nosy Be panther chameleons. Do be on the lookout for the endangered black lemur, which is a bit of a misnomer, considering that the females are rust-colored and have white tufts of hair on their heads. Getting here will require you to row a pirogue, a traditional dugout canoe, to shore; we recommend booking a group tour for ease of planning a trip here.

Madagascar is perhaps best-known for its lemurs—of which nearly 100 different species and sub-species live on the island—and for its massive baobab trees. The island is also home to the Tuléar reef, the world's third-largest coral reef system, making Madagascar one of the top scuba diving destinations in Africa.

It depends on which part of the country you're planning to visit. For those interested in exploring the east coast (Île Sainte-Marie and Andasibe-Mantadia National Park), July through September is when this mostly rainy, humid region is at its driest and coolest. On the northwest coast (Nosy Be), June through September offers excellent scuba diving, while October through December promises great whale shark-spotting. In the Central Highlands (Antananarivo and Ranomafana National Park), travelers will find pleasant temps and smaller crowds than in the busy tourist season.

The two official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French, though the former is more widely spoken as it's a first language for most locals.

World Wide Fund for Nature. "Madagascar's Major Reefs Among Most at Risk From Climate Change." December 4, 2009.

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Home » Travel Guides » Madagascar » 15 Best Places to Visit in Madagascar

15 Best Places to Visit in Madagascar

Ah, Madagascar; just the very mention of the name evokes images of the exotic and the tropical. A land of colossal, bulbous baobab trees from centuries gone by, of bug-eyed lemurs and of swinging indri indris, it’s got all the elegance of a onetime French colony; all the wildernesses of East Africa; all the warmth and sparkling sands of the Indian Ocean; all the traditions of a place disconnected and alone and steeped in tribal histories.

The huge island – the fourth biggest in the world, in fact – is a magnet for a whole host of different travelers. Beach lovers can flock to the shining shores of the west coast to snorkel with rays and spot whales. Adventurers can take to the jungle paths, or rattle in the cages of 4X4s to far-flung rainforests in the hills. History buffs can see UNESCO spots that showcase the regal past of the native islanders. Yep, there really is something for everyone in this jewel of the south!

Lets explore the best places to visit in Madagascar :

A single name for a duo of resorts, Ifaty (and its bigger brother of Mangily, also now confusingly referred to as just Ifaty too) is a stretch of sun-kissed onetime fishing villages on the south-western edge of Madagascar island.

Famed for their luxurious hotel resorts and wide beaches of shining yellow sand, they draw some of the biggest crowds in the country.

Most come for the rigmarole of sun, sea, sand and world-class snorkelling that’s offered by the Indian Ocean, while others head in to enjoy catamaran tours on the Mozambique Channel, sample uber-fresh fish curries and encounter the traditional reed villages of the coastal folk.

Just a short hop, skip and a jump across the Indian Ocean waters from the town of Ambanja, gorgeous little Nosy Be is the place to go for Madagascar’s trademark beaches.

Shining in hues of alabaster white in the coves and inlets that ring the shoreline here, they pop up beautifully around little fishing villages like Ambatoloaka, or come dotted with groups of swaying palm trees at Ambondrona.

There are beach parties too, erupting each Sunday along the sands of Madirokely.

And, Nosy Be’s popularity notwithstanding, there are chances for real seclusion to boot – just check out the far-flung islet of Orangea, languishing out at sea from the north-west coast.

3. Nosy Mangabe

Nestled deep between the coastal hills of Helodrano Antongila Bay, which carves its way inland on the north-eastern edge of Madagascar, the small island come nature reserve of Nosy Mangabe is a real must for any wildlife lovers heading to these parts.

Famed for its booming populations of bug-eyed aye-aye lemurs, the spot is a picture of tropical perfection.

Huge fig trees wrangle around groves of palms, ruffed lemurs meet mantella frogs in the undergrowth, and the green hills crash down into secluded bays of bright yellow sand.

Boats to the island and all the necessary permits are available in Maroantsetra; the closest town on the mainland.

4. Tsingy de Bemaraha

A truly dramatic landscape of carved rocks and towering hoodoos, needle-like stone spires and colossal monoliths balanced tenuously atop cliffs, the Tsingy de Bemaraha is one of Madagascar’s most curious natural treasures.

It can be found amidst the long green belt of nature reserves on the west coast, displaying its rugged karst landscapes where the inland highlands give way to the verdant hills closer to the shore.

Today it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site; one tagged for its great biodiversity of dry deciduous forests, rare rock habitats, and the photogenic nature of the sweeping plateau within.

5. Ranomafana National Park

The natural jewel of Fianarantsoa and the home of Madagascar’s famous golden bamboo lemur, Ranomafana National Park draws thousands of people each year to its forest-clad reaches in the heart of the island’s eastern haunch.

Sweeping down from misty montane forests to lowland plains, the territory is crisscrossed by mile upon mile of hiking track, carved out by roaring waterfalls and peppered with multi-coloured lizards.

A word of warning: Ranomafana’s biggest draws lie deep between the mountains and forests, so be sure to bring sturdy boots and strong legs for this one!

6. Isalo National Park

The patchwork of carved rock gorges and winding canyons, blooming oases and palm groves that is the beautiful Isalo National Park can be reached after just a short trip out of either Toliara and Ihosy.

Designated a protected area way back in 1962, this one’s extreme biodiversity and unique natural makeup are instantly recognisable.

Visitors come to wonder at the windswept runiforme mountains and walk beneath towers of stacked stone.

They come to see the rare crested ibis and meet ring-tailed lemurs in the wild.

There are also more than 80 species of endemic birds to spot, along with the famous Canyon of Monkeys, with its dextrous sifakas inhabitants.

7. Antananarivo

Set more than 1,400 meters up in the very highland heart of the nation, the capital of Antananarivo comes brushed with chilly mountain breezes for most of the year.

But those winds might just be the only cool thing about the cityscape, which today pulses with tooting traffic and shouting marketplaces.

The old heart of the city still displays some traces of French colonialism, with its elegant – if age-stained – Parisian mansions cascading down a hillside in the midst of the town.

There are old Malagasy palaces to explore too, along with the famous Croc Farm, and oodles of spice-scented curry houses to boot.

8. Andasibe-Mantadia

Within striking distance for day trippers from the capital, Andasibe-Mantadia is one of Madagacar’s most accessible national parks.

It covers a vast swathe of verdant primeval rainforest, clocking up a whopping territory of more than 150 square kilometers in total.

Spread over two separate areas, from the sprawling de Mantadia Reserve to the d’Analamazaotra Special Reserve, the whole area showcases a breathtaking array of biodiversity.

There are inland crabs crawling through the forests, swinging diademed sifakas and even fluffy indri monkeys to see.

Andasibe-Mantadia has oodles of hiking paths that offer treks between one and six hours.

9. Ambohimanga

Ambohimanga is a place deeply entwined with Malagasy national identity.

Also called, simply, Royal Hill, it was the onetime home of the local kings.

Expanded and added to throughout the 1800s, the mound of palaces and burial grounds, crumbling fortifications and regal tombs, was the kingpin of one of Madagascar’s four quadrants, and the place from which King Andrianampoinimerina launched his now-famed campaigns to re-unify Imerina following more than seven decades of civil war in the 18th century.

Today, visitors can come on a day trip from the capital to tour the UNESCO spot, spying out the kingly court rooms and exquisite timber and stone rova (settlement) architecture.

10. Zahamena National Park

Draped in rainclouds and mist, clad in rolling canopies of emerald green, and hidden between the rising peaks on Madagascar’s eastern edge, the famous jewel of the rainforests of the Atsinanana comes in the form of the Zahamena National Park.

One of the hardest protected areas in the country to get to, this area of just over 400 square kilometers is home to one of the most eclectic arrays of bird life.

Yep, red owls and serpent eagles cruise through the waxy boughs and fern forests, meeting the white-eyed indri indri, dwarf lemurs and other curious simian life.

Bed down in nearby Vavatenina or Ambatondrazaka for the best access to these wilds.

11. Maroantsetra

The favoured gateway to the Masoala National Park and the aforementioned wilds of Nosy Mangabe, age-old Maroantsetra makes its home right at the end of the great Bay of Antongil in north-east Madagascar.

An earthy and interesting town, it’s laden with one throbbing marketplace that’s packed with sweet-smelling fruits and multi-coloured vegetables, and has crisscrossing streets of mud lined with tin-shack lean-tos.

It’s also the place where the meanders of the Antainambalana River finally meet the Indian Ocean, giving the spot a laid-back riparian charm to boot.

12. Ile Sainte Marie

The Ile Sainte Marie is an elongated finger of land that stretches along the eastern edge of Madagascar, just across the whale-peppered waters of the Baie de Tintingue.

The stuff of travel brochures and tropical postcards, it’s one of the most handsome enclaves of the country for sure.

Most travelers will alight between the rickety jetties of Ambodifotatra, before breaking out to the secluded coves and beaches to the north and south.

These tend to be powdered yellow sands dotted with big boulders and fringed with coconut palms, complete with the occasional resort hotel hiding between the mangroves.

Also, don’t miss the pirate history, which is best seen at the old buccaneer cemetery!

13. Morondava

Sandwiched between the sandy beaches of the Kirindy Mitea National Park to the south and the spreading delta lands of the Andranomena Reserve to the north, it’s clear from the get-go that Morondava’s real pulls lie out of town.

That doesn’t mean the center isn’t worth bedding down in – this seaside spot has some pretty little timber homes and earthy guesthouses, along with a great backpacker vibe.

The piece de resistance is undisputed though.

That honour goes to the revered Avenue of the Baobabs, which erupts in a medley of hulking trunks along the roadway to Belon’i Tsiribihina nearby – simply not to be missed!

14. Masoala National Park

Falanoucs, leaf-tailed geckos and rare lemurs all coalesce between the vast 2,300-sqaure-kilometers of land that is the Masoala National Park.

Jutting out into the Indian Ocean in a mosaic of thick rainforests that cascade down to the crashing rollers of the sea from the cliffs of the Sava Region, it’s one of the largest and most hotly protected places in the nation.

Illegal logging here has been a huge problem, even in recent years, but a UNESCO designation and increased eco-tourism is only set to improve matters.

Today, visitors can come to walk along the famous Cap Est and Alohatrozana trails, to see the virgin forests that dress the shore along its whole length.

15. Antsirabe

Perched high up in the Madagascan highlands and soothed by the cool winds of the mountains, Antsirabe was an obvious choice for the French colonials who came here by the boatload during the heyday of colonialism.

In their wake they built elegant Parisian-style mansions, raised Gothic cathedrals and laid wide boulevards with plane trees casting shade.

They also tapped the healing and relaxation powers of the nearby hot springs, which are still one of the main attractions in the city.

Hop aboard a local pousse-pousse (rickshaw) and check off the sites downtown, before heading to the Ranomafana baths to unwind in the natural waters.

15 Best Places to Visit in Madagascar:

• Nosy Mangabe
• Tsingy de Bemaraha
• Ranomafana National Park
• Isalo National Park
• Antananarivo
• Andasibe-Mantadia
• Ambohimanga
• Zahamena National Park
• Maroantsetra
• Ile Sainte Marie
• Masoala National Park

Madagascar Travel Guide (Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit)

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: May 21, 2020  - Last updated: June 28, 2021

Categories Africa , Destinations , Madagascar

Madagascar is the perfect destination for the adventurous traveler and those who want to get away from mass tourism – but traveling around the 4th biggest island in the world will require a lot of time, and will push your patience to breaking point. That being said, this Madagascar travel guide will make the journey a whole lot easier.

But if you’ve got time and patience, you will be rewarded with one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world.

Madagascar is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna of which almost 90% cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including the famous lemurs which are only found in Madagascar.

That’s actually a lie; there is only one species of wild lemurs on Comoros.

Madagascar is also home to some of the best and most underrated beaches in the world together with some breathtaking nature and scenery, making it a perfect travel destination. But if you’re still on the fence, here are ten bullet-proof reasons you should visit Madagascar . 

Need to know how to travel to Madagascar? It can be tricky going it alone if you’ve never ventured onto a remote island before. Keep reading to find out exactly how to travel to Madagascar. 

Madagascar Tourism | What You Need to Know

All the information provided here is from my experience traveling around Madagascar in April 2017, but has been updated to reflect the latest pricing and information.

Visa For Visiting Madagascar

Visas are required for everyone visiting Madagascar. You can obtain a 30 days or 60 days visa at all international airports. Despite what the guidebooks say, the 30-day visa is NOT FREE. A 90-day visa is no longer available! 30 days 35 Euro / 37 USD 60 days 40 Euro / 45 USD Or you can apply in advance for an Evisa to Madagascar , this will save you a lot of time when arriving at the airport.

There are no ATMs or money exchanges before immigration and customs, so be sure to bring cash with you to pay your visa fee.

No passport photos are required, but a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is (depending on your travel history and the countries you’ve visited).

The visa sticker takes one full page of your passport.

Arriving At Ivato International Airport (TNR) When You Travel to Madagascar

The main airport in Madagascar is located 20 km northwest of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.

BNI Madagascar and Bank of Africa are both located after immigration and customs, and they both offer currency exchanges and ATMs. Unlike lots of airports, the exchange rate at Ivato is pretty good, so it’s fine to change up money here.

There are also three small mobile-phone shops selling local sim cards for the three main providers in the country, Orange, Telma, and Airtel. The shuttle bus between the airport and the capital is NOT running anymore, so the only way to get to town is by taking a taxi or arranging an airport pickup via your hotel.

Because of traffic, the drive from the center could take anywhere from 40 minutes to almost 2 hours if you get stuck in evening or morning traffic. The price to the center of Antananarivo is circa 40 000 Malagasy Ariary in the day, but remember to bargain. And at night it will set you back 50 000 Ariary.

NB. The local currency is NOT accepted after immigration on departure. Only USD/Euro are. So be sure to get rid of your local Ariary before you go through immigration on departure. If not, you will be stuck with your Ariary like me.

Money in Madagascar.

The local currency of Madagascar is called Malagasy Ariary (MGA), just called Ariary.

1 USD: 3788 Ariary

1 Euro: 4523 Ariary.

British sterling didn’t seem to be a popular currency to exchange.

Every city and decent-sized town has numerous ATMs these days, and the two main banks are BNI Madagascar and Bank Of Africa. Both accept Visa, Visa Electron, and MasterCard.

None of the banks charged me bank fees when withdrawing money.

The maximum withdrawal at once is 400 000 Ariary (117 Euro / 125 USD)

Every bank seems to be able to exchange USD and Euro, but you will need your passport. But what you really want to know is, is Madagascar expensive? The answer is no. Although the flights can be pricey, that’s usually the most expensive part of the trip. The rest of your Madagascar trip should be relatively cheap. 

Internet in Madagascar

Wifi is available in most mid-range hotels and guesthouses around the country, but the speed is slow outside the big cities. 4G mobile connection is available in Antananarivo and Tamatave. In smaller cities a 3G/2G connection is available.

There is rarely an internet connection in smaller towns and on the road between most places.

Orange, Telma, and Airtel all sell sim cards for 40 USD with a 3GB data package on arrival at the airport.

How To Travel Around Madagascar

Traveling around Madagascar takes time and is very slow even by African standards.

Of the now 101 countries I have been to, I will go so far as to say that Madagascar is one of the slowest and most uncomfortable countries to travel around in the entire world.

The only other country I have visited that can be compared to Madagascar is Mongolia.

Update: Good News, While flying domestic inside Madagascar used to be ridiculously expensive, there is now a new local budget airline in Madagascar.

Air Madagascar has created a subsidiary just for a domestic flight, and it’s called Tsaradia ( Air Madagascar + Air Austral + Ewa Air). Domestic flight now costs 100 to 115 EUR one way to 400 EUR before.

So if you find traveling around South East Asia, India, or mainland Africa uncomfortable, Madagascar is definitely not for you. But if you like a bit of adventure and have plenty of time, Madagascar is definitely the place to go.

I stayed 16 days in Madagascar and traveling around the island took A LOT more time than I was expecting, so I wasn’t able to visit even half the places I wanted to before I left home. Even the famous Avenue of Baobabs is a national road in the country.

Don’t expect to be able to visit big parts of the country if you only have two weeks and are taking local transport.

If you want to cover big parts of the country in a small amount of time, the only way is to rent a 4WD car with a driver for 65 USD + fuel a day.

The usual way to get around Madagascar is by taxi-brousse, which are usually old Mercedes minibusses that can never be too crowded, stop every time someone wants to get on or off, and only depart when full. So there are no scheduled departures and arrival times can vary by up to 12 hours depending on when it left.

On a taxi-brousse, you’ll get chickens, ducks, and local people falling asleep on your shoulder.

Taxi-brousses are OK for shorter distances, but when you’re 180 cm+ tall like me, your knees and back will be done after hitting the seats in front of you for hours.

But things are improving with Cotisse Transport. This is a new local transport company that leaves on time, so if you’re 5 minutes late, they will have left already. They even offer wifi on board and only one person to each seat instead of 3 as on a normal taxi-brousse.

Cotisse Transport doesn’t offer online booking, but you can book your ticket in advance by going to their office.

It’s also important to show up a MINIMUM of 30 minutes before departure to register that you are using your ticket and going on your trip and to load your luggage if you have it.

When traveling around Madagascar, you’ll have to pass through and most likely spend the night in Antananarivo each time you want to head to a different part of the country.

During my trip here, I transited the capital three times, and each time I had to spend the night there.

Madagascar, the perfect destination in Africa for the adventures traveler and travellers that want to get away from mass tourism and want to see wildlife and nature, here´s a complete guide to everything you need to know

Is Madagascar safe?

I personally didn’t have any problems in Madagascar, but a lot of travelers I met had been pickpocketed or had stuff stolen from their luggage when taking a taxi-brousse.

There are A LOT of beggars in Madagascan cities, and most of them are young children. Most of them will respect your “no,” but you do come across a few young “pricks” who go straight for your pockets.

You are required by law in Madagascar to carry your passport with you all the time.

If you don’t have it on you and get stopped by the police/military, you are required to pay an unofficial “safety fine” of around 10 000. If walking around after dark, there is a higher chance of getting stopped.

This is especially true in Antananarivo and around Place de l’Indépendance, where I was stopped four times during my visit. As a single white male walking around, you do get some hassle from local women, especially if you’re going out drinking.

You will see a lot of older white men with young local girlfriends in Madagascar, similar to what you see in Thailand or the Philippines. On the other hand, solo western women shouldn’t face too much unwanted attention, but you shouldn’t walk around on your own after dark at all.

Language in Madagascar 

The main language in Madagascar is Malagasy . It’s spoken by everyone. French is the second official language, but every French tourist I met was surprised how FEW locals actually spoke French outside the big cities. VERY few people speak English in Madagascar

I don’t speak either Malagasy or French, but I still found traveling around Madagascar easy.

The locals were always accommodating and eager to help you out even when we couldn’t speak the same language.

Sunset over the famous Sunset over the Baobabs in western Madagascar.

Guidebook to Travel Madagascar

The newest edition of Lonely Planet Madagascar is pretty accurate and helpful when it comes to transport. But it seemed like EVERY hotel and restaurant (as always) had increased their price since the book came out.

For example, La Banane hostel on I’ll Sainte Marie is priced in the book at 5000 Ariary for a dormitory but the price in April 2017 is 18 000.

Hotel Eden in Tamatave is 16 000 in the book, but the price now is 28 000. All the restaurants in the book seem to have increased the price by about 5000 for each meal. A few of the hotels in the book have been shut down for years like Hotel Frederic in Tamatave, which is just a pile of ruins.

The boat service Melissa Express recommended in the book to get to Isle Sainte Marie from Tamatave doesn’t run anymore either. It was very evident that Madagascar tourism really changed the place.

Food in Madagascar

Malagasy cuisine is heavily meat-based, and every meal seems to come with rice.

The most popular dish in Madagascar is zebu meat (the local breed of cattle). Almost every restaurant, even small local ones, served zebu steak or a zebu stew. Chicken, duck, and seafood are also always available.

For vegetarians, fried rice with vegetables or noodles with vegetables are the most common dishes. But there is always a vegetable-based accompaniment to go with some rice and lots of eggs available, so being a vegetarian (or even vegan) in Madagascar isn’t a problem.

What a 35 000 Ariary Zebu Steak will look like in one of the restaurants in the country.

Beer And Alcohol in Madagascar

Only drink bottled water. Bottled drinking water is available everywhere together with coca-cola, Fanta ananas (it’s excellent), and alcohol too – especially the local flavored rum (Rhum arrange) or the local beer brands like Three Horses Beer (THB), Castel, Queens, and Skol.

While the locals often drink rum because it is much cheaper than beer, the quality of beer in Madagascar is one of the best in Africa.

At a restaurant, a big bottle of beer is often the same price or even cheaper than a bottle of water.

Budget for a Trip to Madagascar

Madagascar can be done pretty cheaply if traveling on a budget, but you will have to be traveling very rough and taking local transport.

Hostels with dormitories are only really in the capital and very few other destinations.

So traveling with a friend will bring the cost down A LOT.

For EVERY national park, you are required to pay a daily entrance permit and to have a guide.

National park tickets are between 55 000 (17 USD) – 65 000 (20 USD) a DAY. Guides are normally around 15 000 (5 USD) a day.

If you want to go to remote places and some national parks, hiring a 4WD car with a driver is often (always) the only option.

Check out the most popular hotels for people who want to share:

The standard price is 65 USD +fuel a day.

Cheap: Around 20 USD a day.

Transport: Local taxi-brousse – 15 000 (5 USD) between big cities.

Accommodation: back hotels with own bathroom, normally with fan: 25 000 (8USD) / 30 000 (10usd)

Food: Local street food and local restaurants. 2000 (0.6 USD) for eggs and toast with coffee for breakfast. Dinner at a local restaurant, 7000 (2 USD) for rice with zebu steak.

Midrange: 45 USD a day.

Transport: Cotisse Transport – 20 000 (6 USD) to 30 000 (10 USD)for Premium.

Accommodation: 90 000+ (30 USD) room with aircon, usually an excellent standard.

Food: 15 000 (5 USD) a meal, a great meal in a typical restaurant.

Flashpacker: 150 USD+  a day.

Transportation: Private 4WD with a driver, 65USD + fuel.

Accommodation: 70 USD a day. Great hotels to a high western standard often with breakfast buffets. My recommendation for a paradisiacal beach resort in Madagascar would be Ile aux Nattes .

Food: 35 000 (11 USD) A great meal in some of the best restaurants in the country.

What to Pack for Your Madagascar Visit

Except for the typical gear you would usually pack, you should also definitely pack:

Flashlight: There is almost no street light in Madagascar – even the big cities have no light after dark. Power blackouts are widespread outside the main cities.

Powerbank: It is common to only have electricity for a few hours a day in remote places in the country. Some days there is no electricity at all.

Bug spray: There are tons of mosquitos and other annoying biting bugs in Madagascar.

Waterproof: Something waterproof for your bag.

Your backpack or suitcase will be put on the roof while taking local transport and it rains a lot in Madagascar.

High-factor sunscreen: Difficult to find and expensive to buy when you do, so bring plenty if you burn easily.

If you plan on backpacking for an extended period of time, check out my backpacker’s packing list . 

Electricity In Madagascar

The power plugs in Madagascar are the standard European standard 220V dual-pin power plugs. Everyone except mainland Europeans will have to bring a power adapter for your trip here.

Overall Experience Of Traveling to Madagascar

Overall Madagascar is a great country to travel around. But you will need more time to explore Madagascar than you would typically need for other countries.

I was able to see A LOT less in my 16 days on the island than I would be able to do in most other countries in the world at the same time.

You will also have to spend more money on Madagascar for a comfortable trip than you would have to do in other countries.

But if you have the time and are up for an adventure, Madagascar is a fantastic destination. I’d definitely like to come back in the future, but I will be sure to have more time next time.

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

What a great article! We're currently dreaming of going to Madagascar again - we've been there before and we love, love love it! Here's to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

Monday 22nd of June 2020

I decided to go to Madagascar next year. Looking for information I got your very informative page. Thanks so much. Do you know of any place I can get info about traveling there after Covid19?

Friday 29th of May 2020

Dear Christian, Thank you for this informative Post. I am a late 20s Youth with Madagascar on my Travel Bucket when the Pandemic finally gives us chance to live again.

In my plan I will be with my Sisters 17 and 22 and my 52 Year Old Mother. We intend to Visit for 16 Days. I intend to have a very good family time with them and also enjoy a little of the Night Life in Madagascar for a fun filled trip. I need your advice, 1. Which part is best ideal for Good fun. We are coming from Uganda.Should we go North? South? East or West? Is it possible to tour a few meaningful places in all Coasts? 2.Do you recommend an Air B and B or can we rent an Apartment? Are these options safe, can we party and make a little merry at night as a family or? Advise us on what is most Ideal.Or should we go to a Hotel instead? Can you recommend? 3.Do you have any Contact person that could be of help to me as I plan my travel? 4. In case one of us gets sick can UAP insurance work for us? 5. Would you recommend good places to visit that will help us make memories as a family? I am grateful, Doreen,Ug

Saturday 16th of May 2020

Thank you so much for the fital information on how to take a trip to madacaascar .

Manjunath K P

Wednesday 12th of February 2020

Hi Christian Your article was very informative. I am shortly travelling on an invite from the tourism department as I am a travel agent based in Bangalore, India

Will look forward to read more of your travel blogs. Thanks & regards

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Plan Your Trip to Madagascar: Best of Madagascar Tourism

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Must-see attractions in Madagascar

Allée des Baobabs

Western Madagascar

One of Madagascar's most recognisable images, this small stretch of the RN8 between Morondava and Belo-sur-Tsiribihina is flanked on both sides by…

Musée de la Photo

Antananarivo

Opened in early 2018, this fabulous photography museum is Antananarivo's best museum. There are four small rooms showing films (in French, English or…

Parc National Isalo

Southern Madagascar

Isalo is one of Madagascar's most beautiful parks. It contains sculpted buttes, vertical rock walls and, best of all, deep canyon floors shot through with…

Parc National Bemaraha

If you visit one place in western Madagascar, make it Parc National Bemaraha. A Unesco World Heritage Site, its highlights are the jagged, limestone…

Poised atop Ambohimanga hill is the Rova, the fortress-palace. The walls of the compounds were constructed using cement made from sand, shells and egg…

Tana’s rova (fortified palace), known as Manjakamiadana (A Fine Place to Rule), is the imposing structure that crowns the city's highest hill. Gutted in a…

Parc National Masoala-Nosy Mangabe

Eastern Madagascar

This 2100-sq-km national park contains one of the best primary rainforests in the country. It is famous for its vegetation, which includes rare hardwoods,…

Parc National Analamazaotra

This is the most popular park within Parc National Andasibe Mantadia. The real draw of this reserve is the rare indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, whose…

Arboretum d'Antsokay

The Great Reef

This is the one must-see attraction in Tuléar. Essentially a 400,000-sq-metre distillation of the entire spiny forest in one place, it's a fantastic…

Nosy Mangabe

Part of Parc National Masoala-Nosy Mangabe, this thickly forested and mountainous tropical island is one of the crown jewels of the Antongil Bay. With…

Parc National Mantadia

Part of the Parc National Andasibe Mantadia, this park is about 17km north of Andasibe. Created primarily to protect the indri, Mantadia also hosts the…

Réserve d'Anja

This 370,000-sq-metre reserve encompasses three mountain-size granite boulders (the three sisters) ringed at the base by a forest full of ring-tailed…

Parc National Andohahela

This 760-sq-km park protects some of the last remnants of rainforest in southern Madagascar, as well as spiny forest and a remarkable 12 species of lemurs…

Parc National Ranomafana

The Parc National Ranomafana is a steamy hothouse of jungle bio-diversity where the hum of insects of is ever present and the wail and squeal of a dozen…

Haute-Ville

The oldest and most attractive part of town is the pedestrian Haute-Ville (known as Tanana Ambony in Malagasy). Utterly removed from the hustle of the…

Parc National Andringitra

Parc National Andringitra is the pièce de résistance of the wider Massif de l'Andringitra. It encompasses a high-altitude granite plateaux of epic beauty,…

Domaine de la Cascade

This gorgeous park, about 9km from the Total station on the road to Ambovombe from Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro), covers 136 hectares, and with a budding…

Cirque Rouge

Dramatic Cirque Rouge is one of western Madagascar’s most famous sights. This amphitheatre of eroded rock is tinted in a rainbow hue of colours, including…

Réserve Forestière de Kirindy

This reserve, 60km northeast of Morondava, covers about 12,500 hectares and is a protected area that's popular with scientists and travellers for its…

Piscines Naturelles d'Ambodiatafana

Île Sainte Marie

In the north of Sainte Marie, near Ambodiatafana village, these natural pools are separated from the Indian Ocean by a granitic gate of about 100m. During…

Chez Mamy Miniatures

For 30 years this family workshop has been creating miniature objects (cars, rickshaws, bicycles etc) made from recycled materials – anything from…

Maison Blanche

No stay on the island would be complete without a sundowner at Maison Blanche: this atypical house has a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views of the…

Parc National Marojejy

Northern Madagascar

This is one of Madagascar’s flagship parks. Consisting of more than 550 sq km of pristine mountainous rainforest, it covers the Marojejy massif, an area…

Far and away Nosy Be’s best beach, Andilana, at the island’s northwest tip, is a long stretch of pearly white sand, with water that’s true azure and clear…

Réserve Spéciale Anjanaharibe-Sud

Réserve Spéciale Anjanaharibe Sud

A place of outstanding beauty and solitude, this little-visited 286-sq-km reserve is the northernmost outpost of the black indri. It is also home to the…

Parcs Nationaux Baie de Baly et Tsingy de Namoroka

This isolated park is home to that peculiarly Malagasy landform, the tsingy, a dense forest of jagged rocky pinnacles interwoven with deep canyons filled…

Grottes d'Anjohibe

This series of subterranean rooms and galleries, some of them the size of buildings, are among Madagascar's most impressive. Stretching over 5km, and…

Lemurs' Park

You'll find nine species of lemur at this private reserve, 22km west of the capital. It's a good place to visit if you haven't yet seen lemurs elsewhere,…

Parc National Montagne d’Ambre

This wonderful national park is literally a breath of fresh air from the arid northern plains: at 1000m, it is generally 10°C cooler than Diego or…

Mahay Mitia Ala

The Mahay Mitia Ala (VOIMMA) park, opened in 2011, is managed by a local association to promote biodiversity, conservation and local development. The…

Parc National Marin de Nosy Tanikely

Nosy Tanikely is a protected marine reserve 10km south of Nosy Be. It's one of the best snorkelling sites in the area, with coral, numerous fish and sea…

Camp Andrafiamena Andavakoera

Located 60km south of Diego Suarez, then 20km east, this camp is perched on a ridge overlooking the rainforest. This is the last refuge of the black…

Réserve Spéciale Ankarana

This striking and undeveloped fantasy land is home to uniquely Malagasy sights: psychedelic fields of spiky tsingy (limestone pinnacle formations) next to…

Réserve de Nahampoana

This 0.67-sq-km forest reserve, 7km north of Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro), deserves much greater recognition. Its exotic tropical setting, with mountains for…

Nosy Iranja

The gorgeous Nosy Iranja, southwest of Nosy Be, consists of two islands: larger, inhabited Nosy Iranja Be (about 2 sq km) and tiny Nosy Iranja Kely (0.13…

Parc National Ankarafantsika

Ankarafantsika (130,026 hectares) is the last strand of dry western deciduous forest in Madagascar. Its excellent wildlife viewing and hiking…

La Fenêtre de l'Isalo

La Fenêtre de l’Isalo is a popular natural rock window that frames the setting sun, although we actually prefer it for the surrounding views of sweeping…

Parc National Zombitse-Vohibasia

Parc National Zombitse-Vohibasia protects one of the last stands of dense dry forest in all of southern Madagascar, a bird-rich island of foliage in the…

Baobab Tree

At the T-junction with Ave de France, there is an enormous baobab tree (circumference, 21m!) thought to be well over 700 years old. It is considered fady …

On a small bay just north of Madirokely, Ambondrona is more tranquil than its southern neighbours, with lovely views of the mainland hills across the sea.

More destinations you need to see

Touropia Travel Experts

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12 Top Attractions & Things to do in Madagascar

One of the last major areas on Earth to be settled by humans, the natural beauty and ecological diversity of Madagascar makes it feel like a country forgotten by time.

Located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is home to thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Madagascar’s extraordinary natural diversity has earned the country the nickname “the eighth continent”. From the iconic lemurs and baobab trees to the vibrant chameleons and intricate orchids, each step reveals the island’s remarkable and endemic treasures.

Beyond its spectacular wildlife, things to do in Madagascar also include exploring its diverse landscapes. Travelers can trek through lush rainforests, traverse spiny deserts, and marvel at limestone formations that defy imagination. At the same time, the intoxicating rhythms of traditional music, the delicious flavours of the local cuisine and the warm hospitality of the Malagasy people will captivate you.

Visit the top tourist attractions in Madagascar to discover for yourself the natural, cultural and historical diversity that is this country. You’ll instantly fall in love with it.

12. Ranomafana National Park

Sprawling across the Vatovavy and Haute Matsiatra regions, stunning Ranomafana National Park boasts incredible biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.

Located in southeastern Madagascar, the park’s name means ‘hot water’ in Malagasy. It refers to the numerous thermal springs – many of which are reputed to have curative powers – found in the adjacent town of Ranomafana.

Visiting Ranomafana National Park offers a chance to witness unique wildlife, including endangered species like the golden bamboo lemur and the elusive fossa. Exploring the well-maintained trails, you’ll encounter cascading waterfalls, picturesque streams, and diverse plant life that ranges from orchids to towering ferns.

Organised tours are mandatory at the park, with experienced guides educating tourists about its ecosystem and conservation efforts. But for a truly immersive experience, consider staying in nearby eco-lodges and participating in night walks to observe nocturnal creatures.

11. Tsingy Rouge Park

Tsingy Rouge Park presents one of the more unique and breathtaking sites in Madagascar.

Situated within the southwestern part of the island, it is renowned for its stunning red limestone formations, resembling a labyrinth of sharp peaks and spires.

A mesmerizing geological wonder, a visit to Tsingy Rouge Park provides a surreal and otherworldly experience. The rusty-red color of the towering limestone structures creates a striking contrast against the surrounding greenery. It is even more magnificent under a cerulean sky.

The park is home to various species of plants and animals who have adapted to this rugged environment, such as lemurs, reptiles, and different bird species.

Exploring the park’s intricate network of trails and bridges is best done with a local guide. They will navigate the challenging terrain and take you to lookouts that showcase tremendous panoramic views.

10. Lemurs’ Park in Antananarivo

You’ll want to head to Lemurs’ Park if you’ve never seen a Lemur.

Located near Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, the park provides a safe and natural habitat for several species of this prosimian. Offering an educational and immersive experience, it allows visitors to observe these fascinating primates in a semi-wild environment.

Guided tours provide valuable insights into the animal’s behavior, their habitat’s ecological importance, and the park’s conservation efforts.

As you are led through the park’s lush vegetation, you’ll encounter lemurs of different species, including ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, and sifakas. These playful and curious creatures often come close, offering an opportunity for unique and memorable interactions.

Aside from the primates, Lemurs’ Park also features botanical gardens with diverse endemic plant species, providing you with additional insights into Madagascar’s rich biodiversity.

Those wanting a serene and laid-back beach experience should head to Ifaty.

A charming village on the southwestern coast, the white sandy beaches of Ifaty provide a picturesque setting for sunbathing, swimming, and leisurely walks along the shore.

The most popular things to do in Ifaty are snorkeling and diving, as it contains diverse marine ecosystems surrounding the region’s coral reefs. They are home to a dazzling collection of colorful fish, turtles, and other fascinating sea creatures.

Beyond the beaches, Ifaty is a gateway to the nearby Reniala Nature Reserve, where visitors can explore the spiny forest, a distinct ecosystem characterized by peculiar flora and fauna. Guided walks in the reserve offer opportunities to encounter baobab trees, rare bird species, and even the endangered radiated tortoise.

8. Masoala National Park

Over on the northeastern coast of Madagascar, Masoala National Park is a magnificent tropical rainforest sanctuary that is one of the largest protected areas in the country.

Only accessible by boat through the Gulf of Antongil from Maroantsetra, the park encompasses pristine beaches, dense rainforests, and numerous other diverse marine ecosystems. It is home to several rare and endemic species, including the wonderfully named aye aye, the red-ruffed lemur, and the colorful helmet vanga bird.

The best chance of seeing them is by hiking through the lush forest trails. However, should you prefer your explorations to be underwater, the park is also home to magnificent coral reefs. Favoured by snorkelers and diving enthusiasts, you should see plenty of turtles among the marine life.

7. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Nestled on the island’s eastern side, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is an enchanting destination.

As its name suggests, it comprises two sections: Andasibe and Mantadia. Both are renowned for their lush rainforests, unique fauna, and mesmerizing landscapes.

If you come here, you will be able to encounter the indri lemurs. The largest living lemurs are known for their distinctive calls and acrobatic leaps through the trees, which will captivate your attention.

Guided walks along well-maintained trails provide riveting experiences, allowing visitors to appreciate the park’s lush vegetation, towering trees, and spectacular, cascading waterfalls.

To enhance your experience, consider embarking on a night walk, where you can witness nocturnal creatures and listen to the symphony of the forest.

6. Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

If you are interested in the history and culture of Madagascar, visiting the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a fascinating and enriching experience.

Located just outside Antananarivo, this sacred hill is a significant cultural landmark that holds great importance as the former royal capital of the Merina Kingdom.

Offering a fascinating glimpse into Malagasy history and culture, it features ancient royal palaces, tombs, and traditional houses that showcase the architectural and artistic heritage of the region.

Travelers can also wander through its peaceful gardens, marvel at panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and learn about the customs and traditions of the Merina people. The site also includes a museum where artifacts and exhibits provide insights into the kingdom’s history and rulers.

5. Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park is a true gem you should try to visit. Nestled in the southwestern part of Madagascar, the park features stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, and diverse wildlife.

Visiting here allows you to explore its vast canyons, deep gorges, and picturesque oasis-like pools. The park’s iconic sandstone rock formations also create a dramatic backdrop for hiking trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints and areas with hidden waterfalls.

The park also has incredible flora and fauna, including lemurs, chameleons, and several colorful bird species. You may even spot the rare Benson’s rock thrush or the graceful ring-tailed lemur.

As in many of the country’s national parks, guides are required. Tours can be arranged to last as short as several hours or as long as several days.

4. Ile Sainte Marie

Sometimes referred to as Nosy Boraha, Ile Sainte Marie, is a stunning tropical paradise on the northeastern coast.

An idyllic island, it offers a fabulous blend of stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a rich maritime history for visitors to enjoy.

Perfect for those wanting a tranquil escape from the mainland, its pristine white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees provide an excellent relaxing backdrop.

The island is a popular snorkeling, diving, and whale-watching destination. It is also steeped in history, as it was a notorious pirate haven in the past.

Exploring the remnants of pirate cemeteries and fortifications adds a touch of adventure to your visit. While the charming villages, where you can experience traditional customs and sample delicious seafood cuisine, provide a fabulous insight into the local Malagasy culture.

3. Avenue of the Baobab

The Avenue of the Baobab, located near Morondava in western Madagascar, is a picturesque and iconic destination showcasing the country’s unique baobab trees.

This stunning stretch of road is lined with majestic baobabs, creating a magical and ethereal atmosphere as you traverse it.

Blessing tourists with a mesmerizing experience, it is especially noteworthy during sunrise or sunset when the warm light bathes the trees in a golden glow. At this time, make sure you have your cameras ready. The towering baobabs’ distinctive silhouettes make for incredible photo opportunities and an unforgettable sight.

The avenue is also a gathering place for locals, who sell local handicrafts and fresh fruits along the road. It provides another glimpse into the local culture and an opportunity to interact with the friendly Malagasy people.

2. Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve

If you want to visit somewhere with a wow factor, head to the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve. Located in western Madagascar, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime journey into a world of geological wonders and ecological diversity.

What makes the reserve such an appealing destination to visit is its unique karst limestone formations. They create an otherworldly landscape of towering pinnacles, deep canyons, and intricate stone forests that must be seen to be believed.

If you visit the reserve, you can explore its rugged terrain through trails and suspension bridges. They enable you to admire the vast expanse of limestone needles, navigate narrow paths, and marvel at the spectacular scenery.

For those with a naturally adventurous spirit, there are exciting opportunities for rock climbing and caving within the reserve.

Nosy Be is the perfect destination for those wanting a tropical escape, combining natural beauty with warm hospitality and a relaxed island atmosphere.

Set just off the northwest coast of Madagascar, this tropical paradise possesses stunning beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, and lush forests.

Sunbathing, swimming and relaxing should be high on the agenda here. However, if you enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling, the surrounding coral reefs are home to a vibrant underwater world. You can expect to see colorful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins.

The island is also renowned for its aromatic spices, particularly ylang-ylang and vanilla. Whilst there, you can visit several plantations to learn about the production processes and enjoy the delicious scents and flavors they produce.

Map of Things to do in Madagascar

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Reader interactions.

August 14, 2020 at 7:23 am

I’m not sure, but if that Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is the one in Antananarivo, then it got burned down/destroyed a couple of years back. I remember there being lots of blood everywhere because the people made lots of sacrifices in order to appease the ancestors due to the house of the king being destroyed. It still looks okay, but it definitely isn’t majestic anymore. Just normal ruins and a good place to play hide and seek.

May 2, 2016 at 6:21 am

Those are rather the mass tourism destinations of Madagascar. The big Island has much more to offer including some nature hotspots rarely visited. Madagascar has still to be explored

May 26, 2015 at 6:33 am

I’m planning my trip there, thanks for this list ! However it seems like a big country… two weeks will be too short to visit it.

April 29, 2015 at 9:21 am

I have never been, but Madagascar sounds like one of the best places to go! Thanks for a great description of the attractions. I am sure looking forward to go one day!! 🙂

March 9, 2015 at 8:53 pm

Thank you for spreading the beauty of Madagascar. I’m originally from Madagascar, but I have never visited any of these wonderful places.

August 29, 2013 at 9:10 am

Great list. Madagascar was one of my favourite countries. I haven’t been to all the parks you mentioned but I think though that Ankarana and Amber mountain up the north could have made it. I think Ankarana was my favourite out of the 7 or 8 I went to. It seemed to have everything but I suppose a lot of it depends on luck and weather as to what you see.

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The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Madagascar, The Red Island

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• Last Updated On: March 17, 2023

Adrift in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is a country few know much about, and even fewer have traveled to. Being the size of France, but with only 10 main roads, Madagascar is truly one of the last undiscovered areas of the world where one can really escape the influences of the modern age and escape to places hardly touched by the outside world. With otherworldly landscapes, thousands of endemic species of animals, and some of the world’s most beautiful and isolated beaches, Madagascar is a dream destination for the devoted traveler.

Of all the places I traveled to in Africa, Madagascar is at the very top in terms of untouched. I spent over a month traveling through this Madagascar and I made sure to write as much detail as possible in this post to make it your ultimate Madagascar travel guide!

History of Madagascar

Madagascar’s history is key to its development. The island split from Gondwanaland, modern day Africa, long before big predators had developed. Instead of primates, Madagascar developed lemurs, a gentle, unaggressive near-monkey, whose nearest relative lives in South America. There are more than 50 species now, but all have gentle hands and intense eyes.

A stunning 90% of Madagascar’s flora and fauna are endemic, found nowhere else in the world. Even the great Amazon in South America can’t compare to the diversity of life found in Madagascar. This is truly a place unlike anything else.

Its isolation also shaped the island’s culture. The human gene pool arrived by boat around 500BC, when settlers came from modern day Borneo (Indonesia) by canoe. These settlers were then joined by Bantu migrants from Mozambique around 1000AD. Here they blended and divided into numerous tribes, each with its own language and beliefs. Due to the history, the people of Madagascar, also known as the Malagasy , are a very curious blend of modern day Southeast Asian and African.

Arab traders came later on, followed by the French who would eventually colonize the island and also influence the culture and language of this island.

Getting to Madagascar

Madagascar is not an easy place to get to. Flights are expensive and long. All international flights arrive in Antananarivo, the country’s capital. There are just a few airlines that fly to Madagascar:

• Air France from Paris
• Kenyan Airways from Nairobi
• South African Airways/Airlink from Johannesburg
• Air Mauritius from Port Louis
• Air Madagascar from Paris and Johannesburg

Air Madagascar is the national airline and all domestic flights go through this company. They are known to be extremely unreliable and have terrible service. Domestic flights are expensive as well with some of the worst on-time records out there. Because of all the negative reviews I read about this airline, I opted to fly SAA from Johannesburg to Antananarivo instead, paying an extra 300$.

Flights from Johannesburg are 3.5 hours, and are 750-900$ on SAA! Again, not a cheap place to get to and perhaps one of the reasons there is such little tourism here, especially from their closest neighbors, South Africa. Flights on Air Madagascar are ~$600.

Madagascar Visas

Madagascar is one of the few African countries that do not require money for Visas. All citizens from the US, Canada, EU, UK, AU etc. DO NOT  need to get a visa before arrival, and  DO NOT need to buy a visa if the visit is less than 30 days.

Taxi Brousse and Cotisse Bus

For those that do not want to rent a car with a driver, the taxi brousse is the preferred budget backpacker route of getting around the island. Taxi brousses are well connected throughout the island with routes regularly running from town to town for a very cheap price. However, like the rest of Africa, group travel for locals is unreliable and uncomfortable. Be prepare to be jammed in to one of those hippie vans with way more people than it’s meant to fit. Pro tip? Buy two seats so you have more space.

In recent years, a company called Cotisse Transport has helped fill the void for those looking for more comfortable mass transport. Cotisse buses are much more comfortable and run on set schedules. They are of course more expensive, but I would much rather take these than a taxi brousse. Although one trip on a taxi brousse is worth the experience!

Tourism in Madagascar

Tourism in Madagascar is still a young industry. The locals like to think they get a lot of tourists but if only they knew. This country does NOT see much tourism, even during its high season. As it is a former colony of France and French is still widely spoken, the majority of tourists hail from France. I would say that 75% of the tourists we came across were older French people. Nevertheless, we were in Madagascar for a month and we could go a whole day without seeing a single foreigner. Beaches are isolated, restaurants are empty, and national parks are spacious. A very welcome change of pace from all the other African countries I’ve visited where tourism is so developed.

There are many ways to plan a trip here. Numerous tour agencies exist in Antananarivo. I  googled “Madagascar Tours” and there’s at least a dozen websites that do tours of the country. Many options exist.

Getting around Madagascar

You can book a fully planned tour, where one price is quoted including your transportation, park entrance fees, hotels, and food. If you’re feeling more adventurous and want flexibility, then you can also rent a 4×4 with a driver and create your own itinerary.

We ended up with the latter option, and rented a 4×4 with a driver for 20 days. This is the most common way to see Madagascar as the roads are in awful conditions and driving is the only way to get to many of the top attractions. I contacted numerous tour agencies and 50 euros a day seemed to be the going rate but I managed to bargain my way down to 40 euros a day. A steal in my opinion for the car AND a driver.

This price INCLUDES the driver’s accommodation and food. I was so confused by this at first.  Where the hell does the driver sleep? He can’t possibly afford the places we’re staying at. Turns out, most of the hotels have sleeping quarters for drivers, and if not, there are hotels for the “locals” for less than $5 a night. Foreigners are allowed to stay in these hotels as well. Consider them the extreme budget options.

Planning our own Madagascar trip with help

We went with  GMT+3 Tours ,  who were incredibly helpful. I told them the amount of time I had, and the sights I wanted to see, and they planned a whole itinerary for us and reserved our hotels after I gave them our budget. They hire freelance tourism drivers and our drivers name was Serge. He was a great driver and had so many great stories of Madagascar. He’s traveled around the entire island numerous times and knows everything about it. I would highly recommend him! If you’re just looking for a driver and are okay planning everything on your own, please email him at  [email protected]

Tourism is cheap in this country. A high end budget for a hotel is 40 euros a night! Split between two people, this isn’t much compared to the rest of Africa. There didn’t seem to be many traditional hostels in this country as again, tourism is small, and the tourists that come here are old Frenchmen that wouldn’t stay at a hostel anyhow. Food is cheap, beer is cheap, fruit is incredibly cheap. It’s easy to live well here.

How many days is necessary to see Madagascar

Madagascar is a special place. It is also the most undeveloped country I’ve ever seen and this is from someone that’s seen much of Africa. The main highways are 1.5 lanes, pothole infested, questionable roads with no markings on it whatsoever.

It takes awhile to get places, even if you have your own car. We spent almost 4 weeks here, visiting the Tsingy Stone Forest, Morondava, Ranomafana Forest, Isalo National Park, Andasibe Park, and Ile Ste Marie. I’d say 10 days is the minimum amount of days to do this country any sort of justice. Three weeks is more ideal and one could easily spend 3 months here and have plenty to do.

The official languages in Madagascar are French and Malagasy. The former is the language left behind from colonial times and used primarily among the more educated and those working in tourism. Malagasy is the more commonly spoken language. Everyone speaks Malagasy, with only about 15% of the people able to speak fluent French. Miraculously, all 20 million people in Madagascar speak various dialects of Malagasy, and everyone can understand each other. This is a farcry from other African countries where there are dozens of languages in just one country that are completely unrelated to each other.

After visiting Madagascar, being able to speak French is highly useful. I’d recommend learning some basic phrases just to get around as the English spoken in this country is very poor. Thankfully, my French is serviceable and this was a savior in getting by.

The lack of education in this country is alarming and if someone does not work in the tourism industry, or live in a big city, there is a good chance they will not speak French either. Thanks to modern day technology, make sure to download the offline French language pack with the Google Translate app before coming here!

Money in Madagascar

The only expensive part of Madagascar is getting there. After that, this country is likely one of the cheapest places you’ll ever visit. Madagascar uses the  Ariary  as the official currency. It was traded 2,500 Ariary to 1 USD when I visited in Sep 2014, and is trading around 2,700 Ariary to 1 USD upon the completion of this blog post in December. Ariary’s come in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 notes. Yes, the biggest bill in Madagascar is the 10,000 ariary note, or ~$4!!

Since Madagascar is a former colony, the majority of its visitors are French and the Euro is commonly used by tour operators’ in quotinge prices for tours. Many tourism operators recommend taking Euros to the country and exchanging it at the airport. This is a good move but if you have a bank card that does not charge you ATM fees, this is not necessary as the ATMs in this country dispense cash just fine.

Exchanging Money

Long answer short, exchange all money at the airport. Euros are the preferred currency but dollars and pounds are readily available. The exchange rates given at the airport are good, close to market spot rate.

ATMs in Madagascar

As Madagascar’s tourism industry flourishes, so will the availability of ATMs. During my time in the country, ATMs were available in all the bigger cities ONLY . ATMs accept Visa and BNI accepts Mastercard as well (but best to go with Visa to be safe). The ATMs had a single withdrawal limit of 400,000 Ariary when we went (160$)

Cash is king

Cash is the only method of payment in 95% of Madagascar. Only the ultra high end hotels and restaurants accept credit card. We were able to use our credit card just twice during our month in the country, once at a high end hotel in Isalo National Park, and the other at a hotel in Antananarivo (but they wanted to charge us a fee so we ended up paying cash). Even the gas stations do not take credit cards!

Prepare to visit the ATM frequently and prepare to carry around huge wads of cash. 400,000 Ariary is 40 bills and a full tank refill on a 4×4 is more than half of that so money goes quickly!

Food in Madagascar

Most of Africa has pretty bland, uninspired food. With the Southeast Asian influence in Madagascar, I thought the food would be more flavorful. Right and wrong. Madagascar has the potential to create good food. There are a lot of spices, vegetables, and fruits to be had here but the country has not developed its cuisine for tourism yet.

There is a fine line between food cooked for the locals, and food cooked for tourists. The latter is more French inspired than Malagasy. The former consists of rice (biggest part of Malagasy diet), a meat, and maybe some stew for flavoring.

Street food is available everywhere and although dirt cheap (1-2$ a meal), we found local cuisine to be lacking in flavor. The French style cuisine meant for tourists run usually $5-8 a plate and is a bit better, although still nothing like the delicious food you can find in Southeast Asia.

Zebu, Madagascar’s version of the cow, and the locals feverishly vocalize the distinction between zebus and cows, is one of the staple dishes in Madagascar. Considered the most sacred of animals, we ate Zebu almost all every meal when there wasn’t seafood. It’s tasty, especially with some Madagascan Green Peppercorn sauce and Sakay chilies!

Fresh fruit is a staple in Madagascar and can be found on the side of the street, in the market, or pretty much anywhere. Depending on the time of year, different fruits will be available. In September, we found an abundance of pineapples, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, and raspberries. Prices are incredibly cheap. I could buy a whole pineapple cut into small pieces for 1,500 Ariary ($0.60). Madagascar is also the world’s largest lychee exporter and during the month of December, lychee can be had in huge quantities for dirt cheap.

When to visit Madagascar

Madagascar is a country the size of France but has the geological diversity of a country the size of America. There are many different climates throughout the country.

• The area surrounding Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, is surrounded by mountains giving a climate that is cool at night
• The east coast is subtropical with beautiful beaches and abundant rain
• The west coast is drier than either the east coast or the central highlands because the trade winds lose their humidity by the time they reach this region
• The deep south is semi-desert, with very little rain falling here

The rainy reason runs December-March, and it is best to avoid visiting during this time. Violent cyclones can hit the country at this time and the roads leading up to tourist attractions like the Tsingy Stone Forest, can be completely washed away. May-October are driest, coolest months, and the best time to visit.

Madagascar weather is beautiful all year around. But when is the best time to visit Madagascar? Find out on  Sunheron , a website that provides you with all kinds of weather information and helps you to find the best holiday based on criteria you choose!

And finally, my Madagascar itinerary

And finally, my four week itinerary for Madagascar. I spent weeks planning this out so hopefully this will help whomever’s reading this in the future. Again, it was good to have a tour agent to help me plan this as I could only do so much research from the internet. He gave me helpful tips like don’t bother visiting Tulear at the end of the RN7 as you’re going to Ile Sainte Marie anyway.

Read my detailed Madagascar Itinerary

Further Reading

To read more detailed accounts of my travels through the Red Island, click on the following posts:

• Morondava and the Avenue of the Baobabs
• Tsingy Stone Forest
• Ranomafana National Park
• Isalo National Park
• Ile Sainte Marie and Ile Aux Nattes

Continue Reading:

• The Perfect Travel Itinerary For Madagascar
• Guide To Visiting Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
• Guide To Visiting Andasibe National Park And Lemur Island, Madagascar
• The Ultimate Mozambique Travel Guide
• The Best Of Johnny Africa – Top Moments Traveling Through Africa
• The Ultimate Guide to Ile Sainte Marie and Ile Aux Nattes
• Guide To Hiking The Tsingy Stone Forest, Madagascar
• Ultimate Guide To Visiting Isalo National Park, Madagascar
• The Perfect Travel Itinerary For Mozambique
• What I’ve Learned After Traveling To 50 Countries
• Guide to Visiting Morondava and Avenue Of The Baobabs
• The Ultimate One Week and Two Week Travel Itinerary for Uganda
• Why South Africa Is The Perfect Destination To Learn English
• The Ultimate Maldives Budget Travel Guide – Paradise For Cheap

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Brilliant article – stunning country !!

Thank you and glad you liked mada!

did your rate of 40 per day per person for car +driver include petrol?

Cheers Miomir

Not petrol. I would also expect these prices to be higher now as this post was written in 2015.

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Madagascar again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

I just found your site – and I love it. What great pics and usefulll info. Thank you Benny // https://danmarkmedposten.dk/

I agree with every factor that you have pointed out. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts on this.

Please see my blog, The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Interesting Travel Book Hope this will help, Thank you!

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Madagascar again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 and 2022 with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

– Cirkeline // RejsRejsRejs

If you want even more tips for your trip to Madagascar, you’re welcome to read our article on it here

John!! It’s Annie from college. Googled Madagascar and this page came up haha! Now I really want to go! Hope you are well.

Thanks for sharing this great article Johnny! Very well-written! Hope this will help, Thank you!

I will be travelling to Madagascar from the 7 – 27 of January. It seems that hiring a car with a driver is the best method of transportation, just wondering how this works when you spend days not driving? I read in one of your other posts that the daily price of the vehicle includes the drivers lodging, wondering how this works if you spend multiple days in one place not driving (hiking or relaxing at the beach for a few days) but then would need the vehicle again.

Any information would be helpful, and if you have any suggestions for an itinerary that would be great!

Hi SJ, this was a perplexing question for me as well when I first started planning my trip. The per day price almost always pays for the drivers lodging and food. He does not stay with you but rather at a nearby hotel for locals (much cheaper). If you’re in one place for a long time but you will need the car later, you’ll still need to pay for him to stay. For us, we had the driver for most of our trip but at the end when we went to Ile Sainte Marie, we parted ways there because we were going to the beach. However, you won’t have to pay for the gas since he’s not doing much during that time. As for itineraries, make sure to read my Madagascar itinerary for ideas!

My beautiful Madagascar !!! Thanks for sharing. I share some tips on how to prepare your trips to Madagascar on my Blog https://www.tsiky-tour.com/blog

“Most of Africa has pretty bland, uninspired food.” There is no way this statement is true but carry on………

I should rephrase it to Most of the Africa I’ve been to. Outside of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zanzibar, I’ve not been a big fan of the food I’ve tried. Don’t get me wrong, I still ate all the food and in abundance but it’s just not as flavorful as other cuisines. Just personal opinion

i am very thankful for such an informations i’ve got from the article and comments.

I will go to Madagascar 9th of September for 3 weeks and really can’t think about the best route to choose (and what type of transport to choose). Can you help me with just cue points?

Regards Martin

Hi martin, it really depends on what you want to see! I always recommend the western parts (baobabs and Tsingy stone forest). That will take a week. from there, you can do the RN7 down to the other big parks. Do you want to go to beaches? Then, perhaps spend less time along the RN7 and then fly to Ile Sainte Marie or Nosy Be. Transport for a 3 week trip I’d highly recommend the 4×4 with a driver. Three weeks is not much to see anything with the Taxi Brousse. Have fun!

Hi Johnny, we would like to see the best what madagascar offer.

So Antananarivo -> RN7 -> Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park … From there somehow baobabs and Tsingy.

From there is possible to flight close to Sainte Marie,

What are the prices for 4×4 with driver? May you recommend company (some more budget / mid price)?

Thank you very much! 🙂 (we will have a fun mostly because we can’t speak french :D)

Yes that sounds like a good itinerary. you can fly from Tana to ISM and that will save you a few days of traveling. When I went in 2014, car + driver is 40 euros. Nowadays it’s probably closer to 50-60 euros a day. You also hav eto pay for the gas. Contact GMT + 3 as they are the ones that sorted me out with my driver!

Thank you for sharing this insightful post on Madagascar. My significant other and I are medical residents planning to work in Antsirabe for 1 month this October. We are planning on traveling for 2 weeks prior to our work assignment. It would be difficult to cover all the sites an we do not wish to rush our itinerary. What are your “must see” sites in Madagascar that we should incorporate into our 2 week road trip? Did you do any diving in Madagascar, if so where, and was the equipment safe (we are both advanced certified). Lastly, as we will be based in Ansirabe for 1 month, which sites do you think we could save for weekend trips? Thanks for your help in advance!!

Hi Phyllis, since you will be based out of Antsirabe, I’d recommend you save the parks along the RN7 for your “weekend” trips. For your two weeks, i’d definitely spend 1 week visiting the west (the Baobabs and the Tsingy Stone forest), and spend the other one on one of the islands, either Ile Sainte Marie or Nosy Be. I did dive on Ile sainte Marie (you can read about it on my ISM post), and the quality of the shop is top notch as it belongs to the nicest resort on that island. I heard the diving in Nosy Be is better however! Enjoy your trip, you will have a blast!

Hi Johnny, Thanks for the info! Makes my decision easier! Its funny the quotes I got vary from $1600 to $270o per person. Madagascar Natural tour quoted $1600 per person and Ortour $1900 with all inclusive except domestic flight. Gassitour quoted $35/day x 19 days for car and driver only. Ramantour quoted $2700 all inclusive including flight. And GMT quoted $1650 for car/driver and helping us book hotels for 19 days. It seems very inconvenient to me to have to carry a large sum of cash around for 3 weeks since ATMs are not easily accessible so I might go with the Madagascar Natural tour. Thanks again Johnny!

Thanks for all those data points! Gassitour is only charging $35/day for the car and driver? That is incredibly cheap. Too cheap in fact. nevertheless, carrying around large sums of cash is annoying for sure. Enjoy your trip!!

Hi Johnny, Phyllis again. Im in midst of planning my trip thats coming up in 3 weeks and am deciding between renting just driver vs package provided by travel agency. One company quoted $2200 for driver, 4×4 car, fuel, all hotels, 3 day andringitra trekking, Park entrance and guide, and 1 one way domestic flight back to tana for 19 days. I know you only rented the driver and car and sorted out the rest yourself. If you dont mind me asking, how much did u spend total on your trip in total so I have something to compare it to. Also, do you think the convenience of everything prearrange outweighs the cost esp if we dont speak French?

Hi Phyllis, is that price for per person or for two people? If for two, that seems like a great deal. Almost too good to be true.

I had my driver for just over 3 weeks. Each day was 40 EUROS which at the time was 50 USD. Plus the gas was at least another $400-500 as we were constantly filling up. A general breakdown of my expenses

Car for 3+ weeks: $1100 Gas: $500 Hotels: ~$40/night average Entrance fees + Guide: $30-50 per park for two (Tsingy was more)

Just that alone is more than much more than $2200! What company are you using if I may ask??

I’m currently planning to visit Madagascar 2 weeks & Ile Ste MarieMarie 2 weeks in February 2018 – I will be flying to JNB to TNR, i am wondering if you can book just the driver for around two weeks on GMT +3 and how much that would cost? Then after that i will fly to Ile Ste Marie from TNR and stay here for a further two weeks do you have any tips at all on where to stay in the first two weeks and also can you get around on just a rented scooter in Ile Ste Marie?

I will be traveling alone which i why i will be flying to Ile Ste Marie.

Hi Jordan, When I went I paid 40 euros for a car + driver. It is probably at least 50 euros now per day so I would budget around that (note that this does not include the cost of gas). As for ISM, there are plenty of places to stay so it depends on your budget but I really enjoyoed my time on Ile Aux Nattes (just south of ISM)! And yes a scooter is more than enough for getting around ISM!

https://johnnyafrica.com/madagascar-ile-sainte-marie/

Thanks for the swift reply Johnny! I think I will plan Madagascar properly first then and visit ISM, scootering around a pirate island sounds likes the one for me!

Hey Johnny.. Thanks for the great information. Am considering a trip to Madagascar also.. Just wondering if there are places to chill at night there, I know it’s hot a huge party place but is it safe for tourists to go to bars, or are there bars? Thanks, Christine

Hi Christine, aside from the larger cities that receive more tourists (Morondava, Ile Sainte Marie, Tana, Tamatave etc), there aren’t many Western style bars to speak of. We went out one night in Antsirabe and saw perhaps 5 foreigners the entire night. There aren’t many “bars” to speak of. It seems that most peopel just congregate in the streets, drinking and eating all night which is what we did!

Thank you for such an informative post. We are planning/considering a month-long visit to Madagascar in June. The cost is a shocker, getting there from the US, assuming crazy man Trump doesn’t shut us down. We love travel to all places on this earth, and are trying to fill our budget for such a splurge. I’m curious as to what was your favorite part of your experience in Madagascar?

Hi Ron, I know what you mean about Trump. At least you won’t have to fly back from the Middle East if you come to Madagascar. It’s really hard to pick a favorite part of Madagasar. Just being in a place that is so remote and so rustic with landscapes I’ve never seen before made it so special for me.

If I absolutely had to pick a favorite place, I think I would choose the Western area with the Tsingy Stone Forest + Avenue of the Baobabs. Followed closely by the beaches of Ile Aux Nattes and Ile Sainte Marie. You can’t go wrong with any part of the island in my opinion!

Hi Johnny, Thanks for all the info. I am trying to plan a trip going to all of the same places as you minus Mahambo and Sainte Marie! I know you rented a 4×4, but I just want to clarify that you didn’t take any flights within the country to get to your destinations? I don’t like the idea of flying Madagascar Air, but your itinerary (and the one I am trying to plan) seems to include so much driving. Did you feel like you had to spend too much time cooped up in the car, and that it wasted a lot of time, or was there good scenery to look at along the way and a nice break from all the hiking in the heat? Also, did you ever try taking a taxi brousse? Thanks!

Hi Sarah, the Madagascar landscape is nothign short of breathtaking. It’s certainly some of the most otherworldly terrains I’ve seen. I will admit, even with that said, it did get monotonous at times because. The roads are terrible so you ARE in the car for long periods of time but that is honestly the best way to get around in Madagascar and it’s all part of the adventure :). You can take flights from say Tana to Morondava, but you’ll need to have a car once again to get to say Tsingy NP.

We did sort of take a taxi brousse. On the way back from Ile Sainte Marie, the ferry we were originally planning on taking just left 4 hours earlier without us knowing. We had a car picking us up from Toamasina to take us to Tana the same day (as our flight was the next day). Since we were so late, the guy already left and we were on our own. There are regular taxi brousse’s that leave from Toamasina to Tana but we were impatient so we ended up just paying for the whole van, like a private taxi brousse back to Tana!

Great blog…thanks.

Me any my wife travel to Madagascar in early September for three weeks, can’t wait. Doing a similar route than yours from Tana to ISM via Andisibe and Palmaruim, but traveling along the Pangalanes to Tamatave. Decided to use GMT+3 who have already been a great help.

Been on many holidays but are virgin travellers so got a couple of questions if that’s OK

How bad are the mosquitoes as the wife is freaking out about them? Backpacking so any tips on clothing and footwear, how cold are evenings etc? Any tips on key French phrases, its been a while since school and I was rubbish then

Cheers mate

Dean (Leeds, England)

Hi Dean, thanks for the comments and awesome that you are visiting Mada!

1. Would say the mosquitoes are not that bad where we went. Obviously Mada is a very geographically diverse place so there could be places where it’s a bit of an issue. I know Malaria is something to be aware of but I didn’t take any pills during my month there.

2. Mada is warm for the most part. Antsirabe was the only place I felt a bit cold in. As it’s up in the mountains, the temps can drop to the teens at night. But nothing a light jumper didn’t solve (still wearing shorts). Everywhere else I was pretty much wearing a tank top and shorts.

3. Definitely some basic french will help! Most people don’t even speak French but just knowing how to count, and how to order basic food should be helpful.

Enjoy your trip!

Glad I found your travel blog. This is the best travel blog I have read with such detailed agenda with restaurants, hotels, and sightseeing recommendations with prices and websites. We plan to go to Madagascar in July to August 2017. We have 17 or possibly 18 days for the trip. What are “must see” places for Madagascar? We love culture but not too much into the beach scene (not beach worshippers). We are a couple in our 50’s.We definitely are there for the lemurs. Also, regarding the company you hired for the driver-guide with the 4 x 4 jeep, was there any problems during the trip? Was the driver flexible in taking you where you wanted to go?

HI Silvana! thanks for the comments and awesome that you’re headed to Madagascar!

It’s hard to pinpoint my highlights of Madagascar. It’s cliche i know, but honestly everywhere that I visited was one amazing thing after another. I think it’s just the whole package of visiting a place that is so remote and so isolated from developed society which made me appreciate every moment of it.

However, if I had to choose, I would definitely say the Avenue of the Baobabs, Tsingy Stone Forest, Isalo National Park, and Ile Aux Nattes. I know you said you’re not into the beach scene but the beaches here are not just stunningly beautiful but completely isolated from society. https://johnnyafrica.com/madagascar-ile-sainte-marie/

As for the driver, aside from his lack of English speaking ability (I speak enough French to get around), everything was perfect. We came up with the itinerary beforehand and he just drove us to our respective guesthouses, teaching us about Madagascar and Malagasy culture along the way!

talking about the tour operator… so you asked for a english speaker driver and they provide you with a basic english speaker? do the driver tell you about culture and stuff or he just drive?

Hi Axel, yes we specifically asked for an English driver because my friend didn’t speak English. He could speak a few works in but relaly not enough to converse.

Thankfully, I speak enoguh French and had Google Translate so I could talk to the guy. But he was more than inclined to teach me about the culture and customs of the country. He had been a driver for decades and visited all parts of Madagascar so it was extremely interesting getting his perspective on things!

I stumbled upon your blog while researching about a living cost in Cape Town and read about your travels in Madagascar. I was just there in April and had Serge from GMT as my driver for 7 days while traveling solo from Tana to Morondava. My amazing experience of exploring the beautiful Madagascar was made unforgettable because of the incredible service from the kind hearted driver and travel companion, Serge who made me feel at ease as a young woman alone in a foreign country. It was so good to see his picture from someone else’s experience 🙂 and I love reading about your travels! Very informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing 🙂

Hi Yenni, what a coincidence! Small world for sure and I’m glad to see Serge is still doing his thing. He was incredibly helpful with us too and definitely made our trip. I actually just sent your comment to my friend who traveled with me and oh what good memories Madagascar was :). Glad you got to see that amazing place. I still rave about it whenever people ask me what my favorite places are.

thanks for great and useful sites. Me and my fiance are planning our honeymoon in June this year and we are thinking about pretty much same itinerary. Can you tell me tell me approximately the total amount spent during your trip (excluding international flights)?

Thank you very much

Hi Omar! We spent just under a month there. With how difficult it is to get around everywhere, I think the more time the better especially if you want to see a good amount of the island.

Hi Johnny, Thanks soooo much for this info, I am desperately trying to organise myself for a solo trip for about a month at a budget. I’m an experienced traveller who just wants to do my own specific iteniary, and get to the National Parks and hike and see wildlife really, so I’m looking at your account and thinking it could be done by hiring a driver to get me around and then at the parks get some experienced guides as I believe each park has them available for hire upon arrival. Can you confirm this? My problem is, all the peeps I contact regarding a car hire are quoting me for a guide, hotels, foods, blah blah etc and seriously like it is turning into a multi- million dollar luxury tour which is not what I am after! Can you suggest where I look to find just the drivers? I suspect they think as a female I would want this, but no, I am an ecologist so I am used to camping in the bush and I kind of like it! Any way, your blogs are awesome, Thanks again, Nicola

Hi Nicola! I actually had a single female friend travel through Madagascar for a month. She used GMT+3 like I did and rented JUST the driver. She pretty much emulated my itinerary and booked almost the same accomodations as me and it was fine. Try contacting GMT+3 and ask for just the driver.

I agree, the tours are a complete rip off, especially after you see how cheap of a country Madagascar is to travel through. THey are just taking advantage of your unfamiliarity and naivety with the country. Definitely just be persistent and ask for the driver only.

First , I would like to mention that your information is very interesting for the tourist with wonderful pictures . I am an American in Madagascar and resident for 15 years and also a New York City street rat way back when I was a boy.

Also the ariary is now 3,290 as of 11/11/2015 for the dollar but in terms of the local economy they do not see the rise in prices because Madagascar is for the most part a closed society. The Vasaha might- because we buy imported products like refrigerators so we see the reflected prices. I spent less money than I did 10 years ago even though the Ariary back is less than half of what it is today on local products.

Also the locals will use FMG much of the time unless they see you as a Vasaha then it is the ariary so be sure it is one or the other or you could be paying 5 times the amount.

On wards to the real issue I am concerned about and to understand your thinking…….

I read on another travel Blog that you and your friend tip your driver $10 a day and by the end of the trip the tip came to about what the average Malagasy for their position makes in 5 months and that does not include their Salary from the tour company. Would you tip that much money to a driver back in New York City? You did notice that in your travels that Madagascar is a non-tipping society for very special reasons related to customs and culture. You may be interested in this Sustainable & Responsible tourism is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on the environment, society and economy by acting like a local.. Tourism can involve primary transportation to the general location, local transportation, accommodations, entertainment, recreation, nourishment and shopping. Much as we try to improve the benefits of tourism to local people and conservation, many of our holidays require an international flight with its associated CO2 emissions. For more details on about Global ethics of travel read the following.

This is a group effort that includes not only travelers but also hoteliers, tour agencies, guides, …etc

For more details of these code of ethics then visit

Global code for tourism http://www.unwto.org/ethics/index.php

…unwto.org/sites/all/files/docpdf/responsibl…

Responsible is a heavy word and acting in a respectable manner of the culture and customs will leave a positive footprint for others who follow

Hi I did not know about the tipping part of Madagascar! Most third world countries I’ve visited, I just naturally tip because it’s money they need far more than me. I never tipped at the hotel restaurants because they just added it to my final bill when we checked out.

Sadly enough, we tip our taxi drivers in New York City about 15-20%. It’s not even because they provided any special service but something that’s ingrained into the heads of people in America. Terrible actually, but it’s just how things are. But it is good to know that Madagascar is not a tipping society!

Firstly, thanks for the excellent website! My fiancé and I are planning on taking our honeymoon in Madagascar and this site has already been really useful.

I was wondering how safe Madagascar felt in comparison to other countries in Southern Africa? We have read a few things saying that tourists should keep a very low profile, far more so than other places we have been to. How did you feel while you were there?

Also, do you have any suggested companies to provide a car/driver? We would be happy to pay extra for a reliable, English speaking guide.

Thanks! Richard

Hi Richard! THanks for the comment. WHere are you reading those claims? I was there about a year ago and I couldn’t have felt more safe. My friend and I actually walked around Antsirabe at night to join in on some Malagasy concert that was taking place and we had a great time. I’d say it’s no different than your standard African country. I found the people to be incredibly friendly and curious.

Obviously you just need to be aware of your surroundings but that is every country in teh world, your home country included :).

As for English guides, I don’t have any that I know of. I specifically requestsed from the tour operator I organized my tour from that it MUST be an English speaker and he assured me it would be. I show up at the airport, meet the guy, and he spoke maybe 100 English words, hence he is an “English Speaker”. hah, thankfully I speak enough French to get by but yes it would have been difficult otherwise.

Thanks Johnny, very reassuring.

It was something we read on a few travel forums, especially violent robberies in Nosy Be and on the Tsiribihina river. But like you say, everywhere in the world requires a little bit of care. We are just finalising our plans before we go ahead and book our honeymoon for May!

Thanks Richard

Thanks firstly for the excellent website, my fiance and I have been organising our honeymoon in Madagascar and these posts have already been really useful.

I was wondering how safe Madagascar feels in comparison to other countries in Southern Africa? We have read a few reports online advising tourists to keep a low profile, more so than other places we have been to. Is it any worse than South Africa or Mozambique say?

Also, do you have any recommendations for companies which could provide a car and driver? We would be happy to pay the extra for a reliable, English speaking guide.

Hi Johnny – thanks for this post – so useful! One quick question, how easy is it to find a driver on short notice? Is this something hotels can arrange for you? Thanks!

Hi Rebecca! Thanks for the comments. Yes finding a driver on short notice is easy. There are plenty of drivers especially in antananarivo, and any hotel will be able to recommend you a driver. They might not have the most competitive rates however is the problem.

You truly have an awesome blog. I wish I had the time to post such stories and pictures of my travels. I am also a young man in my twenties who lives to travel.

My girlfriend and I are actually planning to go to Madagascar for three weeks, but we’re not sure how to travel around there. Do you think it’s wise and easy to hire a 4×4 ourselves there? If so, would it save a lot of money to do so instead of hiring a 4×4+driver?

Thanks again for your wonderful blog.

Hi Faraz! I definitley do NOT recommend renting a car on your own. I always read about people that want to drive themselves around Madagascar but I just don’t understand why. The roads are probably the worst roads I’ve ever seen from a tourist ready country. If you hire a driver with a guide, they cater 100% to your itinerary so you’re in complete control. They are there to drive whenever wherever you want them to. Most of them have also traveled extgensively through Madagascar so they’ll be able to teach you about the history and offer any personal touches on the sights that you would never get traveling on your own. Being as undeveloped as Mada is, things can go wrong very quickly, and the last thing you’ll want to have happen is to have a tire go out and not be able to speak to any of the locals to get help. And it’s not even that much cheaper! Not worth saving the 15 euros a day in my opinion.

So to sum it up, I think you and your girlfriend should definitely rent a car with a driver 🙂

Johnny, thanks for the helpful and funny info. I’m planning a trip for late November and will likely reach out with questions.

Madagascar still my favorite place in Africa! You will love it. Keep the questions flowing!

Hi It’s am planning trip to Madagascar. Only have 15 days though. What highlights/region could you recommend? Like to end in Ile St Marie….so maybe head East but would like to see some of highlands down South too if possible.

Hey Andy, I think 15 days is enough to a southern circuit, and then either drive to ISM or fly to ISM. From Tana, head on the RN7 which is the country’s main tourist road, down to Ranomafana, and Isalo Park. Then drive back up, visit Andasibe NP for 2 nights and then drive to the ferry to ISM. This might be too agressive of an itinerary because it just takes forever to get anywhere in Mada so you might consider skipping Andasibe and going straight to ISM!

Hi It’s been fun reading your posts and am planning trip to Madagascar. Only have 15 days though. What highlights/region could you recommend? Like to end in Ile St Marie….so maybe head East but would like to see some of highlands down South too if possible.

Hi It’s been fun reading your posts and am planning trip to Madagascar. Only have 15 days though. What highlights/region could you recommend? Like to end in Ile St Marie….so maybe head East but would like to see some of highlands down South too if possible. Thanks

Hi Jonny, I’ve read about your trip in Mada and I’ve found it very interesting! I’m going there next August and I’ll need to rent a car + driver. Could you pls suggest me your driver?

thanks a lot! claudio

HI Claudio! There are a lot of drivers in Madagascar but I had a great experience iwth my guide. He didn’t speak very good English though so I’d only recommend him if you can have basic conversation in French.

Serge – [email protected]

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

I read your posts on Madagascar, all really inspiring. My boyfriend and I are going to Madagascar in August 2015 and we have actually planned to do almost the same tour as you did. I was wondering how much money you spend in total (without plane tickets)? And where did you find you driver? We are planning on renting a 4×4 car most of the time if we can find someone not too expensive.

Thank you for a very nice blog and hope you have time to answer!

Best regards, Sofie (Denmark)

Hi Sofie! Awesome to hear you’re headed to Madagascar! I was there for about 4 weeks and we ended up spending about $2k a person. Half of that cost went to paying for the car (about 40 euros a day which I think is very reasonable), and gas, which we would have to fill up frequently sinc ewe traveled long distances and it was a old gas guzzler of a 4×4.

We also stayed at a higher end place in the Isalo just to see what it was all about so that added to the costs. We did a few dives on Ile Sainte Marie that weren’t cheap either!

It all sounds really amazing! Do you remember how long time it took for you to get from Fianarantsoa to Morondava? I read somewhere that someone said the road between Antsirabe and Morondava is considered dangerous – did you have any troubles there?

And is it possible to get from Antananarivo to Ile sainte Marie/Ile aux nattes in one day?

Sorry for all the questions, it is just really difficult to get much information about the transportation and what is best to do there! And I think it is nice to know before we get there so we can make the most out of it 🙂

Hey again! We went to Morondava first so from antsirabe to Morondava and back to antsirabe and to Ranomafana and Fianarantsoa. From morondava to antsirabe we didn’t experience any problems at all, just a bumpy ride like the rest of Madagascar 🙂

As for tana to Ile Sainte marie, it’s definitely not possible in a day. To go from tana to toamasina is like 8 hours and then the ferry to ism is actually in Soanierana Ivango, about 3 hours North of tamatave and the ferry only leaves to ism in the morning. I’d do what we did and stay in a place like Mahambo, a really chilled out beachside Town in between toamasina and soanierana ivango for a night and then catch the ferry the next morning!

Awesome post! Thanks so much for the detailed info. Currently living in Cape Town and trying to plan my own trip to Madagascar so this is super helpful!

An island of passion

And also...

• Motorized raid
• Kitesurf / Windsurf
• Birdwatching
• Photography

5 good reasons to come to Madagascar

Ile paradisiaque aux couleurs flamboyantes, Madagascar vous offre un éventail de paysages tous plus incroyables les uns que les autres. Plages de sable blanc, désert sableux ou forêts tropicales, un spectacle époustouflant vous attend!

For a perfect stay

On the edge of heavenly beaches, or right next to national park borders, enjoy an unforgettable stay in some of Madagascar’s beautiful luxurious hotels. Along with your trips to uncover the island treasures, your stay will be of royal comfort with some of the following : spa, hummam, Jacuzzi, gourmet cuisine. These are at rendez-vous in Madagascar’s best hotels.

The island has hotel offers to welcome you during your holidays. Discover typical, charming, or European-style hotels along the coast, on the outskirts of parks, or in the heart of Malagasy cities. To plan your tour at its best, you’d better enjoy circuits which integrate hotels as you go on the island.

Madagascar is overflowing with falafy (palm) nuts and welcomes you to places that correspond with your budget, letting you serenely discover the wonders of the island. You will find faire-price hotels, hostels, cabins, and bungalows to rest during your stay in Madagascar.

What is a better opportunity to get in touch with the Malagasy than homestaying? There are some very beautiful homes to stay at, in Tana, as well as ones by the seaside resorts. You may also homestay in a bush village and learn a few Malagasy words, to get more comfortable with the Malagasy culture.

Along a private beach or in the heart of the forest, enjoy a warm atmosphere in a selected setting, by staying in a lodge for your holidays in Madagascar. The bungalows will guarantee intimacy and discover as well as disconnection, because they are perfectly integrated into the environment, and equipped for the best comfort.

To live... and to share !

Mada is waiting for you

587 041 km2 4 800 km of coasts

23 million inhabitants

Malagasy and French

Dry season from April to Oct. Rainy season from Nov. to March

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More travel information for Madagascar

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Madagascar

• Eating and drinking in Madagascar
• How to get to Madagascar
• Getting around Madagascar: Transportation Tips
• National Parks in Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the world’s cheaper countries for travellers. Prices for hotels, transport, meals and basic commodities are low and more comparable with Southeast Asia than with continental Africa.

Crime and personal safety

Electricity, entry requirements, opening hours, photography, tourist information, travellers with disabilities, health advice for madagascar, culture in madagascar, travelling with children in madagascar, tailor-made travel itineraries for madagascar, created by local experts.

18 days  / from 3663 USD

Wild Madagascar

This trip is a tour of Wild Madagascar: discover dusty desert canyons, lush rainforests teeming with wildlife and trek through national parks. Explore the bustling capital Tana, then stop by the beach at Ifaty where you'll encounter forests of baobab trees and wandering tribesmen.

11 days  / from 2417 USD

Dreaming of Madagascar

Tropical island beaches, lush rainforest, stunning wildlife, and the bright red clay houses of Antananarivo await you as you arrive on the beautiful island of Madagascar. Get your fill of culture in the capital Tana, snap beguiling wildlife, and revive and reboot on stunning white-sand beaches.

6 days  / from 1256 USD

A Taste of Madagascar

An unforgettable journey through Madagascar's enchanting landscapes and cultural treasures. From the lush rainforests of Andasibe to the vibrant streets of Antananarivo, this adventure combines wildlife encounters with rich history, creating a diverse and immersive experience.

Tailor-made trips for   Madagascar

Travelling on a shoestring budget with a companion and a flexible schedule, largely using taxis brousse, staying in budget hotels, and visiting national parks, you could manage between you easily enough on £60/€80/US$90 per day (a little more than 260,000ar). If you were doing the same thing, but planning the occasional splurge in a nicer hotel, with some days of vehicle-and-driver rental, you would need to at least double this. And if you want to travel by private vehicle and stay in comfortable-to- luxury hotels throughout, a daily budget of £200/€270/US$300 (around 900,000ar) for the two of you should suffice. You would still need to factor in any internal flights.

Despite some official government travel advisories about Madagascar, it is not a dangerous country and crime affecting tourists is generally quite limited. On the contrary, you may well come back wondering how anyone could get anything but a wonderful impression of friendly locals and a safe, hospitable island. Madagascar, however, does have its dark side: short-term visitors are rarely impacted, but you should certainly heed the warnings about night-time travel and avoid it if you can. Most private drivers never drive at night, especially in certain areas. The RN7 has police controls outside some towns to partly enforce this, while some of the lonely dirt roads in the south are prone to banditry , partly as a result of traditional Bara cattle raiders or dahalo (if there are no convenient zebus to rustle, flag down a taxi brousse and rob the passengers…).

Urban and tourist resort crime is also an undercurrent that you should be aware of: pickpocketing, muggings and hotel thefts (especially if your room is not very secure or the hotel doesn’t have a secure compound) could all spoil your trip, and are most likely to happen before you have had time to survey your location. Avoid late arrivals in towns, and if arriving at night always have a destination to go to, and take a taxi.

Lastly, natural disasters in the form of huge cyclones batter the island with relentless frequency. The cyclone season, from December to March, usually includes at least one whopper that can inflict enormous damage, particularly on eastern coastal regions. If you happen to be in a cyclone area when a storm is forecast, cancel that boat trip, get yourself as far inland as possible and take shelter on the ground floor of a solid building.

The electricity grid in Madagascar provides 220V AC current and uses two-pin Continental-style plugs, either a “Type E” or “Type F” Schuko or a flat, “Type C” Europlug. Many hotels have backup generators to fill in during frequent blackouts. In remote areas, solar panels feeding to inverters and big storage batteries are used to provide power, in which case there may not always be power points in your room. Battery- and mobile-charging can usually be done in the office or central area.

Visas are required by all nationalities. Non-immigrant visas are currently granted free on arrival for most nationalities at Ivato airport for stays of up to thirty days, and it’s generally easier to get one there than in advance (which usually requires photos and possibly a processing fee). Your passport should have at least six months’ validity from your date of arrival and contain at least two blank pages. If you want to stay longer, the fees are €55 for up to 60 days or €77 for up to 90 days. Longer than that, you’ll need to leave the country in order to re-enter (Réunion is the cheapest place to fly to and an overseas French département so part of the EU and the Eurozone). Extending your visa within the 90-day limit is possible, but overstaying your agreed term and then leaving is not advisable, and can result in a fine. The only health requirement is a yellow fever certificate if you’ve been visiting a country in the yellow fever transmission zone.

While internet cafés are still around, and offer very cheap online access, the spread of free wi-fi hotspots continues apace in restaurants and hotels, and these are likely to be more useful for most travellers. Only in very small towns are you likely to have to resort to the local cyber , with its usually rather old computers with azerty rather than qwerty keyboards. Expect to pay around 5000ar/hr.

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Madagascar, buy a Skyroam Solis , which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.

Most hotels will happily do your laundry, and usually have a sheet of charges per item. Cheaper places will probably suggest a flat price of 3000ar or something similar. Remember that it may take longer than expected for clothes to dry.

Most towns have a post office , but with the decline in the volume of traditional airmail, postal services tend to be limited and cards and letters may take weeks to reach their destination. To send any object of value, always use a courier service such as DHL . As for incoming mail, it’s best to forget it: use friends and family as couriers or, again, a courier service.

By far the best general map of Madagascar is published by the German travel guide publisher Reise Know-How in their World Mapping Project series. Printed on virtually indestructible Polyart synthetic paper Madagaskar 1:1,200,000 shows the whole country on two sides at a scale of 12km:1cm, clearly marking roads, national parks, relief and other features in French. Best of all it can be folded any which way and will survive many taxi brousse journeys. As a backup, try Google Maps and Google Earth, which show satellite imagery of the whole country at quite high resolution: if you’re using a smartphone while in Madagascar, you will often be able to find your way or follow your route, just as you would with a satnav at home – quite handy when that taxi brousse journey really begins to pall. For larger-scale topographical maps , the national mapping body, Foiben-Taosarintanin’ i Madagasikara in Tana (FTM, www. ftm.mg ), is your best bet.

Madagascar has more than 300 radio and TV stations and more than a dozen newspapers that appear daily, at least in theory. All media broadcast or print in either Malagasy or French. For many years, press freedom has frequently been curtailed by the government for political reasons, though there are signs that the government is showing a more mature, law-abiding approach. Probably the most informative of the local newspapers is L’Express de Madagascar ( lexpressmada.com ). There is some limited regular tourist information published in Antananarivo – notably No Comment , a fat, monthly booklet of lifestyle articles and countrywide hotel and restaurant listings well padded by advertising. You can pick copies up in many hotel lobbies. Finding international English-language magazines or newspapers is very difficult now that most of the market for Time , the Financial Times or the International New York Times has migrated online.

You can listen to the BBC World Service in Antananarivo on its FM relay on 89.2 FM and rebroadcast on the following FM local partners on 99.3 FM: Ambatondrazaka, Antsirabe, Diego Suarez, Fianarantsoa, Fort Dauphin, Majunga, Tamatave and Tuléar.

The Malagasy currency, the ariary (ar) was introduced in 2005 to replace the Franc Malgache (fmg) at a rate of 1000ar to 5000fmg. Unfortunately, nobody seems to have told the Malagasy, especially in markets and rural areas, who still say “cinq mille” (5000) when they mean 1000ar (the notes in fact still have the fmg value in small print beneath the ariary value). The extraordinary speed at which people compute their five-times table has to be heard to be believed, but do be careful: sharp operators sometimes take advantage of slow-witted visitors, especially with prices so low in the first place. The other local currency issue to be prepared for is the very low value of Malagasy notes. The largest note is 10,000ar, currently worth around £2.25, €3.10 or US$3.50, and the smallest note is 100ar, worth around £0.02p, €0.03 or US$0.04 (there are no coins). So a handful of low-denomination notes is worth no more than one small coin in hard currency, while a modest 200,000ar hotel bill (value £45/€60/US$70) would require twenty of the highest denomination notes.

While the official currency is the ariary, which is steadily declining in value, prices for hotels and tourist services are often quoted in euros , based on an approximate conversion rate. The actual price in ariary will be adjusted accordingly, depending on the current rate, and usually turns out to be lower than expected.

Cash, cards and ATMs

Madagascar is largely a cash-based economy. Credit cards can be used to settle bills for some services, but most business are not set up to accept them. Travellers’ cheques are rarely carried and very hard to change as banks are not familiar with them. The best strategy is to carry a Visa debit card to withdraw local currency from ATMs and to keep a separate cache of high-denomination euro notes to pay for airfares and the like, securely stashed about your person.

Most towns have one or more ATMs ( GAB ) and you can usually withdraw up to forty notes (ie, a maximum of 400,000ar, worth about £90/€120/US$140). This is quite a sizeable pile of money, and you may need to make two or more withdrawals if you’re paying for vehicle rental or a tour. So it’s a good idea to take a purse or pouch specifically for carrying your local currency, tucking away the 10,000ar notes in separate bundles and keeping smaller denominations to hand for buying street food, paying for taxis and the like. It does take some getting used to, and it’s a good idea to be prepared in advance when you have to make any payment.

Business hours in Madagascar are notoriously fickle, but places tend to open roughly 8am–noon and 2–6pm Monday to Friday, with a short morning on Saturday (around 8–11am).

Like most countries in the developing world, Madagascar has embraced mobile phone technology enthusiastically. Most people have a cell phone; many of them are smart phones; and airtime/data credit can be purchased on any street corner, even in rural areas. Cell phone masts are fairly well distributed, and 3G quite widely available, so you will rarely be unconnected for long – if that’s what you want. And it is certainly useful to be able to call hotels, your driver or a national park. Telephone landlines , by contrast, often don’t work.

Malagasy landlines start with (0)20 for Telecom Madagascar, followed by 7 numbers, while mobile lines start (0)32 for Orange, (0)33 for Airtel and (0)34 for Telma, also followed by 7 digits. Most businesses rely on Orange and Airtel lines, which generally have better coverage. It’s common for hotels, for example, to have a mobile at reception, rather than an unreliable landline phone. Network-to-network calls are cheapest.

Using mobiles

If you bring your mobile to Madagascar, the chances are that as soon as it is turned on it will automatically search for the partner network of your phone provider and enable you to make calls and download data – on an extremely expensive roaming tariff. Unless someone else is paying, that isn’t a great option. However, as long as your phone is “unlocked” (usable by another network, once you’ve switched your main SIM card for the SIM card of the other network provider) you will be able to make and receive calls and use the internet using one of the inexpensive Malagasy 3G networks. You can check if your phone is unlocked by trying another SIM card in it before you leave: if not, you will need to ask your provider to unlock it.

On arrival at Ivato airport, you’ll find desks for all three networks and the staff will register a new SIM for you and load airtime and data on it as you require. You will have a temporary Malagasy number, and your usual number will be unobtainable while that SIM is out of your phone, but all your email and internet usage will be seamless. Expect the whole set-up to cost around £20/€25/€30 for around three weeks of average-usage airtime including 1GB of data. Further top-ups, if necessary, can either be done by buying a scratch card (they’ll talk you through it or do it for you) or by “tele-charging” from a sales person’s phone to yours. In remote areas, top-up cards will invariably be low-value (1000ar or 2000ar), and usually sold for higher than the face value.

If all this sounds like too much trouble, remember you can still use your phone’s wi-fi function to stay in touch by email, social media or apps wherever there is a wi-fi hotspot, though remember that you won’t be able to make or receive calls or SMS texts unless you turn on your own provider’s roaming function.

You might also consider buying a cheap local phone to use for your trip: you can always leave it behind with someone. Prices start at around 60,000ar.

Madagascar is a paradise for keen photographers. Not only is it scenically stunning, and bursting with fascinating and colourful animals that very often show little fear of humans, but the Malagasy people themselves generally have no objection to being photographed, and even more so now that so many locals have their own cameraphones. You can wander along the beach in Diego Suarez, Île Sainte Marie or Morondava and photograph the fishermen bringing in their catch, the boats on the shore, and an old gentleman wobbling past on his bicycle and nobody will bat an eyelid. This doesn’t mean that you should snap away regardless: there are occasions, around private events, including famadihana ceremonies and other rituals, near tombs and sacred sites, and in cities, when you may incur someone’s displeasure if you take a photo. Use your judgement of the people around you: take some innocuous shots before aiming at your intended target, giving them the chance to say no in advance. What you will rarely find is someone holding out their hand for payment: more often people, especially children, will line up to pose for you.

Getting a little technical : firstly, be aware that at least some of the time you are likely to be taking photos in quite low light. All the rainforest parks and even the dry deciduous parks involve walking on footpaths though dense vegetation. If you’re using a DSLR, then the first consideration should be to have lenses that are as fast as possible, with the largest maximum aperture you can afford. An f/5.6–f/6.3 kit zoom lens won’t hack it and your shutter speeds will be way too slow to capture leaping lemurs and fluttering birds. If you have to compromise on focal length to get a fast lens, you might even find that something like a 105mm or 135mm macro, with an aperture of f/2 would serve you much better, and give you wonderful close-up insect options as well. Ideally of course, you’d also have a 200mm or 300mm lens that opens up to f/2.8. The investment would be major, but the photos will be far better.

The other item that’s more or less essential for good photos in the forest is a sturdy tripod . Lemurs are often practically overhead, so get a ballhead tripod that doesn’t weigh too much and be prepared to get a cricked neck. The Manfrotto BeFree isn’t too expensive and works well. As well as the tripod, it’s very useful to have a little remote controller for your shutter.

Madagascar’s time zone is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (UTC) all year round, so it’s 3pm in Madagascar when it’s noon GMT or 2pm in Madagascar when it’s noon British Summer Time. It’s eight hours ahead of North American Eastern Standard Time, and eleven hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Take off an hour from these (ie seven hours and ten hours ahead respectively) during summer daylight saving time. Madagascar is seven hours behind Sydney and nine hours behind New Zealand; add an hour to these during summer daylight saving time. And it’s one hour ahead of South Africa.

Sunrise in December comes at roughly between 5am and 5.30am and sunset at between 6.15pm and 7pm. In June the sun comes up between 6am and 7am, and sets between 5.15pm and 5.30pm. Dawn arrives earliest on the east coast and the sun sets latest in the southwest. There is therefore a small variation in day length throughout the year, greatest in the far south which sees Madagascar’s shortest winter days in June and July (10hr 30min) and its longest summer days in December and January (13hr 30min).

The main sources of official visitor information about Madagascar are the various regional tourist offices in every large town around the country reporting to the Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar ( madagascar-tourisme.com ; addresses in the relevant town listings throughout this guide). These range from fairly dopey and unhelpful to efficient and responsive. They often have useful leaflets and maps, and sometimes further magazines and other items for sale. There are no Madagascar tourist offices abroad.

Travelling in Madagascar with restricted mobility is a major challenge – as any Malagasy wheelchair ( fauteuil roulant ) user would be likely to tell you. Although Madagascar has a coordinating body for relevant organizations, La Plateforme des Fédérations des Handicapés de Madagascar, it doesn’t have a website and there is very little support for disabled people outside of specific health campaigns driven by overseas NGOs.

But if you are prepared for a considerable amount of lifting and bumping, as wheelchair-using Malagasy people have to be, and already have some experience of this kind of thing, then there are few truly insurmountable hurdles. Assuming you’re not contemplating a solo independent journey, you could start by contacting our recommended tour operators and see if they can help with your specific requirements. While there are one or two African safari operators who specialize in trips for wheelchair users, for example Go Africa ( go-africa-safaris.com ), Madagascar isn’t on offer. It is likely to come down to what adapted vehicles are available on the island and how accessible the most convenient rooms are at each place you want to visit. Air Madagascar’s internal flights all require passengers to board via the plane’s steps; for advice on assistance when flying with Air Mad call the helpful people at Aviareps.

Exploring the more rugged parks may prove to be impossible – though with enough time and flexibility there’s no absolute barrier to getting at least to the gates, and possibly driving inside for a way. Parc National Montagne d’Ambre has drivable routes within the park, as do Ankarana and Ankarafantsika. Other possible venues offering a less circumscribed visit would be some of the private reserves, such as Berenty and Nahampoana, near Fort Dauphin, and Kirindy and the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava. All of these smaller protected areas feature reasonably flat, hard terrain and the odd well-graded path, where a wheelchair and helper would be able to move around relatively easily.

Tipping isn’t deeply established in Madagascar. When you’re living and travelling among Malagasy people, you’ll be unlikely to feel the need to tip anyone: cheap hotels and restaurants are often run by their owners, using family staff, and when travelling by taxi brousse, it’s more a matter of ensuring you’re not paying over the odds for your seat or bag than of considering leaving any extra. The idea of a payment for services rendered is quite common, however, so any kind of assistance, such as someone showing you the way or helping with luggage (notoriously, when arriving at the airport and fending off unwanted “porters”) would normally demand some kind of recompense. Keep some small notes (200ar, 500ar) handy for this kind of thing.

When travelling more as a wealthy tourist, staying at expensive resort-style hotels for example, it’s best to leave a common tip at the end of your stay with reception or in the tip box in the foyer. You would probably also do the same when parting company with your driver at the end of a tour. Guides in national parks don’t always expect tips, but an extra 5000ar after a few hours of trekking and lemur-watching is a very acceptable way of offering thanks.

Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries, and for locals it’s their poverty that largely determines general health and life chances. For visitors, staying healthy should not be a big issue. You need to be aware of malaria but generally, so long as you take sensible precautions – including taking care of cuts and scrapes and avoiding food that has been left out after cooking – you should have no problems beyond the occasional stomach upset. Beware of the strong sunlight: brightness rather than heat is the damaging element, so wear a hat and use high-factor sun block, especially in your first two weeks. Check that your travel insurance (which is essential for Madagascar) covers medical care, including emergency evacuation, and all the activities you might want to do, including diving. If you’re going to Madagascar for several months, get a thorough dental checkup before leaving home. Be aware that sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, are rife: using condoms will help to protect you – though abstinence is even more effective.

Vaccinations

For arrivals by air direct from Europe, Madagascar has no required inoculations, though if you’re stopping over in an African country that is within the yellow fever transmission zone (bit.ly/YellowFeverRules),you may well be required to show an International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever. A yellow fever certificate only becomes valid ten days after you’ve had the jab, but is then valid for life. You should ensure that you’re up to date with your childhood tetanus and polio protection: boosters are necessary every ten years for tetanus and once as an adult for polio. If you’re going to be living for some time in unhygienic conditions, doctors will usually recommend jabs for typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B – although these are not necessary for an ordinary holiday. Depending on the health service provision in your area, or your personal circumstances, some of these jabs may be free, but be prepared to pay.

The whole of Madagascar below about 2000m is a malaria zone, though the parasite (transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito, which habitually only bites after dark) is much more easily picked up in crowded urban areas and struggles to survive much above 1700m. You need to be most careful when in coastal towns, especially in the northern half of the island, where you should use mosquito repellent on exposed skin in the evening, sleep under a good mosquito net and of course take your malaria tablets diligently.

The commonly recommended preventatives are the antibiotic doxycycline (doxy), taken daily, or atovaquone-with-proguanil, taken daily (sold as Malarone), which, while expensive, has few side effects. These drugs are often available only on prescription, though in some countries you can buy them over the counter. It’s important to maintain a careful routine and keep taking the tablets after your trip. If you’re going to be staying in Madagascar for some time, it’s worth knowing you can buy doxy and other tablets much more cheaply from pharmacies in-country.

Even if you have been taking tablets, if you come down rapidly over the course of a day with severe, flu-like symptoms (aching joints, temperature) you may have caught malaria and should get yourself to a doctor as fast as possible for a blood test and treatment.

Water, food and stomach upsets

While some of Madagascar’s piped water supply is safe to drink, it’s probably safer to rely on the local plastic-bottled Eau Vive, sold absolutely everywhere in 1.5-litre bottles. As for picking up bugs from food, there’s really no evidence that the meals emerging from the hidden kitchens of fine hotels and restaurants are any less likely to give you a stomach upset than street food freshly prepared in front of you. That said, it’s easy to find yourself tucking into street food immediately after handling another bunch of filthy low-value bank notes, so it’s useful to keep a small flask of sanitizer gel to hand.

Happily, the tummies of most short-term visitors, at both ends of the budget spectrum, survive unscathed. Should you go down with diarrhoea, it will probably clear up without treatment within 48 hours. While you’re battling the bug, it’s essential to replace the fluids and salts lost, so drink plenty of water with oral rehydration salts, which most pharmacies carry. If you can’t get these sachets, make your own solution by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar in a litre of water.

Bugs and wildlife

Madagascar’s native fauna is not only beautiful and often unique but largely quite harmless. With the exception of the rarely seen fossa, there are no threatening large animals here, nor dangerous snakes (some snakes are rear-fanged but can’t deliver a dangerous bite to humans unless offered a little finger to chew on). Various invertebrates – scorpions, ants, bees, centipedes, biting flies and the odd spider – can give a painful sting or bite, and you should always be wary of touching hairy caterpillars (or plants for that matter: ask your guide first), but there are no mortally dangerous bugs on the island. While hiking in the national parks, you should be prepared to be occasionally assailed by biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks, and it can be useful to carry mossie spray, liquid or impregnated wipes with you into the forest. In damp, rainforest areas, leeches can be an unpleasant pest, but as their attacks are painless you often don’t realize you have one hanging from your ankle until it’s filled itself with your blood. Use a fingernail to break the seal then flick the leech off.

Health care in Madagascar

Madagascar’s government health system is challenged on all sides, with the treatment of childhood diarrhoea and malaria absorbing much of its limited resources, and occasional outbreaks of cholera (treatable) and bubonic plague (spread by rat fleas) not uncommon – though neither disease is likely to be of any concern to travellers who are not living in squalid conditions in the affected locations. Pharmacies usually have professionally trained staff and are a useful first port of call if you are unwell. Local hospitals and clinics may be able to help, but if you need treatment for serious illness or injury, flying to Réunion (part of the European Union) might be a better plan: it’s what many affluent Malagasy do if they need private treatment.

Madagascar’s cultural heritage is fascinating, and completely unexpected if you have any experience of travelling on the African continent: this is not Africa. Traditional Malagasy culture derives in large part from the other side of the Indian Ocean, blended with strong influences from the African mainland, and more recently with the traces of the French colonial experience and with the Creole culture of the Mascarene Islands – Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues. There are distinct variations among the various ethnic regions of Madagascar, but on the whole, it’s an informal, welcoming society, and relations with vazaha (foreigners) are usually relaxed and uncomplicated.

In counterpoint to the surface gaiety of street life, traditional culture is infested with the deeply woven threads of rigorous and often seemingly bizarre restrictions, known as fady. Fady are traditional injunctions and mandates regulating everyday life. Mostly not as strong as taboos, they are believed to derive from the wishes of the ancestors, or razana, and people believe they bring bad luck if disobeyed. The razana include not just the long dead of the distant past but recently deceased relatives – whose remains, in the central highlands region, are regularly exhumed and paraded at famadihana ceremonies. The personalities, habits and whims of the ancestors are transmuted into the fears and desires of their descendants and their extended families. Over time, certain fady have become widespread across districts and entire ethnic regions.

On the whole, fady don’t impact greatly on short-term visitors, and most Malagasy understand that vazaha don’t know about their local fady. Educated and westernized Malagasy fear them much less, and at their mildest they are little more than superstitions, like not walking under a ladder. Many fady relate to the hunting of certain animals and how to behave in forest areas which often have spiritual significance: national park guides may explain certain rules of behaviour to you before you start your walk, which might include not smoking or eating, or avoiding amorous contact.

Fady become much more significant if you’re living in Madagascar, when you’ll discover that there are places you can and can’t go, depending on circumstances, actions you can’t perform on certain days, colours you must avoid wearing in certain conditions, and so on. The only way you’ll come to understand your area’s fady is to talk to locals: you won’t get a uniform response, but you can soon build up a picture of how much the fady control people’s lives.

Greetings and body language

Greetings are fairly straightforward, with handshaking the norm especially between men, and in an urban setting or in a Western context such as an office, between both sexes. French-style cheek-to-cheek greetings are also de rigueur among people who know each other. As a vazaha, you’re not likely to be made to feel uncomfortable by any minor gaffes in social etiquette. Watch what others do, and take note of the following general rules: the left hand is reserved for unclean acts, at least in theory, so don’t use it to pass things or eat with; avoid pointing with an outstretched finger, but crook your finger instead; and beckon with the palm down, not up.

A century and a half of Christian mission work across the island has had a major impact on religious beliefs. Around twenty percent of the population are Roman Catholics and a quarter follow various Protestant churches, including the largest, the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara or FJKM), with perhaps eight percent being Muslims. But people everywhere tend also to adhere to traditional beliefs, for example happily mixing the practice of confession with planning the next exhumation ceremony. Only the more extreme evangelical churches have pushed hard against traditional practices.

Dress and modesty

Every Malagasy tribe has its traditional dress, hair and hat styles, but these are often hard to discern as people move, intermarry and follow global fashion trends rather than traditional styles. Modern Malagasy dress styles tend to split along rural and urban lines for women, although there isn’t a lot of difference as far as men are concerned, calf-length trousers and loose shirts being the norm, along with a good solid hat. Older rural women typically wear long cotton dresses or lamba wraps, often with straw hats. However, their younger counterparts, and the majority of women in towns, are often strikingly attired in tight, brightly coloured leggings or shorts, and skinny T-shirts. It’s an outfit that looks more fit for the dancefloor than walking to market, and dramatically reveals an absence of traditional restraint. And it means that as a visitor, refreshingly enough, your own choice of dress is not apt to faze the locals. This informality extends to relations between the sexes: physical contact between men and women is relatively unrestrained, and you’ll often see couples out for a stroll, arm in arm.

Malagasy sexual attitudes are less conservative than you might expect. Sex outside marriage, divorce and remarriage are common, and casual sex and informal prostitution are very widespread. Parts of Madagascar, particularly Nosy Be, have acquired notoriety for sex tourism – not in any organized sense, simply as a result of women heading to the bars to make some extra money, or possibly even to find a husband. In turn, many European men, drawn by the allure of what they perceive to be Madagascar’s uncluttered mores, end up trying to establish a business with a Malagasy business partner (a legal requirement) who is their girlfriend. These relationships often end badly and many Malagasy are offended and deeply uncomfortable about the widespread exploitation of young people. There is strong support for efforts to eradicate child sexual exploitation (sex workers have to be 18 and carry ID cards).

Unlike many countries in the region, Madagascar has never had any laws governing male or female homosexual relationships, and gay couples are unlikely to experience any problems here. That said, there is no gay or lesbian scene to speak of.

Alcohol and other drugs

Rum and other spirits, beer and local wine are cheap and available throughout the country, and alcoholism is a serious problem. Most Malagasy are tolerant of booze, even if in the case of strict Muslims and some Christians they don’t touch it themselves. However, public drunkenness and associated misbehaviour is strongly disapproved of: people are expected to behave decently and that includes visitors.

The main illegal drug is marijuana, smoked in herbal form, and grown all over the country. While it is illegal on the statute books, discreet use in private is usually tolerated. Don’t make any assumptions however, or buy or smoke pot without being very sure of your surroundings: if you fall on the wrong side of the law you will get no sympathy from your embassy.

The herbal stimulant khat is legal and quite popular in the north – but something of an acquired taste that there is no special reason to acquire. Other illegal narcotics circulate in Tana and other cities: stay well clear.

Most Malagasy burials are simple: the corpse is tied in a white cotton shroud, wrapped in a raffia mat and placed inside a sealed tomb or in a secure dry cave or a cleft in the rocks traditionally reserved for the purpose. That isn’t always the end of the story, though: the people of the central highlands practice famadihana – ritual reburial, or literally “the turning of the bones”, a custom believed to derive from Indonesia.

Roughly every seven years, in the cool, dry austral winter months between July and September, relatives consult an astrologer to determine the right date, and then gather for a two-day family party to celebrate the lives of their ancestors, with hired bands and plenty to eat and drink. They will usually slaughter a zebu, and then the remains of their nearest and dearest – usually labelled with their names – are retrieved from the family tomb to be lovingly unwrapped and tended. The remains are tidied up, given libations of rum or wine and squirts of perfume. The living have a chance to pass on news and make any requests that they feel their ancestors might assist with, from health and wealth to legal disputes and affairs of the heart. Gifts and photos are sometimes tucked in among the bones, before they are carefully rewrapped in fresh white shrouds, made ideally of finely woven silk, and bundled up for safekeeping. Once reclothed, retied and re-labelled with marker pen, the dead are paraded shoulder-high by the dancing crowd, amid further well-lubricated dancing, and accompanied by appropriately long and rambling eulogies, called kabary.

The practice of famadihana, once staunchly rejected by all Madagascar’s churches, is no longer opposed by the Catholic Church, although evangelical Christians and Muslims have no truck with it. More secular Malagasy these days oppose such close communion with the dead on economic grounds: a good reburial party is extraordinarily expensive. But the intangible social benefits are equally huge. As a passing visitor, you can often participate in a famadihana simply by being in the right place at the right time: you’ll be invited. They are intrinsically public gatherings, and occasions for inclusivity and empathy, so respectful visitors are always welcome – though you will be expected to join in properly by buying some rum and showing off your dance moves.

There’s a controversial crop that you’ll soon come across if you travel much in Madagascar – khat (Catha edulis), a bushy tree whose leaves and green twigs contain a mildly bitter stimulant sap, not dissimilar from caffeine or kola nuts in effect. It is mainly cultivated around Montagne d’Ambre in the far north and while it has been banned in many countries, in Madagascar it is still legal.

Travelling with young children in Madagascar is hard work. Journeys are long and unpredictable, it can be very hot and uncomfortable and there’s often a lot of waiting around. Persuading little ones to take malaria pills can be very hard: be sure to cover them carefully with a DEET-based mosquito repellent early each evening and ensure they sleep under secure nets. Every morning, smother them in factor 40 sunscreen, insist they wear hats, and make sure they get plenty of fluids.

Despite the difficulties, French and Italian families flock to the Nosy Be resorts using charter flights (admittedly, few of them are doing much real travelling on the island) and expatriate families manage perfectly well in Tana and other towns. Almost anything that you might need is obtainable, if not always widely available, but you’d still do best to take all your own essentials. You’ll need to take car seats, too (which should go free on the plane, and can also serve as dining thrones when high chairs are unavailable).

The rewards are great, with safe, engaging and approachable wildlife, wonderful beaches and an instinctively child-friendly host population. While taxi brousse travel isn’t really practical with children (you don’t have sufficient control to ensure they’ll be happy or safe), it is possible to work out an itinerary that isn’t too ambitious using either a tour operator or independently booking a vehicle and driver. If you spend some time touring, on the RN7 for example, you might also consider staying in one of the top-end beach-and-rainforest lodges as a relaxing special treat at the end – such as Anjajavy (great for little ones) or Manafiafy (wonderful for teens).

Top 5 national parks for children

Andasibe-Mantadia The closeness to Tana and the proximity of the remarkable indris are always a hit, as are the semi-tame lemurs at Vakona Forest Lodge.

Isalo Wonderful rocky scenery, canyons, easy walks, swimming, climbing, riding and ring-tailed lemurs.

Masoala Combines fabulous rainforest with Robinson Crusoe lodges and safe snorkelling.

Ankarana and Tsingy de Bemaraha Both parks boast extraordinary limestone pinnacle landscapes, through which only lemurs, lizards and active children (on the pathways and footbridges) can move with any ease.

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Travel Advisory July 31, 2023

Madagascar - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed, and updates to crime information in the Tsaratanana, Tsiroanomandidy, Maintirano, and Betroka areas.

Exercise increased caution in Madagascar due to crime and civil unrest.   Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to the following areas due to violent crime and banditry:

• The area in and around the city of Tsaratanana in the Betsiboka Region;
• The area along the unnamed road connecting the city of Tsiroanomandidy in the Bongolava Region with the coastal city of Maintirano in the Melaky Region; and
• The area in and around the city of Betroka in the Anosy Region.

Country Summary :  Most criminal activity is non-violent petty theft, pickpocketing, and other crimes of opportunity predominately in urban areas and in crowded markets.  Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, occurs throughout Madagascar, particularly after dark, in remote areas, and along major national roads in the south and western areas of the country.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Madagascar.

If you decide to travel to Madagascar:

• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
• Do not travel on the roads between cities after dark. [SJ3]
• Be aware of your surroundings.  Thefts of items from vehicles is common and may involve ruses or distraction, particularly when stuck in traffic.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Madagascar.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.   

Mid-Sized Urban Areas   – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, banditry, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping can occur at any time.  Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents in these areas:

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

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Quick Facts

6 months at the time of entry

Yes, available upon arrival

Yellow fever, if traveler has been in a yellow fever endemic country within 6 months of arrival

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy antananarivo.

Lot 207 A, Point Liberty Andranoro, Antehiroka 105 Antananarivo Madagascar Telephone: +(261) (20) 23-480-00 (Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(261) (20) 23-480-00 Fax: +(261) (20) 23-480-35 Email:   [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Requirements for Entry:

• Passport, valid for six months from your date of entry and with three blank pages
• Visa, obtain before traveling, or purchase at port of entry if staying less than three months. Visas may be purchased with U.S. dollars, euros, or Malagasy ariary, but credit cards are not accepted.
• Evidence of onward/return travel
• Proof of sufficient funds
• World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination if traveler has been in a yellow fever endemic area within six months of arrival

Visit the Embassy of Madagascar website or the nearest Malagasy embassy or consulate for visa information, including how to obtain a visa before traveling if you will stay longer than three months, and documents required for visa extensions. The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo cannot help you extend your visa.

Screening for Ebola infection may be conducted at the airports.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Madagascar.

Minor children:

According to Malagasy law, residents of Madagascar with minor children traveling without both parents are required to have a notarized letter of consent to travel from the absent parent, preferably in French. This requirement does not apply to tourists visiting Madagascar. Please check neighboring countries’ country information for requirements for traveling with minor children.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs information  on our websites.

Special Note:  Overseas departments and territories of France (e.g., Mayotte) are not included in the Schengen Agreement. See the  Embassy of France  website for further information.

Safety and Security

Civil unrest, such as protests, is common in Madagascar. Be especially vigilant in the vicinity of downtown Antananarivo especially near government buildings, the national stadium, and historical monuments, where violent incidents have occurred.

Violent confrontations between the dahalo (criminal gangs that steal cattle) and security forces have increased in several regions of Madagascar, particularly in areas south and west of the capital.

Often precipitated by rumors or allegations of injuries to local citizens especially in areas where there are minimal security forces, mob violence and “popular justice” continues but is rarely directed toward foreign nationals. Street altercations and traffic accidents often quickly draw large and sometimes unruly crowds. Exercise caution and remain calm if you find yourself in a dispute, particularly in a public place. If you feel threatened by large crowds, immediately leave the scene, seek the direct intervention of local law enforcement, and contact the U.S. Embassy.

The cyclone season in Madagascar occurs between December and April. Please monitor media reports, the RSMC Tropical Cyclone Center , and follow all official instructions.

Exercise Increased Caution Due to Possible Protests and Civil Unrest Related to Presidential Election

The official campaign season for Madagascar’s presidential election has begun. The first round of voting is scheduled for November 16. A second round, if necessary, is scheduled for December 20. Opposition candidates have already called for and staged large-scale protests in the capital, Antananarivo, resulting in violent confrontations with law enforcement. Such protests may continue throughout the election period and may escalate and expand geographically as the candidates begin to campaign throughout the country. Given the increased possibility of protests and civil unrest, we urge U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution and enroll in STEP to ensure access to security alerts sent by the Embassy.

We also advise U.S. citizens that domestic flights in Madagascar are frequently subject to last-minute cancellations that can leave travelers stranded in remote areas without assistance. Tsaradia, Madagascar’s state-owned domestic airline, has a monopoly on domestic commercial flights and is notorious for last-minute cancellations and rescheduling, with no recourse for stranded travelers. Those who book Tsaradia flights through a third-party may not receive any advance notice of such cancellations and rescheduling. Regional airports in Madagascar receive little traffic and will close completely if the Tsaradia flight(s) for the day is cancelled. In such an event, there are no airline personnel present to assist stranded travelers. We recommend that travelers make contingency plans for lodging and local transportation in case their flight is cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute.

CRIME: Petty crime in Madagascar is common in urban areas. Skilled pickpockets are very active in downtown Antananarivo, and they primarily target jewelry, purses, and mobile phones. Additionally, criminals have stolen luggage from baggage claim areas at Antananarivo’s Ivato International Airport by simply grabbing items off the conveyor belt and exiting the airport.

Serious crimes, including home invasions, armed attacks, robberies, and assaults, are common in Madagascar. U.S. Embassy personnel are instructed not to use taxi-bes (minibuses which operate within urban centers) and taxi-brousses (which travel to outlying regions) due to the risk of carjacking and highway robbery. The majority of reported crimes were directed at Malagasy nationals but Westerners have likewise been targeted.

• Avoid walking alone especially after dark.
• Do not display cash and valuables.
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
• Always carry a color photocopy of your U.S. passport and visa. Keep original documents in a secure location. Most Malagasy authorities will accept a color photo copy, but you may be requested to present the original.

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assaults, is common in:

• Toamasina and Mahajanga
• Ankarana and Montagne d’Ambre National Parks adjacent to Diego
• area surrounding Tolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin)
• Batteie Beach, north of Toliara (Tuléar)

Visiting remote sites: While the government has increased the number of dedicated police units at popular tourist sites, only visit remote sites in large groups guided by reputable tour operators.

Exercise caution when traveling through these designated areas due to violent highway robberies:

• The general area south of the National Route (RN) 7 and RN 27 including the RN 10, RN 13, and the surrounding areas. Except the tourist area on the coastal roads between Ambovombe and Farafangana, including Fort Dauphin/Tolagnaro area.
• The RN 1B, which is located to the west of Antananarivo between Tsiroanomandidy and Maintirano.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:

Report crimes to the local police at 117, 22-227-35, or 22-357-09/10. U.S. citizens can also call the U.S. Embassy at (261) 20-23-480-00 if assistance is needed in communicating with law enforcement officials.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism : The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Drugs: Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Madagascar are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Visa overstays are a violation of local laws and U.S. citizens who overstay their visas will be subject to fines and potential prosecution.

Exporting Gemstones/Precious Materials: The Government of Madagascar restricts the export of precious gems. Before purchasing or transporting gemstones, seek clarification of the applicable laws. Any precious materials should be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a certificate to allow for exportation from Madagascar.

Currency: Madagascar is primarily a cash economy. Although some high-end establishments accept credit cards (normally only Visa-network cards), most shops and restaurants are cash only.

Although the government changed the local currency from the Malagasy franc (FMG) to the ariary in 2005, many Malagasy still think in terms of FMG. When discussing prices, you should quantify whether the price is in ariary or FMG (1 Ariary = 5 FMG). ATMs, which generally accept Visa-network cards only, are available in large cities. Dollars are not widely accepted, and $100 bills are frequently refused at banks and local businesses.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Madagascar with and between persons under the age of 21, and Malagasy law contains no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTI persons. Penalties can include imprisonment and fines.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: There is ample public transportation, but entering and exiting vehicles is precarious, and they are not equipped to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Vehicles are often still in motion as passengers enter and exit. There are no sidewalks in the vast majority of the country, and the roads are hazardous for foot travel with swerving vehicles and uneven surfaces. There are no pedestrian crossing signs or designated pathways, and crossing any street involves an element of risk. Pedestrian injuries are common. Public spaces are not wheelchair-accessible.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Consult the  CDC website for Madagascar  prior to travel.

Plague is endemic on the island, where outbreaks have resurfaced nearly every year since 1980. U.S. citizens visiting Madagascar are urged to monitor public health announcements from the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization, and to follow public health guidelines and recommendations. Plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but it is crucial to seek medical treatment immediately, if you experience any plague signs or symptoms.

See the List of Health Care Providers on the Embassy Antananarivo web page.

You are responsible for all medical costs. U.S. Medicare does not cover you overseas.

Medical Insurance: If your health insurance plan does not provide coverage overseas, we strongly recommend  supplemental medical insurance and medical evacuation plans .

Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Dengue Fever
• Chikungunya
• Diarrheal illness
• Tuberculosis

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions range from minimally acceptable to very poor. There are few pedestrian crosswalks and no working traffic signals.

U.S. Embassy personnel are prohibited from driving outside of major cities after dark. Certain roads in Antananarivo have restrictions on tractor trailers during the day, so trucks use the roads at night and do not always follow the traffic rules. Street lighting is limited, and it is difficult to see pedestrians, carts, and livestock. Additional risks include excessive speeding and drivers that do not use headlights

There are random police vehicle checkpoints throughout Madagascar, so carry photo identification (residency card, U.S. passport) in the event of police questioning. These checkpoints are routine in nature and should not result in vehicle and/or person searches as long as valid identification and visas are shown. However, travelers have reported harassment and bribe solicitation.

If you are stopped at a checkpoint:

• Comply with the officers’ requests. Remain courteous and calm.
• Stay inside your vehicle with doors locked and open the window slightly to communicate. Turn on your interior vehicle light at night.
• Tell the officer you are a U.S. citizen and display your U.S. passport color photo copy through the window.
• Do not leave until instructed to do so.
• Report harassment to the U.S. Embassy.

Please note:

• Local practice is to blow the horn before going around a curve, to let others know of one's presence.
• Seatbelt use is mandatory.
• The use of cell phones while driving, even with a hands-free attachment, is illegal.
• Child safety seats are not mandatory, but highly recommended.
• You are required to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation is unreliable and vehicles are poorly maintained. Rail services are extremely limited and unreliable.

Domestic and international air services operate regularly but are subject to delays and occasional breakdowns. Air Madagascar often changes in-country flight schedules based on demand; flights that are not full may be cancelled with little or no prior warning to passengers. Overbooking is also common. Reconfirmation of tickets prior to flight day is recommended, especially when flying from provincial airports.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. The Ministry of Public Works, telephone (20) 22-318-02, is responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:   As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Madagascar, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Madagascar’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA's safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Madagascar should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s  Maritime Security Communications with Industry WebPortal . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and as a broadcast warning on the  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s website .

Port Security:  The Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Madagascar ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Madagascar. Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Madagascar should exercise increased caution.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

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Madagascar travel guide | 3-week Itinerary

• August 2, 2023

Welcome to Madagascar travel guide, a 3-week itinerary to this magical island of natural wonders.

We recently visited the Red Island of Madagascar, which proved to be one of the most challenging, adventurous, and unique destinations we have ever travelled to. Planning our trip was tough due to the notoriously bad roads, and it often took us days to get from one place to another. We couldn’t risk driving at night, as it was considered highly dangerous. Therefore, we had to rely on daytime travel, which made our journey even more challenging.

It was really hard for us also to decide which places we will pass on or which we will invest in long hours and sometimes days of driving.

When in Madagascar, communication can be tricky for English speakers as the main languages spoken are Malagasy and French. Ordering something as simple as water can be difficult, and it was a big challenge to express ourselves effectively.

However, despite all these challenges, Madagascar has rewarded us with stunning views, spectacular untouched nature, amazing tropical beaches, rich wildlife, and experiences.

As one of the megadiverse countries in the world, we got to see unique animals in their natural habitats and flora that can be found only on the island.

Madagascar is also one of the poorest countries on the planet, which exposed us to the harsh poverty of the locals. But also allowed us to experience a place that hasn’t been touched by time or progress, where people still live with the old traditions and lifestyle.

Do you want to know more about what are the best places to see in Madagascar? What not to miss in Madagascar? How to plan your Madagascar trip? Here are our experiences and tips for Madagascar travelling.

Is Madagascar a safe country to travel? – Madagascar travel guide

As always, before we go travel, especially to third-world countries, we hear a lot of scary stories. Madagascar wasn’t exceptional. We heard about gangs with axes lurking on the roads, evil mosquitos with malaria, and poor street kids who will rob our phones in a flash of an eye.

Luckily for us, we didn’t experience any of the above. During our 3 weeks in Madagascar, we didn’t see any kind of violence or felt threatened. Having said that, we always consulted the locals, on which places are dangerous, where not to go, and what to expect. Most of the time we were advised not to walk or drive at night, and in the big cities to take extra watch for our valuables.

Visa + Vaccinations + Water – Madagascar travel guide

All foreign visitors to Madagascar require entry visas. For tourism purposes, you can get a tourist visa with a validity for staying in the country of 30 to 60 days maximum. The requirement for the visa is a valid passport with a validity of more than 6 months and a flight ticket showing the dates of entry and exit to Madagascar. You can apply for an entry visa online or at the Antananarivo airport after departure. The procedure is very simple and will cost you around 35 euros.

It is recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever.

Water in Madagascar is considered not drinkable for foreigners, it is advised to strictly drink from sealed water bottles. We recommend also avoiding tap water when brushing the teeth and being careful in the shower, not to get water in the mouth. Also, be careful with washing the fruits.

When to travel to Madagascar? Madagascar travel guide

The best time to visit Madagascar is during the dry season, between April and November. During the dry season you can enjoy comfortable temperatures of an average of 20 to 25 Celsius, and most important avoid heavy rains. During this season the roads are more accessible, and daylight is longer.

Between December and March, which consider the wet season, heavy rains and typhoons are expected, roads will become inaccessible, and fewer opportunities to watch the wildlife.

We went at the early beginning of December and still enjoyed good weather and to our surprise barely saw rain. We also enjoyed cheaper prices as the main tourist season was over. For us it was perfect, but we wouldn’t recommend going any further than that.

Money in Madagascar – Madagascar travel guide

The official currency of Madagascar is ‘Ariary’. The money banknotes vary from 100 to 20,000 bills. There are almost no ATMs and exchange offices in Madagascar. We recommend withdrawing extra money during your stay in the capital of Antananarivo.

Exchange rates at the airport are very high, so we advise you to just cash out from ATMs (which can be found at the airport) as much as possible. Credit cards are rarely excepted, but can be used in some hotels and fancy restaurants.

Where to stay in Madagascar – Madagascar travel guide

We booked some of our accommodation in advance through Booking. Most of our rooms were basic and budget-friendly, but we also spoiled ourselves with fancy places, especially at the beach areas.

The biggest accommodation problem in Madagascar was that many places that we visited didn’t exist on Booking. We had to help ourselves with guidebooks and tips from the internet.

Transportation in Madagascar – Madagascar travel guide

As backpackers, we usually like to explore and experience the place we travel to by public transportation. To feel the vibe of the locals and mingle with them. Unfortunately in Madagascar (unless you are a masochist) this is out of the question. The roads in Madagascar are so bad, you can spend days getting to your destination even if it is considerably close.

The public transport is also quite a mess, you can’t rely on the timetables, and the drivers will fill people in the vans with no consideration for comfort or logic.

Like most of the travellers, we met or talk with, we rented a 4X4 jeep with a driver, which was a bit pricy (35 € a day). But worth every penny! Not only for the comfort and safety but also for having a local with us, who served also as a guide which enriched our experience.

Due to the massive size of Madagascar, there are also domestic flights. We used it once from West Madagascar (Toliara) back to Antananarivo to save some time and avoid driving back. Unfortunately, most of the flights are quite expensive and were off our budget.

Food in Madagascar – Madagascar travel guide

Most food of Madagascar revolves around rice, the main agricultural crop of the island. The Malagasies eat rice during all meals of the day in different variations and flavours. The main protein of their diet comes from local beans and the ‘Zebu’. A humped-look-alike cow that can be seen throughout all of Madagascar.

Along the coasts of the Island is common to find fresh fish and seafood. For more about food in Madagascar click here.

Madagascar travel guide 3-week Itinerary

Antananarivo (days 1-2) – madagascar travel guide.

The capital of Madagascar was our first introduction to the island. Even though we are experienced travellers, who’ve spent a long time in India and South America… Nothing has prepared us for this crazy hectic city.

As we started exploring the town and got to the centre, both of us got into a culture shock. Seeing the masses of people, the smells, and the noises.

Everywhere we looked something was happening. The eyes of the locals were scanning us with curiosity and poor beggar kids were following us asking for money in a language we did not understand. Not for the faint-hearted.

The main attraction of the city for us was the Analakely Market. A huge and chaotic shopping area, covered with vendors, stalls, and shops offering colourful food and products of Madagascar.

We were multiple times warned to keep our phones as many pickpockets are waiting for the grab. To escape a bit from the crazy crowd we hike to one of the hills, where we got a nice panoramic view of the city. The capital city was a good place to exchange our money and arrange through the agency a driver for our travel.

CLICK HERE and read more about Antananarivo.

Antsirabe (day 2-3)

After getting introduced to our driver, we started driving towards our second destination. As we exit Antananarivo, we started to witness the beauty of Madagascar’s nature and views. Passing endless green rice fields, dark red soil, and bright blue skies. The construction of the colours was amazing.

We got to Antsirabe around noon and went to explore the third-biggest city in Madagascar. The city is packed with rickshaws drivers, some on bicycles and some on foot and it’s one of the main attractions of the place. After being offered a ride by endless people, we took a short drive along the city’s main road and enjoyed the unique vibe.

Even though it’s a city, it was so different from what we are used to in Western countries. It was a first glimpse of an African town, with dirt roads, small houses, and basic stalls and shops along the roads. At night time, the city was in complete darkness and we spent the evening at our hotel.

Ambositra and Ranomafana National Park (day 3-5)

In the morning, we started our journey toward the tropical Ranomafana National Park. After a few hours of drive passing small villages and more of the majestic nature of Madagascar, we stopped in Ambositra where we had lunch and went for a short hike around the city. We enjoyed checking out the many stores that offer wood-carving arts which is what the place is known for.

After Ambositra we continued the journey to the Ranomafana Park, passing many villagers along the roads, offering bananas, lychee, and plums. The more we got closer we notice the change in nature, becoming more and more green, tropical, and a true jungle feeling.

As we went up also the climate changed and for the first time we experience rain in Madagascar. We arrived afternoon at the park and went to our quite fancy accommodation, just a 5-minute drive from the main entrance.

Our spacious wooden hut was equipped with a huge bed and all the comfort accessories a room can have. We also got an amazing view of the jungle just in front of us.

This accommodation was one of the highest we spent on a room. Later we discover a small village close by that offer much cheaper prices but wasn’t on booking so we couldn’t know.

The next day we got up early and went to explore Ranomafana National Park. The park is famous for its many species of lemurs, mushrooms, plants, and flora.

We took the long hike which was around 6 hours, passing through rain forest full of life. We were lucky enough to spot 8 different kinds of lemurs in their natural habitat.

In the evening we went for a night walk with a guide to spot the cute mouse lemurs and many chameleons.

To read more about Ranomafana National Park click HERE .

Ambalavao and Anja Park (days 5-7) – Madagascar travel guide

As we were heading more towards the South of Madagascar, we notice a change of nature. From the green rain forests to more dry scenery with impressive huge rocky mountains and massive scattered boulders. Ambalavao was our base point to visit the much anticipated Anja Park.

On the first day, we walked along the only main road of the city. We mingled with the curious locals who were not used to seeing foreigners and admiring the mountains that surround the town.

The next morning we drove to Anja Park which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. The park is evolved around massive mountains and cliffs and offers different hikes to choose from with various difficulties.

During our hike, we had the chance for a close-up meeting with the beautiful ring-tail lemur’s pack, huge sleepy chameleons, and exotic birds. We also walked through caves, and cliffs and got almost to the top of the mountain with an amazing view of the area.

A must-visit in Madagascar!

For more about Anja Park CLICK HERE .

Isalo National Park (days 7-9)

The more we were heading toward Isalo, the more we got the feeling of complete wilderness. There was nothing on the roads but endless dry white fields, the blue sky, and our car. Occasionally we saw lone shepherds hoarding their Zebus on this wasteland and sometimes even a burial ceremony of the local villagers.

We got also to see the infamous Sapphire mining areas with its pop-up towns, where u can see how rich foreigners take advantage of the poor locals.

When we arrived at the Isalo National Park area around noon, it was the only place we haven’t booked accommodation in advance. The reason was, we knew about wild camping options inside the park, but couldn’t find any detailed information online. Second of all, around the park several resorts are quite expensive (and not just by Madagascar standards).

After consulting with our driver, we decided to go to Ranohira, the closest town to Isalo. There we found a lovely friendly budget hotel with cute clay huts and a panoramic view of the park.

Visit the park

The next day we got up early and headed to the park entrance where we paid the fees and local guide for the hike. We walked for about 8 hours, admiring the sandstone landscape of cliffs, canyons, plateaus, and natural swimming pools. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and showed us many unique plants, insects, and flora of the park. He also explained to us the history of Isalo and the local community.

Towards the end of our hike, we arrived at one of the camps (there are 2 different camping sites) of the park and felt a bit of regret not staying for the night. The camp is located in the middle of one of the canyons and it’s probably quite an experience to sleep there. Close to the camp we also saw for the first time the cute sifaka lemurs, and spend at least half an hour taking pictures and enjoying their company.

At the end of our Isalo experience, our guide took us through an amazing water stream path towards 2 beautiful pools where we could splash in the water and cool down from the heat.

Isalo National Park blew our minds, and if we had more time we sure stay more in this Malagasy gem. After the hike, we learned about the camps and prices and the hiking options the park has to offer. We highly recommend giving this place at least 3 days if not more.

CLICK HERE to read more about Isalo Madagascar.

Mangily (days 9-11)

After spending hasty days driving from one place to another, exploring the mainland of Madagascar, it was our time for some relaxing beach time. Our original plan was to stay at Toliara, the capital of the SouthWest coast region. But the city looked very crowded and hectic which wasn’t what we envision for our chill-out.

Our driver suggested we go to Mangily, which is about 25 km from Toliara. This cute fisherman village was exactly what we were looking for. Beautiful huts located on the shore, spacious hammocks, and green palm trees.

During our three-day stay in Mangily, we relaxed and indulged in fresh seafood and cold beer to rejuvenate our fatigued bodies from the tiring journey. One morning, we decided to go on a snorkelling excursion to explore the coral reefs nearby. However, the experience turned out to be a letdown as the reef was devoid of colours and life, likely because of overfishing and climate change. Moreover, the activity was excessively expensive.

In Mangily we also had to deal with quite annoying souvenir sellers who just didn’t leave us to be even after politely saying no. But having said that, we loved Mangily very much and highly recommend it if you travel to the area.

To read more about Mangily CLICK HERE .

Antananarivo (day 11-12)

To save time, we took a 45 min domestic flight from Toliara airport back to Antananarivo. There we spent 1 night before starting our journey towards ll Sainte-Marie island. On the next morning, we headed to the Taxi-Brousse station, where we took a shared van to Toamasina.

Toamasina (day 12-13)

We arrived in Toamasina after a brutal drive of more than 10 hours, passing quite bad bumpy roads and traffic jams. Not recommended will be an understatement.

Toamasina is a port city where most tourists come to take a boat or ferry to the Island of Nosy Boraha (ll Sainte-Marie). There is nothing special about the city besides its hectic vibe and crowded roads of rickshaws, cars, people, and farm animals running free.

Nosy Boraha – Ile Sainte Marie (days 13-18)

At 4 am, we reached the ferry agency in Toamasina and waited for three hours before being transported to the beach in vans. The journey was uncomfortable and lasted over two hours, made worse by the drivers cramming more people into the already-packed vans along the way.

The boat ride was also around 3 hours and when we arrived on the island we were completely exhausted. All these hard 2 days and journeys on the roads and the sea took the wind out of our sails. However the reward was well worth it, Ile Sainte Marie was revealed to be paradise on Earth.

Arriving at our Accommodation – Madagascar travel guide

From the port of the island, a driver of our resort came to pick us up and brought us to one of the most beautiful and welcoming accommodations we ever experienced. As we arrived, immediately all the stress and pain of the long travel dissolved.

We were greeted with fresh coconuts and delicious sandwiches and got escorted to our amazing spoiling bungalow one step away from the water.

During our stay on the island, we rented a motorbike (the main transport) and drove along the beautiful coastline of Nosy Boraha. Stopping from time to time for a quick deep in the sea. For watching waterfalls and seeing the local vibes of the islanders.

The island culture is quite different from Madagascar. We could see that people are more chill and happy with their life. One day we saved to go and check out Île aux Nattes, an even tinier island on the South of Nosy Boraha.

From the South point of the island, we took a small taxi boat towards the island, and what can we say it was just getting more and more pretty. The uniqueness of the island is in its natural state, u could almost feel Robinson Crusoe. Besides some very few hidden restaurants and resorts, there is nothing but palm trees, white sand, and the most crystal turquoise water.

Toamasina (day 18-19) – Madagascar travel guide

Boat number one.

Returning to Toamasina proved to be a great adventure for us. We woke up at 3 in the morning and headed to the port to catch our ferry back to the Madagascar mainland. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we found out that the boat was delayed due to bad weather and wouldn’t be departing until the following day. We felt frustrated and unsure of what to do.

At last, a stranger came up to us and proposed to sell us a boat from another port on the island at a reasonable cost. With limited options, we accepted the offer. However, the boat we ended up with was incredibly tiny and navigating through the rough waters and stormy conditions proved to be quite terrifying.

Dirt Bike Ride

After one hour we arrived at an abandoned beach, thinking a van will pick us up to Toamasina, but no van was in sight. People with motorcycles came to us and offer a ride to the next village. Without any other choice, we went on the bikes and drove with them at crazy speeds through dirt roads and rural villages.

2 More Boat Rides

Eventually, we got to a river and had to change to canoes, to take us further. We cruised on a beautiful backwater, surrounded by green nature listening to the local radio of the canoe captain.

A Horrible Endless Van Ride

Once we passed the backwaters, we made our way to Tanambao village to look for a taxi van that could take us to Toamasina. However, we were taken aback when the driver informed us that the journey would take more than 8 hours. The ride turned out to be even more unpleasant than the one from Antananarivo. We had never before been in such a cramped van with so many people that we couldn’t even move a finger.

We arrived in Toamasina at 9 pm. Destroyed, tired, dehydrated and hungry. It was probably the hardest journey we had in Madagascar and probably in all our travels.

In conclusion, we don’t recommend doing what we did. If Ile Sainte Marie is a must for you, please invest extra money and take the direct plane from Antananarivo.

Antananarivo (day 19-20)

Like the road toward Toamasina, also the drive back was long and exhausting. We arrive only at dark to the capital. The next day we just chilled in our hostel. We hung out with other travellers and ate some Italian food after so long time of basic rice.

We also wanted to do our shopping but unfortunately, it was Christmas Day and also Sunday so everything was closed. We had to go home empty-handed. In the evening we took a taxi to the airport and flew home. Exhausted, but happy.

Madagascar – travel for real adventurers

Madagascar is not a ‘walk in the park’. The roads can drive you to insanity. Without knowing at least a bit of French you will find yourself lost in this huge island.

But, Madagascar will give you thrilling adventures, majestic nature, out-of-this-world views, and unique animals you won’t see anywhere else. After traveling for so long and so many countries Madagascar will defiantly enter our top 5 destinations in the world.

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Tourism in Madagascar 

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Tourism in Madagascar is big business. But why is the tourism industry so important here and why does it matter? Read on to find out…

Tourism in Madagascar

The expansive island nation of Madagascar, nestled in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa, beckons travelers with an invitation to a world where nature’s creativity knows no bounds. Renowned for its unique biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Madagascar is more than just a destination—it’s a vibrant tapestry of experiences waiting to unfold.

While its diverse geography ranges from tropical rainforests to arid plains and stunning beaches, the nation is also home to a vast array of destinations that offer insights into its multifaceted charm. Yet, as with many paradises, tourism brings both opportunities and challenges. In this article, we embark on a journey to understand Madagascar’s geographic allure, must-visit locales, varied tourism sectors, and the nuanced impacts tourism has on this unparalleled island gem.

Geographical overview of Madagascar 

Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world, with a total land area of approximately 587,000 square kilometres.

The island is characterised by a diverse geography, with a central plateau that rises to an elevation of around 1,500 metres above sea level. The plateau is bordered by lowlands and coastal plains on the east, west, and north coasts, and a mountainous region on the central highlands.

The eastern coast of Madagascar is known for its humid climate and tropical rainforest, which is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees. The western coast is drier and features deciduous forests and savannas, as well as a variety of unique wildlife, such as the spiny-tailed iguana and the fossa, a carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar.

The northern coast of Madagascar features a range of rugged mountains, while the southern part of the island is dominated by a semi-arid landscape that is characterised by spiny forests and vast stretches of grassland.

Madagascar is also home to several rivers and lakes, including the Mangoky River, which is the longest river in Madagascar, and Lake Alaotra, the largest lake on the island.

Overall, the diverse geography of Madagascar has helped to create a rich and unique biodiversity, with a large number of species that are found nowhere else on Earth.

The tourism industry in Madagascar 

Madagascar has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists in recent years, thanks to its unique wildlife, natural landscapes, and vibrant culture. The tourism industry in Madagascar is still relatively small compared to other destinations in the region, but it is growing rapidly and has the potential to become a major contributor to the country’s economy.

One of the main attractions for tourists in Madagascar is the island’s incredible biodiversity. The country is home to a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The lemurs of Madagascar are perhaps the best-known example of the country’s unique wildlife, with over 100 different species found on the island.

In addition to its wildlife, Madagascar also offers a range of natural attractions, including stunning beaches, coral reefs, and national parks. The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, for example, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features towering limestone formations, canyons, and underground rivers.

Madagascar’s cultural heritage is another draw for tourists, with a rich history that includes a mix of African, Asian, and European influences. Visitors can explore traditional markets, see ancient rock art, and experience traditional music and dance performances.

The tourism industry in Madagascar is still developing, but the government has made efforts to promote the country as a destination for international travellers. There are a number of tour operators and hotels that cater to tourists, particularly in the capital city of Antananarivo and in popular tourist areas such as Nosy Be and the island of Sainte Marie.

Overall, Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, natural beauty, and cultural heritage make it a compelling destination for travellers looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Key statistics about tourism in Madagascar 

Here are some notable statistics about tourism in Madagascar:

• In 2019, Madagascar received approximately 382,000 international tourist arrivals, a 4.4% increase from the previous year.
• Tourism accounted for approximately 6.5% of Madagascar’s GDP in 2019.
• The majority of international tourists to Madagascar come from France, Reunion Island, and Italy.
• The average length of stay for international tourists in Madagascar is around 11 days.
• The tourism industry in Madagascar employs approximately 240,000 people, or 3.2% of the country’s total employment.
• The average expenditure per international tourist in Madagascar is approximately $745 USD.
• The most popular regions for tourists in Madagascar are Antananarivo, Nosy Be, and Sainte Marie.
• Madagascar has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many of which are popular tourist attractions.
• The peak tourist season in Madagascar is from June to September, during the dry season.
• Madagascar has a wide range of accommodations for tourists, from budget-friendly guesthouses and camping sites to luxury hotels and resorts.

Most popular tourist attractions in Madagascar 

Madagascar is known for its incredible biodiversity and natural beauty, which offers visitors a wide range of unique and exciting tourist attractions. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Madagascar:

• Andasibe-Mantadia National Park: Located in the eastern rainforest region of Madagascar, this park is known for its incredible wildlife, including several species of lemurs, reptiles, and birds.
• Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site features incredible limestone formations and canyons, with walking trails and suspension bridges that offer stunning views.
• Avenue of the Baobabs: Located in the Menabe region of Madagascar, this dirt road is lined with towering baobab trees, creating a picturesque and unique landscape.
• Isalo National Park: This park in the southern part of Madagascar features stunning canyons, rock formations, and waterfalls, as well as a variety of wildlife such as ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas.
• Nosy Be: This island off the northwest coast of Madagascar is a popular beach destination, known for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and white-sand beaches.
• Ranomafana National Park: Another popular national park in Madagascar, Ranomafana is known for its tropical rainforest and diverse wildlife, including several species of lemurs and reptiles.
• Antananarivo: The capital city of Madagascar is a vibrant and bustling city, with a mix of colonial and traditional architecture, markets, museums, and cultural events.
• Morondava: This coastal town in western Madagascar is a popular base for exploring the Avenue of the Baobabs, as well as nearby national parks and beaches.
• Sainte Marie: This island off the east coast of Madagascar is known for its tropical climate, coral reefs, and whale watching opportunities.
• Ankarafantsika National Park: Located in the northwest part of Madagascar, this park is known for its dry forests, lakes, and diverse wildlife, including several species of lemurs and birds.

Most popular types of tourism in Madagascar 

Madagascar offers a range of unique and exciting tourism experiences for visitors. Here are some of the most popular types of tourism in Madagascar:

• Ecotourism: Madagascar is known for its incredible biodiversity, with a high number of endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Ecotourism is a popular type of tourism in Madagascar, with visitors coming to explore the country’s national parks, wildlife reserves, and natural landscapes.
• Beach tourism: Madagascar has a number of beautiful beaches and islands, particularly along the western and northern coasts of the country. Beach tourism is a popular activity, with visitors enjoying swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing in the crystal-clear waters.
• Cultural tourism: Madagascar has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of African, Asian, and European influences. Visitors can explore traditional markets, see ancient rock art, and experience traditional music and dance performances.
• Adventure tourism: Madagascar offers a range of adventurous activities, including hiking, trekking, rock climbing, and caving. Visitors can explore the country’s natural landscapes and wildlife in a variety of exciting ways.
• Wildlife tourism: Madagascar is famous for its lemurs, with over 100 different species found on the island. Visitors can go on guided tours to see these fascinating creatures up close, as well as other wildlife such as chameleons, geckos, and birds.
• Sustainable tourism: Sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly popular in Madagascar, with visitors seeking out responsible and eco-friendly travel options that support local communities and protect the environment.
• Historical tourism: Madagascar has a rich history that includes a mix of African, Asian, and European influences. Visitors can explore historical sites such as ancient royal palaces and colonial-era buildings.

Overall, Madagascar offers a diverse range of tourism experiences that cater to a variety of interests and preferences. Whether you’re interested in wildlife, culture, adventure, or simply relaxing on the beach, Madagascar has something to offer.

Economic impacts of tourism in Madagascar

The tourism industry has significant economic impacts on Madagascar, both in terms of its contribution to the country’s GDP and its effects on employment and income. Here are some of the key economic impacts of tourism in Madagascar:

• Contribution to GDP: Tourism in Madagascar is an important contributor to the nation’s economy, accounting for approximately 6.5% of the country’s GDP in 2019.
• Employment: The tourism industry in Madagascar is a major employer, with approximately 240,000 people working in the sector in 2019. This represents around 3.2% of the country’s total employment.
• Income generation: Tourism generates income for a range of businesses and individuals in Madagascar, including hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and souvenir sellers. This income helps to support local economies and create job opportunities.
• Foreign exchange earnings: Tourism is a significant source of foreign exchange earnings for Madagascar, with international tourist spending contributing to the country’s balance of payments.
• Regional development: Tourism has the potential to contribute to regional development in Madagascar, particularly in remote and rural areas that may not have many other economic opportunities.
• Investment and infrastructure: The growth of the tourism industry in Madagascar has led to increased investment in infrastructure such as hotels, transportation, and attractions. This investment can help to improve the overall quality of life for local communities.
• Environmental conservation: Tourism in Madagascar can also have positive environmental impacts, with tourism revenues being used to support conservation efforts and protect the country’s unique biodiversity.

The tourism industry plays an important role in Madagascar’s economy, contributing to employment, income generation, and foreign exchange earnings. However, it is important to ensure that tourism is developed in a sustainable and responsible way, so that its benefits can be maximised while minimising negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Social impacts of tourism in Madagascar

Tourism can have significant social impacts on the communities and people in Madagascar. Here are some of the key social impacts of tourism in the country:

• Cultural exchange: Tourism in Madagascar can provide opportunities for cultural exchange between visitors and local communities. This can help to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures, and can also provide economic benefits for local people who share their culture with tourists.
• Employment: As mentioned earlier, tourism is a significant employer in Madagascar. This can provide job opportunities for local people, particularly in remote and rural areas where other economic opportunities may be limited.
• Income generation: Tourism can also provide income generation opportunities for local people, such as through the sale of crafts and souvenirs, or through the provision of accommodation or transportation services.
• Community development: Tourism can contribute to community development in Madagascar, through the provision of infrastructure and services such as roads, water supply, and health facilities.
• Education: Tourism in Madagascar can also provide opportunities for education and training, particularly in the areas of hospitality and tourism management.
• Social conflicts: However, tourism can also have negative social impacts, such as creating social conflicts between local communities and tourists, particularly in areas where there are differences in cultural values and expectations.
• Displacement: There is also a risk of displacement of local communities and their traditional ways of life, particularly in areas where tourism development is concentrated.
• Commercialization: There is also a risk of commercialization of local culture, where traditional practices are modified or even abandoned in order to cater to tourist expectations.

The social impacts of tourism in Madagascar can be both positive and negative, depending on how tourism is managed and developed. It is important to ensure that tourism is developed in a sustainable and responsible way that maximises its benefits while minimising its negative impacts on local communities and their way of life.

Environmental impacts of tourism in Madagascar

Tourism in Madagascar can have significant environmental impacts in Madagascar, which is known for its unique biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. Here are some of the key environmental impacts of tourism in the country:

• Habitat destruction: Tourism development can lead to habitat destruction, particularly in areas where new hotels, resorts, and other infrastructure are built. This can have negative impacts on wildlife and their habitats.
• Deforestation: The clearing of land for tourism development can also lead to deforestation, which can have significant impacts on the climate, soil quality, and local communities.
• Waste generation: Tourism in Madagascar can generate large amounts of waste, particularly in areas where there is a high concentration of visitors. This can include both solid waste, such as packaging and food waste, and wastewater, which can lead to water pollution if not properly treated.
• Resource consumption: Tourism can also lead to increased consumption of resources such as water and energy, particularly in areas where infrastructure is lacking or inefficient.
• Climate change: Tourism can also contribute to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases from transportation, accommodation, and other activities associated with tourism.
• Overcrowding: High levels of tourism in Madagascar can also lead to overcrowding in popular areas, which can put pressure on local ecosystems and wildlife.
• Wildlife disturbance: Tourism in Madagascar can also lead to disturbance of wildlife, particularly in areas where visitors come into close proximity with animals. This can have negative impacts on the behaviour and health of wildlife.

The environmental impacts of tourism in Madagascar can be significant, particularly if tourism is not managed in a sustainable and responsible way. It is important to develop tourism in a way that minimises its negative impacts on the environment and wildlife, and that supports conservation efforts and sustainable use of natural resources.

Crime and safety 

Madagascar is generally considered a safe country for tourists, with a low crime rate compared to other African countries. However, as with any travel destination, there are still risks associated with crime and safety that visitors should be aware of.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft can occur, particularly in crowded areas and tourist hotspots. Visitors should take precautions to keep their valuables secure and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery. It is also advisable to avoid walking alone at night, especially in urban areas.

In recent years, there have been some incidents of armed robbery and carjacking, particularly in the capital city of Antananarivo and on the main highways. Visitors should exercise caution when travelling by car, especially after dark, and consider hiring a reputable driver and vehicle.

There have also been occasional political demonstrations and strikes that can disrupt travel plans and cause safety concerns. Visitors should monitor local news and avoid large gatherings or protests.

In terms of health and safety, Madagascar is known for its unique biodiversity and wildlife, but visitors should take precautions to avoid animal bites and scratches that can lead to infections or diseases such as rabies. Visitors should also be aware of the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and take appropriate precautions such as using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.

Overall, Madagascar is a safe destination for tourists, but visitors should take reasonable precautions to ensure their safety and avoid becoming victims of crime or accidents. It is also important to be respectful of local customs and culture, and to travel in a sustainable and responsible way that minimises negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

FAQs about tourism in Madagascar

Lastly, lets finish up this article about tourism in Madagascar by answering some of the most common questions on this topic:

Do I need a visa to visit Madagascar?

Yes, most visitors to Madagascar require a visa. You can apply for a visa online or upon arrival at the airport. Be sure to check the latest visa requirements and fees before you travel.

What is the best time to visit Madagascar?

The best time to visit Madagascar is during the dry season, which runs from April to November. The weather is pleasant and the wildlife is easier to spot during this time. However, the high season for tourism is from July to August, so expect higher prices and more crowds.

Is Madagascar safe for tourists?

Madagascar is generally considered safe for tourists, with a low crime rate compared to other African countries. However, visitors should still take precautions to ensure their safety and avoid becoming victims of crime or accidents.

What currency is used in Madagascar?

The currency used in Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). It is recommended to carry cash in small denominations as ATMs can be limited and not all establishments accept credit cards.

What languages are spoken in Madagascar?

The official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French, with English also spoken in tourist areas.

What is the food like in Madagascar?

Madagascar has a unique cuisine that is influenced by its African, Asian, and French heritage. Dishes typically feature rice, meat, and vegetables, with a variety of spices and flavours. Seafood is also popular in coastal regions.

What vaccinations do I need to travel to Madagascar?

It is recommended that visitors to Madagascar get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies. Visitors should consult with a healthcare provider before travelling to Madagascar to ensure they are up to date on all required and recommended vaccinations.

How do I get around in Madagascar?

Transportation options in Madagascar include taxis, buses, and private drivers. Domestic flights are also available between major cities. Visitors should be prepared for long travel times and roads that can be bumpy and unpaved.

What is the dress code in Madagascar?

• Madagascar is a conservative country, and visitors are advised to dress modestly, especially in rural areas. Lightweight, comfortable clothing is recommended, as well as a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.

Can I see lemurs in Madagascar?

Yes, Madagascar is home to over 100 species of lemurs, which are found only on the island. Visitors can see lemurs in national parks such as Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana, and Isalo. It is recommended to hire a guide to ensure the best chance of spotting lemurs and learning about their behaviour and habitats.

Tourism in Madagascar- To conclude

Madagascar, with its unparalleled biodiversity and distinctive landscapes, undoubtedly stands as one of the world’s most enchanting tourist destinations. Beyond its natural splendour, the island’s cultural tapestry beckons those keen to experience a unique blend of African and Austronesian influences.

As tourism continues to flourish, it’s imperative to tread thoughtfully, ensuring that the footprints we leave behind preserve the island’s magic for generations to come. Through a balanced approach, Madagascar’s tourism can be a catalyst for both economic growth and environmental stewardship, sealing its reputation as a true gem in the Indian Ocean.

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Home » Africa » Travel Safety

Is Madagascar Safe for Travel? (Insider Tips)

You’ve probably heard of Madagascar from the Disney Pixar film. Maybe you fancy a visit? Go for it, the giant island is beautiful, diverse and just perfect for adventures.

The natural world of Madagascar is absolutely fascinating. With millions of years of isolation from the African continent, animal species have evolved at developed uniquely, giving the island a well-known lineup of the most famous endemic fauna in the entire world: e.g. lemurs.

However, Madagascar can be a challenge to visit. There is crime,  cultural differences, a challenging political climate and a bunch of other potentially dangerous things makes the island actually fairly difficult to travel around.

So is Madagascar safe to visit? That’s the question we are going to be answering with our epic guide to staying safe in Madagascar. We will be covering just about everything from the safety of taxis to some in-depth stats about the country to make sure you know all there is to know.

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How Safe is Madagascar? (Our take)

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Madagascar has a lot going for it. There is a ton of potential on this island, with both incredible beaches and biodiversity to attract visitors.

Cut off from the African continent for 165 million years, the island’s native species attract – rightly so – a lot of outside interest. Everything from the aye-ayes to the red-bellied lemur is fascinating in Madagascar, which is why a lot of travellers want to take a trip here.

Whilst most people who do visit have a trouble-free trip, Madagascar isn’t as safe as the Disney film would have you think. It isn’t a dream paradise – in fact, many people would recommend that you only travel the island with an organised tour company or hire a guide to take you around.

Side note: When I visited in 2017, I had long term residents (my girlfriend and her family) to act as guides.

Even the National Tourism Office of the country advises foreign tourists that they should use a professional tour operator. Yep, backpacking Madagascar independently can be dodgy.

Crime, such as robbery and theft, are sadly rife in Madagascar. There has even been an increase in the number of kidnappings, targeting wealthy visitors to the country.

There was a coup in 2009, which led to much political instability. To this day the country is still not stable. In fact, it led Madagascar to be named “the poorest country in the world not in conflict” (according to the World Bank).

Let’s dive in to see what’s actually going on in this country…

There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Madagascar Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.

The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.

Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Madagascar. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Madagascar.

If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!

It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂

To be honest, currently, there are some parts of Madagascar that are perhaps not safe to travel to.

For example, 70% of Madagascans live below the poverty line. That means that the majority of the 22 million people who live across the 87,040 square kilometres of this island are living impoverished life.

Tourism, therefore, is very important to the country. It’s seen as a way to help reduce poverty and help economic growth, which makes sense.

Politically, the country is looking much more stable nowadays. There are still a few demonstrations every once in a while, but as long as you stay out of it, they won’t affect you at all.

In the north of Madagascar, there have been incidents that have targeted foreigners. In Nosy Be and Antsohihy, for example, robberies occurring in broad daylight have occurred on beaches. On the private island of Tsarabanjana, incidents involving tourists have been reported recently in crowded areas and at night.

Because of violent incidents in the area north of Fort Dauphin, as well as along the west coast between Belo Sur Tsiribihina and Toliara, as well as around the township of Betroka, there are armed forces involved in the area. It’s not recommended that tourists travel through this region independently.

In the “Southern Triangle” region the roads are not in very good condition and travelling at night is not advised. Attacks and violence have been reported in the southern and northern parts of Toliara, so it’s best to steer clear.

With all those things in mind, it’s fair to say that Madagascar CAN be safe to travel to right now, but you’ll have to be properly prepared.

Normally we’d be telling you about the safest places to visit in the country, but this one is a special case. Instead of focusing on one area, we’re going to present the top guided tours around Madagascar . It’s the safest and most rewarding way to see the country, so don’t hesitate to book!

Highlights of Madagascar – Plus

If you want to get a well-rounded experience of Madagascar, this itinerary from Gadventures does precisely that. You’ll encounter lemurs, wild landscapes (including the giant baobab trees), village culture, beautiful beaches – the whole works. The trip offers a fairly equal share of hiking and downtime. You can choose to add activities such as thermal springs and massages, and the final two days include time to lounge on the beach.

• Number of days: 8 days
• Price: Pending new season prices
• Group Size: 16 max
• Accommodation type: Simple hotels (5 nights) and basic bungalows (2 nights)
• How many meals included: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Northern Madagascar Explorer

The shortest trip we’ve found also takes you far off the beaten path when comparing other trips to Madagascar. Beginning in the far northern port city of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) you’ll make your way south via the balmy Amber Mountains National Park. As you carve your way through the humid jungle, you’ll spot lemurs, native birdlife and reptiles, and cascading waterfalls. Plus, you’ll get that adrenaline kick you were looking for when you explore the limestone forest of ‘tsingy’ rocks.

Madagascar in Depth

Are you the kind of traveller who can’t leave a place until you’ve explored every single corner? This is the trip for you. 

Starting and concluding in Antananarivo, you’ll weave your way through remote rainforests, pristine beaches, winding rivers, and unique towns with a culture all their own. Note that this trip involves some camping and river cruises that are pretty rudimentary; it’s not a luxurious tour, but it is authentic. 

• Number of days: 24 days
• Price: $4,735 USD
• Group Size: 12 max
• Accommodation type: Hotels, lodges, camping, eco-lodges, simple guesthouses
• How many meals included: 21 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Madagascar Travel Insurance

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Madagascar could seem like a dream destination. But as you might have been able to tell already, there is actually a lot to look out for if you are thinking of travelling to this country.

Whilst seeing the country with a guide or on a tour is recommended, this doesn’t make you immune from danger – which is why we have compiled this list of the best safety tips for travelling to Madagascar to help you out.

• Learn Some French – Nobody in Madagascar speaks English. The official languages are Malagasy and French. Knowing how to communicate in one of them will make your trip a lot easier and safer.
• Be vigilant – robberies, street crime and theft occur frequently, especially urban areas, beaches and nature reserves
• Take extra care when travelling in a vehicle – car jacking and theft from cars is on the rise
• Watch your belongings in crowded areas – these sorts of places are hotbeds for petty thieves
• Do not walk around looking wealthy – cameras, jewellery, laptops, phones, designer clothes… Just don’t. You’ll make yourself a walking target
• Don’t walk around by yourself after dark – the crime rate significantly increases after dark, especially in town centres and on beaches
• Keep copies of important travel documents in a safe place – you don’t want these going missing; use a hotel safe
• Carry your passport with you – but make sure to keep it very concealed and very secure
• Be polite to the police – it’s important to show respect; don’t antagonise them
• Ask police for ID – reports of fake police have been known, so if they want to talk to you ask them to show you their ID
• Don’t resist if someone tries to rob you – consider taking a throwdown wallet so you can get away with losing a small amount of money. Whatever you do, don’t resist
• Be culturally aware – in Madagascar, there are taboos known as “fady”; these vary across the country and are related to food, clothing and sometimes related to foreigners in general. You should respect the local fady and ask locals for advice
• Be respectful to heads of villages – such as the Fokontany and the Ray aman-dreny. Not doing so will cause great offence
• Stay away from drugs – any sort of use or possession is a big, big deal
• Be careful what you take out the country – everything from pepper to jewellery; read up on quantities you’re allowed to take back home with you
• Be aware that plague still exists here – 500 cases are reported annually and they mainly occur in the rainy season
• Pay attention to the weather – monitor the progress of storms on weather website platforms.
• Don’t take photos without permission – especially of a person or a tomb; this can be very offensive
• Always have small cash on you – this is a cash based society and cards will not be widely accepted, if at all. Carry it around in a safe money belt
• Keep a low profile – as a foreign tourist you are much more likely to be a target, so dressing obviously, talking loudly, anything like that, is not a good idea
• Research tour companies well – not all of them are going to have your best interests in mind

There is a lot about Madagascar that you have to watch out for. Though it is probably best tackled with a tour, it is possible to travel Madagascar by yourself; it will just mean that you pay extra care to your surroundings and to what accommodation you stay at, for example. Keep our tips in mind!

Travelling solo anywhere in the world can be a blast. You get to do what you want, when you want, and you get to challenge yourself – and grow as a person.

Madagascar is definitely adventurous. However, the infrastructure isn’t so developed and there are a lot of challenges you’ll face along the way. You’ll have to be open-minded, and cautious, with how you travel, so to help you do so here are a few tips for travelling solo here…

• A good place to meet other travellers is in the vibrant bars and other hangouts in Nosy Be, Nosy Borha and there’s a travel community in Taomasina and Tulear, too. Surfers will enjoy the socialising in Antsiranana and Taolagnaro.
• Hit up tourist offices – these places are not your enemy and are, in fact, very helpful. You can get maps, advice and ask questions about where is safe to explore in these areas.
• Join in a group activity . This can be something like a scuba diving excursion or heading out on a boat. These sorts of things are a good opportunity to not only see more of the country but also to meet a whole load of other travellers.
• You probably may not be expecting this anyway, but don’t come to Madagascar expecting any sort of particular “ backpacking scene .” This simply doesn’t exist here – yet, anyway.
• Choose your accommodation wisely . There is a very, very small handful of hostels on this large island nation, so make sure that you book yourself into the right place that will suit you will help your trip go more smoothly.
• Ask at your accommodation for local advice on where you should go, what you should do, and where you should avoid. The local people will know where foreigners will be accepted, and where is safe (or not), and will be very worthwhile to your time in Madagascar.
• Travel lightly . Trust us, bumbling around with a load of backpacks and gadgets when you’re by yourself isn’t just not fun, but it will also leave you at risk of becoming a target of crime.
• Try not to stand out and attempt to blend in with what you’re wearing. Typical hiking gear or backpacking clothing is not the sort of thing that will help you do this, so take note of what locals are wearing and try your best to follow suit.
• Don’t drink too much . It’s fun to have a few, of course, but being completely wasted impairs your judgement.
• Keep emergency numbers in your phone saved with a symbol (such as “&” in front of the contact name) so you don’t have to scroll your contacts to find them. Also, you should note these down on a piece of paper and keep it with you because, you know, phones can run out of battery.
• On that note, you should consider investing in a spare battery pack so that your phone always has a backup supply of energy. Always keep your phone charged, too – just in case.
• Don’t wing it . Though other places in the world allow you to be free and easy with how you travel around (Southeast Asia, for example), but Madagascar requires planning and generally sticking to your itinerary as faithfully as you can.
• Remove yourself from any type of vulnerable situation . If you suddenly realise that you may be at risk, or if a situation is just getting a bit awkward and uncomfortable, don’t feel like you have to stick around out of politeness.
• Don’t go off grid ! It’s not safe. You may be doing something for you, and you alone, by travelling around Madagascar, but keeping in touch with friends and family back home – letting them know your itinerary whilst you’re at it – is the best way to go.

Madagascar is definitely a country of contrasts. The intense nature, rich history, poverty, culture and endangered wildlife all make for a pretty intoxicating cocktail that would attract any adventurous traveller. We can see why a solo female traveller would want to come here.

However, it definitely is not a trip that is going to be in any way normal. Whilst it can be safe for solo female travellers in Madagascar, you have to understand local customs, have some knowledge of the country and know a few insider tips on how to stay safe.

• Locals will be curious about you – no doubt about it. You shouldn’t necessarily expect to be hassled or feel threatened, but it may be overwhelming.
• There won’t be a lot of other solo female backpackers that you can rub shoulders within Madagascar. As long as you know that, and you’re fine with that, then that’s the first step to being at least half ready for this island nation.
• That said, if you have the money, then it might be worthwhile booking yourself onto a tour for your entire trip of Madagascar. These do exist and it is not a cop out. This is, in fact, the most normal way to get around Madagascar.
• Finding the right guide is important – especially if you’re by yourself and you’re a woman. There are a lot of guides to choose from in Madagascar, many of them friendly people who really know their stuff. Get online, ask questions, and get recommendations; this will really help you.
• Get connected with other female travellers who have been there before you, or with people who live there – expats or Madagascan people alike. In the world of the internet, there are countless groups and sites dedicated to just this. Hit up places like Host A Sister or Girls Love Travel, or find another group you like, and then start making your connections. It will help open up the country.
• Be kind to yourself . Just because you’ve saved up all this money and you’re making this big effort to explore Madagascar, it may not always be as awesome as you were hoping. That’s fine.
• Err on the side of modesty when it comes to how you dress . This is helpful for wherever you travel in the world really, but in Madagascar, it’s going to help you stick out less as a tourist – and therefore, potentially, as a target.
• Don’t disclose all the information about yourself to a stranger. If someone’s making you feel uncomfortable with their line of questioning, just tell some white lies, or remove yourself from the situation.
• As we mentioned, people will be curious about you and your travels in Madagascar – that includes men. If someone approaches you and tries to make an advance, a firm no should be enough to ward them off. Men in Madagascar are usually quite respectful of women.

It may not be the most ideal destination for a solo traveller – let alone a woman by herself – but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t doable. Tours offer up a fantastic way to see the country and mean you get to connect with locals and see the sights safely and with fewer risks.

We’ve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Madagascar.

Is Madagascar safe to travel for families?

You may think that visiting Madagascar would be like going to the best natural zoo ever. But it’s actually not very easy with children.

You’ve got to take into consideration a few things: it gets super hot, the accommodation can be pretty basic, the roads are not in very good condition, wildlife, like scary bugs and feral dogs, isn’t always amazing.

This is definitely a destination for adventurous families and not ones with young children, either.

Not a lot of tour companies will even accept children under 8 years of age because of the conditions of the country. It is definitely worth going through the pros and cons of visiting Madagascar before deciding to book a trip.

When it comes to things to do, of course, you could go on adventures to try and find those lemurs. There’s also kayaking, kitesurfing, camping and even visiting community and conservation projects throughout the country, which could be a real education experience.

It’s important, however, to really consider the safety of your children on a trip to Madagascar. You will need to get professional advice – i.e. from a tour company – before going there. Much of the country is very poor, underdeveloped and there are issues with things like disease. We strongly advise visiting your Doctor a few months before your trip to talk about vaccinations.

Infectious diseases include cholera, tuberculosis, bubonic plague and hepatitis; outbreaks of any of these diseases can and do occur without warning. It’s important that you read up on the state of things, in terms of epidemics, before planning to go on a vacation to Madagascar.

A good time to visit Madagascar with children would be May or June; the island experiences generally cooler temperatures at this time of year.

Basically, we wouldn’t say that Madagascar is especially safe for families to visit. For those who are really interested in nature and wildlife, it can be done, but it just takes a bit of planning.

Is it safe to drive in Madagascar?

Driving in Madagascar is pretty treacherous. In some areas, the road conditions of Madagascar are pretty good, but in other places, they’re awful.

If you do decide to rent a car we would recommend that you only drive during the day. There are a high amount of carjackings and other crimes related to vehicles that occur after dark.

Only 20% of the approximately 50,000 kilometres of road are sealed. Think huge potholes, impassable mountainous byways, hairpin bends and roads washed away by floods or landslips left in-situ.

If you really, really do want to drive yourself, then you have to be over 23 years of age and have an international driving license. However, you should be very experienced. We can’t stress this enough.

Note that fuel shortages are common. You will need to take a jerry can full of petrol along with you, fill up at every opportunity, and take a spare tire with you.

To hire a car with a driver (often mandatory), make sure you ask for recommendations at your hotel or accommodation.

When you hire a driver, the car comes with them. Pay careful attention to the vehicle as well as the driver; see how well the driver looks after it. If it looks good, it looks like it’s taken care of, then it’s probably a good option.

Basically, driving is not safe in Madagascar. Hire a driver, a good one who’s reputable, comes highly recommended and who knows what they’re doing, if you really want to get around by car.

Is Uber safe in Madagascar?

You might have seen this coming if you’ve read everything thus far, but Madagascar doesn’t have Uber.

Are taxis safe in Madagascar?

Taxis in Madagascar might be how you expect them to be – varied. There are two main types: city taxis (which operate in cities and towns, obviously) and bush taxis, known as taxi-brousse .

Almost all cities in the country have taxis that regularly work as part of the transport system. They used to indistinguishable from normal cars, but nowadays efforts have been made to make them look more taxi-like; for example, in Diego Suarez and Antsiranana they are painted yellow, whilst in Antananarivo they are beige.

This kind of practice is slowly developing in the cities, making taxis in Madagascar a little more safe – but not all the time.

It’s not common to call up for a taxi. In fact, most taxis don’t have a phone number. To hail one down, you need to stand on the street and wave your arm. Usually, taxis are around 24/7, but there aren’t too many which operate at night time.

They operate by neighbourhood and not on an address or street name system.

As with many taxi systems around the world, you should make sure you have cash, and small notes at that, when you come to pay your taxi driver. Uniquely, in Madagascar they have to watch out for robbers as much as you do; having all that cash on them tempts thieves, so often there are partners in the car who act as security for the driver.

Be warned that inflated “tourist prices” will be charged to you, but usually, taxi prices are pretty affordable, hovering around USD $3, but can go up depending on the time of night, the traffic and peak hours. Also, note that fares are negotiable, so you can haggle – just make sure you set, and agree on, a price before you get in.

Don’t be surprised if other passengers get in: shared taxis are common in Madagascar. You can ask politely to not have this happen if you want, but this will cost you more money.

Is public transportation in Madagascar safe?

Much like the taxis, public transportation in Madagascar is… an experience.

There is a variety of things to use. The bush taxi/taxi-brousse we mentioned earlier isn’t just a taxi service, it forms the skeleton of much public transport around the island nation. It works much like a bus.

In fact, many of the drivers and the vehicles are employed transport companies called Cooperatives. They go all over the place in a system that is actually surprisingly well organised, regardless of how archaic the vehicles may look.

However, even though they are very cheap and easy to come by, they are often very uncomfortable, slow and are driven quite erratically. This leads to them being sometimes not so safe.

A good tip: you can actually book more than one seat (good for tall people) and actually choose the seat you want to sit on.

It’s the kind of thing where the vehicles leave when they’re full; the luggage goes on the roof, and it could take much longer, or quicker than you thought to get where you wanted to go – usually longer.

You shouldn’t travel at night time, which is when it’s much riskier. Even the taxi-brousses have to go around in convoys, too.

There is a train line that runs between Fianarantsoa and Manakara. You can get a 1st class ticket for this journey (must be reserved in advance); it takes 12 hours and is a cool way to see the landscape – especially if you’re a train fan.

Boats and river ferries in Madagascar operate somewhat irregularly throughout the country. However, you should watch out for these because they tend to be overcrowded, poorly maintained and by a crew with a lack of training.

In general, the best thing to do in Madagascar is probably to get your own driver. Public transport exists, but it’s not all that, and it’s not always safe. Alternatively, a tour will be able to take you around hassle-free.

Is the food in Madagascar safe?

We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that you probably don’t know much about Madagascan or Malagasy cuisine . It’s a real cocktail of culinary traditions, from the earliest Bornean influences and Arab twists on cooking, to French gastronomy later on.

Whilst there are a surprising amount of places to eat food – from local eateries called hotelis and street food, to restaurants and homestays – it’s not always easy to judge how safe it is to eat there. With that in mind, we’ve got some safety tips when it comes to Malagasy food.

• Be careful of dietary changes. Go easy on local food and don’t try everything all at one time straight away.
• We definitely recommend that you should wash your hands before you eat. This may seem like a simple thing to do, but you could easily forget to do so.
• Only eat things that you can cook and peel yourself. Eating things from market stalls that have already been peeled are a good way to upset your stomach.
• When choosing to eat from street vendors, be selective. Make sure that the place looks clean, that some level of hygiene standards are being practised by the vendor, and that you can see food being cooked at a high heat in front of you.
• Be careful of dirty crockery and cutlery. A common way to get ill in Madagascar is by eating with plates or cutlery that hasn’t been washed properly or has been washed with contaminated water. Use a sanitising wipe if you’re unsure on the sanitary conditions of the establishment in which you’ve found yourself.
• As a good rule of thumb, you should choose to only go to places that are busy with locals and have a high turnover of customers. This means a hot grill, fresh food being cooked up freshly; missing the lunchtime rush could mean that you end up with something that didn’t sell a few hours ago and has been sitting around for a while.

Whilst it can be a hit or miss, eating the food in Madagascar is – like many other things in this island country – quite the experience. Don’t let it pass you by!

Make sure you pack plenty of medicines from home.

Can you drink the water in Madagascar?

The tap-water in Madagascar is not safe to drink. You shouldn’t be drinking it anywhere in the country – even at top hotels.

Avoid ice in drinks as well, as this won’t be safe to drink and will make you ill.

Bottled water is readily available throughout the country, but a good idea is to bring along some water purification tablets and your own refillable water bottle to save from leaving behind too much plastic waste.

Is Madagascar safe to live?

The Indian Ocean island nation may not be the top expat destination on the list, but it’s definitely a consideration if you’re wild about nature.

With all the diverse nature and landscapes, as well as a vibrant culture, it’s definitely an interesting place to base yourself for a while. If you speak French, your life will be a lot easier here, as that will help you connect with locals, read important information and get around.

In terms of safety, there are obviously issues around the country related to crime – particularly with pickpockets – but this will vary depending on where you choose to live.

The best place to live in Madagascar would be in a smaller city: this way you have access to all the amenities of a city but without the crime of the capital.

Choosing to base yourself in the capital, on the other hand, means power outages and traffic jams, but more options when it comes to eateries and accommodation.

Speaking of which, it’s not legal for foreigners to own land, so that will affect how you choose to live. Many houses are small and normally, families live in one single room. There are apartments, however, which are a little more classy. Do your research to find good places to live and base yourself when in the country.

Once you’ve found yourself here, you’ll find things affordable: everything from public transportation to things like rice will mean you’ll basically be able to live quite cheaply.

You’ll have to get used to a completely different lifestyle: watching out for crime, shopping at markets and not having good public transport readily available.

Madagascar is not the paradise it is painted out to be.

To conclude, we would recommend that you head online and talk to expats, get involved with NGOs, dig deep and talk to as many people as possible about how it is to live in Madagascar. It may change your mind, it may make you more determined to go there than ever, but either way, it’ll give you more of a solid grounding.

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Is it safe to rent an Airbnb in Madagascar?

While there might not be as many homes as we’d like to see, renting an Airbnb in Madagascar is a great idea. And it’s perfectly safe, as long as you read the reviews. Staying at an Airbnb during your trip will also open up new possibilities and options to experience the country.

The local hosts are known to take great care of their guests and give the absolute best recommendations of what to do and what to see. Local knowledge always goes a long way, so be sure to reach out to your hosts if you’re unsure about how to fill up your Madagascar itinerary!

On top of that, you’ll stay safe with the reliable Airbnb booking system. Both hosts and guests can rate each other which creates a very respectful and trustworthy interaction.

Is Madagascar LGBTQ+ friendly? 

While homosexuality is legal in Madagascar, we wouldn’t necessarily say it’s super safe for LGBTQ+ travellers. Public affection, no matter what kind of relationship, is a no-go.

So unless you and your partner are okay with keeping the affection behind closed doors, you will have to face quite a bit of discrimination. While the younger generation is generally more open-minded, most of the country is still stuck in a conservative and closed-minded mindset.

Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Madagascar.

What should you avoid in Madagascar?

Avoid these things in Madagascar to stay safe: – Do not walk around looking wealthy – Don’t walk around by yourself after dark – Don’t resist if someone tries to rob you – Avoid relying on people’s English skills and learn French instead

Is Madagascar dangerous for tourists?

Madagascar can be dangerous, but tourists are normally not targeted by violent crimes. As long as you keep your wits about you and use your common sense, you can have a great time in Madagascar. It still pays off to do a bit of research before you start your travels.

Unless you’re visiting with a guide or tour, Madagascar can get really sketchy for solo female travellers. Visiting and having a safe trip is possible, but it’ll require a lot of research and preparations.

What are the biggest safety issues in Madagascar?

These are the biggest safety issues in Madagascar. Note that most of them do not target tourists directly. – Gang activity – Robberies and break-ins – Kidnapping

This is. a hard one. It CAN definitely be safe, but visiting Madagascar requires a lot of research and preparation.

To be called “the poorest country in the world not in conflict” is a pretty big statement. Even though Madagascar has such a wealth of biodiversity and some of the coolest endemic animals on Earth, as well as some interesting history to explore and even a load of amazing beaches to discover, it’s still a developing country that will certainly be a challenge to almost any visitor. It will also be very rewarding.

Madagascar is not easy to travel around. It isn’t always safe. You won’t always be able to meet up with fellow travellers if you plan on doing it independently. There are a lot of reasons why we definitely wouldn’t recommend travelling independently by yourself around Madagascar, one of which is simply getting around easily; tours just offer you a much easier way to see the country – and with a guide, too.

Then again, if you are a veteran backpacker and has been to many places before and you yearn for adventure and truly untouched, off the beaten track destinations, getting to meet interesting local people and seeing some diverse stretches of landscape – from deserts to rainforests – then you’ll love exploring Madagascar. You’ll have to research, stay alert, read up on customs and culture, and research some more.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Lerato Bambo

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Ok hate to be the guy but Madagascar and is a DreamWorks picture not a Disney Pixar. Just letting you know. And I LOVED the info, thanks for posting.

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