Madagascar Travel Guide: Essential Information for Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

The best weather is from May to November, with temperatures around 20-25°C during the day and 10-15°C at night, ideal for forest walks. For baby lemurs and colorful birds, visit between September and November. July and August are best for humpback whale-watching around Île Sainte Marie.

Top Destinations

Parc National d’Andasibe-Mantadia A lush rainforest with ferns, waterfalls, and hardwood trees. Home to sifakas, bamboo lemurs, and indris.

Nosy Be

 A popular island with sandy beaches, ylang-ylang scent, and a lively Festival Donia in May or June. Visit the Lokobé Reserve for rainforest creatures.

Parc National d’Isalo

Known for hiking trails through Jurassic-era landscapes, rock formations, and canyons. Streams fill swimming holes among the cliffs.

Allée des Baobabs and Kirindy Private Reserve
Iconic baobab trees and the elusive fossa can be seen here. The dry forest is also home to giant jumping rats and pygmy mouse lemurs

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Réserve Privée Berenty

A primate research center with ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas, ideal for close-up photography.

Parc National de Masoala

Remote coastal rainforest with eco-lodges, perfect for kayaking and nature hikes. Spot red ruffed lemurs and chameleons.

Île Sainte-Marie

Known for whale-watching from June to September. The island has a rich pirate history and serene beaches.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

Unique limestone formations with trails and rope bridges. Home to sifakas, woolly lemurs, and unique bird species.
Activities

Lemur-watching: Over 100 species of lemurs can be found in national parks and reserves.
Nocturnal Nature Walks: Experience Madagascar's wildlife at night, including dwarf lemurs and geckos.
Getting Around Madagascar’s vast landscapes make guided tours a convenient option. For independent travel, Air Madagascar offers flights between regions, though they can be unreliable. Hiring taxis or renting a vehicle with a driver is recommended for ground transport.

How to Get There
The most practical way to reach Madagascar is by plane. There are no direct flights from the UK. Kenya Airways offers a 19-hour flight via Nairobi, while Ethiopian Airlines has a faster 14.5-hour flight via Addis Ababa.

Money-Saving Tip
Visit between mid-January and March for low-season rates. While this period can bring heavy rain and cyclones, the south remains dry year-round.