Madagascar Travel
Famed for its abundant lemur population, tropical rainforests, and warm sapphire oceans, Madagascar is an island of natural treasures. Sitting off the coast of Africa, Madagascar offers an unforgettable wildlife-rich holiday experience. From scuba diving to dhow safaris, trekking through jungles, and spotting lemurs, the island is a haven for nature lovers. On the island, locals don’t use cars very often, so a lot of areas are explored by walking or using a pirogue—a traditional Malagasy boat. The country is a diamond in the rough, with some regions boasting an infrastructure geared towards tourism, while others are completely unchartered. The diverse heritage influenced by Arabs, Indians, British, French, and Chinese, is evident in the mouthwatering Malagasy cuisine.
The southern stretches of Madagascar are dominated by dry mountainous national parks, plateaus, rock limestone structures, caves, and canyons. Many people flock to this part of Madagascar to hike and explore the rugged terrain. Northern Madagascar comprises hilly regions, mangrove swamps, rainforests, white sandy beaches, and avenues of ancient baobabs. The northwest coast is a picturesque part of the island comprising deep bays, islands, and tropical island vibes.
The capital city of Madagascar is Antananarivo, where there is an international airport. Small towns scattered across the island have domestic airports that connect to the country’s main airport.
HIGHLIGHTS
Madagascar’s major drawcard is its lemur population. Tourists flock to this pristine island to walk with lemurs and observe them in their natural habitat. Lemurs are found in most – if not all – national parks and reserves. However, Isalo National Park is the best place to see diverse species, and Berenty Reserve is ideal for getting up close and personal with habituated lemurs.
Lemurs aside, Madagascar is a renowned surfing and diving destination. The best snorkelling happens at Île Sainte-Marie and around the island of the Nosy Be Archipelago. The clear coral-filled waters around the archipelago provide the perfect place for populations of humpback whales, dolphins, clownfish, green and hawksbill turtles, and dugongs. Surfing-wise, the best waves are located in extremely remote areas in southwest Madagascar. Waterbabies often hire boats or join traditional sleep-aboard dhow safaris to take them to the best waves.
The best hiking circuits are in Isalo National Park and Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. Isalo is home to incredible rock formations and secret rock pools with waterfalls. The fascinating spiny forests of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park should not be missed.
WILDLIFE
From dry savannah, plateaus, mountains, rainforests, beaches, and mangroves to pristine freshwater rivers and salty ocean waters—Madagascar has a beautiful biome. There are over 40 national parks in the country, abundant community reserves, and sanctuaries. Visitors can explore most parks on foot, and night hikes are popular for spotting nocturnal lemurs such as the sportive lemurs, mouse, and dwarf lemurs. The most commonly spotted lemur is the ring-tailed lemur, found throughout the island. Other endemic species include the Madagascan flying fox, the cat-like fossa, and the Madagascan red owls (Amber National Park). The best place to see the rare fossa animal is in the dry forests of Kirindy Reserve.
Birdwatching is yet another popular pastime in Madagascar. There are over 300 species of birds fluttering about on the island. One of the best birding destinations in Madagascar is the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, where visitors can see the native pond heron, the extremely rare blue coua, and the velvet asity. Nosy Ve is the place to spot crab-plovers. The most commonly spotted bird in Madagascar is the elephant bird, the country’s emblem. Additionally, there isn’t only terrestrial wildlife to spot in Madagascar. Visitors are often rewarded with incredible sightings of sharks, dolphins, green and hawks back turtles, and humpback whales in Masoala National Park and Île Sainte-Marie.
ACCOMMODATION
The national parks generally offer rudimentary campsite options, with a few bungalow alternatives in the more popular parks. Because Madagascar is a rugged island, accommodation options vary greatly. Premier five-star resort options are normally perfectly positioned on private beaches, or in the depths of the coastal rainforests. These luxury dwellings are built to fit in with their surroundings. Travellers can imagine simple wood, crisp white linen, and glass doors with sweeping ocean views. Most luxury accommodation options offer spa treatments, infinity pools, tropical bars, restaurants, and water-sports centres. Thatched beach huts, wooden cabins, and natural stone lodgings are also found throughout.
WHEN TO GO
Madagascar has a fairly moderate climate and makes a great year-round destination. The best time to visit depends on what visitors would like to see. Whale spotting is ideal from May to September, while October to November is lemur birthing season. The east coast is probably the wettest region, so the dry season from May to October is considered the best time to visit. The months from May to October are the winter period. However, travellers shouldn’t expect cold weather. Overall, Madagascar has a tropical climate. The hot summer period is from November to March and is marked by intermittent showers. Because of the altitude of various regions, there can be quite a variance in temperature.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Time Zone | GMT +3 EAT |
| Dial Code | +261 |
| Currency | Malagasy Ariary |
| Language | Malagasy and French |
| Water | Bottled Water |
| Power | Plug C/E & 220V/50Hz |
| Dress Code | Lightweight, casual |
| Wi-Fi | Readily available in resorts |
SAFARI PARKS
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Madagascar Safari Ideas
Madagascar Travel
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