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Madagascar

Largely undiscovered, Madagascar’s lush rainforests and palm fringed coastline calls out to the seasoned traveler looking for authentic adventure.

CapitalAntananarivo
CurrencyMalagasy Ariary (MGA)
LanguageMalagasy & French
Time DifferenceUTC+03:00

If you’re craving authentic pioneering travel and want an escape from mass tourism, look no further than Madagascar. Home to the lemur, lush rainforests, palm fringed beaches and arid deserts dotted with baobabs, this remote island calls out to the experienced island traveler who relishes in adventure. Named the 8th continent, Madagascar evolved in splendid isolation for more than 80 million years, making 90% of the biodiversity endemic to the island. Largely undiscovered, it poses a few challenges to travelers with it’s tricky roadways, diverse landscapes and remote resorts, but ensures one of the most unique wildlife experiences left on the planet. Fly into the island’s bustling capital, Antananarivo, and journey onwards to discover Nosy Be and the tropical islands of the North, the limestone pinnacles in Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve, Humpback whales in the waters of the east coast on Ile Sainte Marie and lemurs in the rainforests of the northeast in Masoala National Park.

Best time to go and why?

Deciding when to travel to Madagascar can be tricky as it’s heavily dependent on where you want to go and what you would like to see and do. Because of the size of the island weather patterns can be unpredictable and the climate can vary depending on your location. Avoid the annual cyclones between January and March and travel to Madagascar between the months of April to December.

Location

Ethiopia is a huge landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, surrounded by Eritrea and Sudan to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south and South Sudan to the west. This east African country covers an area of 1.1 million kilometres squared, and its capital and largest city is the ancient city of Addis Ababa.

What type of wildlife will we see?

Madagascar, an evolutionary bubble, boasts one of the most uniquely biodiverse destinations in the world. In fact, 90% of it’s fauna and flora are endemic to the island. The dense forests play home to the the lemur, vibrant chameleons, cat-like fossas, and the surrounding waters are home to several species of sharks, entrancing rays, turtles, and humpbacks whales. Madagascar has an abundance of life with over 100,000 different insects and spiders, 300 butterfly species, and 13,000 plant species.

Best time to go and why?

Deciding when to travel to Madagascar can be tricky as it’s heavily dependent on where you want to go and what you would like to see and do. Because of the size of the island weather patterns can be unpredictable and the climate can vary depending on your location. Avoid the annual cyclones between January and March and travel to Madagascar between the months of April to December.

When is high season?

Peak season runs between the months of July and August, during the Northern Hemisphere summer break. To avoid disappointment, make sure to book your tickets and accommodation in advance. This also lines up perfectly for whale season on the east coast but unfortunately many small mammals and reptiles are hibernating during this time.

When is low season?

During the months of January to March there is a high risk of cyclones. Most hotels and tour operators close during these month as some parts of the island become inaccessible.

When is the best weather?

The months between May to October offer the most pleasant climate to travel, there is little rainfall and allows you to avoid the sweltering tropical heat. From October onwards you can see baby lemurs and experience hot and relatively dry beach holidays.

Madagascar Safari Inspiration