Madagascar Holidays

Name: Madagascar
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.4 (61 reviews)

There’s nowhere else like it – bizarre wildlife and strange rock formations make this island unique

Activities in Madagascar

Wildlife in Madagascar

Madagascar Holidays

Taking you on an exciting journey of discovery of national parks and mountain scenery, Madagascar holidays provide a natural paradise for wildlife lovers. Although the lemur is arguably the most iconic animal species that’s closely associated with the country, there is so much more to discover. About 80% of the flora and fauna of Madagascar is endemic to the island – located off the coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean – which is a staggering statistic. To walk in the forests of Perinet and Ranomafana searching for the howling Indri or the endearing ring-tailed lemur is a wildlife adventure like no other.

On Madagascar holidays, you’ll meet an array of fascinating creatures along the way. From colourful chameleons and frogs to beautiful orchids and butterflies, plus all manner of weird and wonderful insects like praying mantis and stick insects, you’ll be enthralled by what the country has to offer. And then there’s the stunning coastline of course, where you can enjoy dreamy views and sample the French-style Creole cuisine at one of the beachside restaurants.

As you explore incredible national parks and nature reserves such as Adasibe, Isalo, Ranamofana and Tsimanampetsotsa, you’ll venture through dense forests, along plunging canyons and beneath cascading waterfalls.

Our Top Destinations in Madagascar

Isalo National Park Perinet National Park

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Top 5 Highlights of Madagascar Holidays

Isalo National Park: Made up of huge canyons and gorges, imposing rock towers and Jurassic highlands. Isalo National Park is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places to visit on holidays to Madagascar. Among the untamed scenery, you’ll see incredible wildlife such as ring-tailed lemurs, the Malagasy rainbow frog and the native, white-lipped bright-eyed frog.

Ranomafana National Park: Home to natural hot springs, waterfalls and tropical rainforest, Ranomafana is a magnificent park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans for 161 square miles and plays host to a wealth of endemic animal and plant species, with 12 species of lemur alone, including the famous golden bamboo lemur. Also, keep your eyes peeled for bats, tenrecs and mongoose.

Ambositra: Known as the city of arts and crafts, Ambositra offers a wonderful introduction to the traditions and culture of Madagascar. Learn about the wood carving industry, wander around the beautiful houses with their ornately carved shutters and balconies and visit a woodcarving workshop to gain a deeper insight into this local craft. You’ll also find an array of handicrafts like baskets, pottery and even locally made honey.

Ifaty Beach: Fringing the Malagasy coastline, Ifaty Beach is one of the most idyllic and wildlife rich in Madagascar. Its soft, white sands sprawl along one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, making it a fabulous area for scuba diving and snorkelling. During the summer months, you can also enjoy a whale watching trip and see humpback whales giving birth. Alternatively, simply relax on the beach and immerse yourself in the ocean views.

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park: One of the most fascinating and biodiverse nature reserves in Madagascar, Tsimanampetsotsa has a unique landscape made up of a large salt lake, limestone plateau, sinkholes and caves. The lake is a wildlife-rich oasis where you can spot some of the 72 bird species such as flamingos, the Madagascar plover and the endangered Grandidier’s mongoose. Around other parts of the park you’ll find lemurs, turtles, reptiles and maki catta.

Expert opinion: Dramatic and diverse Madagascar

What you might not be expecting is just how dramatic this country is. On Madagascar holidays with Exodus you’ll explore the rainforests of Ranomafana National Park; witness the island’s intense, captivating beauty; and see rare orchids, steamy mangrove swamps, lush forests and volcanic peaks.

“The diversity of scenery was quite incredible, changing dramatically from day to day,” says Exodus Head of Product Andy Ross. “Visit in summer and you’ll have the option to go whale watching as the migration of humpback whales passes close to the coast. Or maybe snorkelling past angelfish in a vast turquoise lagoon is more the scale you’re after…”

Whatever your pleasure, Exodus offers a wide range of Madagascar tours, from adventure and activity to walking and wildlife.

I haven’t gotten to go on my trip yet, and at this point I’m starting to doubt I ever will. Exodus was contacting me regularly with updates when I had an outstanding balance, and they did promptly notify me when payment was complete, but I’ve been trying to get in touch with them to sort out a couple basic details about the trip for more than three weeks now and have gotten nothing in terms of a response. I’ve tried their customer service address, the supposedly ‘direct’ address of the person assigned to be my specific contact, and as a reply to *their* request for flight information (automated, of course). Not once have I received a follow up email or any attempt to provide the information I’ve asked for, it’s complete radio silence to the point where I’m wondering if I’m actually going to be going on a trip or if I need to contact my credit card company about possible fraud. I’ve worked with other travel agencies before, and “Answer your customer’s emails” is a pretty minimum level of service to expect and yet Exodus isn’t meeting even that.

Sarah Kay Madagascan Discoverer

Madagascar is a truly special place and this trip is a real adventure. I have heard Madagascar described as one for the “seasoned traveller” and this is pretty accurate – certainly it is somewhere that you should go with your eyes and mind open and prepare for the rugged terrain and slightly uncomfortable journeys. That said, I would not trade a thing as the experiences are all part of its charm and more than made up for by the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife.

I loved the entire trip and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of experiences, from the slightly chaotic capital Tana, to the jagged UNESCO site of the Grand Tsingy, to the peace and tranquillity of Ifaty, all interspersed with amazing national parks and wildlife including lemurs, chameleons, fossa and owls.

We were incredibly lucky with our wildlife viewings, with red-fronted brown lemurs, greater bamboo lemur, Goodman’s mouse lemur, dwarf lemur, grey mouse lemur, sportive lemur, ring-tailed lemur, indri, diademed sifaka, Verreaux’s sifaka, Milne-Edwards sifaka and many many more. We went in October and the babies were out in force – so many incredibly playful young lemur could be seen and photographed, all apparently quite indifferent to our presence. The day and night walks were all very well organised and provided plenty of opportunity to just stand back and observe these creatures in their natural habitat. We were rarely rushed on the walks (only when the guides had heard tell of something else exciting up ahead) and the local guides were expert at finding the best angles and lighting for some great photographs, even in challenging conditions.

I found the hotels to be of a general good standard and, as a solo traveller, did not feel as though I was in any way penalised by room size or quality. In fact, by luck of the draw, in one location I ended up with the suite! We had at least warm water most of the time and the food was generally good if a little repetitive after a while. Breakfast was generally fruit, breads, jams, and eggs cooked to order. Where there was nowhere appropriate to stop for lunch, we were able to order sandwiches to go so we never went hungry on the long drive days.

Angela Beckwith Madagascan Discoverer

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When is the best time to visit Madagascar?

Depending on what you want to see during your trip, the best times to visit Madagascar will vary. Between January and March is the rainy season, meaning the ensuing spring is lush and lemurs and reptiles are easier to spot. From April to June, you can expect some heavy rain, however, there does tend to be plenty of sunshine in between. If you prefer to avoid the rain, July and August remain relatively dry and cool and are pleasant months. From late July to early September, you can enjoy whale watching off the coast, and many other wildlife species such as lemurs, reptiles and tenrecs are more active.

Is Madagascar good for wildlife-watching?

Embark on a wildlife-watching holiday in Madagascar and there’s a very good chance you’ll see animals that are found nowhere else on the planet. In fact, about 80 percent of the species here are unique to the island, making it one of the most interesting places on earth to go on a safari adventure. The most iconic animals are the lemurs, but you may also see colourful frogs, mongooses, incredible birdlife and much, much more.

FAQs on Madagascar Tours

How many national parks are in Madagascar?

There are a staggering 19 national parks, six nature reserves and two marine reserves as well as smaller special reserves. But what’s even more impressive is that most of the flora and fauna found in the parks is endemic to Madagascar. While many of the parks share the same natural beauty, each has its own distinctive charms, from hidden waterfalls and rare mountain orchids to epic baobab trees and tropical rainforest.

What kind of food do they eat in Madagascar?

Most traditional dishes eaten in Madagascar consist of rice which is accompanied by either meat or fish. Vegetable soup, known as lasopy, and meat stews made with green vegetables are favourites among the locals. A delicacy that we recommend trying is fish in coconut sauce which is often served in the coastal regions owing to the abundance of fresh seafood. The fish is gently grilled and served alongside vegetables, pasta and a spicy sauce. Akoha is another popular dish made with chicken, rice, onions, chilli and other spices.

Where are the best places to see lemurs?

Endemic to Madagascar, lemurs can be found across all the country, particularly in the nature reserves and national parks. Out of the 100 species found on the island, Ranomafana is home to approximately 20 different species, with red-fronted brown lemurs and black-and-white ruffed lemurs being among the most common. Andasibe National Park is another great place to see these adorable creatures and is home to the largest species, the indri, as well as the sleeping woolly lemur and the common brown lemur.

Do I need vaccinations to travel to Madagascar?

While there are no essential vaccinations required, it’s always a good option to speak with your local GP about any recommendations they might have such as tuberculosis, polio, Hepatitis A, Tetanus or typhoid. We highly advise making sure you’re protected from any risk of malaria or dengue fever, which can be spread from mosquito bites.

Which is the best beach in Madagascar?

The island is famous for its soft, white sands and emerald waters so wherever you go you’ll find idyllic beaches. Ifaty Beach is quieter than many others and is home to baobob trees, wandering tribesmen and wildlife-rich coral reefs, making it ideal for snorkelling, diving and whale watching.