Custom travel to Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the world's most unique destinations — world's 4th largest island (587,000 km², size of France), 30 million inhabitants, separated from Africa 165 million years ago (and from India 88 million years ago) — its exceptional geological isolation allowed unique biodiversity evolution. 90% of species are endemic (exist nowhere else in the world) — nicknamed 'the 8th continent' by biologists. Iconic wildlife: lemurs (107 species, from giant 9-kg indris to 30-g mouse lemurs, all endemic), chameleons (half of world species), exclusive snakes and turtles. Flora: 14,000 endemic plants, including 6 baobab species out of 8 (Madagascar = baobab cradle), orchids (1,000 species). Baobab Alley (in Morondava, thousand-year-old Adansonia grandidieri baobabs aligned over 200 m, country's iconic image). Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO 1990, needle-shaped limestone formations 'tsingy' = 'walk on tiptoes' in Malagasy, world-unique lunar landscape). Andasibe-Mantadia Park (humid forest 3 h from Antananarivo, iconic indri call 3-km range, sifaka). Maki Catta Alley (Anja Park, south). Nosy Be and islands ('Big Island' in northwest, beaches, diving). Antsiranana (Diego, north) and Tsaranoro (southern granite massif). 14-21 days to explore this country-continent. A destination reserved for demanding adventurers — basic infrastructure.

Highlights

  • Baobab Alley (Morondava, iconic image)
  • Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO, lunar landscape)
  • Lemurs (107 endemic species)
  • Andasibe-Mantadia (indris and sifakas)
  • Nosy Be (beaches, diving, whales)
  • World-unique endemic biodiversity (90%)

Frequently asked questions

When?

April-November (dry season). July-September for humpback whales. Avoid December-March (monsoon, cyclones, closed Tsingy).

How long?

12 days minimum for RN7 + Baobab Alley. 16 days to add Tsingy and Nosy Be.

Budget?

€3,600-€5,000 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €6,500-€9,500. Flights: €800-€1,200.

Visa?

E-visa or visa on arrival ($10-$37 depending on duration).

Family?

From age 12 (long 4×4 distances, sometimes rustic conditions, malaria present). Suitable for adventurous teens.

How to get around?

Tsaradia domestic flights ESSENTIAL (enormous distances). Rugged 4×4 with experienced driver for tracks (especially Tsingy).

Malaria: precautions?

Antimalarial ESSENTIAL (Malarone, Doxycycline). DEET mosquito repellent. Long sleeves at night. Highlands (Tana, Antsirabe) malaria-free.

Lemurs: where to see?

Andasibe (indris, sifakas), Anja (300+ Maki cattas on ground), Ranomafana (golden lemurs), Berenty (dancing sifakas), private Lemurs Park (walking observation).

Combine?

Yes: Madagascar + Reunion (1-h flight from Tana), Madagascar + Mauritius, Madagascar + Mayotte, Madagascar + South Africa.

Tips?

10-15% in restaurants. $5-$10/day for guides and drivers (essential to their income).