My Madagascar Safari Trip – But is it right for you?

Madagascar is a land of contrasts and surprises. During my three-week research trip, I was captivated by its unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. However, I also encountered some challenges that are important to consider when planning your journey. This guide aims to provide a balanced perspective to help you decide if a Madagascar safari aligns with your travel expectations.

There are so many positive things to say about a safari in Madagascar. The stunning scenery, unique wildlife, glorious beaches, and friendly people. Plus the delicious seafood, beautiful walks through rainforests and National Parks, and of course the world class diving and snorkelling.

But there are also some negatives. Mainly around two issues: its capital city Antananarivo and flying around the country.

I planned my three week trip to coincide with the end of my daughter’s volunteer work in Nosy Be, but I also landed right in the middle of an airline strike. This led to me seeing far more of the country’s roads than I had originally planned!

Let’s first focus on the positives…

Highlights of a Madagascar Safari Holiday

A Madagascar safari holiday has a lot to offer. With an enticing mix of unique wildlife, scenic diversity, and charming and distinctive Malagasy hotels. Its French colonial past is obvious both in the extensive use of French, as well as the delicious patisseries and chocolatiers.

Madagascar offers an array of unforgettable experiences:

Adventure Activities: Enjoy hiking, snorkelling, and diving in some of the world’s most untouched environments.

Wildlife Encounters: From playful lemurs to vibrant chameleons, the island’s endemic species are a delight for nature enthusiasts.

Diverse Landscapes: Explore rainforests, baobab-lined avenues, and pristine beaches.

Cultural Richness: Discover a blend of African and Asian influences in local traditions and cuisine.

Madagascar is an extremely poor country. But unlike elsewhere in the world, Tourism here plays a vital role in conservation and community development, making your visit impactful beyond personal enjoyment.

Personal highlights for me included:

• Seeing the Indri Indri lemur in Andasibe-Mantadia National park
• The amazing unique insect and frog life – who knew frogs could be so beautiful?
• Great people – friendly and gentle
• Charming Malagasy  villages and scenery on the East Coast including the Canal des Pangalanes
• I hadn’t appreciated how beautiful the beaches and islands would be
• Spectacular diving (for my kids) and snorkelling for me
• Swimming with green turtles!

For more on WHY you should visit Madagascar, read my blog on: Top 10 Reasons to visit Madagascar

But there are a few things you should be aware of that could cause possible frustration if you are not well-informed…

Navigating Internal Travel

While Madagascar Airlines has historically faced operational challenges, recent developments have introduced some alternatives and improved scheduling. Nonetheless, it’s prudent to:

• Plan Flexibly: Allow plenty of buffer times between flights and activities or travel. As flight schedules are known to change. This buffer often necessitates an overnight in Antananarivo (Tana)
• Limit Internal Flights: Our sample Madagascar tour itineraries aim to keep internal flights to the minimum but usually one or two are unavoidable.
• Be mentally prepared – that flight times may change. Don’t plan important activities on a travelling day! A schedule change may mean an earlier start or later arrival than anticipated.

For this reason many of our suggested Madagascar tours have only one internal flight…

Rainforests, Mountains & Beaches of Southern Madagascar

Eastern Rainforests & Ile Sainte Marie

Western Madagascar

But now there’s the option to fly by private charter. If you are a party of 4-10 people, it’s worth looking at private charters. These are expensive but they get you to where you want to be, (cutting down on airport to lodge driving time)

Occasionally these are semi-scheduled with set departures on selected days so that you buy a seat in the plane. Rather than taking the whole charter. This is perfect if you want to get to a remote area like Mandrare Camp, Anjajavy Lodge or Masoala Forest Lodge. It’s pricier than a normal flight but you can plan with confidence.

And there’s the option to take a fly-in safari around Madagascar.

Sample Madagascar Tours including seat in charters:

Madagascar Fly-in safari

Andasibe and Anjajavy

Masoala Forest and Anjajavy

Understanding Antananarivo (Tana)

This brings me to my second, smaller downside of a Madagascar safari holiday. You have to spend more time in Tana ( Antananarivo) than you would have ideally wanted.

While it may not be the highlight of your trip, it offers:

• Cultural Sites: Visit the Royal Palace and local markets to experience Malagasy heritage.
• Culinary Delights: Enjoy French-inspired pastries, chocolates, and local dishes.
• Artisan Crafts: Explore workshops offering unique handmade souvenirs.

Traffic can be congested. (It’s city with three million people which has no main highways!) So it’s advisable to schedule activities with ample travel time in mind.

Suggestions:

• When planning, expect to have a couple of nights in Tana.
• Embrace (accept) the chaos of the city! Take a walking tour around the city. This doubles up as a good cardio workout because of all the hills and steep stone stairways connecting the streets. Visit some of the chocolatiers or browse the street markets.
• We usually arrange one of the nights at one of the Tana hotels close to the airport. These have gardens, swimming pools, good rooms and it cuts down on unnecessary airport transfers.
• Try to stay in or near the Upper Town of Madagascar for one of the nights. You can walk to the Queen’s Palace with stunning views over the city. You feel like you are floating above all the hustle and bustle in a calm oasis.

Making a difference on your Madagascar Safari Holiday

Madagascar is not just a fascinating destination — it’s a living natural museum, home to flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, such as the indri lemur, leaf-tailed gecko, and elusive aye-aye.

But it’s also one of the poorest countries in the world, where fragile ecosystems face ongoing threats from deforestation and illegal logging. Tourism is one of the few forces for good: it creates jobs, supports conservation, and shows communities and government alike that Madagascar’s forests are worth more standing than cut down.

Your visit makes a difference — helping protect these precious habitats and bringing income and purpose to local communities. And those rewards far outweigh the occasional hiccup with internal flights or traffic in Tana.

Ready to Explore Madagascar?

So if you are a traveller who isn’t easily phased by a few hiccups here and there, and who is interested in the beauty and culture that this eighth continent offers, then Madagascar is a country to add to your bucket list.

So if you’re considering a journey to this extraordinary island, we’re here to help craft an itinerary that matches your interests and comfort level. Our team at Cedarberg Africa specializes in personalized safari experiences, ensuring your adventure is both memorable and seamless.

Next Steps:

1. Explore our Sample Itineraries: Madagascar Tours
2. Tell us what you’re thinking of, by phone, email or our enquiry form.
3. Receive a Tailored Plan: We’ll provide a customized itinerary with pricing and expert recommendations.

My Madagascar Trip was written by Kate of Cedarberg Africa?

We’re Cedarberg Africa, a safari specialist with 30 years of planning glorious getaways across Africa. Think of us as your safari wingmen (actually mostly women)—minus the khaki. We’re all about smart planning, honest advice, and trips that fit you—not just your budget, but your travel style, pace, and relative thirst for adventure.  

Related Articles on Madagascar Safari Travel:

10 Reasons to Visit Madagascar

Tips to consider when planning a Madagascar Safari