Planning a Safari in Madagascar: What You Need to Know
A Madagascar safari is a one-of-a-kind experience — even by African standards. But it’s not your typical safari. Over the years, we’ve noticed a few common misconceptions about Madagascar travel, so we’ve put together this guide to help you plan with clarity, confidence, and a spirit of adventure.
Madagascar isn’t for everyone. If you like your accommodation plush at every stop, and expect your holiday to run like clockwork, you might find it a little frustrating.
But if you have a a spirit of adventure, welcome the unexpected, can handle a few bumps in the road, then Madagascar -with its rare flora, extraordinary wildlife, great beaches and cultural quirks — might just be your perfect safari destination.
We recommend that you visit at least two to three of its distinct climatic & floral zones to get the most from a Madagascar tour.
Madagascar Hotels & Accommodation
Unlike many countries in Southern Africa, there really isn’t that much choice in terms of accommodation in Madagascar. Except in the beach resorts of Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie. The accommodation is reasonable but usually not of a very high standard. Even a so-called five star resort is not to be compared with a five star hotel elsewhere in Africa. Or the Indian Ocean Islands. We try to tell it as it is in our proposals. So that there are no surprises when you are on your Madagascar safari.
We’ll always be upfront in our proposals — so do take the time to read our accommodation notes carefully.
Having said that, Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie do offer a higher standard of hotel. So this is where you can upgrade your accommodation to offset the more modest lodges elsewhere.
Cost of a Madagascar Tour?
This is a ‘how long is a piece of string question’ Historically Madagascar offered relatively moderately priced itineraries because many hotels are simple to mid-range.
The exceptions are some beautiful and luxurious Madagascar beach resorts.
However recently we have seen some smarter lodges opening in the interior as well. And you can now use some fly-in safari options or private charter flights to navigate this huge island (2nd largest island country in the world).
Our sample itineraries usually give a price if two people are travelling, or 4 people (if it is a significant difference.)
Madagascar isn’t the most expensive African destination, but it’s not cheap either.
There are various reasons for this:
- The international flight to Madagascar is expensive (due to lack of competition). Basically it’s almost as much as flying to London. Be warned!
- Madagascar is a huge country. And so domestic flights between Tana and other towns are relatively expensive. Given that most people want to experience the diversity of Madagascar’s flora and fauna, you usually visit 3 or 4 different regions. So it all adds up.
- The hotels and lodges are priced in Euros.
Interested in booking a Safari or Holiday?
Chat to one of our experienced consultants that’s here to help and guide you. We use our expertise to narrow down the choices and present feasible ideas, so you can relax and ENJOY the planning process! Contact us!Best Time to visit Madagascar?
This is covered in our When to travel section on our Main Madagascar page.
Or check out our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Madagascar.
But the quick answer is anytime from mid-March to mid-December. Try to avoid the summer rainfall months of January and February.
The west and northwest (Nosy Be) are year-round destinations. But mid-January to mid-March is cyclone season on the east coast. The eastern rainforests have high rainfall.
Fitness Levels needed
Most of Madagascar’s wildlife is encountered on foot — often along forest trails and hilly terrain. You don’t need to be super fit, but a basic level of mobility will make your trip more enjoyable.
If this is a problem for you, let us know when planning your Madagascar safari.
Can you end at the beach on a Madagascar tour?
Some clients want to combine Mauritius with Madagascar. Though this is perfectly possible, we recommend enjoying the Malagasy beaches instead. Many visitors tack on some days of relaxation at the end, at Nosy Be or Ile Sainte Marie with their gorgeous tropical beaches.
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is the largest of several beautiful islands off the northwest coast. This ‘Perfumed Isle’ is alive with the smells of vanilla, ylang-ylang and coffee. The bustling island markets are full of embroidered white lace, colourful sarongs and wooden carvings. The more active can enjoy diving and snorkelling off the coral reefs. Or perhaps an excursion to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely.
Alternatively the Isle of Tsarabanjina matches the Seychelles for stunning island beauty. A palm-fringed desert island with lapping azure blue waters.
Ile Sainte Marie
Ile Sainte Marie is 50km long and 7km at its widest point. The only real town is Ambodifotatra – other small villages comprise bamboo and palm huts. The island is almost universally known as Sainte Marie. And it’s almost a cliché of a tropical island with endless deserted beaches overhung by coconut palms. Its bays area protected from sharks by coral reefs, its hills covered with luxuriant vegetation. Plus there is a relative absence of unsightly tourist development. But Sainte Marie has a far less settled weather pattern than its island rival, Nosy Be. Cyclones strike regularly and you may have rain and wind at any time. But this is interspersed with calm sunny weather. The best months for a visit are from June to November.
How to get to Madagascar?
Visitors fly to the capital city of Tana from Johannesburg or Paris (and also from the island of Mauritius). Once a week, you can also fly direct from Johannesburg to the resort area of Nosy Be. (But this is a return flight only so ideal for a beach holiday).
Languages & Logistics
The main spoken languages are Malagasy and French. But many hotel staff will speak English, and we always book English-speaking guides, (unless you prefer French-speaking.)
Food is a mix of Malagasy and French dishes.
Expect to have a couple of nights in Tana if you are needing an internal flight between regions
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Most clients have a private tour with an English-speaking guide (or French-speaking if you prefer). And then they add in scheduled flights to cover longer distances.
Fly-in safaris are now an option (using a specific circuit). Or even taking a private charter to some destinations, if you are a family or group of friends.
Naturally we always recommend an English-speaking private guide to take you from A to B. It’s more than the standard French-speaking guide but in exchange you will learn so much more about the wildlife and sights of Madagascar.
Note that if you fly from one area to another, you will have different guides in each region. The guide does not accompany you on the flight.
Plus it is common in the National Parks for the Park’s own ranger guides to take you on the various trails, not your driving guide. However they all speak English.
Visas are obtainable on arrival for many nationalities. We’ll guide you through the process.
You don’t need specific vaccinations, but we always recommend you check with your doctor or a travel clinic, depending on your health profile.
Plus, unlike its northern neighbour, Mauritius, Madagascar is in a malaria-area and so anti-malaria precautions should be taken.
Madagascar is quite confusing in terms of place names as the guidebooks and maps swop from the colonial French name, for example, to the Madagascan name.
In our proposals we tend to use the English/French names with the Madagascan names in brackets so that if you can link up which area is which.
Madagascar is a safe country to visit. Naturally – as in any big city in the world – you need to be aware of pick-pockets when browsing and bartering at street stalls or markets.
Yes, if you are an adventurous well-travelled family, Madagascar is a fascinating country to visit. But it is vastly different and remote. So if your kids are fussy eaters, don’t cope well with long road trips. or if they’re used to classic westernised hotels, it could be more of a culture shock than they, or you, bargained for.
Stick to a simpler route like our “Lemurs & Beach” trip — ideal for younger explorers.
Tempted by Madagascar?
Madagascar isn’t just a destination; it’s an adventure waiting to unfold. From towering baobabs to lemurs leaping through the rainforest, this island offers something truly different.
At Cedarberg Africa, we’ve been planning tailor-made safaris for over 30 years. Our Madagascar trips are designed for curious, open-minded travellers who want an authentic experience, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Whether you’re seeking wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, laid back beach or fascinating landscapes, we’re here to make your dream Madagascar tour a reality.
Not Sure Where to Start? Try this:
- Check out our sample Madagascar Trips – They’re like travel mood boards but with actual logistics.
- Get in touch – Tell us a bit about your timeframe and travel style via email, phone, or our easy enquiry form.
- Receive a tailor-made proposal with costs – Focused on your interests, pace, and budget.
Let’s Get You to Madagascar
When you’re ready to turn ideas into a real trip, we’re ready to help. Our travellers value our honest advice, personalised planning, and deep knowledge of Madagascar.
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