Madagascar is a vibrant and enchanting tropical paradise! It’s the perfect holiday destination if you love nature, adorable animals, sunny beaches, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and incredibly friendly people. The only place in the world where you can see lemurs in the wild, Madagascar is home to a unique plethora of wildlife. Boggle-eyed chameleons, dancing lemurs, and leaf-tailed geckos are just the start. Madagascar is a destination like no other and has even been named the ‘8th continent’ for its enchanting beauty and resplendent breadth of diversity. An early breakaway from the earth’s single landmass over 165 million years ago, this stunning island, located 250 miles off the coast of East Africa, is the world’s fourth-largest. The majestic Red Island’s landscapes vary from palm and forest-fringed beaches, to semi-arid deserts, limestone pinnacles, volcanoes, and grassy plateaus. Combined with the immense diversity of the wildlife on offer, Madagascar is often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Africa’, still providing to this day, one of the most unique and unheard of wildlife adventures left on the planet.
ISLAND BIODIVERSITY
Some of Madagascar’s main attractions are the island’s weird and wonderful lemurs. Not found anywhere else in the world, they have few natural predators and live here in relative abundance. Each with its own character and identity, living in its own unique habitat, an encounter with these endearing creatures is truly unforgettable. From the smallest mammal in the world – the nocturnal mouse lemur – to dancing sifaka, teddy-bear like indri and eerie-looking aye-ayes, a Madagascar safari does not disappoint.
These heart-warming primates however, are not the only attraction on what is known as ‘The Red Island’. With 98% of the island’s native reptiles and amphibians (made up almost exclusively of frogs!) being endemic, there are opportunities galore to interact with these bizarre inhabitants, from chameleons the size of a fingernail, to one of our favourites, the ultra-camouflaged leaf tailed geckos.
Madagascar safaris are not like traditional African safaris where you explore by 4×4, here you take in the wildlife on foot. A prime destination for getting up close and personal with the wildlife you meet along the way, learning about the small things as much as the big, and taking in the sheer diversity of one of our planet’s forgotten havens. Madagascar drifted from mainland Africa way before any big cats, elephants or apes evolved, making this one of the most diverse and unusual wildlife safari hotspots in the world today.
Madagascar safaris in themselves can be challenging; roads are rough, transport infrastructure is minimal and distances are long. However, the efforts you need to put in are more than compensated for by the friendliness of the Malagasy people, the wide choice of comfortable accommodation, and the diversity of the culture, geography, climate, wildlife and people. If you are prepared to put up with some of the hardships, then Madagascar is well worth the investment of your time.
To counter some of the adventures of your Madagascar safari, take the time to relax at the end, head to the coast, and relax in one of the luxury lodges that you can now enjoy. Some of our favourites include Masoala Forest lodge, Miavana, Anjajavy, and Princesse Bora Lodge.
Discover the very best of Madagascar
1000 VIEWS OF MADAGASCAR – 12 DAYS
This is an island waiting to be explored. Discover the very best of Madagascar during this fascinating twelve-day guided tour with lemurs, colourful tribes, tropical beaches, bustling markets and ever-changing scenery. Begin your adventure in Tana and travel through unspoilt nature, the dense forests of Andasibe, the eroded hills of Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Isalo National Park, Ifaty and Tulear.
Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 10
A Private 100 Views of Madagascar tour is available. Prices available on request but start from £2996 per person based on two sharing a room
A small-group guided tour through Madagascar, starting and ending in Antananarivo. 12 Days to discover the sights and sounds of this fascinating island off the east coast of Africa. From lemurs to chameleons, strange baobabs to some of the best beaches in the world. This inclusive and accommodated safari to Madagascar covers it all!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
ANTANANARIVO
The capital city of Madagascar and the heart of this beautiful island. In the 1700’s Antananarivo served as the capital city for the kingdom of the Merina people is a city for walking. Through time and colonial influence especially the French the city has morphed into a fascinating place to visit. Culture and markets are a plenty and discover this all on foot on your first day of your Madagascar safari.
ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK
This forest region is located around 150km east of Antananarivo and is home to an incredible range of animals and plants. This includes eleven lemur species making it one of the best lemur experiences in the world! There are over a hundred bird and orchid species to be found at the Andasibe National Park. Its a nature lovers paradise and you will have the privilege to witness rare and endangered species during your time here.
RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
With over four hundred square kilometers of tropical rainforest, Rannomafana National Park is home to rare and endangered species of vegetation and wildlife. This is one of the top experiences of this Madagascar package with over 40 mammal species and twelve species of chameleons. One of the highlights of visiting Ranomafana will be the over 90 species of butterflies that fill the air on your forest walks. The main tribal group in the area is the Tanala, who are known for the honey they produce, as well as for their ‘tavy’ (slash-and-burn) farming methods.
FIANARANTSOA
The old and established town of Fianarantsoa oozes character, history and charm. It is an intellectual and cultural center for the whole island with strong roots in the Protestant and Lutheran churches. Explore the cathedrals whilst in Fianarantsoa on your Madagascar safari. There are also some incredible local markets for you to discover. This is the real and authentic Madagascar that you have come to see. The city has a chilly high-country feel to it and can get quite cool in the evenings. To the west of Fianarantsoa is Mt Kianjasoa (1374 m).
ISALO NATIONAL PARK
The Isalo National Park the south west corner of the island is characterised by a beautifully eroded sandstone landscape. Park National de Isalo, also commonly known as Isalo National Park, was established in 1962 and covers 81,540 hectares of wildly eroded deep canyons and gorges. The rare and unique vegetation is incredible. From numerous, unique, endemic vascular plants to some of the rarest lichens in the world. This is a nature-lovers paradise. Secluded in the rocks are many of the Sakalava Tombs
Most of the activities on your safari of a lifetime to Madagascar is best suited to the dry season and the period between May and October.
The perfect time for a RELAXING beach holiday in Madagascar is between September and December.
90% of the animal species in Madagascar is not found anywhere else on earth! These include 50 different lemurs, including the biggest living lemur, that can be observed in the Andasibe National Park.
Discover Madagascar’s beautiful TROPICAL BEACHES, an unmissable inclusion in any holiday plans to this stunning location. The rich turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs of Nosy Be are filled with fascinating marine species.
OTHER MADAGASCAR INSPIRED ITINERARY IDEAS:
SHORT MADAGASCAR LEMUR SAFARI FROM £1,520
On this short bespoke safari, travellers can witness the haunting calls of the indri in Andasibe and then get up close and personal with the charismatic lemurs of Palmarium
LEMURS, WILDLIFE & BEACHES SAFARI FROM £2,490
Explore the unique and interesting island of Madagascar; home to huge numbers of endemic flora and fauna, of course including the lemur. You will explore Ranomafana National Park, Isalo and Ifaty.
MADAGASCAR & MAURITIUS ISLAND HOPPING FROM £2,750
On this incredible journey through both Madagascar and Mauritius there is a brilliant balance between the active and relaxed, and between land wildlife (lemurs, chameleons and giant tortoises) and the marine world (dolphins, whales and snorkelling). The perfect way to enjoy the natural world.
LEMUR DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION SAFARI FROM £2,730
Visiting some of the island’s best wildlife hotspots, including the rainforests of Ranomafana and Andasibe, as well as conservation projects, community reserves and the famous ‘lemur island’, this immersive safari gives you the opportunity to observe up to 20 unique species of lemur in the wild, including the indri, aye-aye and the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur.
ULTIMATE MADAGASCAR HONEYMOON SAFARI FROM £4,130
An all encompassing bespoke honeymoon safari to Madagascar taking in the Indri of Andasibe and the pristine private beach reserve relaxation of Anjajavy.
LEMURS & WHALES FROM £3,550
A unique way for you and your family to explore the incredible island of Madagascar. The accommodations and areas in which you shall visit have been specifically chosen because of the activities available to ensure that you and your children get the most out of your trip.
MASAI MARA LIONS & LEMURS OF MADAGASCAR SAFARI FROM £4,435
A honeymoon safari discovering the big game of the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya followed by incredible landscapes and wildlife in Madagascar.
MADAGASCAR ISLAND HOPPING FROM £4,790
Island hop your way round the unique island of Madagascar with baobabs, turtles, lemurs and beaches on this two week bespoke safari.
Please contact Wildlife Escapes for more details.
