Discover the magic of Madagascar
A holiday in Madagascar offers an exotic mix of wildlife and breathtaking scenery, famous for its enchanting lemurs and idyllic beaches. It’s a magical destination but one that requires some careful research and planning due to its limited infrastructure. Our top tip is to not cram too much in, and to instead spend longer in fewer areas, allowing you to fully appreciate each unique destination. The best time to travel is during the dry season, from May through October, and sometimes into November if you’re keen on seeing birds. This period offers the most reliable conditions for exploring the island.
Common brown lemur
Endemic wildlife and spectacular landscapes
Among the joys of visiting this huge island, which is bigger than France, is the endemic wildlife such as lemurs and the fossa (a cat-like predatory mammal), the birds, many of which are also endemic, and the flora of which 80% is found nowhere else on Earth. The scenery is often spectacular, and there is plenty of variety with tropical forest, deciduous forest, spiny forest, and semi-desert grassland. There are plenty of reefs in excellent condition, and humpback whales and whale sharks can be seen in several parts of the island. It’s a super diving and snorkelling destination.
Tsingy de Namoroka National Park
Discovering new lodges
New lodges that have caught our eye recently include Namoroka Tsingy Camp and Voaara.
Namoroka Tsingy Camp is especially noteworthy as it’s in a newly opened-up National Park with a captivating blend of extraordinary karst or ‘tsingy’ landscapes, dry deciduous forest, pools and streams, and good wildlife with several endemic lemurs and plenty of birds and chameleons. The camp has nine lovely safari tents under thatched roofs, which are well suited to the climate, and a cleverly designed open-sided central lodge with lots of space for meals, drinks and socialising. Access from Antananarivo is simple with shared flights several times per week.
Tented rooms at Namoroka Tsingy Camp
Voaara is a stunning beach property on the Pirate Island, Ile Ste Marie, just off the east coast. This is a gorgeous tropical island with perhaps a hint of the Caribbean before tourism arrived – lush forests and farmland, coconut palms, simple villages, gravel roads, beautiful beaches, azure seas, and friendly and very charming people. Voaara is a luxurious barefoot lodge with just eight villas sprinkled along a mile of pristine beach. Every room opens to the ocean and the beach and offers a remarkable degree of privacy. It’s the perfect place to finish off a holiday in Madagascar, or to enjoy a week or more of switch-off relaxation.
The ocean-front spa at Voaara
Crafting the perfect Madagascar itinerary
To me, an ideal itinerary that takes in each of the island’s disparate biomes would be along these lines. While we recommend a minimum of two weeks in Madagascar, this itinerary can be tailored to suit a shorter trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options.
- Three nights at Mantadia Lodge in Andasibe National Park to see the tropical rainforest.
- Three nights at Mandrare River Camp to see the spiny forest, gallery forest, fascinating Antandroy culture, and baobabs.
- Three nights at Namoroka Tsingy Camp for the otherworldly landscapes and the wildlife.
- Three nights at Masoala Forest Lodge for coastal tropical forest and humpback whales, and the beach.
- Three nights at Voaara for pure relaxation and escapism.
- If there was time to spare, I’d finish with three or four nights at Tsara Komba or Anjajavy, both beautiful beach lodges with good wildlife.
Time + Tide Tsara Komba
Ready to unlock the true magic of Madagascar? Let us handle all the planning and logistics. Our team has firsthand experience on the ground, so we know exactly what it takes to navigate the country’s unique challenges, from domestic flights that can change on a whim to roads that can be a bit of an adventure. We offer financial protection, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on what truly matters: having the most memorable holiday.
What next?
Get inspired and sign up for our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions, even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch, whatever stage you’re at.
Goliath Safaris[/caption]
Chad Katavi[/caption]
Jack's Camp[/caption]
Leave a Reply