Look inside a camera pointed at Madagascar and you’re bound to see cheeky lemurs singing while sashaying across the vanilla vines of the forest. Then point your camera slightly to the right and feast your eyes on the bluest sea you’ve every seen in your life. On a map, Madagascar’s location is the envy of every African country – it’s surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean yet close enough to the continent so it’s not completely isolated.
Nature lovers booking flights to Madagascar will be spoilt for choice once they arrive. The island is blessed with pristine rainforests, flowing waterfalls and coral-rich beaches. Divers from all over the world book their Madagascar flights to lunge deep into the turquoise waters to explore the magnificent marine life living beneath. The dive site at Tsarabanjina is famous for its Mitsio coral reefs while Ifaty in the southwest off Tulear is renowned for its selection of sharks, making it a good choice for more experienced divers. Those in search of a more laid-back island experience should head up north to Nosy Be or “Perfume Island” where scents of ylang-ylang and frangipani welcome visitors to its white sandy beaches.
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Generally the climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. However there is a big variation in climate depending on altitude and geographical position. The west coast is drier than the east coast and the central highlands, while the far south and south west is a semi-desert region that experiences very little rainfall. The east coast receives the most rain and is hot and humid during the wet season, and also prone to cyclones. Temperatures are much cooler in the highlands. Antananarivo has a pleasant, temperate climate.
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Peak Season:
Madagascar’s summer is from November to March. Although it’s the wettest period, it’s also the best time to see book flights to Madagascar and when the flora and fauna is in all its glory. July to September is whale watching season when humpback whales migrate. The best spot to watch them is from Isle Sainte Marie, a 60km-long island off Madagascar's north-east coast.
Off Season:
Rainy season, which is also its summer, is from December to March. From April to October the weather is milder and drier.
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Island hopping is easy with the country’s national carrier Air Madagascar. If you feel like flying like royalty you could charter a private aircraft and have the plane all to yourself.
Renting a car is possible but there are many hazards on the road that could make driving very frustrating. Instead, most visitors hire a car and driver or a taxi.
If you’d rather travel like a local then hop on to one of their bush taxis which are shared vehicles: trucks, cars or minibuses; although most of these are quite uncomfortable and can be rather dangerous. When taking a short trip around town the easiest way to do so is by brightly coloured hand-drawn rickshaws or pousse-pousses.
Adventurous travellers can rent a bicycle, moped or motorcycle and explore the island’s rainforests, hillsides and white sand beaches.
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- Explore Madagascar’s laidback capital, Antananarivo, or as tourists like to call it "Tana". Stroll down its narrow streets and admire the French colonial buildings and colourful houses. Then take a taxi up to the ruins of Rova, the former queen's fire-scorched palace.
- Spend a day browsing through Antananarivo’s Zoma market, the largest open-air market in the world and look for some original carved zebu-horn and raffia baskets. Then head to the highlands, south of Antananarivo, for some precious gems. And if you happen to visit the island of Nossi be make sure to pick up some vanilla, ylang-ylang and local spices.
- Visit the Parc National de Ranomafana in the village of Ambodiamontana and take a guided tour of its lush rainforest with flowing streams that lead into the Namorona River, and look out for the 12 different lemur species.
- If you’re looking for an island resort then head to Madagascar’s popular island Nosy Be where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, a buzzing nightlife and some great spots for diving. Or visit the quiet village of Ifaty and spend hours sitting under a palm tree on a sandy white beach.
- Take an unforgettable overnight hike through the grassy plains and canyons of the Parc National de L’Isalo where you’re guaranteed to spot lemurs in their natural habitat and pick periwinkles off the rocks.
- Make sure to try the Malagasy national dish romazava - a delicious ginger-spiced meat stew along with a glass of some local highlands wine or Three Horses Beer.
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Antananarivo (TNR) is 11 miles from the city.
Further airports are at Arivonimamo (international standby airport), which is 28 miles from the capital, Mahajanga (links to East Africa and the Comoro Islands), Nossi Be (links to the Seychelles) and Toamasina (links to Mauritius and Reunion islands).
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Passports of all visitors must be valid for at least six months. Visas can be issued on arrival, but it is recommended that visitors obtain visas prior to arrival if possible. At least one blank page is needed in passports, reserved for use by the Madagascar Immigration Authorities. Fee for visa obtained on arrival is MGA 28,000.
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UK nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter Madagascar. A 90-day visa can be obtained on arrival. Return or onward tickets are required; otherwise a deposit must be paid before arriving in Madagascar, which is equivalent to the cost of a flight to the country of origin.
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