On the road in Madagascar

Destinations

Lemurs, baobabs, rainforest, desert, hiking and diving: Madagascar is a dream destination for outdoors enthusiasts – half the fun is getting to all these incredible attractions. Madagascar's wildlife has developed in isolation for millions of years, and the vast majority is endemic to the island as a result. With biodiversity to rival the Galapagos Islands, beautiful beaches of golden sand and a remarkable culture influenced by Europe, Africa and the East, Madagascar's rare riches are well worth discovering.

Trip Highlights

Wander around 800-year-old trees along the Avenue of the Baobabs in fisherman’s<br /> beachside town of Morondava. These cartoonish, towering trees are native to Madagascar. Watch the sky turn pink and yellow and finally cast these trees – many of which are up to 800 years old – in shadow

Visit the small privately run Réserve Peyrieras. Located in Marozevo, this park and zoo combo is home to a rich variety of endemic species, including chameleons, lemurs, and an array of exotic butterflies

Enjoy Indri’s haunting calls in the most visited park of Madagascar - reserve in Andasibe and discover the species dwelling inside this forest. A true paradise for nature lovers, the Andasibe National Park enjoys a rich and incredible flora and fauna

Drive on a dusty road, take a very short boat ride and reach Vakona reserve to meet lemurs restricted to this island reserve

Breathe in the crisp mountain air of Joffreville. Walk through the 18,200 hectare Montagne d`Ambre National Park to enjoy the endemic nature along with a few waterfalls and crater lakes

Walk for an hour to be rewarded by stunning Tsingy Rouge, a stone formation of red laterite formed by erosion of the Irodo River in the region of Diana in northern Madagascar

Wind down in Nosy Be, the star of the North. Famous for its powder white sand and coral reef, Nosy Be ‘Big Island’ in Malagasy and is home to stunning views and some of the best beaches, making it country’s popular tourist destination among all the leisure and enthusiast travellers

Afterwards drive to Ankarana (meaning ``sharp stone``), a protected nature reserve. Hike of few hours and the spectacular landscape of ‘Tsingy du Nord’ unfold in front of you

When to Travel – The best time to travel to Madagascar is generally considered to be from April to October as this is the dry season, offering the best weather for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing, with the shoulder months of March and November also being good options for smaller crowds.
November to March is the wet season with heavy rainfall and potential cyclones, best avoided for most travel.

The shoulder months (April, May, October, November) are often considered the best time to see wildlife as animals are more active

Did You Know

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island

About 80% of the animals found in Madagascar do not exist anywhere else on Earth. Many are endangered, since over 90% of their natural habitat has been destroyed

Lemurs are closely related to you and me. They are primates, just like monkeys, apes and humans

Almost half of the world's chameleons (about 60 different species) are found only in Madagascar. Known for their ability to change color, these reptiles vary their appearance in response to changes in temperature, light, and mood. By rotating each eye independently, chameleons can see to all sides without moving their heads

The thick, straight trunk of the Baobab tree swells into the shape of a bottle as it collects rainwater

The indigenous Malagasy people boast a diverse ancestry that traces back to Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. They speak tan Austronesian language that is related to languages spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines

Malagasy people follow a tradition known as famadihana, also called the 'turning of the bones.' During the ceremony, people retrieve their ancestors' remains and rewrap them in fresh burial attire, rewriting their names on the cloth to keep their memory alive

Romazava is the national dish of Madagascar, consisting of greens, zebu meat, tomatoes, and onions, typically accompanied by a portion of rice

VISA INFO

Indian citizens need a visa to visit Madagascar, which can be obtained online as an electronic visa (eVisa) and is typically a tourist visa allowing for a stay of up to 30 days; required documents include a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, recent passport-size photos, completed application form, proof of funds, return flight tickets, and hotel reservations; the visa can be applied for through the official Madagascar eVisa portal Processing time: The processing time for an eVisa is usually within a few days.
Alternately you can get visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days.

VISA INFO

Processing time: The processing time for an eVisa is usually within a few days.
Alternately you can get visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days.

Destinations