Madagascar

Fragments of ancient continents

Guide to Madagascar

Basic Information

Madagascar is a truly unique island, resembling a small continent, featuring extraordinary natural landscapes, deserts, jungles, and volcanoes. It's a destination that appeals to those who enjoy active vacations. The southern part of the country is renowned for its reserves and stunning beaches, attracting the attention of visitors. If you're eager to explore flora and fauna that exist nowhere else, Madagascar is the place to be. Hot, original, and exceptionally unique, Madagascar beckons with its mysteries.

Photos of Madagascar

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Capital

Antananarivo

Language

Malagasy, French

Currency

Ariari

Time zone

GMT +3

Population

24 235 390

Territory

587,041 km²

Dishes worth trying:

Salad roo — It necessarily includes rice, many herbs and spices.

Zebu fillet — the antelope here practically replaces the cows we are used to. So zebu meat roasted on coals with herbs and garlic is not even considered a delicacy.

Kitoza — long strips of meat, it can be smoked, cured or fried. This is a good appetizer with beer, you should definitely try it.

Croissant — bagels with different fillings. It is a tribute to French tradition.

Meet the bohemian Ambositra.
Getting lost in the labyrinths of Antananarivo.
Sunbathe on the pirate island of Ile St. Marie.
Find the best diving on the island of Nozi Bi.
Enjoy the vastness and solitude in Tulear.
Visit the far north of the country in Diego Suarez.
Recuperate in Antsirab.

Tips

The islanders are friendly and hospitable. They appreciate and love tourists, and there are practically no beggars here, as in Africa.

If you are visiting or attending a ceremony, you may bring alcohol, food or cigarettes.

Any water, unless it's in a bottle from the store, or boiled, can be dangerous.

Learn more

Sights

Madagascar boasts a wide array of attractions, with its natural wonders, volcanoes, and nature reserves taking center stage. However, the historical and architectural treasures from the era of French colonization are equally fascinating for visitors. Moreover, the island preserves its original cultural layers, deeply rooted in the heritage of indigenous peoples. All in all, Madagascar offers a wealth of sights and experiences for travelers to explore.

Tsingy-du-Bemaraha Reserve

Located on the west coast of Madagascar. Here you can see the most unusual landscapes formed by winds and water. It's also home to lemurs and indri. The limestone plateau creates an unusual karst forest.

Andringitra National Park

It's not only a park, but a mountain range. It has rainforests and mountain prairies, and it is home to two of Madagascar's three highest mountains. These are Bobby Peak and Bory Peak. Temperatures can drop below 0°C in winter and snow can even occur.

Masuala National Park

Part of the country's vast rainforests, this is the largest protected area. Selva, mangroves, swampy lands, coastal forests that go right up to the ocean - that's what this reserve is all about. Not every corner of the park can be visited. But there are coral reefs in the marine part of the park.

Tours to Madagascar

Tours to Madagascar are sought after by those eager to explore African nature, but the island's main attraction compared to the African continent is its incredible biodiversity, hosting numerous species of animals not found anywhere else in the world.

Enthusiasts of exotic fauna and sometimes unique flora are willing to invest significantly in a trip to Madagascar just for the opportunity to encounter dozens of lemur species, which are more abundant here than tropical butterflies.

Another popular destination is beach vacations. With the island being surrounded by the Indian Ocean, it would be a missed opportunity not to explore the local beaches, which offer a variety of entertainment options to suit every taste.

Most tour packages are centered around the capital of the country, Antananarivo. While the city is not situated on the coast, it can provide exceptional guided tours to local palaces and even the royal residence.

However, it's important to note that the cost of a tour to Madagascar tends to be relatively high, mainly due to the substantial distance of the flight. A two-week tour for two people typically costs around 2,200 USD. Reducing the duration of your stay in the country may help lower expenses.

For those looking to save money, searching for hot deals is also an option, though they may still be relatively expensive due to the high flight costs, making Madagascar a destination that not everyone can afford, even with hot deals.

Where to go to Madagascar?

Before embarking on such an extraordinary journey, it's crucial to clarify your specific desires and goals. While Madagascar does offer opportunities for diving and enjoying sunny beaches, it's worth considering whether such experiences justify the long-distance travel. The country boasts a wealth of attractions, including numerous natural parks, and its resorts are renowned worldwide. To help you make an informed decision about where to go on vacation in Madagascar, tripmydream can provide valuable guidance.

Antananarivo

When to go to Madagascar

Madagascar's climate varies depending on your location. In areas situated far south of the equator, daytime temperatures can reach around +30°C, while the capital hovers around +26°C, and western regions may experience temperatures around +32°C. In the evening, especially in certain parts of the island, it's advisable to dress warmer, as the temperature typically cools down by approximately 10°C after sunset. March tends to be a rainy period in some areas.

Madagascar in spring

Madagascar's climate depends on where you are. In places far south of the equator it is +30°C during the day, in the capital it is around +26°C, and in the west it is somewhere around +32°C. In the evening in some parts of the island you need to dress warmer, after sunset the air cools down by about 10°C. There is a lot of rain in March.

Madagascar in summer

Summer in Madagascar is considered winter, with water and air temperatures dropping. Daytime temperatures are around +21°C in the center, and +28°C in the west. Light rains can occur. At night in the capital is only about +10°C, and on the island of Nosy-Be (Nosy-Be) in the dark about +21°C, and during the day - a real heat.

Madagascar in the fall

In September it is warm and sunny, by October there is a little more precipitation. And in November, there is a brief "rainy season". The southeastern trade winds bring storms, and visitors are scarce at this time. Nevertheless, the climate on the island maintains approximately the same temperatures all year round.

Madagascar in winter

In winter on the island, the hotter it gets the closer you get to the north. It is cooler to the south, although the +30°C mark is unlikely to allow residents of the middle European strip to freeze. In the center of Madagascar in winter is quite cold, +20 ° C during the day. Swimming on the coast of the country is possible practically all year round.

Climate and weather in to Madagascar by months

Usefulness

To make your trip to Madagascar comfortable, tripmydream has compiled useful tips and travel insights.

Visa to Madagascar

Madagascar visa is very convenient. That is, you just arrive, provide your tickets and passport, and you get a free visa.

Customs & Tax Free

What is allowed and what is prohibited to import and export from Madagascar. Alcohol, cigarettes and food - what prohibitions are given by the island's customs.

Customs regulations