Luxury Safaris to Madagascar
Off the East Coast of Africa lies the 4th largest island in the world, Madagascar. This large island is home to some of the world’s most unique animals including lemurs, chameleons, birds and so much more. Explore this vast island going in search of the different lemur species from the ring tailed lemur, the tiny mouse lemurs, the weird aye-aye and the cuddly looking indri. Madagascar is also blessed with incredible beaches and islands.

BEST OF MADAGASCAR SAFARI
15-Nights
Destinations visited:
- Andasibe National Park
- Ranomafana National Park
- Isalo national Park
- Ifaty

FAMILY SAFARI TO MADAGASCAR
12-Nights
USDXXX per person
Destinations visited:
- Andasibe National Park
- Palmarium Reserve
- Nosy Komba

12-Nights
USDXXXX per person
Destinations visited:
- Andasibe National Park
- Palmarium Reserve
- Masoala National Park

MADAGASCAR HONEYMOON SAFARI
10-Nights
Destinations visited:
- Andasibe National Park
- Tsarabanjina

SOUTH AFRICA & MADAGASCAR SAFARI
10-Nights
Destinations visited:
- Cape Town
- Sabi Sands Private Reserve
- Andasibe National Park

11-Nights
Destinations visited:
- Volcanoes National Park
- Andasibe National Park
- Miavana Private Island

KENYA & MADAGASCAR SAFARI
12-Nights
Destinations visited:
- Masai Mara
- Andasibe National Park
- Anjajavy Private Reserve
With 90% of its wildlife and plants endemic to the island, Madagascar is the perfect safari destination for the wildlife enthusiast looking to get off the beaten track and explore some of the most pristine rainforests, grasslands and beaches in Africa. Known for it’s population of lemurs, a safari to Madagascar has so much more to offer, from chameleons the size of your fingernail to humpback whales breaching off the coast. With around 100 different species of lemurs on the island, this is the main attraction for most visitors and is certainly a highlight of your safari to Madagascar.
Explore rainforests, grasslands and canyons with your private guide as you go in search of the different lemurs and other wildlife that live in pockets of protected areas throughout the country. Each of the lemurs live in different habitats and so by exploring several regions during your safari to Madagascar will give you the best chance to see a variety of different lemurs.
Madagascar has some of the most pristine tropical islands and beaches making it the perfect destination for an adventurous honeymoon safari. Combine the adventure of exploring the rainforests in search of lemurs with relaxing on pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters teeming with marine life.
All our safaris to Madagascar are tailor made and include a private guide so you can explore at your pace, making it ideal for a family safari. Explore the different regions in search of the unique wildlife and then end off relaxing on a pristine beach watching humpbacked whales breaching out at sea. Some of our most memorable wildlife experiences have come from our time exploring Madagascar and we are certain you will come away with memories you will never forget. The island is still developing as a tourist destination and so is perfect for someone looking for an adventure safari and getting off the beaten track. This is one of the reasons we love Madagascan safaris.
Madagascar Safaris
A holiday to Madagascar is a completely unique experience as you explore rainforests, canyons, grasslands, spiny forests and some of the best beaches in Africa. Madagascar is a little more off the beaten track, but offers guests an incredible safari experience to view the unique wildlife found on the island. A safari to Madagascar is perfect for a family safari, honeymoon safari or anyone looking for a unique wildlife safari. Have a look at some of our Madagascar Safari ideas and then get in touch to start planning your dream safari to Madagascar…..
Where are the best areas to go on safari in Madagascar?
The Best Safari Areas of Madagascar
Andasibe
About 3 hours drive from Antananarivo (Tana), is the Andasibe National park, Madagascar’s most popular reserve. Andasibe is home to an amazing array of lemurs, chameleons, geckos and birds. It is home to the largest lemur species, the indri-indri, a large teddy bear looking lemur whose cries can be heard piercing the forest in the mornings. The park is also home to one of the most beautiful lemurs, the Diademed sifaka, a grey, white and gold sifaka that can be seen leaping effortlessly through the forest. With regards to chameleons, Andasibe is home to the largest chameleon, the Parson’s Chameleon as well as tiny nose-horned chameleon. Andasibe is a beautiful, forested park with several trails to explore, making it a great start to your safari to Madagascar.
Ranomafana
Ranomafana means “Hot Water” in Malagasy and is named after the hot springs in the area. This beautiful forested national park is home to some of Madagascar’s rarest lemurs, including the golden bamboo lemur. There are several paths through the forests where guests can spot black and white ruffed lemurs, Milne-Edwards Sifaka, eastern woolly lemur and others. The rainforest of Ranomafana is one of the best forests in Madagascar for frogs and chameleons. The paths are a little steeper here as the reserve is more mountainous.
Isalo
Heading south from Tana and Ranomafana you start to drop down from the highlands to the drier areas of Madagascar. Isalo consists of grassy plains, mountains and canyons, perfect for hiking and exploring. As you head down into the canyons and bluffs, the vegetation starts to get lusher with waterfalls and cool spring pools to swim in. In terms of lemurs, Isalo is home to ring-tailed lemurs as well as the dancing Verreaux’s sifaka.
Palmarium
Palmarium is a small, private reserve along the east coast of Madagascar from Tana. The 50-hectare reserve is on the banks of the Pangalanes Canals that run for several hundred kilometers up the coast of Madagascar creating a safe passage for fishermen and locals who use the channels to travel. Palmarium, is home to several habituated lemurs that roam free on the reserve. This is a photographer’s dream as you can get close up shots of sifakas, indri-indri, ruffed lemurs and more. 15 minutes by boat is a small island that is home to 6 aye-ayes. Guests staying at Palmarium Lodge head to the island in the early evening giving them a rare opportunity to see and photograph these incredible looking lemurs in the wild. With the lemurs being completely habituated and the paths through the forest easy and flat, this is also a great place for families to visit as the kids can see the lemurs close-up.
Masoala Peninsular
This must be our favorite place in the whole of Madagascar. In the far north-east corner of the island lies a peninsular of forested mountains, tumbling down to golden beaches, crystal clear waters and volcanic rocks. Getting here is a little tricky, but that is half the fun and is also what keeps majority of tourists away. You need to fly to Maroantsetra and then boat across the bay to get to the Masoala Forest Lodge. Once at Masoala guests get to explore the rainforest with their guide looking for the beautiful, red-ruffed lemur, black and white ruffed lemur, the helmet vanga (a beautiful bird) as well as the smallest chameleon in the world, the brookesia chameleon. Aside from days exploring the forests of Masoala, guests can find a quiet piece of beach to relax on or head out snorkeling on the coral reefs or head out on sea kayaks or go whale watching (between June and September).
Amber Mountain
In the far northern tip of Madagascar, a short drive from Diego Suarez is a small, lush, forested reserve called Amber Mountain. Rising out from the drier areas around it, Amber Mountain is home to an array of endemic animals including brookesia chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, mouse lemurs, dwarf lemurs, sportive lemurs. The panther chameleon is one of the most colorful chameleons in Madagascar and is also found here. Neat paths lead guests through the forests past crater lakes and waterfalls.
Ankarana National Park
As you head away from Amber Mountain the terrain starts to dry and become more arid. Enroute to Ankarara is a special reserve that is home to one of the rarest primates on earth and is critically endangered. The Perrier’s sifaka is a jet-black sifaka that lives in a small pocket of forest in northern Madagascar. It is possible to visit this forest enroute between Amber Mountain and Ankarara National Park.
Ankarana National Park is a unique park in that it is dominated by eroded limestone pinnacles called tsingies, but amongst the towering, razor sharp tsingies are lush forests, rivers and the largest cave system in Africa. Paths lead to stunning viewpoints and across suspension bridges. Ankarana National Park is home crown lemurs, sportive lemurs, mouse lemurs and if you are lucky you might see a fossa.
Nosy Be
Off the north-west coast of Madagascar lies a string of small islands with the main island being Nosy Be. White sandy beaches, turquoise waters and warm weather make Nosy be and surrounding islands the perfect place to lay your towel after a few days exploring Madagascar’s national parks and reserves. Nosy Be itself is a little too crowded for our liking, so we prefer some of the smaller islands off the coast of Nosy Be.
Ile Sainte Marie
Off the east of Madagascar lies a small tropical island called Ile Sainte Marie. Pristine beaches, fringed by swaying palm trees and turquoise waters offshore, make this the perfect beach location to relax on after a few days of explore Madagascar’s forests. Between July and September, humpbacked whales migrate past Ile Sainte Marie. Aside from relaxing on the beaches, guests can go snorkeling or scuba diving on the offshore reefs.
Miavana
Miavana is a small, ultra-luxury private island off the northeast tip of Madagascar. Guests are helicoptered in and stay in luxury villas steps away from pristine beaches and turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Miavana was not always like that though. It used to be a sea-weed farming village, but thanks to warming sea temperatures the seaweed business plummeted. The owners of Miavana have transformed the island back into its natural glory and have employed the seaweed farmers and other local villages, creating employment in an otherwise desolate area. The island is home to lemurs, chameleons and nesting turtles as well as nesting seabirds.
Tsarabanjina
Tsarabanjina is a small spec of an island off the coast of Nosy Be. But what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in character. With white sandy beaches and blue, blue water, Tsarabanjina is the perfect, Robinson Crusoe, barefoot luxury island. Traditional bungalows are located just steps from the pristine sandy beach and turquoise waters. Tsarabanjina is the perfect honeymoon retreat, away from the crowds. Diving here is incredible as there is very little human presence, and the reefs are teeming with marine life.
Ifaty
Ifaty is the small coastal town at the end of road that leads from Tana and heads south through Ranomafana and Isalo, making this the perfect beach stop to rest weary legs. Ifaty consists of small fishing villages and sandy beaches with a long offshore reef perfect for diving. The diving here offers guests the chance to see several species of sharks. If you are still feeling active, you can explore the botanical gardens which consists of baobabs and spiny forest.
Anjajavy
Located on the north west coast and a 2-hour private flight away, lies the private reserve and beach resort of Anjajavy. Probably, one of the most luxurious lodges in Madagascar, Anjajavy is Relais and Chateaux registered, so the cuisine is incredible. Located on a large private reserve and with several beaches to choose from guests can enjoy both nature and beach. The reserve is home to Coquerel’s sifaka as well as sportive lemurs, mouse lemurs and brown lemurs. Guides take guests on walks through the forest during the day and at night.
The Masoala Peninsular
One of the most diverse areas in Madagascar
Located in the far north-east corner of Madagascar is the Masoala Peninsular, which is the largest tract of virgin rainforest in Madagascar. Thick forest clad mountains form the backdrop against golden beaches and turquoise waters, this is one of the most biodiverse regions in Madagascar, yet it is one of the least visited national parks due to its remote location. To get here, you need to fly 2 hours from Antananarivo and then jump in a boat for a further 2 hours. There are no roads to get here, so this is the only way, but once you are there you will realize the journey there was worth it.
So, what makes this peace of Madagascar so special? The rainforests are teeming with wildlife from the endemic, red-ruffed lemur to the minute brookesia chameleons and the helmeted vanga. Trekking through the forest, you pass mangroves, crystal streams and waterfalls and coastal forests. Staying at the Masoala Forest Lodge gives guest the chance to do some nocturnal walks where you have the chance to see the weird looking aye-aye.
Aside from the lush forests, Masoala National Park is blessed with stunning beaches and crystal oceans teeming with marine life. Head out on sea-kayaks or go snorkeling along some of the rocky shores and reefs and between July and September you have the chance to see humpbacked whales as they migrate past the east coast of Madagascar.
There is only really one lodge at Masoala National park that we use and that is the Masoala Forest Lodge. Located just outside the park guests stay in African style tents on platforms with ensuite bathrooms. From here guests explore the forests of Masoala National Park as well as the forests around the lodge. They have sea-kayaks and a boat for transfers and whale watching.
We love Masoala National Park, and we are certain you will as well.
When is the best Season to go to on a safari to Madagascar?
Madagascar Seasons
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and so weather patterns can vary across the length of the island. The South is generally drier and more arid when compared to the thick forests of the central and northern areas. Nevertheless, Madagascar’s rainy season typically starts in December and lasts until March. During this time, cyclones can batter the island, so it is best to avoid travelling at this time of the year.
Day time temperatures across the island also vary, depending on where you are. Usually at the lower altitudes and along the coast, the temperature and humidity can be high. The capital city of Antananarivo (Tana) is at altitude and so can get cool in the evenings. The average maximum temperature in Tana ranges from 21°C (70°F) in June and July to 27°C (81°F) in November and December. Minimum averages range between 10°C (50°F) in June and July and 17°C (63°F) during the summer months. Along the coast temperatures range between from 14°C (57°F) to 25°C (77°F) in June and July.
If you are looking for specific wildlife experiences, then this might determine when you travel to Madagascar.
Between October and November is the best time to see baby lemurs as this is the birthing season. Humpbacked whales frequent the east coast from July to September and the mating season for the fossa (Madagascar’s largest carnivore) is between September and October, making this the best time of the year to see them.