What’s it actually prefer to journey to Madagascar? (It is fairly wild!)

If you happen to’re seeking to journey to Madagascar, boy, are you in for an journey! Madagascar is without doubt one of the most unforgettable locations I’ve ever visited.

If you wish to see a number of the most uncommon landscapes and wildlife you’ve ever seen, meet heat and welcoming individuals, and expertise a land solely barely touched by tourism, Madagascar is the place for you.

Madagascar has been a journey precedence of mine for fairly a while, and whereas I like touring solo, I at all times knew I needed to go together with a tour. Madagascar is a gnarly vacation spot, with a number of the worst roads on the earth, and I knew it will be a lot simpler letting a tour deal with the logistics.

I had been on the lookout for the appropriate Madagascar tour for years, nevertheless it was powerful discovering one which included all of the locations I needed to go to: the Grand Tsingy, the Avenue of the Baobabs, and Nosy Be and its surrounding islands.

Then I got here throughout the Madagascar tour from Rock My Journey, which included all these locations, and way more — and I used to be bought!

Rock My Journey is a small tour firm run by Helen Davies, an Africa specialist and journey blogger. Though Helen and I’ve a ton of mutual buddies, we had by no means met — however after wanting by way of her web site and studying her testimonials, I knew I might love this journey.

So how did it go? I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE IN MADAGASCAR, although there have been positively some large challenges alongside the way in which!

This can be a large publish. Go make your self a cup of tea, sit again, and let me let you know about what it’s prefer to journey to Madagascar!

This publish was printed in March 2026, based mostly on a visit taken in September 2025.

Madagascar will not be for everybody. Or most vacationers.

What makes you wish to journey to Madagascar? Do you wish to see lemurs and different cool wildlife? Do you wish to swim in turquoise waters? Do you wish to hike in a stone forest and see large baobab bushes?

Do you wish to meet great, pleasant individuals, probably the most lovely children, and expertise a vacation spot that doesn’t have a shred of overtourism?

I imply, these are straightforward questions. Who wouldn’t wish to do these issues?

Now I ought to most likely ask some tougher questions.

Are you keen to journey on the roughest roads you’ve ever skilled in your life, for the higher a part of a day?

Are you okay with excessive temperatures and nil air-con?

How do you’re feeling about not getting access to an actual rest room for a number of days, and simply squatting behind bushes?

Are you okay with getting piggy-backed into canoes when water ranges are excessive?

Are you emotionally ready to see devastating poverty first-hand?

Are you okay with the truth that within the occasion of an emergency, medical care shall be extraordinarily restricted?

And possibly you possibly can deal with all this, however wouldn’t it be pleasant for you?

General, I believe Madagascar is a vacation spot greatest fitted to very seasoned vacationers who’ve expertise touring in growing international locations. It’s additionally important to be versatile, easygoing, and capable of take care of setbacks alongside the way in which.

And for those who relish the powerful, soiled, enjoyable days of journey, you’re going to like your time in Madagascar!

Conversely, I’ll gently say that Madagascar will not be the place for you for those who want air-con, for those who don’t do nicely on bumpy roads, for those who worth stage of consolation, or for those who like group and predictability.

And I’ll say that I had a lot enjoyable on this journey as a result of it was a gaggle journey. Once you undergo powerful journey moments, you possibly can chuckle collectively and commiserate collectively. It makes setbacks a lot simpler — and even enjoyable, every so often.

Had I been doing this journey solo, I wouldn’t have loved it practically as a lot. That’s the reality.

Locations to Go to in Madagascar

What struck me first about Madagascar was how totally different it felt from mainland Africa. Actually, it jogged my memory extra of Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, from the pousse-pousse rickshaws to the road meals stalls.

In sure elements of Madagascar, I observed that many individuals have Asian facial options, particularly within the capital and the central highlands.

That’s not a coincidence. The Malagasy persons are descended from Austronesian seafarers of Southeast Asia, who arrived about 1000 years in the past, and the Bantu peoples of East Africa. You see this Asian affect in all the things from agriculture to cooking.

Listed below are a number of the locations that I visited on my Madagascar journey — although take into account that Madagascar is gigantic, and this represents only a small a part of what the island has to supply!

Antananarivo

Sadly I can’t converse a lot in regards to the capital of Antananarivo, as a result of there have been protests that shut down the town on the time of my go to. I’ll get extra into that later on this publish.

Antananarivo — or Tana, because the locals name it — has some cool sights to see, together with markets like Analakely Market and the Route Digue Handicraft Market, in addition to Lemurs’ Park and the Queen’s Palace Viewpoint.

Outdoors the town is Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and one of the vital cultural landmarks within the nation.

Whereas I didn’t get to discover the town a lot, I can let you know that Resort Sakamanga is gorgeous, appears like a museum, and has an amazing restaurant. If you happen to keep there, please give Manga the kitten a cuddle for me!

Antsirabe and Lake Tritiva

The town of Antsirabe is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers en route from Antananarivo to locations additional south. On this metropolis, you possibly can get pleasure from stunning French structure and take a trip on a pousse-pousse (Madagascar’s reply to the rickshaw).

Whereas we didn’t have a lot time in Antsirabe, we did get to spend time at Lake Tritiva, which is about an hour’s drive west of the town. This lake is probably the most enchanting shade of teal and surrounded by tall stone partitions.

You’ll be able to hike round the entire lake, for those who’d like, or simply hike all the way down to the water’s edge. We hiked all the way down to the sting, received loads of photographs, then made our method up once more.

In Antsirabe we stayed at Couleur Café, which was a wonderful property with little cottages and had the coziest, warmest bedding (which was vital as this was one in all our cooler temperature locations!).

Tsiribihina Boat Journey

Of all my experiences in Madagascar, probably the most particular and distinctive one was the three-day boat journey down the Tsiribihina River.

Our boat was extremely fundamental. There wasn’t even a bathroom on board; we might merely pull over to shore and squat behind bushes and bushes. At evening, the crew put up tents and constructed us a easy bush rest room.

Throughout the day, we chilled out, watched the panorama go by, visited small villages, and went swimming in a beautiful swimming gap as lemurs leaped by way of the bushes.

Our cooks ready us scrumptious meals (a number of the better of our journey!), and at evening, our crew sang and performed music for us by the hearth. Removed from any gentle air pollution, we loved a sky stuffed with good stars.

This a part of the journey deserves its personal weblog publish, and I wish to write extra about it quickly! However most of all, I really feel like this was the place we received to know Madagascar on a deep, intimate stage. Most vacationers don’t expertise that.

Earlier than our journey, we spent an evening at Princesse Tsiribihina, a pleasant little lodge within the city of Miandrivazo, near the beginning of the river journey.

Tsingy de Bemeraha Nationwide Park

If you happen to’re within the landscapes of Madagascar, Tisngy de Bemeraha Nationwide Park is probably going on the prime of your record. This stone forest situated in western Madagascar is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

It’s additionally fairly an journey to get right here. The gateway city to the Tsingy is Bekopaka, which is a drive of a number of hours on Madagascar’s extraordinarily tough B-roads (extra on these beneath).

Mountaineering the Grand Tsingy is the large journey right here. I completely liked this technical hike, which requires clipping your self in, Through Ferrata-style, and climbing onto tiny footholds. It may be a LOT when you have points with heights, particularly since you will need to cross a rickety bridge over a canyon close to the top.

However you’re not up for that hike, there are different choices. You’ll be able to take a ship by way of the canyon and admire the surroundings, and you are able to do a a lot smaller, less-intense hike within the small Tsingy. Two of the ladies on our tour skipped the large hike for the boat trip and small hike and had a good time.

In Bekopaka we stayed at Le Soleil des Tsingy, which has a luxurious really feel and an unimaginable infinity pool that’s THE ABSOLUTE BEST after a scorching, sweaty day within the Tsingy. Simply know that there’s no AC and the nights right here have been hotter greater than anyplace else in Madagascar.

Kirindy

Kirindy Forest is a dry deciduous forest situated within the west of Madagascar and makes cease between the Tsingy and Morondava. This can be a great spot to see Madagascar’s distinctive wildlife of their pure habitat.

I like to recommend spending one evening and happening guided forest walks each at evening and within the morning, since you’ll see totally different sorts of wildlife at totally different occasions of day.

At evening, you would possibly spot dwarf lemurs and mouse lemurs. The mouse lemurs are tremendous tiny and like to poke their heads out of holes on bushes!

By day, there are a number of sorts of lemurs you would possibly spot, in addition to cool geckos and lizards.

And for those who’re fortunate, you’ll spot a fossa! The fossa is a lemur-hunting predator, and it has the physique of a cat and the face of a rat — it sounds unusual, however I swear it’s a really cool animal. We have been fortunate to see a fossa throughout our go to.

In Kirindy we stayed at Relais du Kirindy, which had easy ensuite cabins, in addition to a swimming pool. I’ve heard it’s a bit nicer than the lodging they provide straight within the park.

Morondava

Morondava is a seaside metropolis in western Madagascar, and it’s one of the fashionable locations to go to within the nation. I actually liked the vibe in Morondava; it felt informal, beachy, and vigorous!

On the town I like to recommend taking a pousse-pousse trip to get a really feel for the place, and take a look at shops and markets. You’ll be able to spend time on the seashore (although don’t put on skimpy swimwear in public right here). And there are a couple of enjoyable bars for those who’re within the temper for nightlife!

Morondava is a couple of 45-minute drive from the Avenue of the Baobabs (Allée des Baobabs), which is without doubt one of the symbols of the nation. Right here you possibly can {photograph} the baobabs at sundown (or, with fewer crowds, at dawn), or plant your individual baobab bushes. Remember that this place will get crowded!

The shoreline from Morondava south to Toliara is house to the Vezo individuals — nomadic or semi-nomadic fishers who depend on the ocean for survival. Two of the ladies and I took a canoe to the village of Betania, the place we received to know a number of the native children and ladies, and had our faces painted within the Vezo model.

In Morondava I stayed at Chez Maggie Resort & Restaurant, which could not have been the fanciest place we stayed in, nevertheless it was one in all my favorites. So cozy and welcoming with pleasant employees, in a pleasant beachside neighborhood, with air-con and nice meals.

Nosy Be

Nosy Be, an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, is probably the most touristy spot within the nation. Some individuals fly to Madagascar and solely go to Nosy Be, which blows my thoughts! You’ll be able to even discover direct flights to locations like Milan and Verona.

Nosy Be is a superb base for diving or snorkeling, for those who’re into that, or simply chilling out. There’s a respectable nightlife scene right here. And for those who’re up for a therapeutic massage on the seashore, you’ve received loads of choices, for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.

Nosy Be is surrounded by smaller islands, and these islands are fashionable spots for day journeys. Nosy Sakatia is fashionable for swimming with whale sharks or large turtles; Nosy Tanikely is a small marine nationwide park; Nosy Komba is house to a lemur sanctuary.

General, I believe Nosy Be is a implausible place to finish your journey to Madagascar. Just a few days on the seashore are the proper balm after lengthy, tough journey days — particularly for those who splurge on a extra upscale lodge like Maison Ylang, which I completely adored.

Plus, it may be simpler so that you can fly onward with out having to fly again to Antananarivo. (I might suggest doing so if attainable.)

However I don’t suppose Nosy Be is particular sufficient to warrant a visit with out going elsewhere in Madagascar. If you wish to go to a tropical island in an reasonably priced nation, I’ll at all times advocate Koh Lanta in Thailand. Come to Nosy Be when you may have time to discover extra of Madagascar.

Now that we’ve talked a bit in regards to the locations, let’s get into what it’s actually prefer to journey to Madagascar!

Prepare for the worst roads of your life.

I’m positive you’ve pushed on some tough roads earlier than. However I don’t suppose you’ve skilled something as unhealthy because the B-roads of Madagascar.

B-roads are Madagascar’s secondary roads. They’re unpaved, poorly maintained, and completely require a 4×4 automobile. They are often fairly harmful, particularly once they grow to be muddy and sometimes impassable throughout wet season (January to March).

You may be studying this weblog publish pondering that you just’re driver, that you may deal with the roads. I urge you to rethink. If something goes improper, no one is coming that can assist you. Our professional drivers know these roads just like the again of their hand, and even they’d a couple of popped tires alongside the way in which.

(At one level, we drove previous a vacationer driving down the highway to Bekopaka with a terrified look on his face. “Is he loopy?” I burst out. “Sure, he’s loopy,” our driver replied with amusing.)

B-roads make up a lot of the journey from Morondava to Bekopaka and the Tsingy de Bemeraha, so if you wish to see the Tsingy, you’re getting there by B-roads. (There’s a tiny airport in Bekopaka for personal or constitution flights solely.)

And even the paved roads can attempt your persistence. When touring from Antananarivo to Antsirabe, we needed to flip round and take an extended, circuitous route as a result of the highway was blocked.

And whenever you come to a river, the enjoyable REALLY begins.

Certainly there could be bridges alongside fashionable routes? Nope, not in Madagascar!

As a substitute, drivers rigorously maneuver their SUVs onto a wood raft perched on prime of some canoes. You stroll onto the raft behind them. Then the raft operator fires up the loudest motor you’ve ever heard, black smoke billowing in all places, and the raft chugs its approach to the opposite aspect.

You stroll off. The SUVs drive off. And you retain going till you hit the subsequent river.

Madagascar is a lot extra stunning than I anticipated.

After all, I knew Madagascar was going to be stunning in some locations! However the sheer fantastic thing about our environment However I didn’t suppose I might be shocked as quickly as we left Antananarivo. Simply the encompassing rice paddies have been beautiful towards the mountains!

Listed below are a number of the landscapes you possibly can expertise in Madagascar:

Spiky grey stone forests in Tsingy de Bemeraha Nationwide Park.

Idyllic tropical seashores with palm bushes and turquoise water in Nosy Tanikely.

Pink sunsets behind wild fields and rice paddies in Miandrivazo.

A rocky waterfall and swimming gap in the course of nowhere, simply off the Tsiribihina River.

And naturally, Madagascar’s iconic baobab bushes are one of many symbols of the nation. That is their most well-known spot, Avenue des Baobabs close to Morondava.

And the wild factor was that we solely noticed a tiny fraction of Madagascar! Madagascar is huge — the world’s fourth largest island — and the lengthy drives make you’re feeling such as you’re driving it from finish to finish. Not so.

The persons are the true spotlight of Madagascar.

Once I suppose again to my time in Madagascar, I consider the unimaginable individuals I met. The 2 younger guys we met in a bar in Morondava after midnight, the place we joined them in a dance social gathering.

The youngsters I excitedly talked to about 2Pac, as they have been sporting 2Pac t-shirts, earlier than I spotted that individuals throughout Madagascar put on 2Pac t-shirts however do not know who he’s.

The couple on the lodge in Belo Tsiribihina, who helped once I sheepishly requested if they may assist me kill a cockroach on the curtain. The lady crushed it together with her fingertips. I shrieked, “Avec les mains?! Avec les mains!!” (with the palms!) and the three of us laughed hysterically, even breaking into giggles once we noticed one another the subsequent morning.

Our unimaginable boat crew. Sensible, hardworking, and completely gifted musicians.

And the youngsters of Madagascar are actually great. Once we stopped in distant villages, the youngsters needed to carry our palms. Even the youngsters. We’d be strolling as a gaggle and a few of us would have two children holding onto every hand!

The youngsters would come operating once we pulled over in our bus or boat, and they might stick with us like velcro.

Nevertheless, vacationers haven’t at all times handled Malagasy kids nicely, so I’ve some recommendation to share.

Don’t give the youngsters cash. Don’t give the youngsters sweet, regardless of how a lot they are saying, “Bon-bon? Bon-bon?”

(Aspect word: once we have been within the Tsingy, one of many women provided key lime candies to everybody in our group, together with our thirty-something information Julien. He exclaimed, “Oh! A bon-bon?” and it was like he grew to become a child once more!)

As a substitute, Helen received stickers for the youngsters — particular person stickers on paper. They might hand out one sticker to every child, solely once we had sufficient for everybody. That’s a pleasant deal with for teenagers that doesn’t rot their enamel or create a tradition of begging.

Moreover, please think twice in regards to the photographs you select to share. I personally select to not share clear photographs of youngsters’s faces on the web. That’s why I shoot so usually from behind.

Do I’ve photographs of youngsters’ faces on my telephone? Tons! Together with selfies with us all squished collectively! These photographs are treasured to me, however kids deserve privateness, so I don’t share them publicly.

Talking French will enable you enormously.

If you happen to studied French in highschool and also you’ve been jealous of your Spanish-speaking buddies navigating by way of Mexico with aplomb, I promise you, in Madagascar your day has come! That is one place the place you possibly can converse French consistently!

Malagasy individuals converse Malagasy as their first language, and there are native dialects and regional variations, however French is the second language kids are taught at school. French is usually the first language for official authorities or enterprise issues in Madagascar.

Whereas some individuals who work in tourism converse English, it’s nowhere close to as widespread as French.

I converse French, and I discovered that this opened my world in Madagascar SO a lot. I used to be capable of have actual conversations and join with individuals, and I even made native buddies. The image above was taken within the village of Maromandray, alongside the highway to Miandrivazo, and this older gentleman needed to inform me all about farming haricots verts.

Whereas in fact our native Malagasy information, Stella, spoke French, I used to be the one different particular person on our tour who spoke it. That meant I used to be usually serving to my buddies talk when Stella was busy dealing with logistics, which made the journey smoother for all of us.

And for those who don’t converse any French, it helps to be taught somewhat bit. After all, “bonjour” and “merci” are vital. “Remark t’appelles-tu?” (although I tended to listen to “Remark tu t’appelles?” extra usually) and “Je m’appelle” could be useful when introducing your self to children.

The poverty will rip your coronary heart out.

If you happen to’ve traveled within the growing world, you’ve most likely witnessed quantity of poverty. I’ve seen devastating scenes in South Africa, Cambodia, Greenland, and the US that I’ll by no means get out of my head.

However Madagascar is without doubt one of the poorest international locations on the earth, and try to be ready for that.

Numerous villages don’t have any form of plumbing in any respect. Some have fundamental latrines, however many individuals simply crouch behind bushes.

Lots of people, particularly kids, put on torn clothes and no footwear. Faculties are ultra-basic, with nearly no provides and much too many children sitting on a dust flooring.

I observed that no one in Madagascar wears sun shades on vibrant sunny days. Then I spotted that no one wears eyeglasses. How many individuals are strolling round with blurry imaginative and prescient?

At one level on the highway to Bekopaka, we stopped in a village when one other automobile in our convoy received a flat tire. This village doesn’t get international guests usually, and so they really launched us to a child woman that had been born that very morning. I’m nonetheless flabbergasted that we received to expertise a second this particular.

The child woman appeared like a doll, with tiny black eyelashes and excellent cupid-bow lips. I whispered that I wanted her a beautiful life. However what sort of life may she anticipate to have?

So what are you able to do as a customer to Madagascar? Don’t give cash (or sweet) to people. As a substitute, spend your cash as near the bottom as you possibly can.

It’s good to rent native guides and drivers. Spend cash in regionally owned guesthouses and eating places. Purchase souvenirs straight from locals. Tip generously. Contemplate giving cash on to a schoolteacher, since you don’t know what provides they want most.

One other factor? In most international locations, the thought of forsaking your used, worn-out garments and footwear whereas touring could be seen as extraordinarily impolite. However in Madagascar, they’re usually obtained with deep gratitude. If you happen to’re planning on changing your sneakers quickly, contemplate leaving your outdated pair behind.

Madagascar wildlife is unimaginable.

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a rustic with distinctive wildlife, you possibly can’t do significantly better than Madagascar. Madagascar separated from the African mainland about 160 million years in the past, then separated from the Indian subcontinent about 90 million years in the past.

Due to that, the wildlife has had fairly a very long time to evolve. Mix that with quite a lot of various ecosystems, and you’ve got a number of the most attention-grabbing wildlife recognizing on the earth.

Lemurs, in fact, are the principle attraction (and the one each child has heard of!). And whereas lemurs are lovely, there are many different cool animals you possibly can see in Madagascar.

Happening an evening safari within the Kirindy Forest, we have been capable of spot dwarf lemurs. They’re so cute and cuddly with large bellies.

We have been extraordinarily fortunate to see a fossa, an animal with a physique formed like a cat and a face formed like a rat! They very sometimes come out at Kirindy, and this one got here out once we have been there!

The chameleons have been most likely the best reptile we noticed. I like how their tails curl up right into a spiral — and the way they provide probably the most implausible side-eye!

It was wonderful seeing the child lemurs! The infants cling onto the entrance of their mom for 3 weeks, then the again of their mom till they’re three months outdated. This tiny, skinny child was model new.

And my favourite wildlife sighting of the journey was a cuddle puddle of lemurs, cuddling collectively on a tree department on the way in which again from the Grand Tsingy! Look how a lot they love one another!!

In Nosy Sakatia, you possibly can swim with large sea turtles. These are the largest sea turtles I’ve ever seen — a couple of meter from nostril to tail.

I like an interspecies friendship, and on Nosy Komba, I came upon that the lemurs and tortoises get alongside fairly nicely!

There are three tortoises residing on the sanctuary on Nosy Komba. “These two are named Pablo Escobar and George Bush,” our information advised us.

“Pablo Escobar and George Bush?!” I exclaimed. “What’s the third one named, Saddam Hussein?”

“Caroline.”

“Caroline…is {that a} reference?”

“No, we identical to the title.”

Meals in Madagascar

How is the meals in Madagascar? I ate quite a lot of tasty meals, however I wouldn’t characterize Madagascar as a foodie vacation spot by any stretch.

Native meals are easy — a little bit of fish or meat with rice, and typically some greens. Whereas some individuals discuss in regards to the French affect in Madagascar, I personally didn’t discover a lot Frenchness within the native meals.

Zebu is the native cattle in Madagascar, and whenever you’re consuming beef in Madagascar, you’re consuming zebu! We ate zebu steaks, zebu burgers, zebu and chips.

Romazava is one native dish I like to recommend you attempt. It’s mainly the Malagasy model of beef stew, served over rice.

There are three eating places I particularly suggest in Madagascar. One of the best of the three is Mad Zebu, which is in such a random place — the city of Belo Tsiribihina, which is a cease en route from Morondava to Bekopaka.

The meals at Mad Zebu is luxurious, elegant, and fantastically plated. Regardless of its title, our group liked the fish and vegetarian dishes probably the most! The restaurant is extraordinarily fashionable with tour teams passing by way of, and you will need to reserve upfront.

One other restaurant I loved was Nosy Tagada in Nosy Be, across the nook from our lodge, Maison Ylang. This restaurant serves a mixture of French and worldwide fare. I liked their sesame-crusted tuna steak and their savory galettes.

And for those who’re in Antananarivo, the restaurant at Resort Sakamanga serves nice meals as nicely, in a comfy environment.

Are you able to journey to Madagascar in luxurious?

This will likely seem to be an odd factor to speak about, however I do know individuals who speak about India or Ecuador or Cambodia and say, “Yeah, I’d go, however I’d do it in luxurious.” Are you able to isolate your self from the challenges of Madagascar journey for those who “do it in luxurious?”

In a phrase, no.

We stayed at some luxurious properties in Madagascar, together with Soleil des Tsingy in Bekopaka. And as a longtime journey business veteran, my impression is that Madagascar is studying, nevertheless it’s not prepared for luxurious journey but.

Think about staying at a surprising luxurious property, the form of place that provides you a towel and a welcome cocktails whenever you arrive. And at dinner, the server brings your predominant dish first and your appetizer second as a result of the kitchen needed to make the principle dishes first.

Otherwise you’re staying in a fantastically adorned room, nevertheless it’s oppressively scorching all evening lengthy with no AC or air stream.

Or the marketed wifi solely works when a most of two persons are making an attempt to make use of it on the similar time.

Otherwise you convey your laundry to be washed, the receptionist says simply to go away it on the entrance desk, you say no, that you just’re not leaving a pile of soiled underwear there, he affords to throw it in a basket, you agree, and after coming again, he politely asks for those who’re single.

None of that is meant to insult the hardworking Malagasy individuals. I simply say this for instance that there’s extra to luxurious than aesthetics, and making a luxurious expertise requires intensive coaching and funding. Madagascar will get there finally. It’s simply not there but.

Past motels, are you able to skip the B-roads and river crossings and simply fly to Bekopaka? Solely when you have the funds to constitution a non-public flight.

Are you able to expertise advantageous eating? Within the capital, positive, and at Mad Zebu, however not a lot in any other case.

Are you able to e book a nicer boat on the Tsiribihina River with a bathroom on board? LOL, don’t ask.

If you happen to DO need a luxurious expertise in Africa, you may go nearly anyplace in Southern or Jap Africa. Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia…these international locations are stuffed with luxurious journey experiences that can blow you away. Simply don’t anticipate that in Madagascar.

Is Madagascar Protected?

Is Madagascar secure to go to? That is at all times a troublesome query to reply, as a result of most locations are genuinely fairly secure, however sometimes unhealthy issues do occur.

General, for probably the most half, Madagascar isn’t enormously harmful for vacationers.

Criminals don’t goal vacationers in Madagascar past a little bit of petty crime. In Antananarivo and different cities, it’s good to maintain your belongings in a safe purse that zips, to not flash any valuables, and to solely take official taxis.

As a substitute, security issues in Madagascar are typically extra about infrastructure than crime. Your greatest dangers shall be roads in poor situation, lengthy overland journeys, and restricted medical care.

You must plan your journey assuming that you just’ll at all times be a protracted, troublesome journey from a clinic or perhaps a pharmacy. I received some prescriptions from my physician upfront, which I speak about additional down on this publish.

What about touring solo? Once more, I at all times knew that I needed to journey Madagascar as a part of a gaggle, not solo, and that’s why I selected Rock My Journey’s Madagascar tour.

The one time I confronted any unfavorable male consideration was the one time that I briefly walked alone at evening in Morondava, on a busy road with numerous motels and eating places. Some younger males in a gaggle stared at me and catcalled.

It wasn’t threatening, nevertheless it was uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t stroll alone at evening in a desolate space in Madagascar.

General, most vacationers will get pleasure from Madagascar with out incident. Nevertheless, I occurred to be in Madagascar throughout an distinctive time: a interval of unrest that resulted in a navy coup. I’ll share extra about that within the subsequent part.

My Uncommon Expertise: Protests in Antananarivo

There’s one very large factor that occurred throughout my time in Madagascar: there have been country-wide protests in late September and early October 2025. Our group flew from Morondava to Antananarivo on September 25, and our lodge occurred to be within the epicenter of the protests.

Younger adults in Madagascar have been protesting the ability cuts, water shortages, and a corrupt authorities. I agree totally with the protestors; Malagasy individuals have so little and deserve higher.

The protests turned violent. As we pulled as much as our lodge, individuals have been operating in all places and pushing a dumpster towards us on the street. The lodge employees grabbed us and rushed us inside.

We went into the courtyard and Helen made the choice that we might eat on the lodge that evening as a substitute of going out.

An hour or so later, the police started tear gassing the neighborhood, which wafted into our space and was painful to our eyes and throat. The lodge employees handed out face masks and we headed inside, sealing ourselves away.

We have been speculated to fly to Nosy Be the subsequent day, however the flight was cancelled, so we headed out of city to a small native guesthouse in a secure location in a gated neighborhood. The household that ran the guesthouse handled us with SUCH kindness.

By then, there was a curfew in Antananarivo and in different cities in Madagascar. Supermarkets and sights have been closed; we sneaked right into a comfort retailer that saved its again door open to purchase some provisions. There was just about nothing to do aside from hang around and wait.

Round this time, the US authorities up to date Madagascar’s journey advisory to “Degree 3: Rethink Journey,” and the UK and a number of other different international locations made comparable updates.

Then our flight the NEXT day was cancelled, too. The airport was canceling just about each home flight after 1 PM.

Ultimately, because of Helen’s tenacity on the airport counter, she received us on one other flight to Nosy Be after two further days in Antananarivo. Sadly, a couple of of our tour members selected to not proceed with us, lest they miss their flights house.

I wish to be clear — this was not a large hardship. At occasions it was scary, and annoying, however in the end, it was an inconvenience.

And it didn’t final endlessly. Shortly after we received to Nosy Be, the president of Madagascar was evacuated from the nation and the navy took over management. Sure, this was a coup. My Malagasy buddies have been happy with this outcome.

After reorganizing some flights, I used to be capable of fly direct to Réunion and again to Europe from there. Madagascar is now again to regular, and is simply as secure for vacationers because it was in the beginning of our journey.

General, conditions like these are uncommon, however a threat you are taking when touring in growing international locations with restricted infrastructure like Madagascar. It’s a threat I used to be keen to absorb trade for experiencing a magical place.

I wish to emphasize that the journey was completely good in any other case and I’m so glad we had Helen to navigate us by way of an advanced and unpredictable state of affairs.

One last item is that I like to recommend registering with STEP — the Good Traveler Enrollment Program — for those who’re an American, or your nation’s program that notifies the embassy that you just’re there. They may e mail you updates in regards to the state of affairs if something like this occurs throughout your journey.

Theoretically, STEP can also be supposed that can assist you get evacuated if crucial. However as we noticed after the US and Israel began bombing Iran in February 2026, trapping People within the Center East with no approach to escape, this may occasionally not occur in any respect.

It’s worthwhile to e book Madagascar Airways flights early.

When touring lengthy distances in Madagascar, it’s greatest to journey by flight. Even for those who’re the form of traveler who likes the rhythms of overland journey and attending to see the landscapes, I promise you, you’ll want to fly.

Take the journey from Antananarivo to Morondava. It doesn’t look very far on the map, however the quickest bus journey takes about 12.5 hours. (One among my Malagasy buddies advised me he usually takes the 24-hour bus. YIKES.) You can keep away from that by taking a 90-minute flight.

The issue is that inside flights are restricted and so they e book out EXTREMELY early. Helen had us e book our flights early for that reason. Our journey was in September, and she or he notified us in January that the flights had been launched.

Just a few months in the past in a Fb group, I heard somebody lamenting in regards to the lack of flights out there last-minute and whether or not it will be price it to simply go to Nosy Be and nowhere else in Madagascar. Properly, you already know the way I really feel about that!

My recommendation to you: begin planning your Madagascar journey at the very least a couple of months upfront and e book your inside flights immediately. This isn’t a vacation spot that you may wing on the final minute.

I might not convey children to Madagascar.

Now, this may be one of many extra controversial issues about this publish — particularly contemplating that two of my journey blogger colleagues every introduced their children to Madagascar inside a month of my go to.

I’m not a mother or father, however I enthusiastically advocate for taking your kids to uncommon, nontraditional locations.

Nevertheless, whenever you journey anyplace, I believe it’s smart to hope for the best-case situation however plan for the worst-case situation. That features planning for sickness and damage.

Getting sick or injured in Madagascar means touring to a poor high quality medical clinic, particularly for those who’re in a rural space. It may imply a really lengthy overland journey over B-roads whereas coping with that sickness or damage. Medevac helicopters aren’t frequent in Madagascar.

Would I settle for that threat for me, as an grownup? After all. That’s a threat you are taking whenever you journey to distant locations.

However would I wish to topic a baby to that threat? No, I might not be comfy with that.

And let me be clear — I believe Africa is a superb place to journey with children. However I might personally select an African nation with higher infrastructure and healthcare services, like South Africa, Kenya, or Botswana.

After all, the possibilities that you just’ll even have an emergency are slim, however when children are concerned, it’s simply as vital to plan for the worst as it’s to hope for the very best.

Touring Madagascar with Rock My Journey

I’m SO glad that I traveled to Madagascar with Rock My Journey! This Madagascar journey is without doubt one of the greatest journeys I’ve ever taken.

What I liked about this journey was that it was a mixture of adventurous days with good, comfortable lodging, excluding the times we spent tenting (and each lodge the place we stayed had scorching water!).

Our itinerary included quite a lot of actions, however wasn’t too quick and exhausting, like many excursions could be. Each Malagasy information and driver we had was great, particularly Stella, who traveled with us for a lot of the journey.

Our group was largely girls, from 30-somethings by way of 60-somethings, from the US, Canada, and the UK.

Rock My Journey is a small journey firm run by one particular person, Helen Davies. She has deep relationships with native fixers and other people on the bottom, placing cash into native pockets, which is why the journeys are so good.

For that purpose, there aren’t tons and tons of journey departures like the large corporations. The Rock My Journey Madagascar journey is run as soon as per 12 months.

Would I do extra Rock My Journey journeys? Hell yeah! Actually, I’ve already signed up for my subsequent Rock My Journey journey — Botswana and Victoria Falls, and I’m bringing my husband this time!

And don’t overlook, you may get £100 off any Rock My Journey tour with the code KATE100!

Greatest Time to Go to Madagascar

When is the very best time of 12 months to go to Madagascar? It’s vital that you just time your journey for the dry season, which is roughly from Might to October.

Some locations could be price it within the shoulder season, and even low season. I occur to like Paris within the winter, which may be very a lot off-season. I like Koh Lanta in November, the shoulder season, when the short rainshowers result in beautiful sunsets.

However Madagascar will not be like both of these. If you happen to journey in wet season, and even shoulder season, the B-roads may flip into mud and won’t be satisfactory.

Contemplating the tough expertise you’ll have on the B-roads throughout the dry season, belief me, you don’t wish to threat it being any worse.

A visit to Madagascar is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Give your self the very best probability by planning it throughout the excessive season. I promise it gained’t be that touristy.

You should definitely go to a journey physician earlier than you journey to Madagascar.

Visiting a journey physician is a good suggestion earlier than touring to a growing nation or a rustic the place malaria is current. Madagascar falls into each classes.

Your common physician doesn’t have the expertise for this. A journey physician has detailed up-to-date info on each nation on the earth and methods to shield your self.

I visited the journey physician in Prague, and after a dialogue, we determined that I might get vaccinated for dengue fever, rabies, typhoid, and hepatitis A. I at the moment have energetic vaccines for yellow fever and hepatitis B (good for all times) and tetanus (good for 10 years).

Dengue fever is a reasonably new vaccine, and it’s solely out there within the EU, UK, and some international locations in Latin America and Asia presently.

We additionally determined that I might take antimalarials, and he prescribed me malarone. (Doxycycline is one other antimalarial, nevertheless it makes you tremendous delicate to solar. I burn terribly once I take it.)

On prime of that, we talked about methods to forestall mosquito bites: utilizing a mosquito repellent with 50% DEET, and overlaying up at daybreak and nightfall.

Individually from the journey physician, I contacted my GP, advised her I might be touring in very distant areas with no healthcare services, and requested for prescription remedy in case I received a UTI or extreme meals poisoning. She prescribed me each.

What to Pack for Madagascar

Pocket-sized moist wipes. Sure, you’ll be peeing behind bushes, and maybe pooping, too. Wipes are important. I discovered the pocket-sized variations to be greatest, as you possibly can carry them discreetly in your pocket reasonably than lugging a large bundle. Remember that no wipes are flushable, even when they are saying they’re.

Pocket-sized hand sanitizer. Village children love to carry your palms, however I believe everyone knows that youngsters are consistently sick! Use the sanitizer afterward.

Mosquito repellent with 50% DEET. Further-strong mosquito repellent is past important for Madagascar, and a vital a part of holding your self secure from malaria. By no means exit with out it.

Electrical tape. That is the one factor I didn’t convey that I want I had. Electrical tape can repair something, and it will have been very helpful when my mosquito internet in Kirindy didn’t shut all the way in which.

Head lamp. I discovered my head lamp extraordinarily helpful when doing an evening stroll within the Kirindy Forest, however they’re additionally helpful if there’s an influence outage.

Water bottle. The water will not be secure to drink in Madagascar, nevertheless it makes extra sense to purchase a giant bottle of water and simply refill your private water bottle whenever you want it. Alternatively, you need to use a LifeStraw to purify native water earlier than you drink it.

Solar safety. The solar is sort of robust in Madagascar, and along with reef-safe sunscreen (vital for Nosy Be and anyplace you would possibly swim), you should definitely convey a wide-brimmed hat and a light-weight long-sleeved shirt. There isn’t a lot shade on the Tsingy, so that you’ll want these.

Sarong. A sarong has one million makes use of, however in Madagascar, it may be a approach to join with others. Numerous girls put on sarongs tied round their center, and for those who tie your sarong like them, they’ll like that.

Further prescription remedy for emergencies. Components of Madagascar are so rural, you gained’t be capable of attain a clinic or perhaps a pharmacy. I had my physician prescribe remedy for a UTI and drugs for meals poisoning, simply in case. I didn’t want both, however I used to be glad I had them!

Pepto-bismol tablets. Straightforward to journey with, and ultimate for settling upset stomachs. I introduced round 20 tablets and want I had introduced extra, partially as a result of I shared them with buddies who weren’t feeling nicely.

Laundry detergent sheets. Whereas many motels present laundry service, I discover it useful to scrub underwear within the sink from time to time. I additionally introduced a sink stopper, which is useful when doing a full sinkful of laundry however not crucial for those who’re solely washing a couple of small issues.

Do it is advisable to pack a mosquito internet for Madagascar? Not for many journeys. Mosquito nets are a part of life in Madagascar and so they’re on each mattress. Nevertheless, one of many women on our tour introduced a pop-up mosquito internet for our two nights of untamed tenting, and it was a lot cooler for her than it was for us within the common tents.

Contemplate including on Réunion or Mauritius.

Madagascar is so removed from in all places! If you happen to’re touring this far, why not add on somewhat aspect tour?

Réunion and Mauritius are two islands, every across the dimension of Rhode Island, and situated inside a two-hour flight of Madagascar. I made a decision so as to add per week of solo journey break up between the 2 islands.

Personally, Mauritius didn’t do a lot for me, although I see why some individuals prefer it. I did respect seeing the Hindu temples, a couple of waterfalls, and the large market in Port Louis, Mauritius’s capital. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a seashore resort expertise, although, Mauritius is the island for you!

However Réunion blew my thoughts. Such a beautiful and idyllic island, situated in the course of nowhere, with beautiful volcanic surroundings, scrumptious meals, and maybe probably the most pleasant driving of my life. Come right here for those who love journey, flowers, and wild landscapes (and it helps enormously for those who converse French).

I’ve been speaking up Réunion ever since, and I might love to return again for longer.

Each islands have direct flights to Madagascar, and onward to Europe, which makes them stopover in both course.

Is Madagascar price it?

Madagascar thrilled me, challenged me, introduced me again to my roots, and made me respect the life I’ve. I completely liked my time in Madagascar — excluding the worrisome moments throughout the unrest — and I’m so glad I visited.

Madagascar will not be the place to go for an off-the-cuff journey expertise. Go in figuring out that it’s going to check you bodily, mentally, and emotionally.

However for those who’re okay with a little bit of discomfort, Madagascar will reward you with magnificent pure magnificence, heartwarming kindness, and a glimpse of a world removed from something you’ve ever skilled.

If you happen to’ve learn this publish and suppose Madagascar may be for you, it is best to go. It’s price it.

Extra on Africa:

Extra on what it’s prefer to journey right here:

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