Adventure tour in Madagascar: Embark on a journey with unique tours, between untamed nature and unforgettable discoveries.
Trekking in Madagascar: Explore Madagascar's breathtaking landscapes through our unforgettable trekking tours.
Family trip to Madagascar: Create unforgettable memories with our tailored stays for all ages.
Entry to Madagascar requires a six-month passport with three blank pages. Visas are available in advance or on arrival for stays under three months. Visas are available for purchase in US dollars, euros, or Malagasy ariary, except credit cards.
The majority of trips to Madagascar go smoothly. It is best to go with well-established organizations or travel businesses that are familiar with the area and can forewarn you of potential dangers and local customs in advance.
In Madagascar, muggings and robberies are prevalent. Visitors should be cautious in Madagascar. Avoid rural areas if traveling alone. Not recommended: walking alone or at night. To avoid escalating violence, you should not resist when confronted with armed robbery.
Political protests can occur, especially in Antananarivo. You should avoid protests and demonstrations due to violence.
All visit to Batterie Beach, where there have been violent attacks, including fatalities, is strongly discouraged
November-April is cyclone season. Cyclones can disrupt services.
Madagascar ranks among Africa's fastest broadband internet providers with an average download speed of 42.84 Mbps, despite being one of the world's poorest countries, according to the September 2021 Speedtest Global Index. On the other hand, only 2.1 percent of Madagascar's population has access to high-speed internet. Hotels in major cities like Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, and Antananarivo offer free wifi access. However, the internet is not common outside these areas.
Yes, major cities have some cellular coverage. The best and cheapest way to stay connected when in Madagascar is to buy a local prepaid SIM card instead of international roaming. Madagascar has four 4G-enabled telecom providers: Telma, Airtel Madagascar, Orange Madagascar, and Bip.
Madagascar is powered by 220V, 50Hz power, which means that any 110V device will not work without a converter. Adapters for C & E outlets are required.
While the toilets in hotels, lodges, camps, restaurants, and gas stations are standard western-style toilets, those in National Parks may be squat toilets. Madagascar has one of the lowest sanitation levels in the world, with less than 10% of households having a private toilet.
No, tap water in Madagascar is unsafe to drink. We recommend that you always drink bottled or filtered water provided by your tour operator during your time in Madagascar.
Although not to be relied upon exclusively, ATMs are available in most major cities (Bekopaka in Tsingy of Bemaraha is an exception). ATMs run out of money on weekends. Only large resorts, shops, and hotels take credit cards, and most establishments only accept cash.
Always. As a precaution, travel insurance is a wise investment that might save you thousands of dollars and provide a sense of security. On our Once You're Booked page, we feature some fantastic Redpoint deals.
Depending on the quality of the tour, you can tip your guide for $10 or more and leave similar or minimal gratuities in resorts and restaurants. Reward a porter who handles your luggage with $1 per bag. Tips are always appreciated but not expected. Aim to tip in Ariary. Dollars, euros, or even British pounds have little use on the island.
For the majority of Madagascar, cyclone season begins in November and lasts until April. Damage and contamination to water supplies can occur in distant sections of the country, notably along the coasts.
The RN7 is possible to travel all year round. To prepare for weather conditions, here are some tips to keep in mind
Peak season It's good to be aware that July - October is peak season, and cars and hotels are booked months in advance. Travelling with camping gear? Then you have flexibility on your side and there is no need to book accommodation ahead of time.
Rainy season Rainy season in Madagascar starts in January and ends in March. As the west and east coasts are generally most affected by rains and cyclones, travelling along the RN7 and Northern Madagascar offers no issues.
Coldest time of year Madagascar's coolest months are June and July. Winter daytime temperatures are still very pleasant and even warm along the coast, but at night, temperatures drop to 5-10C in the highlands (Antananarivo, Andasibe, Antsirabe).
The overland route from Antananarivo to Nosy Be (Ankify) and Diego Suarez is fine for traveling year-round. Even though most rain falls between January - March, the temperature remains pleasant. Furthermore, the countryside is at its prettiest this time of year. Do take note that Nosy Be is very humid between January and April.
Around Nosy Be, humpback whales can be seen from mid-August until the end of October. Turtles and dolphins are regular visitors year round.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing season in Northern Madagascar runs from mid March to mid December and it peaks between June and September when the wind is strongest.
Hiking in Marojejy National Park is best done from April to May and from September to December.
The west coast route is a real 4x4 adventure, with sandy tracks, river crossings, and bushland. We allow roadtrippers to self-drive, but 4x4 driving experience is necessary. There are areas with limited to no phone reception. For less experienced and confident drivers, we advise using the services of a navigator, a so-called 'pisteur'. You can select this option in our bookings form.
These are local guys who hardly speak English but know the region by heart. The pisteur helps you navigate, particularly where you need to cross the rivers when the tide is high. The pisteur joins you in your vehicle, but you still drive yourself; he only gives instructions.
A pisteur for the West Coast route costs €25/day and this is an all-inclusive rate (he arranges his own accommodation, food & drinks).
As there are no public transport options along the West Coast, note that he can only step in from Tulear to Morondava or vice versa.
The West Coast of Madagascar and the Tsingy de Bemaraha are usually accessible from May up to mid-November, depending on the start/end of the rainy season. When visiting Madagascar in May or November, there is no guarantee that the area is accessible. When collecting your car, we therefore advise you to ask our team at Road Trip Madagascar about the road conditions and accessibility.
The weather is unpredictable along the east coast of Madagascar. Days of rain and wind can be interspersed with calm, sunny weather throughout the year. It is always warm though. The most stable months tend to be June, and August till December.
July to September is the best time to see humpback whales at Ile Sainte Marie, but you could also be lucky in June and October.
During the rainy season, Northern Madagascar experiences heavy rainfall. However, the rain often falls in short, intense bursts, followed by sunshine. The landscape becomes incredibly lush, with vibrant green rainforests and rice fields. It's a great time for birdwatching, as many species are in their full breeding plumage.
The dry season in Northern Madagascar is generally warm and less humid. The weather is perfect for exploring the outdoors, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Wildlife is also easier to spot during this time, as animals gather around dwindling water sources.
