Madagascar

Be enchanted with Madagascar safaris through the allure of the landscape, wildlife and people of this vibrant Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Africa. Your holiday to Madagascar will be filled with a multitude of sights and sounds, starting upon arrival in the capital city of Antananarivo, affectionately known as Tana. Surrounded by national parks and reserves, the city is the springboard for your discovery of Madagascar. Experience the safari of a lifetime to Madagascar as the country is abundantly rich in unique wildlife and vegetation, with 90 % of the species on Madagascar found nowhere else on earth. These include 50 different lemurs, including the Indri, the biggest living lemur, that can be observed in the Andasibe National Park.

There are countless other wilderness wonderlands waiting to be explored on your Madagascar vacation. Make sure to include the picture-perfect natural phenomenon of the Avenue of Baobabs in your itinerary to Madagascar, as well as the great variety of geckos and chameleons in the lush surroundings of Masoala National Park, the incredible hiking opportunities in the cliffs and canyons of Isalo National Park and the breath-taking waterfalls and volcanic lakes in Montagne D’ambre National Park. Discover Madagascar’s beautiful tropical beaches, an unmissable inclusion in any holiday plans to this stunning location. The rich turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs of Nosy Be are filled with fascinating marine species and are also the site of the spectacular whale shark migration. Ile Sainte Marie is a tropical paradise in Madagascar, its beaches lined with coconut palms and its waters a prime snorkeling and diving spot.

Experience the most magical of journeys with a Madagascar holiday package expertly planned by Jenman African Safaris. The breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife and pristine beaches make Madagascar the perfect place for the safari of a lifetime. Discover the best lemur experiences that Madagascar has to offer in the incredible Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. As Madagascar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is a landscape of towers, rifts and canyons. Marvel at the sight of a multitude of rare lemur species on your Madagascar vacation to Tsingy.

Observing the cave-dwelling crocodiles in Ankarana National Park, will turn your Madagascar wildlife safari into an exceptional experience. This natural wonderland in Madagascar also boasts numerous lemur species, 14 different types of bats, 60 amphibian and reptile species and more than 90 bird species.

Renowned for its production of wine and tea, Fianarantsoa is the place to go to experience an authentic island lifestyle on your Madagascar safari. Spend time on your Madagascar holiday wandering through the town or walking in the stunning natural surroundings, passing sites like the impressive Ambozontany Cathedral.

Include the charming port city of Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, in your plans to discover Madagascar. From its beautiful natural surroundings to delicious Creole and Indian cuisine, the city offers a springboard to discover the north of Madagascar. Top your Madagascar vacation with a dip in the crystal clear turquoise water of the Emerald Sea.

Travellers coming to Madagascar are often worried about their safety, health and the reputation of the tour operator they are travelling with. We answer the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) here

We recognise that the cultures, environments and economies that we visit can be fragile and require an ongoing commitment from us to ensure that we have a lasting positive effect. Tourism, when carried out in a responsible manner, can be a real help to local communities in providing income, positive cultural exchanges and the financial incentive to protect their natural environment. We run our safaris in keeping within ecotourism guidelines.

Most lodges and hotels cater for families with children. We can advise and tailor-make tours that incorporate fun activities, best months to travel to avoid high temperatures and short travel distances suitable for children.

Madagascar is becoming more popular for a honeymoon destination. The island offers all kinds of experiences whether you prefer to plan: a relaxing, romantic beach holiday; an adrenaline-filled adventure or a tour to photograph beautiful spaces, places and people – Madagascar has it all.

We can tailor-make any experience for you.

Tourism in Madagascar is still very much in its infancy stage. Booking tours with Jenman African Safaris will ensure you will have a vacation with running water, flushing toilets, electricity (sometimes produced with a generator for a few hours and switched off at night for example from 11 PM to 6 AM), and hygienic and clean accommodation. Tours are divided into classic, superior and exquisite so that you can choose which comfort and luxury level you require.

There are around 30 four-star hotels in Madagascar, the nicest of them are probably Anjajavy and Constance Tsarabanjina. There are only three Five star hotels in Madagascar, Miavana Lodge on Nosy Ankao (high luxury), Carlton and Novotel in the capital city Antananarivo. Luxury tents are also an option for accommodation at the Mandrare River Camp on the Barefoot Luxury Southern Explorer tour.

Currency
The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). One Ariary (Ar) is divided into 5 iraimbilanja, which turns it into one of the two circulating currencies with a non-decimal division in the world.
There are banknotes of 10,000 MGA, 5,000 MGA, 2,000 MGA, 1,000 MGA, 500 MGA, 200 MGA and 100 MGA. There are even coins from 1 up to 50 Ar. The one of 50 Ar is very beautiful and has baobabs carved on it.

Banking
Banks are normally open from 08h00 to 12h00 and 14h00 to 15h30 on weekdays.
Credit cards (the most useful credit card is VISA CARD) are only accepted in large hotels, restaurants and some shops, mainly in Antananarivo. In the other big cities, you can get cash from Automatic Cash Machines (ATM) only with VISA CARDS. There’s now also an ATM at the airport in Antananarivo. Don’t rely on ATM machines only; they are often out of order. Keep some cash in Euro for emergencies.

Madagascar is a huge place, the roads can be bad and travel times long. Internal flights can be huge time-savers but can be expensive. Private vehicle and driver is a great alternative. Due to the often difficult driving conditions, most rental agencies make hiring a driver compulsory with their vehicles. Driving in Madagascar is on the right-hand side. Police checkpoints are frequent.

Madagascar’s cuisine is traditionally based on rice, which is served with vegetables, meat and spicy seasoning. Malagasy enjoy very spicy food, therefore many dishes are prepared with hot peppers or any other spices. The dishes are usually flavoured with garlic, ginger, onion or curry. Desserts are flavoured with vanilla.

Drinking tap water isn’t recommended in Madagascar. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Most hotels have drinking water available. It’s also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

The best time to travel in most areas is April and October/November. The coolest time to travel anywhere is during the dry season (May to October), but during this time the Hauts plateaux (central highlands; which include Antananarivo) can get cold and windy, with freezing showers.

January to March there is heavy rainfall in many areas and a high risk of cyclones in the east and northeast. The west and southwest get searingly hot during summer, but the winter months in these regions are pleasant, with blue skies, cooler temperatures and little rain. Most rain in the northeast falls from July to September.

Average maximum temperatures vary from about 30°C in coastal areas (higher in summer) to around 25°C on the Hauts plateaux. In Antananarivo and other highland areas, temperatures during winter can drop to 10°C and even lower during the night.

To cope with the Madagascan climate, light material should be worn during the summer on high central plateaux and throughout the year in the north and south. Cotton and natural fibres work better in this sweaty weather. Warmer clothes are advised for during the evenings and winter in mountainous areas. Rainwear is advisable as a precaution.

Internet cafes are found in some of the larger cities like Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa and Antananarivo. Smaller towns and remote areas will have far less access, so prepare to disconnect when travelling out of urban centres.

In Madagascar, the two-pronged plug and the European standard socket are the most used with a tension of 220 volts (but it may go down to 170 volts in some areas at peak times)

Except for the height of the wet season, Madagascar is regarded as a destination that can be visited throughout the year. The best time for your Madagascar safari, however, will depend on what you intend to include in your vacation plans.

The months of April and May and then again between September to November are peak viewing times for your Madagascar holiday and to view the country’s weird and wonderful wildlife. The iconic lemurs of Madagascar can be seen all year round but breeding generally occurs between October and December. Humpback whales can be seen off the coast of Madagascar in July and August. September to mid-December is best for birdwatching in Madagascar.

The perfect time for a relaxing beach holiday in Madagascar is between September and December. If you intend to discover Madagascar on a hiking trip, the cool, dry months between May and October are the most optimum time.

Dry season in Madagascar

Most of the activities on your safari of a lifetime to Madagascar is best suited to the dry season and the period between May and October. Temperatures on Madagascar are mild and pleasant while the humidity is low. Do remember to pack some layers as evenings and early mornings on your Madagascar vacation during this time can sometimes be a bit cool.

Wet season in Madagascar

Should you consider planning your Madagascar safari during the wet season, between November and April, take note that some establishments close operations in February and March. Heavy downpours can also be expected in December and January in Madagascar and waterproof clothing is essential. You can also expect hot and humid conditions on your Madagascar vacation.