Guide to how Madagascar works

Madagascar is one of the most unique and diverse destinations in the Indian Ocean with amazing wildlife encounters on offer, scenery like no other and some of the most exceptional beaches to be found in this part of the world. It is incredibly important to travel to Madagascar with an open mind and realistic expectations, so that you make the most of your time here and don’t come home feeling disappointed. Here we give our rundown on how to prepare and what to expect.

Guide to Madagascar's top 10 wildlife species

Madagascar is fast-becoming the place to go for Africa old-hands looking for something new and for those wanting an assault of their senses. Regarded as the Eighth Continent because of its diversity of flora and fauna and unique melting pot of cultures, here we give the rundown on our top 10 species from this kaleidoscope of nature.

Our guide to Masoala National Park

A trip to Madagascar is high on the list for many wildlife enthusiasts, with over 80% of the flora and fauna found there being endemic to the island. Described as a kaleidoscope of nature, there is plenty of amazing species to go in search of. With aye-ayes, lemurs and whales, we believe Masoala National Park has it all! Here we tell you why we love this protected park in the far north of the country.

Discover Madagascar

Taking in the highlights of Madagascar, this is the perfect adventure for those in search of lemurs with the chance to explore incredible rainforests, rugged canyons and the beautiful coast at Ifaty - there could be few better ways to explore Madagascar.

When To Go To Madagascar

Madagascar is a year-round destination but visitors should be aware that there is a dry season from April to October and a wet season from December to March.

The Dry Season - May to October

The period between May to October is the most pleasant time to travel to Madagascar, with cooler temperatures and little rain. In May, the rainy season is almost over but some areas are still hard to reach because of the state of roads after the rainfalls. Until June it is “low season”, so prices are cheaper now than during the following months. This is the season of the rice crops on the highlands, a real impressive event to see.

The Wet Season - November to April

January to March has heavy rains and cyclones, especially in the east and north-east.

The roads are sometimes impassable and muddy and some lodges will close at this time. Despite being rainy season, during this period, the central parts will be a lot drier and cooler, with temperatures around 25ºC (77ºF).