Aerial view of Miavana island off the coast of Madagascar with turquoise waters surrounding it.

Madagascar Travel Guide

Important travel tips & information for your Madagascar trip

Tel.  +49 211 975 333 23
Plan your trip now

All essential information for your Madagascar trip at a glance

Madagascar captivates with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. From lush rainforests and vast highlands to picturesque beaches, the island is truly unique. Explore Andasibe National Park, take a boat trip on the Tsiribihina River, or relax on the stunning beaches of Nosy Be.

This guide provides all the key information on best travel times, entry requirements, safety, health, and national parks. Benefit from our expertise and discover valuable tips for your Madagascar adventure. Get inspired and plan your tailor-made journey with Safari Memories.

Facts

  1. #1

    Population

    Approximately 29 million people

  2. #2

    Official Language

    Malagasy and French

  3. #3

    Visa

    Entry with an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival

  4. #4

    Time Difference

    EAT time zone, two hours ahead of Central European Time (CET)

  5. #5

    Currency

    Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

A row of tall baobab trees at sunset on Madagascar with a rainbow in the sky.

Best Travel Time Madagascar
Madagascar enchants with exotic landscapes, unique wildlife, and tropical beaches. However, the climate varies greatly between rainforests, highlands, and coastal regions. Whether you want to experience lemurs in the jungle, hike through the Tsingy, or relax on the beaches of the Indian Ocean – the ideal travel time depends on your plans. Find out when Madagascar is the most beautiful for you!
Read more
A hiker with a backpack traverses a narrow rocky path between jagged cliffs during sunset, surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic rock formations.

Adventurous Activities in Madagascar
Adventure in Madagascar: Experiences for explorers. Tsingy, diving, trekking, canoeing, night safari – discover Madagascar’s wild side.
Read more
A backpack on a trail surrounded by lush green jungle with sunlight streaming through the trees

Packing List for Madagascar
What to bring: Clothing, gear, tips – perfectly prepared for nature, adventure, and climate.
Read more
Medical vials, a syringe, a stethoscope, and documents on a wooden table outdoors in sunlight.

Vaccinations and Health Precautions for Madagascar
Key facts: Mandatory vaccines, malaria, hygiene – how to stay safe.
Read more
A woman counting and handling various banknotes of Malagasy ariary at a market stall.

Currency and Payment Options in Madagascar
How to pay right: Ariary, exchange, cards, cash – all essentials for your trip.
Read more
A scenic view of a winding road through green hills with mountains in the background under a bright blue sky.

Safety Tips for Madagascar
Stay protected.: Risk areas, weather, emergency contacts – all for a safe trip.
Read more
A vehicle driving along a dirt road through lush greenery with a blue sky overhead.

Local Transportation in Madagascar
How to travel: Taxi-Brousse, domestic flights, rental cars – all options with tips and info.
Read more
A vast desert landscape with green shrubs, a water body, and distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Entry Requirements for Madagascar
What you need to know: Visas, fees, documents, and rules at a glance. Avoid entry issues.
Read more
A vibrant sunset over the Baobab trees lining a dirt road in Madagascar.

Top Attractions in Madagascar

Island highlights: Baobabs, Tsingy, parks, beaches – Madagascar's most stunning natural wonders.
Read more
Vast green landscape of a national park in Madagascar with rocky hills and a partly cloudy sky.

National Parks in Madagascar
National parks in Madagascar: 5 natural paradises. Lemurs, rainforests, Tsingy – top parks for your adventure.
Read more
Sunrise over jagged rock formations with mist and lush green forest in the background.

Unique Wildlife and Natural Wonders in Madagascar
Wildlife and natural wonders of Madagascar: Island highlights. Lemurs, Tsingy, Baobabs – unique species and stunning landscapes.
Read more
A pristine, crescent-shaped beach with white sand and turquoise waters, surrounded by lush greenery and a rocky headland, under a partly cloudy sky.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Madagascar
Best beaches in Madagascar: Your tropical paradise. Nosy Iranja, Île aux Nattes, Anakao – white sands, turquoise waters, pure relaxation.
Read more

Your personal contact

A woman with long hair pulled back, smiling, wearing a blazer and a white shirt, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.
Dana Leidel

A young woman with long wavy hair smiling outdoors with a blurred natural background.
Julia Veil

  • Speaks languages:German, English

You might also like this

A hammock strung between two palm trees on a sunny tropical beach with clear blue ocean and sky in the background.

African Adventures: The Best Safari and Beach Combinations
6 min read

Kenya: Safari in the Masai Mara and Beach Vacation in Diani Beach Ideal for families, groups, and couples. Best Travel Time The optimal time to combine a safari in the Masai Mara with a beach vacation in Diani Beach is from July to October or from December to March. Particularly, the months of July and August offer the best chances to witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara while enjoying perfect beach conditions in Diani Beach. Highlights The Great Migration in the Masai Mara from July to October. Watching the "Big Five" - lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. River cr...

... Read more
A woman with a large backpack walking through a grassy savannah during sunset, wearing a hat and outdoor clothes.

Packing List for an African Safari
4 min read

The Right Clothing for an African Safari Choosing the right clothing is crucial for adapting to the climatic conditions and activities during your safari. It’s not just about comfort and protection from the elements but also about enhancing your wilderness encounters. Basic Clothing Items Certain clothing items are essential for any safari, providing both protection and practicality: Long-Sleeved Shirts and Long Pants: These protect your skin from the sun, insect bites, and scratches from thorns or brush. Despite the heat in many parts of Africa, these items are essential for staying warm ...

... Read more
A vast plain in the Central Serengeti with a large herd of wildebeests and zebras migrating across the landscape.

The Great Migration
7 min read

What is the Great Migration? Imagine standing in the middle of the vast, golden savannahs of Africa, surrounded by millions of migrating animals. The Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle is a truly awe-inspiring natural spectacle that crosses the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya every year. This epic journey, during which the herds cover over 800 kilometers, follows the ancient rhythm of the rainy seasons and the growth of fresh grasses. Every year, around 1.2 million wildebeest, accompanied by 300,000 zebras and countless gazelles, migrate across the endless pla...

... Read more