Private journeys in Madagascar
Luxury Madagascar Trips
Lemurs in the rainforest, the Avenue of the Baobabs, the Tsingy, Isalo’s canyons and quiet islands, planned around you by our team.
Why Madagascar with Nova
Madagascar, Planned Around You
A luxury Madagascar trip is a different kind of African journey. The island split from the mainland millions of years ago, and most of its wildlife is found nowhere else, from more than a hundred kinds of lemur to chameleons, the fossa and baobab trees.
Madagascar is large, and its landscapes change quickly: rainforest in the east, sandstone canyons and dry forest in the south and west, limestone pinnacles in the Tsingy and coral islands off the north coast. Roads are slow, so the order of a journey and the choice of flights matter more here than almost anywhere else.
We design each journey from scratch, choosing regions that suit the season and your interests and linking them by domestic flights or private charters. Madagascar connects well with South Africa through Johannesburg, and our team arranges the flights, transfers, guides and lodges, staying in touch from your first enquiry until you are home.
Our promise
“Luxury travel, focused on eco-tourism and protecting Africa’s wildest regions and animals.”
Madagascar’s forests are under pressure, and visitors help make them worth protecting. We favour lodges and guides that support reserves and the communities around them.
Getting there
Antananarivo, then domestic flights or charters
Best time
April to November
Ideal for
Wildlife lovers, photographers, honeymoons and repeat travellers
Combine with
Where we go
Madagascar’s Regions
Madagascar is far more than one famous avenue of trees. These are the areas we plan journeys around, usually three or four in one trip.
The indri
Andasibe-Mantadia
Rainforest a few hours east of the capital, where the indri, the largest lemur, calls through the trees each morning. Night walks for chameleons and frogs.
Rainforest and hot springs
Ranomafana
A mountain rainforest in the southeast, home to the golden bamboo lemur and many other species, with rivers and waterfalls.
Canyons and natural pools
Isalo
Sandstone massifs, deep canyons and natural swimming pools in the south, with ring-tailed lemurs in the gorges.
Baobabs and the fossa
Morondava and Kirindy
The Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset, and the dry forest of Kirindy, one of the best places to look for the fossa.
Stone forests
Tsingy de Bemaraha
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of sharp limestone pinnacles, crossed by trails, ladders and rope bridges. Usually accessible in the dry months only.
Beaches and islands
Nosy Be
Islands off the northwest coast, with private island lodges, snorkelling, diving and boat trips to quiet bays.
Whales and calm water
Île Sainte-Marie
A long island off the east coast, with humpback whales from about July to September and a relaxed pace.
Where the forest meets the sea
Masoala
A remote peninsula in the northeast, where rainforest runs down to the coast, home to the red ruffed lemur.
Over the water
South Africa
Johannesburg is the main connection for many journeys to Madagascar.
When to go
Madagascar Month by Month
Madagascar has a dry season in the middle of the year and a wet season from about December to March. The climate varies a great deal across the island.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | Hot and wet, with cyclone risk. Some areas and roads close. | Only for flexible travellers and some coastal areas |
| April to May | The rains end and the landscapes are green. | Rainforests, Isalo and quieter lodges |
| June to August | Dry and cool, especially in the highlands. | The Tsingy, the west and summer holidays |
| September to October | Warm and dry, with baby lemurs in many forests. | Lemurs, reptiles and whale watching |
| November to December | Warmer, with the first rains in some regions. | Wildlife, beaches and fewer visitors |
April to November is the main season for most of the island. The Tsingy de Bemaraha is usually open only in the dry months, and humpback whales visit the east coast from about July to September.
Getting there
Getting to Madagascar
Most international flights arrive at Antananarivo, the capital. Nosy Be also has some international connections.
From Europe
Air France flies from Paris to Antananarivo, and Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul via Mauritius. Other routes connect through Mauritius, Réunion, Nairobi or Addis Ababa.
From the USA and Canada
There are no nonstop flights. Most travellers connect through Paris, Johannesburg or Addis Ababa, and many combine Madagascar with a few days in South Africa.
From the Gulf
Connect through Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Johannesburg to Antananarivo.
Around Madagascar
Domestic flights and private charters link the regions, and some journeys use road transfers with a private driver guide. Schedules can change, so we build some flexibility into every itinerary.
Flight times are approximate and routes change, including seasonal and regional changes, so we confirm the current options when we plan your journey.
Experiences
Ways to Experience Madagascar
Every journey is built around what matters to you. These are some of the things our guests ask for most.
Lemurs
Walks in the Forest
Walk with a local naturalist guide to find lemurs, chameleons and birds, by day and at night.
Photography
A Photographer’s Island
Baobabs at sunset, the Tsingy and wildlife found nowhere else, with time to wait for the light.
Expert guides
Learn the Island
Local guides know where to find each species and explain the island’s unusual natural history.
The islands
Time by the Sea
End your trip on an island off Nosy Be or Île Sainte-Marie, with snorkelling and quiet beaches.
Honeymoons
Time for Two
Rainforest, baobabs and a private island lodge, with time on the beach to finish.
Families
Travel Together
Older children often love the lemurs and chameleons. We keep travel days short and plan for comfort.
Sample journey
Eleven Nights: Andasibe, the Baobabs and Nosy Be
A starting point only. We change the regions, lodges and pace to suit you, and can add Isalo, the Tsingy or a few days in Cape Town if you wish.
Day 1
Arrive in Antananarivo
Fly in via Paris, Istanbul or Johannesburg in South Africa. You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel.
Days 1 to 2
Antananarivo
A night in the capital to rest after the journey.
Days 2 to 5
Andasibe
Drive east to the rainforest for three nights, with walks to see the indri and night walks for chameleons.
Days 5 to 8
Morondava and Kirindy
Fly west for the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset and walks in Kirindy forest.
Days 8 to 12
Nosy Be and home
Fly north to an island lodge for four nights by the sea, then return through Antananarivo for your flight home.
Good to know
Madagascar Travel FAQs
Do I need a visa for Madagascar?
At the time of writing, US, Canadian, UK, EU and GCC passport holders need a tourist visa, which can be applied for online before travel or obtained on arrival. The fee depends on the length of stay. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive.
What counts is the passport you travel on, not where you live. Rules and fees change, so please check the current requirements before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Madagascar?
April to November is the dry season and the best time for most of the island. September to November is good for lemurs and reptiles. January to March is the wet season, with cyclone risk and some areas closed.
Is Madagascar safe for travellers?
On a Nova journey you are met on arrival, travel with private guides and drivers, and stay in lodges we have chosen carefully. We follow current government travel advice, such as that from the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office, and plan routes accordingly.
Do I need malaria tablets or vaccinations?
Madagascar is a malaria area, so speak to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention before you travel. Also check the yellow fever certificate rules for your route.
How much does a luxury Madagascar trip cost?
The number of domestic flights or charters, the island lodges and the length of the trip make the biggest difference. Tell us your budget and we will show you the best way to use it.
Is Madagascar good for a family trip?
Yes, for families who enjoy nature and do not mind some travel. Children often love the lemurs and chameleons. We keep travel days short and choose lodges that suit your family.
Combine Madagascar with
More of Africa
Start planning
Let’s Design Your Madagascar Trip
Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what you hope to see, and we will design a Madagascar trip around you. Our team works across Dubai, the United States and South Africa, planning journeys for travellers from around the world.
Prefer email? info@novasafaris.com