Madagascar
5% of all known animal and plant species can be found only in Madagascar, making it unique. The island’s most famous resident is, unquestionably, the Lemur. Still, there are many other exotic animals and flora to discover, including baobabs, insects, sharks, frogs, orchids, palm trees, birds, turtles, and mongooses. The list goes on and on.
Epic landscapes of great diversity complement the fantastic wildlife. In only 300km, you can go from rainforest to desert. Few locations on Earth provide such a vivid mixture of nature. When you have 5000 kilometers of coastline, the water is never far away, turquoise and beautiful in some areas but deadly in others. Madagascar is a unique destination for adventure seekers. Off-road driving is phenomenal through national parks that only receive a few hundred visitors a year.
MADAGASCAR HIGHLIGHTS
- Arrive in the pinteresque Antananarivo-Tana
- Explore the Lemurs’ Park and Birding for Endemics in Tsarasaotra Bird Sanctuary
- Visit the fantastic Berenty Reserve and explore its wide variety of ecosystems
- Contact with locals in a Kirindy village
- Visit the Marofandilia Reserve and look for Pygmy Mouse Lemurs
- Explore the Tana King’s Palace
- Chameleons & The Cloud Forest of Madagascar
- Explore one of the most important national parks in Madagascar: The Andasibe National Park
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!
Time and Weather
Madagascar has a warm tropical climate, but there are significant regional variations. In the interior highlands, a cooler and less humid environment is experienced. There is a lot of rain throughout the year on the east coast, but the southwest is usually hot and dry. However, there is a wet season (November to April) and a dry season (May to October) throughout the country. Winter is in full swing throughout the peak season (July and August), with moderate daytime temperatures and chilly evenings (cold in the highlands).
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Madagascar is determined by the activities and sights you wish to see. After the rains that fell between January and March, the land is lush and green, with lemurs and reptiles active and easy to detect. While there are periodic severe rainstorms from April to June, they are interspersed with sunshine. July and August are mild and dry, making this a great season to explore. The whales come in July and stay until the end of September on Île Sainte-Marie. The weather is enjoyable between September and November, being pleasant and mild. This is also the time of year when jacarandas bloom and many lemurs give birth. While it is hot in December, lemurs, reptiles, and tenrecs are active, making for excellent wildlife watching.
The New Path Expeditions’ favorite time to explore Madagascar is between September and October. A time when the temperatures are not too hot, and babies’ lemures just have been born.
Wildlife
Madagascar is a hotspot of diversity, offering a unique type of safari. You will not see the «normal» safari animals here; there are no elephants or lions. Instead, the island is home to more than 100 species of lemurs and a host of reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Most of these animals are endemic to Madagascar. Of particular interest are chameleons, which vary widely in color, shape, and size.
The lemur is Madagascar’s emblem. But more strange and fascinating species are found there, including the spectacular fossa (a predatory feline), colorful and camouflaged chameleons, bizarrely formed insects and humpback whales in winter. Whether it’s the distinctive baobabs or the hundreds of orchids, the trees and flora are stunning.
Our Madagascar Expeditions
Madagascar 2024
Duration | 12 days
The most complete itinerary to explore the Island of endemics, Madagascar. One of the greatest wildlife expeditions on earth. A wildlife photographer’s dream!
Madagascar Sep 04, 2023
Duration | 12 days
The most complete itinerary to explore the Island of endemics, Madagascar. One of the greatest wildlife expeditions on earth. A wildlife photographer’s dream!
Madagascar Private
Duration | 12 days
The most complete itinerary to explore the Island of endemics, Madagascar. One of the greatest wildlife expeditions on earth. A wildlife photographer’s dream!
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Learn about MADAGASCAR
Articles about MADAGASCAR
The Lemurs of Madagascar
Madagascar is known across the globe for its lemurs, which resemble a mix between a cat, a squirrel, and a dog. These species are only found on the island and exhibit a variety of fascinating habits, like singing like a whale (the Indri) and sashaying across the sand...
The Red-fronted Lemur
The Red-fronted lemur is medium-sized lemur with a long tail, the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons) differs in appearance between the sexes. Although the male and female don’t differ in size, the male red-fronted lemur exhibits a gray to grey-brown coat with a...
The Top 10 Nature Parks to Experience Madagascar’s Incredible Wildlife
A jewel of the western Indian Ocean, the Island of Madagascar holds the World record in endemic species. Its treasures are conserved and protected by natural parks and reserves across the country. We gave our local naturalists the task of selecting the top 10 Nature...
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Guest Comments
“After 20 years of traveling, we never learned so much and had as much fun as with you guys!”
– Jack N. Douglas, CO
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– Harriet T. Saugerties, NY
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