Holidays to Madagascar
Tailor-made journeys to Madagascar — ancient baobab forests, endemic wildlife, turquoise coastlines and a culture like nowhere else on Earth, crafted by Indian Ocean specialists since 1999.
Everything you need to know before booking.
The eighth continent. Separated from mainland Africa around 88 million years ago, Madagascar evolved in near-total isolation — which is why roughly 90% of its wildlife exists nowhere else on Earth. From lemurs and chameleons to thousand-year-old baobabs, it is one of the planet's great biodiversity hotspots. The fourth-largest island in the world, it became a French colony in 1896 and regained independence in 1960.
Home to around 30 million inhabitants, the Malagasy people blend Austronesian, African and Arab roots into a culture unlike any other, centred on ancestor worship and local customs known as "fady". Malagasy is the national language, with French widely spoken. The landscapes are just as varied — rainforests in the east, spiny deserts in the south, central highlands, and turquoise coastlines and reefs around Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie.
The best time to visit is the dry season, from April to November, ideal for wildlife, hiking and beaches — with whale watching off the east coast from July to September. Avoid January to March, the rainy and cyclone season, when many roads become impassable. Climate varies sharply by region, so itineraries are built around where you want to go.
Entry requirements
- Visa for all — every visitor needs a tourist visa, available on arrival or as an e-visa, for stays up to 90 days.
- Passport validity — must be valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 3 blank pages.
- Proof of travel — a return or onward ticket is required, and accommodation may be requested.
- Tourism fees — Madagascar has no single national tourism tax, but visitors pay specific fees depending on where they travel, stay and transit, including local hotel accommodation taxes, visa and border fees, and national park entry charges.
- Travel insurance — valid insurance covering the entire stay is required.
- Full requirements — all entry requirements are illustrated on the official website.
Visa fees & e-visa
Stays of up to 15 days carry only a small administrative fee, while 30 and 60-day visas are paid according to length. We recommend the official e-visa, applied for a few days before departure, to skip the airport queues. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from an at-risk country.
How to reach us
- Online form — fill in the booking form on this website.
- WhatsApp — message us at +230 59 86 56 01.
- Email — write to reservation@artofholidays-mauritius.com.
Based in Mauritius with trusted partners on the ground in Madagascar, our Sales Team handles every query, quote and booking directly.
Bookings & payments
A partial deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 30–60 days before arrival. Your contract is finalised only once the provider issues a confirmation or invoice. Anyone booking for others assumes responsibility for ensuring all travellers abide by the terms.
Cancellations & refunds
- Scaled fees — charges increase the closer you cancel to departure.
- Varies by season — terms differ depending on the travel period.
- Service-dependent — hotels and providers each apply their own policy.
We'll always confirm the exact cancellation and refund terms in writing before you commit to a booking.
What's included, and what's not.
What's included
- Welcome & greet — personal meet-and-greet on arrival at the airport.
- Arrival transfer — private transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- Accommodation — your chosen stay with the meal plan booked.
- Dedicated assistance — local support throughout your stay.
- Departure transfer — private transfer from your hotel to the airport.
What's not included
- Flights — international and domestic airfare.
- Visa & tours — entry visa, national parks and guided wildlife tours on request.
- Personal expenses — meals, drinks and extras outside your plan.
Things to do in Madagascar.
01Highland towns
Wander the red-brick streets and historic churches of Madagascar's central highlands.
02The red roads
Cross the wild interior on iconic ochre tracks lined with endless palm groves.
03Nosy Be islands
Sail to deserted islets and turquoise sandbanks off the northwest coast.
04Meet the lemurs
Come face to face with the lemurs found nowhere else on Earth.
05Fishing villages
Discover traditional pirogues and Vezo life along untouched white-sand beaches.
Handpicked stays, matched to you.
From rainforest lodges to beachfront resorts on Nosy Be, Madagascar's accommodation is as varied as its landscapes. Your itinerary is built around the style and the route that fit you best.
Beach resorts
Island comfort on Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie, by turquoise waters.
Rainforest eco-lodges
Wildlife-focused lodges beside the national parks and lemur reserves.
Charming city hotels
Comfortable bases in Antananarivo for arrivals and departures.
Boutique & character
Distinctive stays full of local soul along the main routes.
All our partner lodges are personally vetted — so whatever your route, we'll match you with a place we'd send our own family to.
Vetted lodges