We’re forever exploring places that position our travelers to feel one step ahead of the travel curve—and while a Madagascar vacation might not have been on your radar, our findings from a recent scouting trip to this African island just may change that.
…in a very special category reserved for those seeking the next chapter in adventure-driven, soul-stirring travel.
While we’ll always be fans of perennial favorites like Italy and France, as a community, SmartFlyer travel advisors are equally drawn to destinations that feel refreshingly under the radar and, in the best instances, unclaimed by social media. In a world that feels increasingly discovered, a Madagascar vacation presents the chance to uncover a rich and complex history set against a remarkably untouched landscape teeming with options for adventure. It is a place where conservation blends with your wildest castaway fantasy, and as such, we’re placing a Madagascar vacation in a very special category reserved for those seeking the next chapter in adventure-driven, soul-stirring travel.
Why Plan a Trip to Madagascar?
Madagascar offers something entirely different: a chance to experience nature and ancient culture in its most surreal form.
For the well-explored traveler who has already tracked the Big Five in Botswana and soaked up barefoot glamour in Sumba or the Seychelles, Madagascar offers something entirely different: a chance to experience nature and ancient culture in its most surreal form. Having broken off from the Indian subcontinent some 88 million years ago, Madagascar’s isolation has given rise to ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. In fact, over 90 percent of its wildlife is endemic, giving you the chance to discover wildlife that’s distinct to this part of the world.
What To Do in Madagascar
If a Madagascar vacation isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be. The ultimate destination for adventurous souls, there are more than enough things to do here to justify a week-long Madagascar vacation. Equally, you’d be just as justified if you choose to do absolutely nothing at all and simply immerse yourself in the beauty that is l’isola. With that said, these are some of our favorite things to do on this very special island:
- Track Lemurs in the Wild | Get up close with Madagascar’s most iconic residents on guided treks through lush rainforests or dry deciduous reserves. Spot the wide-eyed mouse lemur, the smallest primate on Earth, or the elusive aye-aye with its long, skeletal fingers and nocturnal habits. In Anjajavy or Andasibe, listen for the haunting calls of the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, or observe the graceful leaps of sifakas—known for their almost balletic movement through the trees.
- All. The. Water. Sports. | Snorkel over vibrant coral gardens, dive into the deep with turtles and rays, paddle through mangrove forests, or try your hand at deep-sea fishing in the crystalline waters off Nosy Be or Nosy Ankao. Madagascar’s marine life is as rich and unspoiled as its land-based wonders, with visibility and biodiversity that rival those anywhere in the Indian Ocean. Cap off a morning on the water with a private island picnic.
- Ancient Baobabs | Venture inland to witness these towering, centuries-old trees that look straight out of a fairytale. The Avenue of the Baobabs is one of (if not the most!) photographed parts of the island, and is best experienced at golden hour—an experience your SmartFlyer travel advisor can help arrange ahead of your arrival.
- Support Conservation Efforts | Connect with the deeper story of Madagascar by participating in local conservation programs. Depending on your lodge of choice, you might help plant native species, learn about lemur rehabilitation, or visit a community-led sea turtle sanctuary.
- Helicopter adventures | For a completely different perspective, we love chartering a private helicopter to fly over the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha or the dramatic coastline of Nosy Ankao.
Best Time to Visit Madagascar
If you’re looking for the best time to visit, the dry season, which runs from April to November, is ideal for both land and sea adventures for a Madagascar vacation. Wildlife is easier to spot, trails are more accessible, and beach days are reliably sun-soaked. Whale watching peaks between July and September, while snorkeling and diving are best from October onward, when water clarity is at its finest. The wet season, from December to March, brings heavy rains to many regions—especially in the east—during which some properties temporarily close.
How to Get to Madagascar
While it may feel remote, Madagascar is more connected than you’d expect. Travelers typically arrive via Paris or Johannesburg, both of which offer direct flights into Antananarivo. There are also options via Nosy Be through Johannesburg and Addis Ababa.
Ready to plan your luxury Madagascar vacation or combine it with a safari in East or South Africa?
Our team of SmartFlyer travel advisors recently returned and is ready to guide you through the intricacies of planning your own Madagascar vacation.
Erina Pindar 
