Trip to Madagascar: The Island of Baobabs and Lemurs

Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa, separated from Mozambique by the Mozambique Channel. It is the fourth-largest island in the world, with ecosystems ranging from dry baobab forests to tropical rainforest, the result of more than 80 million years of isolation from the African continent.

The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo, known locally as Tana, located in the central highlands of the island. Most private tours with NUBA begin or end here, as it is the hub for domestic flights to the rest of the country.

In Madagascar, Malagasy and French are spoken as official languages. Malagasy, which is of Austronesian origin, varies by dialect depending on the region, while French is commonly used in tourism, commerce, and most high-end accommodations.

A trip to Madagascar with local guides and well-planned logistics is safe for the discerning traveler. The main precautions revolve around road conditions and the need for domestic flights between regions, which is why NUBA designs each itinerary with trusted providers and verified transportation options.

The best time to visit Madagascar is from March to April and from October to December, when rainfall is lighter and temperatures—averaging 27°C—are more stable for exploring the island. The heaviest rainfall and the highest risk of cyclones occur between January and March.

The cost of a trip to Madagascar depends on accommodations, domestic flights, and the experiences included in the itinerary, since NUBA designs each itinerary on a custom basis and does not offer set packages. Requesting a personalized quote is the best way to determine the actual cost of each trip.

A custom-designed trip to Madagascar with NUBA typically lasts between ten and fourteen days—enough time to combine the baobabs of Menabe, Isalo National Park, the Andasibe rainforest, and a stretch of beach on Nosy Be without having to make unnecessary trips between regions.

On a trip to Madagascar, you can see more than 100 species of lemurs, including the indri—the largest living lemur, known for its song—as well as chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, radiated tortoises, and, during the right season, humpback whales off the coast of Santa Maria Island.

A luxury trip to Madagascar is well worth it for travelers seeking extreme natural beauty and unique biodiversity, with more than 90% of its flora and fauna being endemic to the planet. The experience becomes even more valuable when you have access to private concessions and specialized guides, far from the most heavily traveled routes.

A custom trip to Madagascar is tailored to the traveler’s interests, with camps, guides, and flight routes selected on an individual basis, whereas a standard package tour follows a fixed itinerary shared with other groups. NUBA designs each itinerary from scratch, without templates or set dates.