Madagascar is situated to the East of Mozambique and is the fourth largest island in the world. It is about twice the size of Britain and is characterised by 6 different Microclimates making Madagascar one of the most fascinating countries in the world to visit.
Tourism is still in its infancy in Madagascar due to its location and poor infrastructure but in recent times Madagascar has begun to open up to the rest of the world, and what a fascinating country it is!
Each microclimate and area has its own ecosystem with Madagascar as a whole having 5% of the worlds fauna and flora, of which 80% is unique to Madagascar. From Lemurs to Giant Chameleons Madagascar is a botanical and zoological wonderland. You will get to see plants and animals that you would never have seen before, this combined with the sheer beauty of Madagascar makes for a wonderfully memorable visit.
The population of Madagascar are predominantly of SE Asia, Pacific Islander and African Descent with a recent European addition. Malagasy is the language of the country but French is widely spoken. 50% of the population still practise their own traditional religion. 43% are Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) and 7% Islamic. On the whole, tourism is a new phenomenon for the people of Madagascar and more and more of them are realising the potential of this source of income which has resulted in a really positive attitude towards tourists.
The climate of Madagascar is generally subtropical with November to April being hot and rainy. However, the climate of Madagascar is strongly affected by altitude and geographical position and there are distinct microclimates unique to certain regions.
The best time to visit Madagascar is from May to October (fall to spring) as this period is generally cool and dry which makes it a great time to travel. The prime months to visit Madagascar are from July to September because of the pleasant weather and whale watching.
Madagascar is a relatively cheap destination. The most expensive part of visiting Madagascar is usually the flights.
In 2017, well-known travel blogger, Nomad Matt reported that although "getting to the country is expensive, once you are there everything is incredibly cheap".
Travelling independently can be surprisingly affordable if you are prepared to rough it a little. Two main ways to save on expenses are to sleep in hostels and take public minibus transport (shared taxi-brousse). The shared minibuses do, however, require patience and are often crowded so prepare to be uncomfortable.
Our Budget Madagascar Tours offer excellent-value-for-money and are designed to make travelling in Madagascar easier and more fulfilling. The idea is to enable travellers to focus on enjoying the country without expending too much energy on logistics and budgeting along the way. All accommodation and transfers are typically included, along with some or most meals and activities, and an English-speaking guide for park visits. Our affordable Madagascar Tours are packed with adventure but you won't be tested to your limits in an overcrowded minibus or dodgy hostel.
The main industries in Madagascar are Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry. However, with the opening up of Madagascar to tourism, it will not be long before sustainable tourism comes to the fore. Deforestation has been a major problem in Madagascar with a slash-and-burn technique widely used. Sustainable tourism in Madagascar will go a long way in curbing these long-standing policies.
Madagascar produces 80% of the world's natural vanilla (according to this Financial Times article in 2018) making it the primary supplier of vanilla pods which are used to flavour ice cream, confectionaries and chocolate. The booming vanilla industry is providing local farmers with income-generating opportunities as the demand for vanilla grows and the price rises. Sadly, the vanilla industry is characterised by violence, corruption and crime as well as driving deforestation and reducing populations of endangered wildlife. Yet, there are thousands of small-scale farmers growing vanilla sustainably. Trade in this traceable vanilla offers a more environmentally sound and socially responsible route which international buyers can choose.
Use the Google map to explore Madagascar.
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A diverse Budget Madagascar Tour to south and Morondava (western) Madagascar Island. Visit beautiful Madagascar rainforests, beaches & towns on this comfortable, yet affordable lodge safari trip in a small group.
Trip Style Madagascar Private Safaris
This Madagascar Vacation Package goes hiking in Madagascar forests to see lemurs & other exotic animals. The budget Madagascar Tour includes living local for a night, beautiful scenery, tropical beaches & more.
Trip Style Madagascar Budget Safari Packages
This 12-day Best of Madagascar Tour takes you to beautiful Madagascar beaches, rainforests, parks and heritage sites! Get a taste of the exotic African island of Madagascar that will leave you wanting more!
Trip Style Madagascar Family Safaris
An affordable Madagascar Vacation Package focused on Madagascar lemurs and Nosy Be. Tour Andasibe National Park to see lemurs close-up and relax on Nosy Be's tropical beaches. An idyllic 8-day Madagascar holiday package!
Trip Style Madagascar Private Safaris
An affordable 5-day Madagascar Vacation Package to Nosy Be Islands. Tour Nosy Komba on this budget Madagascar holiday enjoying this tropical beach paradise.
Trip Style Madagascar Family Safaris
A beautiful North Madagascar Tour. This Madagascar Lemur, Beach & Nosy Be Tour visits diverse habitats (lakes, caves, forests, waterfalls and beaches) encountering unique Madagascar animals, nature and culture.
Trip Style Madagascar Family Safaris
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A Private Madagascar Tour Package visiting Madagascar lemur, forest, beach and animal highlights in the Masoala Peninsula. A wild Budget Madagascar Safari with lodge accommodation.
Trip Style Madagascar Private Safaris
An affordable Madagascar Vacation Package to the tropical paradise of Sainte Marie Island. Tour Nosy Boraha, or Ille Sainte Marie, Explore secluded coves, beaches and rich culture.
Trip Style Madagascar Private Safaris
An affordable Madagascar Trip to Diego Suarez and Amber Mountain National Park in northern Madagascar. Tour Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) town & scenic Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) forests to see Madagascar lemurs, animals, birds and plants.
Trip Style Madagascar Private Safaris