Madagascar

Lemurs

Photo by Ian Segebarth
Lemur

Photo by Ian Segebarth
Painted Mantella Frog

Photo by Ian Segebarth
Sacred waterfall in Mantadia National Park

Photo by Ian Segebarth
Hillside in Madagascar

Photo by Pelin Karaca
Moon through a baobab tree

Photo by Pelin Karaca
Geckos can't blink so they lick their eyeballs to keep moist

Photo by Pelin Karaca
White-footed Sportive Lemur

Photo by Pelin Karaca
Malagasy women walking along the road

Photo by Stephanie Kowacz

Madagascar is often called the “eighth continent,” and for good reason: the island nation, though technically belonging to Africa, defies categorization. Located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of the African continent, Madagascar is home to dancing lemurs, landscapes studded with mighty baobab trees, and unusual reptiles and insects.

For the past 88 million years, Madagascar has been left in almost complete evolutionary isolation, resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Scientists estimate that 80 to 90 percent of the country’s flora and fauna are unique to the island. Birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts can seek out its many endemic species. More than a third of its recorded bird species are also endemic.

This amazing biological diversity is supported by landscapes and ecosystems that include rainforests, cloud forests, spiny forests, deserts, savannas, wetlands, karst limestone formations, beaches, and coral reefs. The rust-colored soils of the central highlands lend the country its other nickname, the “Great Red Island.” Though many areas are protected, the country’s habitats are under extreme pressure from deforestation and mining activities. Opportunities to study biodiversity, geology, sustainability and conservation are abundant.

Madagascar’s human history is relatively recent; it’s believed humans first arrived to the island only 2,000 or so years ago. The country’s population has become a mix of the early Indonesian cultures that first settled here, as well as African, Arab, and French. From the capital city of Antananarivo to the lush cloud forests of Ranomafana and the spiny forests of Berenty, visitors can explore the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage and learn more about this mystical and welcoming island.

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Photography

Madagascar | Biodiversity Photo Tour

with Wildstock Photography

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025

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Natural History

Exotic Madagascar | Wildlife and Culture of the Red Island

17 Days | Choose your dates

From $7,450

Garden Tours

Madagascar | Forests of Wonder and Cultural Delights

18 Days | Choose your dates

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Overview

Wildlife

Perhaps more than anything else, Madagascar is known for its lemurs. There are almost 100 species of these wide-eyed primates, from the tiny mouse lemurs, to the unusual-looking aye aye, to the leaping Verreaux’s sifaka. Opportunities for observing lemurs in prime habitat are plentiful, but lemurs are not the only wildlife unique to the island: Dozens of varied and colorful chameleon species are found only in Madagascar, as are several dozen bat species (including the Madagascan flying fox), thousands of types of insects, several land tortoise species, and the cat-like carnivore known as the fossa, to name just a few. Birders can search for brilliantly colorful birds like couas, vangas, sunbirds, and ground-rollers. In all, about 80 percent of all its animal and plant species are endemic. Stop at the Pereyras Reserve to see the Nile crocodile and the world’s tiniest chameleon, visit reserves like Mantadia National Park, Analamazaotra Reserve, and Berenty Reserve, and discover the many animals that have evolved in isolation from the African mainland for thousands of years.

Environments

Madagascar’s landscapes are varied and captivating. Its nickname, the “Great Red Island,” comes from the iron-rich soil that characterizes the central highlands. The Avenue of the Baobabs is another distinctive sight; the dirt road lined with 100-foot high trees looks like something from a children’s storybook. Explore the country’s rainforests, savannah grasslands, and granite massifs, examine endemic flora like rare palm trees, orchids and mahoganies, or view cerulean seas from more than 3,100 miles of coastline.

Photography

With its unique species and beautiful vistas, Madagascar is photography at its best. The chance for creating a stunning portfolio of images is unparalleled. Capture a dancing lemur making a dazzling leap, a colorful chameleon as its tongue shoots out to snag an insect meal, or portraits of the Malagasy people.

Travel Info

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months past the date of exit from Madagascar. If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please be sure to check with the Madagascan Embassy for requirements based on your nationality.

A visa is required for entry into Madagascar and may be obtained upon arrival for stays up to 90 days. The cost for a single-entry visa for a visit up to 30 days is $37, 31-60 days is $45, and 61-90 days is $55. Visa fees must be paid in cash. It is best to have the correct amount if possible because you are unlikely to get exact change. This fee is subject to change without notice. You will also be required to provide a passport photo and your passport must have at least three blank visa pages to accommodate entry/exit stamps and your visa.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Madagascar unless arriving from a yellow fever endemic area.

Some physicians recommend that travelers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before visiting Madagascar.

Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

MALARIA

The CDC warns that travelers to Africa may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of insect bites. If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription.

SUN EXPOSURE

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Currency

The currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary.

Electricity

The electrical current in Madagascar is 220V 50Hz AC. Travelers from the United States need to use a converter.

Time Zone

The time zone of Madagascar is East Africa Time Zone (UTC+03:00).

Madagascar does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Departures and arrivals on flight schedules are listed in the local time.

Communications

PHONES

Madagascar’s country code is +261.

To call Madagascar (from the U.S.): Dial 011-261-(xx-xxx-xxxx)

To call the United States: Dial 001-(xxx-xxx-xxxx)

Please check with your cell phone provider if you’re unsure whether or not your cell phone will work internationally. Be aware that you are likely to incur additional charges for international use. It may be more affordable to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival.

INTERNET

There are many Internet cafes in Madagascar, but connections can be slow.

Resources

Reading List

FIELD GUIDES

Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitors Guide

Hilary Bradt, Nick Garbutt, & Derek Schuurman

This handy guide describes and illustrates in color photographs 250 species of Malagasy animals, not just the lemurs, fossas and other endemic mammals but also birds, reptiles and invertebrates. With chapters on habitats, ecology and conservation. Third edition.

Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands

Ian Sinclair & Olivier Langrand

This revised edition, including many new illustrations by Norman Arlott, Peter Hayman and others, covers 500 birds of Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues and Seychelles.

Coral Reef Fishes

Ewald Lieske & Robert Myers

This compact handbook features 2,500 illustrations of shallow-water fishes around the world.

Fishwatcher's Field Guide Indian Ocean

Idaz Greenberg

A double-sided card illustrating 70 fishes of Seychelles, Maldives and neighboring islands.

Lemurs of Madagascar, Conservation International Tropical Field Guide

Conservation International & Stephen D. Nash

Updated with 30 new species, this third edition of the definitive field guide to all 101 species and subspecies of lemurs features 500 color illustrations, range maps, drawings and detailed, authoritative chapters on natural history and conservation.

Lemurs of Madagascar, Diurnal & Cathemeral

Russel Mittermeier

This handy laminated fold-up card, illustrated by Stephen Nash, focuses on the 34 species of lemur active, at least part-time, during the day.

Lemurs of Madagascar, Nocturnal Lemurs

Stephen D. Nash

This handy laminated fold-up card, with color illustrations, range maps and checklist, includes the 65 nocturnal species of lemur.

Mammals of Madagascar

Nick Garbutt

An invaluable compact guide with full-page color photographs of each species.

Southern African Birdfinder: Where to Find 1,400 Bird Species in Southern Africa and Madagascar

Claire Spottiswoode, Callan Cohen & Jonathan Rossouw

An illustrated field guide to 39 bird routes and more than 330 birding sites throughout Southern Africa and Madagascar full of helpful information for the birder.

MAPS

Madagascar Map

Freytag & Berndt

A clear shaded relief map of Madagascar at a scale of 1:2,000,000.

GUIDEBOOKS

Bradt Guide Madagascar

Hilary Bradt

Now in its 11th edition, Bradt's comprehensive guide to Madagascar, its history, people and nature remains our model for guidebooks: personal, culturally astute and an absolute pleasure to read. With photographs, sketch maps and wise travel information.

Lonely Planet Madagascar & Comoros

Lonely Planet Publications

In the Lonely Planet hallmark style, this practical guide to Madagascar features a good overview of culture, history and nature, maps and much nuts-and-bolts information on excursions, accommodations and sightseeing.

NATURAL HISTORY

The Song of the Dodo

David Quammen

Well-spoken and engaging, Quammen narrates his adventures on the trail of natural wonders in Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Galapagos and Komodo and explains complex evolutionary phenomena with humor, wit and understanding.

Extinct Madagascar

Steven M. Goodman

Goodman and his colleagues present a stunning variety of life that went extinct on Madagascar, an island with such biodiversity that it currently boasts over 100 species of lemur.

Island Life

Alfred Russel Wallace

A popular account of the natural history of island groups by Darwin's contemporary and co-presenter of the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Madagascar, The Eighth Continent

Peter Tyson

Tyson interweaves an account of his time in the field with travel, history and ecology for this wide-ranging report on life in Madagascar.

The Natural History of Madagascar

Steven Goodman & Jonathan P. Benstead

Hundreds of experts contributed to this important, scholarly overview of geology, climate, wildlife, plants and conservation.

The Remarkable Baobab

Thomas Pakenham

A celebration of the tremendous, twisted baobabs of Africa, Madagascar and Australia in 60 large-format color photographs.

Vanilla, Travels In Search Of The Ice Cream Orchid

Tim Ecott

A BBC journalist's lively account of travels to the vanilla-growing regions of Mexico, Madagascar, Reunion and Tahiti on the trail of the prized orchid, its history, cultivation and allure.

HISTORY & CULTURE

Madagascar, A Short History

Stephen Ellis & Solofo Randrianja

A gracefully written summary of two thousand years of human history on Madagascar. The island's inhabitants, the Malagasy, remain one of the world's most least-known societies.

The Future of the Past

Alexander Stille

A survey of conservation and threats to cultures and monuments around the world. In these provocative essays, Stille travels to places as disparate as Sicily, China and Madagascar.

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Madagascar

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Trips to Join

Photography

Trips to Plan

Natural History

Garden Tours

Buildout

Wildlife

Environments

Photography

Entry & Exit Requirements

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

MALARIA

SUN EXPOSURE

Currency

Electricity

Time Zone

Communications

PHONES

INTERNET

Reading List

FIELD GUIDES

Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitors Guide

Hilary Bradt, Nick Garbutt, & Derek Schuurman

Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands

Ian Sinclair & Olivier Langrand

Coral Reef Fishes

Ewald Lieske & Robert Myers

Fishwatcher's Field Guide Indian Ocean

Idaz Greenberg

Lemurs of Madagascar, Conservation International Tropical Field Guide

Conservation International & Stephen D. Nash

Lemurs of Madagascar, Diurnal & Cathemeral

Russel Mittermeier

Lemurs of Madagascar, Nocturnal Lemurs

Stephen D. Nash

Mammals of Madagascar

Nick Garbutt

Southern African Birdfinder: Where to Find 1,400 Bird Species in Southern Africa and Madagascar

Claire Spottiswoode, Callan Cohen & Jonathan Rossouw

MAPS

Madagascar Map

Freytag & Berndt

GUIDEBOOKS

Bradt Guide Madagascar

Hilary Bradt

Lonely Planet Madagascar & Comoros

Lonely Planet Publications

NATURAL HISTORY

The Song of the Dodo

David Quammen

Extinct Madagascar

Steven M. Goodman

Island Life

Alfred Russel Wallace

Madagascar, The Eighth Continent

Peter Tyson

The Natural History of Madagascar

Steven Goodman & Jonathan P. Benstead

The Remarkable Baobab

Thomas Pakenham

Vanilla, Travels In Search Of The Ice Cream Orchid

Tim Ecott

HISTORY & CULTURE

Madagascar, A Short History

Stephen Ellis & Solofo Randrianja

The Future of the Past

Alexander Stille

From the blog

From the blog

From the blog

Custom comes standard

At Holbrook Travel, you’ll never pay extra to take your own path. Our travel consultants can customize any itinerary to meet your needs.

At Holbrook Travel, you’ll never pay extra to take your own path.
Our travel consultants can customize any itinerary to meet your needs.