Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world and home to thousands of flora and fauna species, 80% of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including the lemurs! Its national parks and reserves protect its unique inhabitants. The rainforest of Ranomafana hosts 12 species of lemurs and over 118 birds to the wind-buffed, watercolor landscapes of Isalo with the legendary dancing sifaka lemurs. In Andasibe, you’ll find Indri, the world’s largest lemur whose haunting cries can be heard across the misty forests. The pristine beaches of the laid-back and low-key island of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha), where humpback whales come to calve between June and September, are the perfect way to end the vacation.

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Recommended Parks:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park: Andasibe is covered in a thick blanket of montane rainforest and is home to 13 lemur species. It is most famous for the Indri (or Perinet) world’s largest lemur. Waking up to the haunting, whale-like calls of Indri is an unforgettable experience. You will also see the two-foot-long Parson’s chameleon and the tiny nose-horned chameleon, along with 108 species of birds and plenty of frogs.

Isalo National Park: The surreal landscape of Isalo National Park features deep gorges, vast canyons, sharp ridges, mini-pinnacles, serene waterfalls, and natural swimming pools. It is also a sacred place for the Bara tribe, who mark their burial sites by mounds of tiny stones. However, it is most famous for its ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas, known for their sideways dancing. 

Ranomafana National Park: Ranomafana is part of the rainforests of Atsiranana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is known for its diverse wildlife, rare mountain flora, including many species of orchids. The national park was gazette in 1991 to protect the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur. Around 1,000 golden lemurs are believed to exist today. Its thick leafy forest canopy protects a dozen lemur species along with the greater bamboo lemur, black and white ruffed lemurs, and sifakas.

Islands and Beaches of Madagascar: Small islands with picturesque deserted beaches with soft white sand and clear, blue turquoise water surround Madagascar. The sleepy island of Île Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha) offers snorkeling, diving and boat trips to see humpback whales that visit Madagascar between June and September to breed and calve. Watch bottle-nosed dolphins frolic in the waters at Nosy Mitsio Archipelago and black lemurs jumping from tree to tree at Nosy Komba.

When to go

Best Time to visit: April to December. The best time to see baby lemurs is Oct-Dec and the best time to go to the beach is from Sep to Nov.

High Season: July to August

Low Season: December to March is the rainy season and also the hurricane season, hence not recommended