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Travel to Madagascar

The beautiful Nature Lodge outside of Mt. Amber National Park. Photo by Lynne Venart.
The beautiful Nature Lodge outside of Mt. Amber National Park. Photo by Lynne Venart.

Traveling to Madagascar to see lemurs in the wild is an adventurous way to support lemur conservation.

Responsible ecotourism in Madagascar is an important strategy for saving lemurs from extinction. It provides high-paying jobs for many Malagasy people, boosts Madagascar’s economy, and shows the financial value of protecting wildlife and their wild places.

PLAN A TRIP TO MADAGASCAR

Learn about traveling to Madagascar: how to plan your first trip, where to visit, and what to do during your travels to Madagascar.

The author Lynne Venart on her first trip to Madagascar in 2012. Photo taken by Christine Venart in Ankarafantsika National Park.

Planning Your First Trip to Madagascar

Read about options for traveling to Madagascar for the first time visitor, with  helpful tips and quotes from the experts.

Sign for Marojejy National Park

Madagascar National Parks

This official website for Madagascar National Parks showcases 25 national parks, 13 special reserves, and 2 Réserves Naturelle Intégrale.

Lakonga Boutique Hotel in Antananarivo

National Tourism Office of Madagascar

This official website explores must-see activities, lodging, and practical information for visiting Madagascar.

BLOG POSTS ABOUT TRAVELING TO MADAGASCAR

Explore these blog posts from the Lemur Conservation Network about traveling to see lemurs across the island.

View inside the Anjohibe cave system. Photo: Coral Chell.

Caves, Waterfalls, Lemurs, and Bats in Anjohibe near Mahajanga

About 3 to 4 hours from Mahajanga in northwest Madagascar is the Anjohibe cave system. You can see thousands of bats roosting in the extensive cave system, enjoy a natural pool and waterfall, and see lemur species including coquerel’s sifakas! The tourist facilities here have running water, bungalows, and a restaurant.

Crowned sifaka family. Photo: Cat Rayner.

Crowned Sifaka in the Amboloando Forest with IMPACT Madagascar

Take the national road 34 west from Antananarivo for 359 km west to the Dabolava commune, then take a 2-hour walk to reach the forest. Here, you will find crowned sifakas and a community committed to protecting the forest.

Lac Alaotra Gentle Lemurs. Photo: Durrell Madagascar.

Camp Bandro to See the Lake Alaotra Bamboo Lemur

Five to six hours by car from Antananarivo is Lake Alaotra, home to the only primate that spends its entire life on reed beds above the water. Camp Bandro is run by LCN member, Madagascar Wildlife Conservation.

Silky Sifaka mother and child. Photo: Jeffrey Gibbs.

Silky Sifakas at Marojejy National Park

Marojejy in northeastern Madagascar has world class hiking with cabins and cooking facilities at three stops on the way to the peak of the mountain. See silky sifakas, red-bellied lemurs, white-fronted brown lemurs and more in this gorgeous rainforest.

Marking the entrance of ASSR. Photo: Lynne Venart.

Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR)

In the northeast SAVA region of Madagascar, ASSR is a great spot for camping, birding, and seeing lemurs among nature. The tourist facilities at ASSR are supported by the Lemur Conservation Foundation.

The critically endangered Madame Fleurette’s sportive lemur at Tsitongambarika Protected Area near Fort Dauphin. Photo: Marius Andriamorasata.

Tsitongambarika, Madagascar’s Southernmost Rainforest

In 2020, Asity Madagascar began managing this forest near Fort Dauphin in southeast Madagascar, which is home to seven lemur species! They have now set up tourist facilities and are working with local communities to protect the forest. Be one of the first tourists to visit this park!

The bridge to Saha Forest Camp. All photos by Lynne Venart.

Anjozorobe Forest

About 3 hours from Antananarivo is the Anjozorobe Forest. A favorite here is Saha Forest Camp, run by the Malagasy NGO Fanamby. You can stay in comfortable lodging here to see several species of lemurs, go on both day and night hikes, and support communities living in the area.

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The Sakaviro Forest: A Hidden Gem Near Anja

Just 5 km from Anja Reserve is the Sakaviro Forest. This community-run reserve is little visited, but so interesting. See a forest of a ring-tailed lemurs, and travel with villagers to see their ancestors’ cave and learn about their history.

SUPPORTING MEMBERS IN TRAVEL

These travel businesses are supporting members of the Lemur Conservation Network.
Learn how to join LCN as a Business Supporting Member.

Asisten Travel

Silver Supporting Member

ASISTEN TRAVEL is Destination Management Company DMC specialized in the design and organization of luxury tailor made holidays tours in Madagascar. Our mission is to “Provide in a sustainable and responsible way some very high quality tourism experiences”.

Dadamanga

Bronze Supporting Member

Dadamanga thrives on crafting unforgettable experiences for English-speaking visitors to Madagascar. Our eco-friendly ethos, community support, and love for diversity earn us yearly awards.
Exciting news: In 2024, we’re launching group tours, driven by overwhelming demand!

Remote River Expeditions

Bronze Supporting Member

Remote River Expeditions are specialists in designing custom tours for all ages and interests. Based in Madagascar; English speaking with 20+ years’ experience. Our goal is to share our love for Madagascar in a personalized, ethical and sustainable fashion.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Check out these resources to ensure your trip to Madagascar is responsible.

Responsible Lemur Watching in Madagascar (PDF)

While tourism is a key economic asset for Madagascar, there is a trade-off between economic gain and too many tourists, resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity. In recent years, Madagascar has seen an increase in harmful tourist activities, which have become commonplace, such as direct human-lemur contact for feeding or taking selfies.

Responsible Primate Watching for Tourists

Recommendations for responsible primate-watching by an interdisciplinary group of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Section on Human-Primate Interactions (SHPI).

Responsible Images of Non-Human Primates

Guidelines from the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Section on Human-Primate Interactions which detail appropriate imagery (photos and videos) to be shared of non-human primates. Available in 24 languages.

VIRTUAL TOURS OF MADAGASCAR

Explore virtual experiences to learn about key places to experience in Madagascar.

Google-Earth-Madagascar

Google Earth Tour of Madagascar

In this Google Earth tour, you will visit 8 places, including 2 cities and 6 wildlife reserves. We’ll learn about the island of Madagascar and the people and wildlife that call it home!

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Book a Virtual Tour of Ranomafana National Park

This interactive educational program connects local experts to people of all ages interested in the wonders of Madagascar via Zoom. Book a virtual hike through Ranomafana and learn from professional Malagasy tour guides about its wildlife.

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