Escorted tour of Madagascar
Why choose an escorted tour of Madagascar?
What are the key destinations for an escorted tour of Madagascar?
Before planning your trip it is worth identifying Madagascar’s must‑see places. The “Red Island” is full of natural and cultural treasures. Here are four highlights that should definitely be included in your guided itinerary:
Nosy Be: The perfumed island of the north‑west
Sainte‑Marie Island: Between turquoise lagoons and whales
Avenue of the Baobabs: The western forest of giants
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park: Adventure on stone peaks
A 15‑day escorted tour of Madagascar : sample itinerary
| Day | Itinerary | Activities & discoveries | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Antananarivo | Meet & greet at the airport by the local team. Transfer to the hotel, rest and a short free visit of the capital depending on arrival time. | Comfortable hotel in Antananarivo |
| Day 2 | Antananarivo - Morondava (domestic flight or by road) | Fly to the west coast. Check in at Morondava, a charming coastal town. Walk along the beach at the end of the day and first immersion in the west’s tropical atmosphere. | Seafront hotel in Morondava |
| Day 3 | Morondava - Bekopaka | Early departure by 4×4 to Bekopaka, gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha Park. Ferry crossing of the Tsiribihina River; savannah landscapes and Sakalava villages along the route. Arrival in late afternoon. | Rustic bungalow in Bekopaka |
| Day 4 | Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park | Day of guided exploration of the Tsingy: adventure circuit on suspended bridges and karst plateaus (adapted to children’s ages). Wildlife watching (lemurs) and picnic in the park. | Rustic bungalow in Bekopaka |
| Day 5 | Bekopaka - Morondava | Drive back to Morondava. Stop at the Avenue of the Baobabs at the end of the day to admire the sunset over the giant trees. Evening arrival in Morondava. | Seafront hotel in Morondava |
| Day 6 | Morondava - Antananarivo (flight or road) | Last morning in Morondava (local market, buying handicrafts). Fly back to Antananarivo. Free afternoon in Tana to rest or visit the Rova (Queen’s Palace) and the craft market at La Digue. | Hotel in Antananarivo |
| Day 7 | Antananarivo - Sainte‑Marie Island (air or boat transfer) | Flight to Nosy Boraha (Sainte‑Marie) on the east coast. Transfer by car to your hotel. First discovery of the island: swimming in the lagoon, strolling along coconut‑lined beaches. | Waterfront bungalow on Sainte‑Marie |
| Day 8 | Sainte‑Marie Island | Day of relaxation and exploration. On the programme: snorkelling over coral reefs and a trip by traditional pirogue to nearby Île aux Nattes. Enjoy fresh seafood in the evening. | Waterfront bungalow on Sainte‑Marie |
| Day 9 | Sainte‑Marie Island (whale season) | Optional whale watching (from July to September): early morning outing to observe migrating humpback whales. In the afternoon, visit the pirates’ cemetery and the village of Ambodifotatra for a glimpse into the island’s historic past. | Waterfront bungalow on Sainte‑Marie |
| Day 10 | Sainte‑Marie Island | Free morning to enjoy the beach with the family (swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking). Afternoon excursion by quad or bicycle to explore the verdant interior of the island (vanilla plantations, hidden waterfalls). | Waterfront bungalow on Sainte‑Marie |
| Day 11 | Sainte‑Marie - Antananarivo (air or boat transfer) | Fly back to Antananarivo. Depending on the schedule, spend a relaxing afternoon at the hotel or enjoy extra visits (Ambohimanga Hill, butterfly farm, etc.). Prepare for the next leg to the north. | Hotel in Antananarivo |
| Day 12 | Antananarivo - Nosy Be (by air or road) | Fly to Nosy Be, the perfumed island. Check in to your hotel and initial discovery: visit Hell‑Ville (spice market, lively port) then swim at sunset at Andilana Beach, one of Nosy Be’s prettiest beaches. | Beach hotel on Nosy Be |
| Day 13 | Nosy Be & surrounding islands | Boat excursion to Nosy Komba (the “lemur island”) and Nosy Tanikely (a protected marine park): meet friendly Macaco lemurs, snorkel over colourful coral teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles. Return to Nosy Be at the end of the day. | Beach hotel on Nosy Be |
| Day 14 | Nosy Be | Day devoted to discovering Nosy Be: a morning walk through Hell‑Ville market to soak up local life, followed by a visit to a ylang‑ylang distillery (the island’s emblematic perfumed essence). In the afternoon, explore Lokobe Reserve to meet lemurs and chameleons in their natural habitat. Farewell dinner with your feet in the sand. | Beach hotel on Nosy Be |
| Day 15 | Nosy Be - Antananarivo - Departure | Transfer to Nosy Be airport and flight back to Antananarivo. Assistance with formalities and international departure flight. End of the tour. | N/A (end of stay) |
Why choose an escorted tour organised by the team at Mada Tours Guide?
- Local expertise and passionate guides: a team based in Madagascar, with perfect knowledge of the terrain, culture and best itineraries. You travel with experienced, attentive and warm French‑ and English‑speaking guides.
- All‑inclusive formula: MTG offers turn‑key circuits including airport transfers, ground transport in a private air‑conditioned vehicle, domestic flights between stages, comfortable accommodation, most meals and entrance fees to parks and planned excursions. You simply enjoy yourself.
- Flexibility and tailor‑made circuits: in addition to set itineraries, Mada Tours Guide listens to your wishes. You can request a bespoke circuit adapted to your interests, to the composition of your family or group and to your pace. The agency will adapt (as far as possible) to create the trip that suits you.
- Comfort and safety: you travel with complete peace of mind. Vehicles are recent and well maintained, with professional driver‑guides. The selected accommodations provide a good level of comfort and service (boutique hotels, family lodges, etc.). In addition, a guided circuit with MTG guarantees 24/7 assistance in case of unforeseen events and immediate responsiveness thanks to their local presence.
- Human and responsible dimension: travelling with a local agency like MTG also means supporting the Malagasy economy. The guides and drivers are Malagasy, proud to show you their country, and the agency favours partners committed to sustainable tourism (eco‑responsible hotels, collaborations with local communities). You thus enjoy a friendly and enriching trip while having a positive impact on the regions you visit.
FAQ : Escorted tour of Madagascar
Do guided tours in Madagascar suit families with children?
Yes, absolutely. The circuits organised by Mada Tours Guide are designed to suit families. The pace is adjusted to avoid tiring the youngest travellers, and child‑friendly activities can be arranged (meeting lemurs in a reserve, swimming on calm beaches, etc.). The agency generally accepts children from about five years old.
When is the best time to take a guided tour of Madagascar?
The best season to travel to Madagascar broadly stretches from April to November, during the dry season. During these months the climate is milder and there is little rain, which makes getting around and sightseeing easier (passable roads, dry hiking trails, calm sea for diving). The July-September period is ideal if you want to watch whales off Sainte‑Marie, while September-October offers excellent conditions for diving (clear, warm water). If possible, avoid the rainy season (January to March), especially on the east coast which is prone to cyclones. In summary, the southern winter is the preferred time for a successful guided circuit in Madagascar.
Can we customise the guided circuit to our wishes and needs?
Absolutely. Mada Tours Guide offers customisable itineraries. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a small group of friends, the agency can adjust the programme: add an extra stop, extend a stay by the sea, include a specific hike or allow more free time, for example. Simply tell them your interests (diving, trekking, culture, relaxation), the make‑up of your group and the desired duration, and MTG will adapt to create a tailor‑made circuit.
What services are included in an all‑inclusive guided tour?
An all‑inclusive guided tour generally includes almost all the services needed for the trip. This covers: airport meet and greet and transfers, all land travel in a private vehicle with a driver, the domestic flights during the tour, accommodation each night (hotels, lodges), most meals (often half or full board depending on the package), services of an accompanying guide throughout the stay, and entry fees to national parks, nature reserves and tourist sites visited. With Mada Tours Guide, everything is taken care of in the package so you can travel with a clear mind and without hidden costs once there. Personal expenses (souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, tips) are of course your own responsibility.
Do we need a visa or particular vaccinations to travel to Madagascar?
To enter Madagascar, a tourist visa is compulsory for foreign nationals. The good news is that the Malagasy tourist visa is easy to obtain: you can get it either in advance online (e‑visa), or directly on arrival at Antananarivo airport (a 30 day visa costs about €40, roughly US$47/£35/AU$72, payable on site). On the health side, no vaccinations are required by law (except for yellow fever if you have stayed in a risk country beforehand). It is nevertheless recommended to be up to date with routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A/B, etc.) and to consider preventive treatment against malaria, particularly if your tour takes you to the west or north of the country.
Is it possible to travel in Madagascar without a guide by organising our own itinerary?
It is of course possible to travel independently in Madagascar, but it often proves more complicated and less comfortable. Distances are long and infrastructure limited: Madagascar has one of the least developed road networks in the world; many roads are in poor condition and journeys can take a long time. Public transport (bush taxis) is an adventure but unreliable in terms of schedules and safety. In addition, the language barrier can be a hurdle if you do not speak French or Malagasy (English is little used outside tourist areas).
By opting for a guided tour, you free yourself from these logistical concerns: a driver‑guide takes care of the driving and navigation, the programme is optimised for your comfort and you won’t miss any of the highlights through lack of organisation. You will also save time and energy, allowing you to enjoy your discoveries more fully. Travelling alone in Madagascar is feasible for seasoned adventurers, but for most travellers, a guided circuit offers a much better serenity‑to‑pleasure ratio.

Helinirina Raharomanana is an independent guide, founder, and manager of the agency Madagascar Tours Guide. With extensive experience in the tourism industry, he specializes in organizing tailor-made trips across the entire Malagasy territory. Collaborating with a team of experienced guides and drivers, he is dedicated to providing an in-depth exploration of Madagascar’s landscapes, traditions, and customs.