Madagascar Travel Blog

Drifting in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is a land shrouded in mystery, a place that remains largely unexplored by many. With its vast expanse comparable to France and just 10 main roads, Madagascar stands as one of the final frontiers on our planet, offering a genuine retreat from the modern world and leading to destinations that remain largely unspoiled by external influences. With its stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and breathtakingly secluded beaches, Madagascar is a paradise for those who seek exploration and excitement.

Among all the destinations I explored in Africa, Madagascar stands out as the most pristine and unspoiled. I spent over a month exploring Madagascar, and I made sure to include as much detail as possible in this post to create your ultimate travel guide to this incredible destination!

The story of Madagascar

The history of Madagascar plays a crucial role in shaping its evolution. The island broke away from Gondwanaland, present-day Africa, long before the rise of formidable predators. In Madagascar, instead of primates, lemurs evolved—gentle, unaggressive creatures that resemble monkeys, with their closest relatives found in South America. There are over 50 species now, each possessing gentle hands and captivating eyes.

Incredible, 90% of Madagascar’s flora and fauna are unique, existing nowhere else on the planet. Even the magnificent Amazon in South America pales in comparison to the incredible variety of life that thrives in Madagascar. This is genuinely a destination like no other.

The island’s culture was profoundly influenced by its seclusion. The arrival of the human gene pool by boat around 500BC marked the beginning of an exciting journey, as settlers navigated from what is now Borneo (Indonesia) in their canoes. These settlers were later accompanied by Bantu migrants from Mozambique around 1000AD. Here they merged and separated into a multitude of tribes, each possessing its unique language and beliefs. The history of Madagascar has shaped its people, the Malagasy, into a fascinating mix of contemporary Southeast Asian and African influences.

Journeying to Madagascar

Reaching Madagascar is quite the journey. Flights can be quite costly and take a considerable amount of time. All international flights touch down in Antananarivo, the vibrant heart of the country. Only a handful of airlines venture to Madagascar.

Air France departing from Paris
Kenya Airways departing from Nairobi
South African Airways/Airlink departing from Johannesburg
Air Mauritius departing from Port Louis
Air Madagascar from Paris and Johannesburg
Air Madagascar serves as the national airline, and all domestic flights are operated by this company. They are often seen as quite unpredictable and provide a rather disappointing experience. Domestic flights can be quite costly and often have some of the most unreliable on-time records. Due to the numerous unfavorable reviews I encountered regarding this airline, I decided to choose SAA for my flight from Johannesburg to Antananarivo, even though it meant spending an additional $300.

Flights from Johannesburg take 3.5 hours and range from $750 to $900 on SAA! Once more, it is not an inexpensive destination to reach, which might explain the limited tourism in this area, particularly from nearby South Africa. Flights on Air Madagascar are around $600.