Madagascar is one of those destinations that has fascinated us for years.
It’s enormous, wonderfully diverse and unlike almost anywhere else in the world.
Famous for its lemurs, towering baobab trees, tropical rainforests and extraordinary wildlife, Madagascar offers something very different from a conventional Indian Ocean holiday.
There are beautiful beaches and excellent places to stay, but this is a destination where the journey itself is often the main attraction.
You might spend one day walking through rainforest looking for lemurs, another exploring dramatic rock formations and eventually find yourself beside the Indian Ocean on a beautiful, relatively undeveloped beach.
For us, Madagascar is somewhere to experience rather than simply visit.
And it’s very much on our own travel wish list.
We haven’t personally travelled to Madagascar yet, but it’s a country we’ve wanted to explore for some time.
What particularly appeals to us is the extraordinary variety.
Madagascar has developed separately from mainland Africa over millions of years, resulting in remarkable biodiversity and many species found nowhere else.
The wildlife is the obvious attraction, but the landscapes are equally fascinating.
There are rainforests, dry forests, dramatic mountains, limestone formations, baobab avenues and tropical islands.
It also has a fascinating mixture of African and Asian cultural influences.
For clients who enjoy nature, wildlife and travelling somewhere less conventional, Madagascar can be an extraordinary choice.
Our starting point would be the experiences that matter most to you. A wildlife focused journey and a holiday with a longer island stay need different choices of route and accommodation.
We would give the practical arrangements just as much attention as the highlights, allowing time to travel comfortably between the places you choose. Madagascar remains somewhere we look forward to discovering ourselves.
What draws us to Madagascar is the possibility of a holiday shaped by the natural world. The forests, unusual wildlife and changing landscapes offer a clear reason to travel, with the coast providing another way to enjoy the island.
We particularly like the scope for choosing a journey around your own interests. You might want to give most of your time to guided wildlife walks, concentrate on landscape photography or leave a generous stretch at the end for relaxing beside the sea.
The accommodation can contribute to that experience too. A smaller lodge in a setting you particularly want to explore may be a more rewarding choice than a hotel selected mainly for its facilities.
For us, the appeal lies in giving these places proper attention. Madagascar is still on our wish list, and the journey we imagine would leave room for discovery, with fewer rushed connections and enough time to appreciate the surroundings once we arrive.
Madagascar isn’t somewhere we’d automatically compare with the Maldives or Mauritius.
There are some beautiful boutique lodges, intimate retreats and exceptional properties in spectacular natural settings.
But the attraction is often their location and the experiences they offer rather than enormous resort facilities.
For the right traveller, staying in a remote lodge surrounded by extraordinary wildlife can feel every bit as special as a five-star beach resort.
The key is understanding that Madagascar is a more adventurous destination.
Some journeys involve long drives, domestic flights and relatively simple infrastructure.
That’s part of what makes it different.
We would choose each stay around the setting and the comfort you personally enjoy most.
Make time for a guided walk that gives the forest proper attention. The interest lies in the setting as well as the wildlife, with a knowledgeable local guide helping you understand what you see and hear.
Choose the pace around your interests and how much walking feels comfortable. A quieter approach leaves room to notice smaller details rather than concentrating only on the animals you hoped to find.
We would build the outing into a stay with enough time to rest afterwards. Wildlife remains unpredictable, so the experience should be worthwhile for the forest itself, with any particular sighting becoming a memorable addition rather than the only reason for visiting.
Give a landscape visit enough time for observation as well as photography. The Avenue of the Baobabs is a natural focus for travellers who enjoy unusual scenery, particularly when the light brings a different character to the setting.
Think about the kind of experience you want before choosing the programme. Someone keen to spend time composing photographs may prefer a different pace from a traveller enjoying a broader introduction to the region.
We would consider the journey, your base and the wider route together. A carefully timed visit should still leave room to appreciate the surroundings directly, without turning the day into a hurried transfer built around a single photograph.
Choose a guided outing that matches the amount of walking you enjoy. Isalo offers a different landscape from the rainforest regions, giving a longer journey variety through the scenery as well as the wildlife.
The route should suit your companions, with time for breaks and a realistic view of the conditions. A rewarding day does not have to mean choosing the longest walk or trying to include every feature within one outing.
We would look at the complete stay, including the journey to your hotel and what follows next. Allowing the park enough space helps you enjoy it at a comfortable pace and makes the change of landscape feel worthwhile.
A day on the water can bring variety to a coastal stay, particularly if you would enjoy exploring beyond the hotel. Choose an available outing around the scenery and activities that appeal to your travelling companions.
Snorkelling, diving and a relaxed boat trip offer different experiences, so the choice should reflect your interests and confidence. The conditions on the day also help determine which plans are suitable.
We would leave some flexibility in the programme and enough time simply to enjoy your base. One thoughtfully chosen excursion can be more satisfying than filling the entire beach stay with activities after a holiday already rich in travelling and guided visits.
Give an island stay time to become part of the holiday in its own right. Sainte Marie appeals to travellers who would enjoy quieter surroundings, with days that can include exploring as well as relaxing beside the sea.
If seasonal whale watching is a particular interest, that needs to shape the dates and the choice of available outing. Sightings should remain an opportunity rather than a promise attached to the holiday.
We would also leave room for days without a fixed programme. A leisurely meal, time at your accommodation and an occasional local outing can create a welcome contrast after travelling through other parts of Madagascar at a busier pace.