The Perfect 10-Day Madagascar Itinerary
There are trips that serve as a simple escape and others that shift something in you. For me, Madagascar was one of those trips that shift you into seeing the world differently.
From lush rainforests echoing with the calls of Indri Indri lemurs to white-sand islands so pristine they looked photoshopped, Madagascar offered every bit of magic and then some.
Whether you’re dreaming of seeing the endemic lemurs up close, snorkeling with sea turtles, or dancing under the stars on Nosy Be, this blog is your insider guide. We’re sharing the full recap & itinerary of The Traveling Black Women Network’s recent trip to Madagascar, so that you can plan your own amazing trip.
First things first…. Why Madagascar?
Well one…. it’s Africa. And, I’d like to visit every country in Africa. And secondly, Madagascar is home to over 90% of wildlife found nowhere else on earth. From lemurs that sing through the trees to the bluest waters and brightest coral reefs. Its dual identity as both African and island nation makes it culturally rich and ecologically rare. It’s unique.
Another characteristic that makes Madagascar so incredibly unique is its cultural diversity. There are 18 different ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, stories, and ways of life. Some of the largest groups are the Merina, Betsileo, Betsimisaraka, Sakalava, and Antandroy, and each group has shaped the island in its own beautiful way.
The language is just as fascinating. There are 18 dialects in Madagascar tied to each ethnic group. The one you’ll hear most in schools and media is the Merina dialect, but if you spend time exploring, you’ll hear people speaking their local dialects all over the island. I couldn’t catch it, but our guide helped us listen for the differences in pronunciation and vocabulary.
Then there’s the phenotype. The Malagasy people are unique in that their ancestry reflects a blend of Southeast Asian and East African origins. This mix is visible in the physical features, a mix of African and Asian features.
It’s this rich tapestry of culture, language, and history that makes Madagascar feel like nowhere else in the world… and well, I wanted to learn more up close.
Shoulder Season is the Best Time to Visit Madagascar!
Trip Dates: May 15 – May 25
Total Cost: $2,850 for a shared twin room (Member Price: $2,600)
Inclusions:
- 10 nights accommodation (half board – breakfast & dinner daily)
- All airport transfers in Madagascar
- 4×4 transportation with English-speaking driver-guide
- Guided visits to reserves and parks: Pereyras Reserve, Vakona Reserve, Andasibe National Park, Lemurs Park
- Excursions to Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Iranja, and Nosy Sakatia (with picnic lunch)
- 24/7 English-speaking support line
Not Included:
- International & domestic flights
- Visa on arrival ($30) – *Bring Cash
- Travel insurance
- Lunches (except excursion days)
- Alcoholic Drinks, personal expenses, additional activities
Tip: Book your international flight into Antananarivo (TNR) and budget for ~$400 round-trip for domestic flights to Nosy Be.
Madagascar Itinerary Overview:
Antananarivo to Nosy Be
First off, Madagascar is huge! As the world’s fourth-largest island (~587,000 km²), it stretches so wide that covering its highlights realistically requires careful planning.
Antananarivo Itinerary Highlights:
- Madagascar Exotic Reserve
- Lemurs’ Island at Vakona Lodge
- Andasibe National Park
- Lemurs’ Park
- Antananarivo City Tour
Nosy Be Itinerary Highlights :
- Island Hopping
- Nosy Tanikely
- Nosy Komba
- Nosy Sakatia
- Nosy Iranja
Learn From My Planning Mistakes!
Even though I planned this trip with a Destination Management Company in Madagascar, the truth was I didn’t know what I didn’t know. And honestly, as the local operators, the didn’t do the best job of anticipating what I would not know as a tourist. I don’t know if that was intentional or not as it left the door open for them to keep increasing fees. Just a little something to be aware of…
We flew from Antananarivo to Nosy Be ( ~1 hour 45 minutes by Air Madagascar). After booking, I discovered Nosy Be even has an international airport, meaning we could have flown home directly from there on the same airline (Ethiopian Airlines) and saved a bit of money on the domestic flight back to Antananarivo and the extra hotel night before our flight out.
Unfortunately, Madagascar Airlines holds near-monopoly on internal routes. This means they’re expensive, with minimal competition, so prices are pretty high.
Although a flight between Nosy Be and Morondava (home of the famous baobab trees) exists, it requires a stop in Antananarivo and lasts roughly 3 hours in the air, not including layovers. Connecting these dots can be complex because it adds time and money.
It is important to note that Morondava (MOQ) Airport is a regional airport. Domestic flights only.
Needless to say, 10 days is not enough time to truly see and enjoy all of Madagascar. We ended up having to cut out Morondava and I was devastated.
No Baobab Trees for Us… =(
To be fully honest, I didn’t realize that cutting that extra flight to Morondava out meant we’d likely miss the baobabs altogether. We saw some roadside “copycats” but our driver confirmed that Antananarivo, or “Tana,” was not the right climate for Baobabs to grow naturally.
To put it into perspective, a drive from Antananarivo to Morondava takes around 12 hours by road alone, then add more time by 4×4 to reach the site.
Nonetheless, we made the best of it and still had an amazing time!
Day 1–3: Arrival & Andasibe Rainforest
From the moment we arrived, Madagascar exceeded our expectations. When we landed in Antananarivo, we were greeted with big smiles and warm welcomes. The Malagasy people are truly kind and friendly. We had the most engaging driver who was proud and excited to share the history and culture of the Malagasy people of Madagascar with us.
We spent our first night at the Radisson Apartments in Antananarivo City Centre in the heart of everything. That night we sat on the rooftop and enjoyed our first meal and our view of the bustling city of Tana.
Off to Andasibe…
After breakfast at our hotel in Antananarivo, we packed up early and met our driver—the same kind soul who had picked us up from the airport. Luggage was thrown into the back of our SUV, and by 7:00 AM we were on the road for our 4 hour drive to spend one night in Andasibe.
Our First Wildlife Encounter: Pereyras Reserve
In Marozevo, we spent about 90 minutes at the Madagascar Exotic Reserve, also called Pereyras. This small but fascinating sanctuary is home to:
- Chameleons in every shade imaginable
- Crocodiles, snakes, and brightly colored frogs
- Bats and butterflies
It was our first close-up with Madagascar’s biodiversity, a preview of just how unique this island is…
We ventured to Lemur’s Island, a private reserve owned by Vakona Lodge after our Exotic Reserve visit. Lemur’s Island is one of the best places to find Lemurs in Madagascar. That night we stayed in a cabin at the Vakona Lodge Reserve just outside of Andasibe.
The Call of the Indri Indri: Andasibe National Park
After breakfast the next day, we visited Andasibe National Park just a short drive away. Andasibe National Park, one of Madagascar’s most famous rainforest reserves is known locally as Analamazaotra.
Exploring Andasibe felt like a walking safari for lemurs. We were guided by a local guide in Andasibe, whose ears seemed fine-tuned to every call in the forest. We spotted lemurs both up close and high in the canopy. He’d pause, listen, estimate the distance and direction, then scout ahead before returning to lead us right to the action.
Andasibe is home to 14 species of lemurs, including the:
- Indri Indri (Babakoto): the largest lemur in the world, found only in Madagascar
- Diademed Sifaka and Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur
- A variety of nocturnal species hidden deep in the forest
As with any rainforest, it rained off and on while we explored. FYI: A poncho or light raincoat is a must! When the showers passed through, the lemurs became harder to spot, but being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest was rewarding in itself.
From towering orchids to the iconic Ravinala “traveler’s tree,” nature here felt sacred. Andasibe is also rich with biodiversity beyond the lemurs. They also had over 100 species of orchids, colorful chameleons, rare birds, and countless reptiles call this forest home. Every corner felt alive.
The Indri Indri
The highlight, of course, was hearing the Indri Indri’s haunting howl—a sound that carries for miles. Some groups used recordings to lure the animals closer. Our guide explained why this isn’t a sustainable practice. In essence, it disrupts their natural behavior.
While I was thrilled to witness their dramatic response to the recording, I came to appreciate our guide’s perspective: respecting the forest means observing lemurs on their own terms.
Day 3–4: Back to Tana
After our visit to Andasibe National Park, we drove back to Tana to explore Lemurs’ Park, another conservation sanctuary that gave us a deeper look at Madagascar’s rich biodiversity. Lemurs’ Park was nice and offered another walking tour of Lemur’s in their natural habitat.
As this park is more in the city, it felt a little more commercialized than the previous habitats we walked around. Still nice, but something to be aware of if you are looking for the best places to find lemurs in Madagascar.
We finished up our day with a city tour of Antananarivo and then went straight to the airport for our late night flight to Nosy Be…
Day 4–9: The Breathtaking Nosy Be
I can’t stop talking about Nosy Be. It is so beautiful. I’m serious! The beaches of Nosy Be are really the most beautiful beaches in world. Fight me!! LOL! I truly cannot stop talking about it.
Nosy Be, which is nicknamed “the island of perfumes,” actually smelled like sunshine, ocean, and ylang-ylang flowers. This African beach was everything. Dreamy & Black. Melanin & Sunshine. I loved every part of this African Paradise.
Nosy Be was the chill part of our trip. We stayed at Loharno Lodge. The most 5-starish, 4 – star hotel I’ve ever seen! We definitely got our relaxation on!
Our first day out in Nosy Be set the tone for everything to come. Our guide, who spoke Malagasy, French, English, Italian, and Spanish, confessed that we were the first Black American tourists he’d ever had. When he saw only my last name, “Duncan,” he assumed he was picking up a white man at the airport. He admitted he was nervous when he saw two Black women standing there instead. He thought he had the wrong people. By the time we got to know each other, we were laughing about it!
Locals were surprised to see us too. We’d hear them say the word “American” in conversation, and see their eyes widen in curiosity. Some asked us, “Why Madagascar?” and my favorite answer quickly became: “Why not Madagascar?” That always got a smile.
When it comes to things to do in Nosy Be, it’s all about the island hopping.
We visited:
Nosy Tanikely
A protected marine reserve. We snorkeled alongside giant sea turtles, lounged on the beach, and enjoyed a picnic lunch under the palms. Our guide even climbed a coconut tree to crack open fresh coconuts for us. It was true island life.
Nosy Koomba
The real “Lemur Island,” where lemurs happily jumped on our shoulders. We visited a village school, watched fishermen at work, and enjoyed zebu skewers for lunch. By then, locals had taught us a few Malagasy phrases, and I was proudly walking around saying, “Za Gas” (“I am Malagasy”). Sometimes it worked a little too well though… people started speaking to me in Malagasy, and I had to sheepishly admit I wasn’t fluent.
Nosy Sakatia:
Tranquil, authentic, and home to sea turtles gliding gracefully under the waves. This is where we were served lunch and given free time to relax or chill on the beach.
Nosy Iranja:
MY FAVORITE. Two islands connected by a sandbar that appears at low tide, surrounded by the bluest water I’ve ever seen. The water is crystal-clear, perfect for swimming or snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs. I spent hours just taking it all in…. the sun, the gentle waves, the lush greenery. I also wandered through the charming fishing village and climbed the lighthouse for panoramic views.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the most beautiful beach in the world. It’s like stepping into a postcard.
Every evening, we returned to our lodge just in time to unwind, have dinner, and even catch up on work. It was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Day 10: Back to Antananarivo
We flew back to Antananarivo on a red-eye flight. A new driver who took us shopping for souvenirs in the city center. We wanted to go to the central markets where the locals hung out, but he warned us against the market because of the pick-pocketing. I guess we looked like easy targets. So instead, we visited a few recommended shops and a local artisan area.
We returned to the Radisson Apartments for one more night and then took the long journey home the next day….
Needless to say, this was an amazing trip.
Oh but that’s not it…. Coming Soon Get the scoop on:
- Places to Stay in Antananarivo, Madagascar & Nosy Be, Madagascar
- Nightlife in Antananarivo
- What to pack for your trip to Madagascar
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