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Madagascar: The Lost Continent

Madagascar - Trip code MD Wildlife
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599Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Travel to the Lost Continent in search of endemic wildlife, contrasting cultures and unforgettable scenery. Traverse the island from the bustling streets of the capital to the volcanic planes of the Central Highlands, via the rich rainforest and on to the golden beaches of the coast. Along the way, tick off Madagascar's National Parks in search of lemurs, chameleons and more, and immerse yourself in local life visiting colourful markets and artisan workshops.

Why we love this trip
  • Reserves and National Parks - Hear the Indri lemurs' morning call in the Andasible Reserve and spot the Golden Bamboo lemur in the rainforest of Ranomafana.
  • Spectacular landscapes - From the rice paddies and villages of the highlands to the arid, cactus-strewn planes of the Spiny Desert and Madagascar's Grand Canyon, witness the island's unrivalled scenery.
  • Paradisal beaches - Spend two days unwinding on the white-sand beaches of Iftay, a tropical paradise with prolific birdlife.

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 14

    Lunch: 5

    Dinner: 7

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

    Ranger(s)

  • Transport

    Flight

    Minibus

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    Accommodation

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    Trip pace:

    Full on

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 12

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    Wildlife rating

    Frequent wildlife encounters alongside other experiences

Itinerary

Trip information

Climate and country information

Madagascar

Climate

The climate is tropical, but cooler in the highlands (dropping as low as 5°C at night in July/August in Antananarivo and Andasibe). The dry season is March to October continuing into November in most areas. The east coast is best March-May and September-November, January-March is cyclone season. The south west area is hot, dry and semi-arid. March-April is the best time for flowers and reptiles. November (spring) is generally the best time for wildlife and birds, but lemurs can be viewed all year round. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.

Time difference to GMT

+3

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Christian

Language

Malagasy, French

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Day 3: Andasibe - Dawn Birdwatching €8. Extra Park or village walk €4. Private Reserve €9

Day 7: Ranomafana - Bird walk approx €8 depending on numbers. Optional Forest walk €8

Day 11: Ifaty -Picnic lunch in Vezo €13, Visit to Reniala Spiny Forest €9

Clothing

Clothing should be lightweight, but a warm sweater or jacket is advisable as nights at altitude and under desert conditions can be very cold (>10°C), even in summer and especially in July to September. Rainwear is highly recommended on all tours for the occasional shower. Warmer layers will be required during the winter months. Don't forget your swimwear and towel.

Footwear

Lightweight walking bootshoes and trainers or sandals.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One kitbag/rucksack or old but sturdy suitcase (luggage travels on the roof rack during the day) and a daysack.

Equipment

Take a strong torch for nocturnal wildlife walks, a water bottle, camera film (and spare batteries), binoculars and a beach towel and swimming costume. Rain proof pants are very handy for walks in the rainforest. Walking poles maybe useful in Ranomafana NP and Andasibe.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities, the driver and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly you should allow approx. £40.00 per person for group tipping.


Madagascar

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£10.00
Dinner price
£13.00 - 15.00
Beer price
£2.00 - 4.00
Water price
£1.00 - 1.50
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Malagasy Ariary.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
We recommend taking most of your money in GBP, US Dollars or Euro cash. GBP can be changed at Tana airport and then after that Euro or US$ will be the preferred cash for exchange outside the capital. Please note that US$100 bills are not accepted and credit cards are rarely accepted.
Where To Exchange
Limited to Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Fianarantsoa. Your tour leader will advise on arrival.
ATM Availability
Antananarivo only, but ATMs cannot be relied upon.
Credit Card Acceptance
Very limited in Antananarivo and not to be relied upon.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Flight, Minibus

Accommodation notes

We've chosen our accommodation in Madagascar based on location and comfort. At Explore, we avoid chain hotels and opt for locally-run properties to give you an authentic experience. While you're sure to get a warm welcome, the standards might not always match those at home.

The majority of the hotels on this tour are graded as comfortable. You can expect simply furnished en-suite rooms and basic amenities. Most properties will have WiFi and air-conditioning and some have extras such as swimming pools and restaurants to sample Malagasy food.

At times, we'll be staying within easy reach of Madagascar's stunning national parks. These properties often have balconies or terraces from where you can enjoy a sundowner with a breathtaking view.

See your final documents for your departure's hotels.

Food and drink

Madagascan food has been influenced by its French colonial past. Breakfasts are typically continental style comprising of a baguette, butter and jams, eggs and sometimes fruits in season served with tea or coffee. For lunch and dinner very reasonably priced fresh fish is widely available as we travel towards the coastal zone. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and readily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyone's taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured rum, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced.

For vegetarians your food options may be rather limited (i.e. omelette, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfasts are usually simple: eggs, a baguette, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (spread, peanut butter etc). Madagascar does not have a vegetarian culinary tradition, and vegan food can be extremely difficult to find outside of the capital city. Gluten free and lactose free dietary requests can also be challenging to accommodate, be prepared to supplement your diet with food from home.

Madagascar

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Madagascar: If you are visiting for less than 16 days, there is no visa requirement. However, travellers must pay a 10 Euro administrative fee on arrival. For stays of 16 days or more an entry visa is required by UK, New Zealand, Australian, US & Canadian citizens and can be obtained at the airport on arrival. The visa cost is €35 or $37 USD. Only cash is accepted so please ensure you have this with you. Please note GBP sterling is not accepted. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

For a single entry tourist visa you can now apply via the e-visa website: https://evisamada-mg.com/en/home

If you needed to obtain a visa you will need to print a copy of your disembarkation authorisation and present this with your passport at the eVisa counters upon arrival in Madagascar. You will be permitted to stay within Madagascar for a maximum of up to 30 days. There is an alternative more expensive tourist visa available for stays of up to 60 days. We strongly recommend for you to read the FAQ section on the e-visa website before applying.

Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of your entry into Madagascar and at least 2 blank pages.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Ability to swim

An ability to swim is essential for your safe enjoyment of the water based activities on this trip. If you wish to participate in these activities then we insist that you are able to swim.

Madagascar

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A plus Polio and diptheria. Please note that all travellers aged over 9 months old that have travelled from or have transit via a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, will need to present a Yellow Fever certificate at immigration/borders in Madagascar for inspection. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Following the advice given by the Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we strongly recommend the wearing long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellent as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Wildlife information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

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