Springtime in Madagascar!
October 19–November 5, 2026
Our small-group Madagascar tour in October 2026 explores the Red Island’s wildest treasures: endangered lemurs, elusive fossas, colorful chameleons, ancient baobabs, and rainforests alive with birdsong.
Spring on “The 8th Continent” brings a flurry of bird activity, both migratory and resident. The spring sun awakens creatures that have lain dormant all winter, including the dwarf lemur and legendary giraffe-necked weevil. Baby ring-tailed lemurs cling to their mothers, and October finds the ever-elusive fossas prowling the forest, trying to form families of their own. It’s a magical time to be on Madagascar, the Red Island!
This journey is unlike any other you’ve ever experienced, quite literally: almost every plant and animal you’ll encounter on this island nation exists nowhere else on the planet. Our itinerary was expertly handcrafted to show you the best that Madagascar has to offer in a safe, comfortable, and astounding voyage.
Create unforgettable memories as you encounter endangered lemurs. Walk the rich red earth among the spiny forest. Relax into the rhythm of the rainforest as we spot rare birds and quirky chameleons.
The fact that you are here means your journey has already begun! The call of Madagascar’s unique wildlife, geology, and culture beckons only the most curious & seasoned travelers.
Trip Highlights
- October 19–November 5, 2026
- This journey is double carbon offset
- Escorted by BJ & Lauren, owners of RetreaTours
- Led by an expert Malagasy guide
- Encounter lemurs face-to-face
- Wonder at the scale of iconic Baobab Avenue
- Witness active fossas during mating season
- Engage with more endemic flora & fauna than anywhere on the planet
- Enjoy walking safaris through lush rainforest & desert spiny forest
- Awaken your senses and rejuvenate your spirit off the beaten path
- Minimum of 4 guests, maximum of 12 guests
- $7999 USD, based on double occupancy (Please see “Price & Inclusions” tab below for more details.)
Click to Jump to…
- Itinerary at a Glance
- Detailed Daily Itinerary
- Price & What is Included
- Payment Information
- Cancellation Policy
- Passport and Visa Requirements
- Vaccines & Staying Healthy
- Expected Temperatures & Packing List
- About our Hotels
- About Food in Madagascar
- Internet & Electricity
- Suggested Fitness Requirements
- Travel Times & Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- How to Fly to Madagascar
- Our Carbon Negative commitment
- About RetreaTours
- Contact
How to Register When You Are Ready
- Click the button below to complete the Registration Questions
- Lauren will email you with options to pay the deposit
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Berenty Reserve, Madagascar
Fort Dauphin, Madagascar
Palmarium
Andasibe, Madagascar
Kirindy
Baobab Alley
Morondava
Is it safe in Madagascar?
While Madagascar is currently (late September 2025) experiencing civil protests and tensions, these are concentrated in the capital and reflect immediate issues like power cuts and corruption.
Based on historical precedents, these events tend to be episodic and localized, and do not affect protected reserves, remote national parks, or tourism corridors.
Even during the middle of September 2025 protests, tourism within the country was not affected.
We will monitor the situation closely, work with local partners on the ground, and adapt as needed, but we expect zero disruption to our carefully planned 2026 itinerary a year from now.
Daily Itinerary at a Glance
October 19 Welcome to the capital city of Antananarivo, or “Tana.” Our journey begins with a welcome dinner tonight. (Overnight in Antananarivo)
October 20 Today we’ll explore a lemur reserve southwest of the city. This is a spectacular chance to get up close and personal with the lemurs in a natural setting before we head out to find them in the wild. (Overnight in Antananarivo)
October 21 We’ll drive east towards Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, set in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. (Overnight in Andasibe)
October 22-23 You’ll take in everything there is to see on daytime and nighttime nature walks through this primary-growth forest. Andasibe is home to 11 species of lemurs, including the Indri! Our hotel is just a short walk from Lemur Island, a sanctuary for lemurs, including habituated ones rescued from the pet trade. (Overnights in Andasibe)
October 24 We’ll drive to the east coast and hop on a boat to navigate the Pangalanes Canal before arriving at our private reserve set on a lake. (Overnight in Palmarium Reserve)
October 25-26 Staying at the Palmarium reserve is such a treat—you’ll feel like you’re in your own remote spot of the Madagascar wilds. We’ll enjoy nature walks to encounter lemurs, including the largest lemur of all, the Indri. We’ll also have access to a private reserve that is home to Aye-Ayes, an elusive and endangered species of nocturnal lemur (Overnights in Palmarium Reserve)
October 27 We’ll take a private up the Pangalanes Canal to Toamasina (Tamatave) and fly back to Tana today. Refresh in the capital tonight before we fly out west tomorrow. (Overnight in Antananarivo)
October 28 Today’s short flight will bring us to the west coast, home to the famed Avenue of the Baobabs. We’ll marvel at these giants as we head to our next home base, Kirindy. Our hotel has a grove of gorgeous baobabs in its “backyard”–who’s up for some astrophotography tonight? (Overnight in Kirindy)
October 29 October is Kirindy’s time to shine! This is prime fossa territory and we are here during their mating season, the best possible time to see these elusive apex predators. (Overnight in Kirindy)
October 30 We’ll head to our beachfront hotel in Morondava, passing through the Avenue of the Baobabs once more. (Overnight in Morondava)
October 31 Today is a rest day in Morondava directly on the beach; indulge in spa services, walk the beach, or you can visit a local fishing village–or even return to the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunrise or sunset! (Overnight in Morondava)
November 1 Today we’ll fly to Tana and onwards to Fort Dauphin on the southeast coast. Tomorrow we’ll continue on to Berenty Reserve, a private reserve that was created in 1936 and was the home base for primatologist Alison Jolly (Overnight in Berenty Reserve)
November 2-4 We’ll enjoy the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar’s far south, including the ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka. This is the time of year for baby ringtails, so get ready for cuteness overload! We’ll take nature walks through the iconic spiny forests of the south, as well as the gorgeous gallery forests. (Overnights in Berenty Reserve)
November 5 We’ll fly back to Tana and bid farewell to this magical island–or perhaps you want to continue your adventure! (Your hotel night is included tonight in Tana so you can freshen up before a late departure or leave tomorrow.)
See trip highlights from our 2025 Madagascar Journeys
Who is this Madagascar journey for?
A trip to “The 8th Continent” is for inspired travelers who are willing to go to the ends of the earth to soak in breathtaking beauty, discover rare species, and lay eyes on vistas experienced by only the most curious and adventurous travelers.
We stay in a mix of decadent bungalows to simple “back to basics” rooms, all in the best locations possible. We cut down on driving as much as possible, taking 5 domestic flights around the country.
Please see our detailed “Suggested Fitness Requirements” and “Travel Times and Conditions” section below for more information.
What are our past Madagascar guests Saying?
You must visit Madagascar! Experiencing Madagascar will profoundly deepen your appreciation of the planet and everything that lives on it. ~J.S.
The beautiful scenery, endemic wildlife, and interactions with friendly local culture make it all worthwhile. At the end of the trip, I felt I’d accomplished something grand and beyond that of the average eco-tourist type of trip. ~C.G.
It is the opportunity of a lifetime: the wildlife, the trees, the food, the people, all the things one will see there and nowhere else. It is not like any other place. ~J.M.
Madagascar is a snapshot of a unique culture and environment. It’s on a par with the Galapagos. It’s where you should go after the Galapagos (with RetreaTours, of course) ~C.R.
Understanding Madagascar
Madagascar is sometimes referred to as the “eighth continent” because of its unique biodiversity and geographical isolation. The island has been isolated from other land masses for millions of years, allowing evolution to unfold in a distinctly unique style. It was once part of the Gondwana supercontinent, nestled between what we now know as Mozambique and India.
Culturally, Madagascar is a veritable melting pot. The first people arrived here between 350 BCE and 550 CE from Borneo. Bantu migrants crossing the Mozambique Channel followed a few centuries later. Add to this group various Arab, Indian, and Chinese settlements, and you will understand the Malagasy culture. United under the British monarch in the 19th century, only to become a French colony in 1896, Madagascar eventually gained its independence in 1960.
The Unique Flora & Fauna of Madagascar
An astonishing number of the species in Madagascar are endemic to the island. Endemic plants and animals are native species that only grow in one location in the world.
- 89% of the 11,000 identified flora species are endemic (unless exported or cultivated abroad)
- 92% of its 219 terrestrial mammals are endemic (like lemurs, tenrecs, and fossa)
- 95% of Madagascar’s 406 reptile species are endemic
- 90% of the 238 amphibian species are endemic
- 117 of the 280 bird species are endemic (giving Madagascar the highest percentage of endemic birds in the world)
- 97% of the freshwater fish species are endemic
- Possibly up to 99% of the nearly 200,000 arthropod species are found nowhere else on the planet
Why in October?
It’s Springtime in Madagascar!
It’s true that October brings a little more warmth, but with it comes a surge of life that’s impossible to beat. Birds burst into breeding plumage and song, fossas emerge for their rare mating season in Kirindy, giraffe-necked weevils are out in their full evolutionary glory, and baby ring-tailed lemurs cling to their mothers in Berenty.
Madagascar in October hums with energy–it’s the island at its most vibrant and alive!
Detailed Daily Itinerary
You can click the destination name to skip ahead to that section
Antananarivo • Andasibe-Montadia National Park • Palmarium • Kirindy & Morondava • Berenty Reserve • or click here to skip to the trip FAQs and more
Welcome to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, informally known as “Tana.” You’ll arrive in the capital on October 19th. Nestled in the central highlands of the islands, the city has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of African, Asian, and European influences.
Our journey will start with a late afternoon gathering at the hotel and our first dinner together. On October 20th, we’ll visit Lemurs’ Park, a small botanical garden and lemur reserve that will give you your first introduction to a broad swath of lemur species. We’ll encounter many lemurs during our time together in Madagascar, but this is a wonderful opportunity to encounter them more closely and take photographs in a natural setting.
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Our video highlights of Lemur Park
Destination Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage rainforest
- Indri (the largest lemur)
- Diademed sifaka
- Grey bamboo lemur
- Red-bellied lemur
- Mouse lemurs
- Sportive lemur
- Crossley’s dwarf lemur
- Lowland streaked tenrec
- Leaf-tailed gecko
- Parson’s chameleon
- Giraffe-necked weevils
- Orchids
Manjarano Lodge, Andasibe
Manambato
On the morning of the 21st, we’ll drive east (4-5 hours) towards our first stop: Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
These lush rainforests are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Eleven species of lemurs make their home here, including the Indri and the Diademed Sifaka, both critically endangered. This area is truly one of the best primate-watching sites in the world, and it is the single best spot in the country for seeing the Indri in its natural habitat.
More than 100 bird species have been identified in the park and over 20 species of amphibian. This time of year we are fortunate to see the giraffe-necked weevil. The giraffe-necked weevil is proof that Madagascar’s wildlife doesn’t do “subtle”–it’s a bright red beetle with a neck that would make a brontosaurus blush!
We’ll enjoy both day hikes and night walks in this gorgeous, biodiverse park and see what we can discover.
Our hotel is also a short walk from Lemur Island which is always loads of fun. This series of small, man-made islands is a sanctuary for lemurs, including habituated ones rescued from the pet trade. This will be a fantastic chance to see a few more species that are elusive in the wild or aren’t located in this part of the country, including the beautiful red-ruffed lemur.
Our video highlights of Lemur Island & Andasibe
Destination Highlights
- Aye-Ayes
- Indri (the largest lemur)
- Black-and-white ruffed lemurs
- Crowned lemur
- Red-bellied lemur
- Black lemur
- Common brown lemur
- Brown mouse lemur
- Eastern woolly lemur
- Greater dwarf lemur
- Darwin’s orchid
- Pitcher plants
Palmarium, Madagascar
Toamasina Airport
On the morning of we’ll drive 4-5 hours to the east coast and board a private motorboat that will take us through the Pangalanes Canal. The Pangalanes Canal is a series of natural rivers, waterways, and human-made lakes that extend for 400 miles down the east coast of Madagascar. The boat ride is smooth since we’re in small, protected waterways, on a motor boat.
In just 75 minutes, we’ll arrive at Palmarium Reserve, our home for the next three nights. Palmarium is accessible only by boat–it’s “off the beaten path” by any measure! Our lodge is set in a littoral forest on a private reserve on the shore of Lake Ampitabe. It is home to 7 species of diurnal lemurs and 4 nocturnal, as well as chameleons, frogs, geckos, tenrecs, and more.
Most of the lemurs at Palmarium are not native to this area, but due to Madagascar’s rampant deforestation, they are being protected on this reserve’s land. Some of the lemurs are habituated to human presence and very inquisitive, making Palmarium ideal for photographers. Expert guides will lead us around the reserve, in hopes to see (and hear!) the largest lemur of all, the Indri. This is a chance to get a little closer than we did in Andasibe.
Evening time holds even more excitement, as we will take a short boat ride in the canal (~20 minutes) to Aye-Aye Island, a private reserve dedicated to protecting the largest nocturnal primates of the same name. Aye-Ayes play an unfortunate role in some Malagasy superstitions and have been killed in astonishing numbers, so it is truly a rare opportunity to lay eyes on an Aye-Aye in person. The diet of the Aye-Ayes on this island is supplemented; because they are fed coconuts at night, a sighting is a sure thing (although not any less magical).
Our lodge is simple but restful and comfortable, and you’re sure to have some lemurs frolicking on your bungalow’s porch (or roof!) The black-and-white ruffed lemurs will almost certainly try to visit you during meal times, as well–we’ve found them to be the funniest and “naughtiest” of all the lemurs!
We’ll also have the opportunity to visit a nearby fishing village, nestled between the canal and the Indian Ocean, and to support the local artisans who make delightful handicrafts.
On October 27th, we’ll head back to Pangalanes Canal and motor 3 to 3.5 hours to Toamasina, where we will catch a flight back to Antananarivo and spend the night.
Our video highlights of Palmarium Reserve & Aye-Aye Island
Kirindy Forest & Morondava
October 28–November 1
Hotels:
Destination Highlights
- Fossa (best time & place in the world for them!)
- Verreaux’s sifaka
- Red-fronted brown lemur
- Fat-tailed dwarf lemur
- Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur
- Gray mouse lemur
- Pale fork-marked lemur
- Baobab trees (Adansonia grandidieri and A. rubrostipa)
Manambato
Kirindy
On October 28th, we’ll fly to Morondava, a relaxed coastal town on Madagascar’s western shore, before setting out toward the dry deciduous forests of Kirindy Reserve (2-hours). On the way, we’ll stop at the world-famous “Avenue of the Baobabs.”
This cluster of Grandidier’s baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri) towers over a red dirt road between Morandava and Kirindy; it has been a natural monument under conservation since July 2015. These mighty trees may look like sentinels standing guard over the road, but they are simply remnants of the dense tropical forest that once thrived here. As the centuries went by and Madagascar’s population grew, the forests were cleared for agriculture, leaving only the baobab trees–some over 800 years old.
Kirindy provides plenty of opportunities for day and night walks in a dry deciduous forest, home to many lemurs. The real prize would be to see a fossa (pronounced FOO-sa), Madagascar’s largest mammal. The fossa is a cat-like carnivore that weighs between 12 and 20 pounds. It is an absolute tree-climbing machine, and over half of its diet consists of lemurs. Usually, fossas are nearly impossible to spot, but because it is breeding season, the males are more concerned with finding a mate than hiding from us!
Diurnal lemurs like Verreaux’s sifaka and red-fronted brown lemurs leap through the trees by day, while after sunset the forest comes alive with mouse lemurs, chameleons, and geckos. Kirindy’s dry forest is also home to impressive reptiles, striking vangas, and stands of baobabs and tamarind trees that define this unique ecosystem.
Just behind our lodge lies a beautiful baobab grove, perfect for quiet exploration and a dream setting for astrophotography under Madagascar’s wide-open night sky.
After our time in the forest, we’ll return to Morondava, passing Avenue of the Baobabs again for a second chance to photograph this surreal landscape in new light.
We’ll settle in at the Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa, set right on the beach. On October 31st, you’ll have a full day at leisure—relax by the water, enjoy a massage, or visit a nearby fishing village for a glimpse of coastal life.
Berenty Reserve & Fort Dauphin
November 1–5
Hotels
Destination Highlights
- Ring-tailed lemur
- Verreaux’s sifaka
- Red-fronted brown lemur
- Hybridized brown lemur
- White-footed sportive lemur
- Mouse lemurs
- Radiated tortoise
- Three-eyed lizard
- Madagasacar flying fox
- Spiny Forest
- Baobab trees (Adansonia za)
Fort Dauphin, Madagascar
Berenty Reserve, Madagascar
On November 1st, we’ll fly from Morondava back to Tana, and then onwards to Fort Dauphin on the southwest coast. After resting the night in Fort Daupin, we’ll drive 2.5 hours to our home base at the Berenty Private Reserve Lodge.
Berenty was developed as a private reserve in 1936 and has been some to important scientific research in the decades. Renowned primatologist Alison Jolly started studying lemur behavior at Berenty in 1963, with a special eye on the ring-tailed lemur population. Our local guide, Jean-Benoit, worked alongside Dr. Jolly in the field and is a tremendous source of knowledge!
The reserve is home to six species of Lemur, including the iconic ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s “dancing” sifaka, as well as 103 bird species. It has the largest population of fruit bats in Madagascar. The reserve contains a portion of Madagascar’s spiny forest, as well as a gallery forest dominated by tamarind and acacia. Berenty is home to the Adansonia za species of baobab.
The lodge has its own resident ringtailed lemurs, brown lemurs, and sifakas that choose to hang out around the bungalows. You might find some curious ringtails on your porch, and you may witness “rush hour” traffic at a nearby sifaka crossing!
We’ll enjoy daily nature walks and night walks to discover the wealth of flora and fauna in southern Madagascar. The night skies here are some of the most stunning we’ve ever seen, and if you’ve never seen Southern Hemisphere stars, you’re in luck!
On November 5th, we’ll return to Fort Dauphin for our flight back to Antananarivo. Your hotel night is included tonight, so you can freshen up before a late-night flight out or a flight on the 6th.
Want to extend your time in Madagascar? Let us know and we can make recommendations!
On November 1st, we’ll fly from Morondava back to Tana, and then onwards to Fort Dauphin on the southwest coast. After resting the night in Fort Daupin, we’ll drive 2.5 hours to our home base at the Berenty Private Reserve Lodge.
Berenty was developed as a private reserve in 1936 and has been some to important scientific research in the decades. Renowned primatologist Alison Jolly started studying lemur behavior at Berenty in 1963, with a special eye on the ring-tailed lemur population. Our local guide, Jean-Benoit, worked alongside Dr. Jolly in the field and is a tremendous source of knowledge!
The reserve is home to six species of Lemur, including the iconic ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s “dancing” sifaka, as well as 103 bird species. It has the largest population of fruit bats in Madagascar. The reserve contains a portion of Madagascar’s spiny forest, as well as a gallery forest dominated by tamarind and acacia. Berenty is home to the Adansonia za species of baobab.
The lodge has its own resident ringtailed lemurs, brown lemurs, and sifakas that choose to hang out around the bungalows. You might find some curious ringtails on your porch, and you may witness “rush hour” traffic at a nearby sifaka crossing!
We’ll enjoy daily nature walks and night walks to discover the wealth of flora and fauna in southern Madagascar.
On November 5th, we’ll return to Fort Dauphin for our flight back to Antananarivo. Your hotel night is included tonight, so you can freshen up before a late-night flight out or a flight on the 6th.
Want to extend your time in Madagascar? Let us know and we can make recommendations!
Our video highlights of Berenty Reserve
Price & What is Included
There is a minimum of 4 guests required for this journey and a maximum of 14.
When we have reached our minimum, we will let you know, at which time you can buy airfare and your travel insurance.
- Trip’s early bird cost is $7999.
- The non-refundable deposit is $1500 and holds your space
- The 2nd installment of $4500 is due on April 1, 2026
- The balance is due July 1, 2026
- The private room supplement is $1200 (Please note: We will do our best to match you with anyone else looking for a roommate, but if one cannot be found, you are responsible for the private room supplement)
Price Includes
- Hotel accommodation starting from October 19 through November 5
- All ground transportation, including airport pickup and drop off from the hotel
- 5 domestic flights (Toamasina to Tana; Tana to Morondava; Morondava to Tana; Tana to Fort Dauphin; Fort Dauphin to Tana)
- All meals starting with dinner on October 19 through breakfast on November 6
- All entrance fees
- All tips to guides
- All tips at hotels and restaurants
- Online photo album after the trip
- Double carbon offsetting for the entire journey
Price does not include
- International airfare (although we will be more than happy to help you decide on arrangements)
- Madagascar visa fee (~$37 USD, payable on arrival at the airport)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Alcohol
- Laundry services
- Any meals before or after the official trip
Payment Information
Please refer to the Price tabs for specific information about price & what is included in your journey.
The non-refundable $1500 deposit guarantees your space and internal airfare. The 2nd installment of $4500 is due on April 1, 2026 and the balance on July 1, 2026.
Any necessary private room supplement of $1200 will be added to the final balance.
For our American guests, we accept payments via check, credit, or debit card (via PayPal), Zelle, or Venmo. Lauren will send you these details after receiving your registration form.
For our guests outside the U.S., Lauren will connect with you about the best ways to transfer money.
Cancellation Policy & Contract
Cancellation by our guests
The cancellation charges are as follows unless otherwise indicated on the detailed itinerary for each trip. All cancellations must be received via e-mail or US mail.
- Cancellations prior to 150 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit (in this case, $1500).
- Cancellations received 75-149 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.
- Cancellations received 75 days or fewer prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
If a trip is cancelled by RetreaTours
When a tour is cancelled in the case of force majeure, the Tour Participant will receive a refund minus any funds that we are unable to recover from any supplier.
You can see the full cancellation policy in our contract here.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Your passport must have at least 3 blank pages and be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip.
You can get a Madagascar visa upon arrival at the airport in Antananarivo for $37 USD, valid for 30 days.
Vaccines and Staying Healthy
Vaccines
No vaccines are required to enter Madagascar, but we highly encourage you to work with your local travel clinic or the travel department of your local health department (often a much cheaper option).
- Please see the CDC’s general advice for Madagascar here.
- Please see the NHS’s general advice for Madagascar here.
Malaria
Malaria is present in Madagascar; you can see the NHS malaria map of Madagascar here. If you choose to take malaria preventatives, please work with your travel physician for the right medication for you.
Staying Healthy on Tour
Please visit our comprehensive article, “How to Stay Healthy While Traveling…Naturally,” which addresses all of the most common travel ailments.
Expected Temperatures & Suggested Packing List
We’ll provide a suggested packing list several months before this journey.
Temperature by location
These conditions are based on historical averages, thanks to WeatherSpark.com. The range as a whole is 55-92°F. While this is a warm time of year, this means more activity in all the animals and is one of the best times to be in Madagascar from a wildlife perspective.
This is the end of the dry season, but we are visiting a rainforest (Andasibe) and a coastal area that receives some rain year-round (Palmarium).
- Antananarivo: 55-78°F
- Andasibe: 55-75°F
- Palmarium (Toamasina): 68-80°F
- Morondava/Kirindy: 68-80°F
- Berenty: 68-92°F
Please note that our hotels at Andasibe, Palmarium, and Relais du Kirindy do not offer any air conditioning. Nighttime temperatures should be comfortable without it. Fans at night will not be an option at Palmarium or Kirindy due to the schedule of electricity availability.
About our Hotels
Each of these hotels was carefully chosen for its comfort, location, and character. They each have their own private bathroom and shower.
Each hotel has been carefully chosen based on their locations and access to wildlife.
Here is a list of all of our reserved hotels:
- Relais des Plateaux
- Vakona Forest Lodge
- Palmarium Bungalows
- Relais du Kirindy
- Palissandre Cote Ouest Resort & Spa
- La Croix du Sud
- Berenty Private Reserve Lodge
Important notes:
Vakona, Palmarium, and Relais du Kirindy do not offer any air conditioning.
Palmarium & Relais du Kirindy will have scheduled power outages; we will give you the timing so you can plan your electronics charging.
We plan on paying Berenty Lodge to keep their generator on at night so you can make use of the air conditioning and/or fans.
About Food in Madagascar
One of the more surprising things about traveling in Madagascar is the food–the superb quality, the stunning presentation, and the sheer quantity! The vast majority of our meals will be French-influenced and have three courses. Everything is, of course, optional!
Most any dietary requirements can be met on this journey with enough notice. Please indicate any special requests/allergies on the registration form and we’ll reach out to you with any advice or information necessary before taking your deposit.
Bringing Snacks
If you are a “snack-y” person, you may wish to bring some snacks from home as it won’t always be easy to get snacks (especially ones you are familiar with) on the road. This might mean nuts, protein bars, or other sealed, portable goodies.
Can I drink the tap water?
Please stick to bottled or filtered water on this journey.
Internet & Electricity
The internet outside the capital city can be very, very slow. We recommend staying connected with your loved ones via WhatsApp (which we will also use on the tour to communicate the schedule and updates). WhatsApp seems to work with the slightest wisp of wifi.
Electrical Outlets and Adaptors
You’ll need a 2-pin European prong Type C adaptor for Madagascar. We highly recommend a Universal Adaptor such as this, which also has USB and USB-C outlets so you can charge multiple devices at once.
It is important to note that Palmarium and Relais du Kirindy are quite remote. For that reason, there may be hours throughout the day or night when there is no electricity. We will always let you know when these planned hours are so you can properly charge your phone and cameras.
Suggested Fitness Requirements
There are no strict fitness requirements required for this trip because all activities are optional. However, in order to get the most out of your experience, here are our suggested fitness requirements.
We recommend being comfortable driving for up to 3 hours at a time, often on a bumpy road (some drives are 5 hours, but we’ll always stop to stretch or use restroom facilities during that time).
We recommend being comfortable walking 2 miles at a moderate pace. Many of our walks will be on flat dirt paths (Berenty and Palmarium) and some of the Andasibe rainforest walks have some elevation changes (including stairs) where you may find a hiking pole/walking stick useful. Some hikes in Andasibe will be several miles, but with frequent stops to look for and at wildlife.
Our accommodation at Palmarium requires a walk up 2-3 flights of stairs to and from the lake level (upon arrival, departure, excursions, and any time you feel like visiting the lake).
If you have any questions about your fitness for this trip, please reach out to us and we’ll answer any questions you have!
Travel Times & Conditions
If you’ve researched travel in Madagascar, you might not be surprised to hear that road conditions can be challenging. For that reason, we have designed this journey to maximize your experience while minimizing drive times.
When we are driving, our expert drivers go slow and know how to minimize jostling as much as possible.
Here are our travel times between destinations:
- Tana to Andasibe: ~5-hour drive
- Andasibe to Palmarium: ~ 5-hour drive, then a 75-minute boat ride in a canal (covered boat)
- Palmarium to Toamasina: ~3 to 3.5 hours in the same boat up the canal
- Toamasina to Tana flight: 50 minutes
- Tana to Morondava flight: 1 hour (and return)
- Morondava to Kirindy: 2.5 hours (and return)
- Tana to Fort Dauphin flight: 2 hours (and return)
- Fort Dauphin to Berenty Reserve (and return): 2 hours
Travel Insurance
Required Coverage
RetreaTours requires that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. Please send Lauren your policy information as soon as you have it.
Suggested Coverage
We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly.
Please familiarize yourself with RetreaTours’ guest cancellation policy in your journey’s contract. Please read this article to understand a bit more about trip cancellation insurance and what it may or may not cover. “Cancel For Any Reason” policies do exist, as well, although do check to see what percentage of the trip cost they actually reimburse.
When to purchase your policy
Please purchase this insurance as soon as we tell you the trip has reached its minimum. Please do not wait until the last minute, should you need to use your (optional) cancellation coverage before then.
Where to search for policies
Below you will find some options to start your search for trip insurance. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.
Squaremouth.com and InsureMyTrip.com are two sites where you can see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like. Squaremouth’s interface is very easy and intuitive to use, and you can easily opt out of trip cancellation coverage.
It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.
About your International Flights - How to Fly to Madagascar
We are more than happy to recommend international flights, but ultimately you will make the purchase yourself. We recommend purchasing them directly through the airline when you can, as this makes any potential changes a bit easier than going through sites like Expedia or Kayak.
Depending on where you are departing from, we can make personalized recommendations for you, but here are some ideas:
The airports with connections to Madagascar currently include:
- Paris (CDG)
- Istanbul (IST)
- Addis Ababa (ADD)
- Nairobi (NBO)
- Johannesburg (JNB)
- Reunion (often as a stop, sometimes without getting off the plane)
- Mauritius (often as a stop, sometimes without getting off the plane)
Our Carbon Negative commitment
RetreaTours is Climate Positive!
We purchase double carbon offsets for your travels with us—that’s from your home, through the entire tour, and back to your home again, times two!
You may have heard the term “carbon neutral,” which means that a company offsets as much carbon as it produces. With this 200% offset, RetreaTours is actually offsetting more carbon than we produce each year, making us “carbon negative” (or “climate positive,” which has a nicer ring to it!)
But just as important as how much we offset is what we choose to support. We only invest in the most proven and effective climate projects, like methane capture and clean cookstove programs, the very types highlighted by independent investigations (including The Guardian) as truly impactful.
Since 2012 we’ve focused on making travel safe and easy for our guests; with our double carbon offset tours, we’re pleased to make our trips as sustainable as they are memorable.
Please see more at RetreaTours.com/CarbonNegative
About BJ and Lauren of RetreaTours
You’ll be joined on this journey by Lauren & BJ, owners of RetreaTours–and we are so excited to show you the wonders of Madagascar!
(That’s us at Palmarium in 2022 with a very curious Indri, the largest living lemur and critically endangered. He hopped over to us and we are so lucky that our guide was able to grab this photo!)
Husband-and-wife team BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon have traveled the globe year-round since January 2013, researching, designing, and leading impactful journeys. We are deeply grateful for the trust that our guests place in us to save them time and resources while they enjoy a memorable journey.
We are committed not only to our guests but to our host destinations and the planet at large. We engage with local businesses and guides to keep money within the community, and we double-carbon offset each of our tours.
We invite you to visit our Testimonials page to see what other people have to say about us! You can head to our About Us page to learn more about our story.
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