International Airport The Aéroport International d'Ivato (TNR) near Antananarivo is Madagascar's only relevant international airport (Nosy Be/Fascene has seasonal charter flights). From Germany, there are no direct flights — you always fly with a stopover: Air France — Via Paris-CDG to Tana. The mo

Rental Car with Driver — The Best Option A rental car with a driver (voiture avec chauffeur) is the recommended way to travel Madagascar. The roads are often in deplorable condition, traffic rules are creative, and zebu herds on the road are part of everyday life. A local driver knows the roads, spe

Visa Germans, Austrians, and Swiss need a visa for Madagascar. The easiest way is to get a Visa on Arrival at Ivato Airport: DurationPrice Up to 30 days35€ (115,000 MGA) 31–60 days40€ (135,000 MGA) You need: passport (valid for at least 6 months), return ticket, and sufficient cash (€ or USD) fo

Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations The following vaccinations are recommended for Madagascar: VaccinationStatus Hepatitis AStrongly recommended TyphoidRecommended for longer stays Hepatitis BRecommended RabiesRecommended for animal exposure (rainforest tours) Yellow feverMandatory only when entering from a yellow fever

Safety & Communication

Safety Madagascar is not a dangerous travel destination — but it's not worry-free either. Most travelers experience a trouble-free, safe journey if they follow a few basic rules: RiskAssessmentNote Street crimeMedium (in cities)Pickpocketing in Tana, never walk at night Armed robberyLow (tourists

Clothing Light, long-sleeved clothing: Protection from sun and mosquitoes. Prefer light colors (fewer mosquitoes). Rain jacket: Useful year-round, especially on the east coast. Fleece/warm layer: For the highlands — it can cool down to 5°C at night! Hiking boots: Waterproof, ankle-high, broken in.

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Travel Guide Madagascar

Your complete travel guide to the island of lemurs and baobabs

Capital:Antananarivo

Languages:Malagasy & French

Currency:Ariary (MGA)

Best Travel Time:May–October

Flight Time:11–14 hours from DE

Visa:Visa on Arrival (30 days)

Last updated: 17 March 2026 · 12 Chapters · 40 Sections

RECOMMENDED

Route Suggestions

Classic Madagascar Tour (RN7)

14–18 days

The great Route Nationale 7 from the capital through the highlands, over rainforests and savannas to the southwest coast. Madagascar's most popular travel route — diverse, well-organized, and full of highlights.

AntananarivoAntsirabeAmbositraRanomafanaFianarantsoaAmbalavaoIsaloTuléarIfaty

Northern Madagascar: Beaches & Nature

10–14 days

Combination of beach paradise, underwater world, and nature experience in the tropical north. Ideal for those who want to combine relaxation and adventure — with the best diving and snorkeling spots in the country.

AntananarivoDiego SuarezAnkaranaNosy BeNosy IranjaNosy Komba

East Coast: Rainforest & Whales

10–12 days

The biological hotspot: Indris in Andasibe, boat trip on the Pangalanes Canal, train ride Fianarantsoa–Manakara, and humpback whales off Île Sainte-Marie. Ideal from July to September.

AntananarivoAndasibePangalanes-KanalManakaraRanomafanaÎle Sainte-Marie

Adventure Tsingy & Baobabs

8–10 days

The ultimate adventure route to the UNESCO World Heritage Tsingy de Bemaraha — with suspension bridges, river ferries, and the legendary Avenue of the Baobabs. Only possible in the dry season (May–November). 4x4 and a sense of adventure required.

AntananarivoAntsirabeMorondavaAllée des BaobabsTsingy de BemarahaKirindy

All Chapters

Planning· 3 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Madagascar

4 Sections

Chapter 2

Best Travel Time & Climate

3 Sections

Chapter 3

Budget & Costs

3 Sections

Regions· 4 Chapters

Chapter 4

Antananarivo & Highlands

4 Sections

Chapter 5

East Coast & Rainforest

4 Sections

Chapter 6

South — Isalo, Ifaty & Tsingy

4 Sections

Chapter 7

North — Nosy Be, Diego Suarez & Ankarana

4 Sections

Understanding· 3 Chapters

Chapter 8

History & Culture

3 Sections

Chapter 9

Lemurs & Nature

3 Sections

Chapter 10

Food & Drink

2 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 11

Arrival & Transport

2 Sections

Chapter 12

Practical A–Z

4 Sections

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Regions at a Glance

Antananarivo & Highlands

The capital on twelve hills, the UNESCO World Heritage Ambohimanga, the rice terraces of the highlands, and the craft towns Antsirabe and Ambositra — the cultural heart of Madagascar.

Ambohimanga (UNESCO)Rova Royal PalaceRice terraces in the highlandsAntsirabe (thermal city)+1

Antananarivo

East Coast & Rainforest

The island's most diverse rainforests: Indris in Andasibe, bamboo lemurs in Ranomafana, humpback whales off Île Sainte-Marie, and a boat trip through the legendary Pangalanes Canal.

Andasibe-Mantadia (Indri)Ranomafana National ParkÎle Sainte-Marie (whales)Pangalanes Canal+1

South — Isalo, Ifaty & Tsingy

Madagascar's most contrasting region: the sandstone canyons of Isalo, the razor-sharp Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO), the iconic Baobab Alley, the spiny forests of Ifaty, and the Route Nationale 7.

Isalo National ParkTsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO)Allée des BaobabsSpiny Forests+1

North — Nosy Be, Diego & Ankarana

Tropical island paradise Nosy Be with dream beaches and whale sharks, the Emerald Bay of Diego Suarez, Ankarana National Park with Tsingy cathedrals, and the best underwater world of the Indian Ocean.

Nosy Be & Nosy IranjaMer d'ÉmeraudeAnkarana National ParkWhale shark snorkeling+1

Nosy Be

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Schlüsseldaten

Daten: Wikidata

Einwohner: 31.964.956(2024)
Fläche: 587.295 km²
Hauptstadt: Antananarivo
Währung: Ariary, Franc Malagasy
Amtssprache: Malagasy, Französisch
Vorwahl: +261
Zeitzone: UTC+3
Gegründet: 1960-01-01

Klima & Reisewetter

Berechnet aus 10 Jahren · Open-Meteo

Beste Reisezeit: Apr–Okt — basierend auf Tagestemperaturen 20–30 °C und trockenen Monaten (aus den 10-Jahres-Mittelwerten unten abgeleitet).

Monat	Jan	Feb	Mär	Apr	Mai	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dez
Ø °C	21	21	21	20	17	15	15	16	18	20	21	21
Tag (max)	26°	26°	26°	25°	23°	21°	21°	23°	26°	28°	28°	27°
Nacht (min)	17°	17°	17°	15°	13°	11°	10°	10°	12°	14°	16°	17°
Regen mm	297	267	178	60	13	16	6	4	11	39	149	202