Madagascar
Madagascar family holidays
Madagascar is exhilaratingly, breathtakingly beautiful and on a family holiday here the beauty of the landscape is a constant delight. One day you might be in lush rainforest dripping with ferns and moss, the next you will be passing through a dramatic barren desert with high rocky plateaus and towering rock spires. There are emerald green rice terraces, stunning white beaches and remote plains dotted with the silhouette of plump baobab trees.

The Ringtail is Madagascar’s national lemur and one of the most lively
There is also an incredible abundance of wildlife to be enjoyed on a Madagascar family holiday. The chief attraction is undoubtedly the lemur, endemic to Madagascar with more than 30 different species. From fluffy white sifaka to giant Indiri, the forest and plains abound with their distinctive chirruping cries. Curly-tailed chameleons, bright blue butterflies, darting lizards, and tiny frogs can also all be spotted on jungle walks.
Culturally, Madagascar family holidays will be a hugely rich experience. Tiny villages dot the landscape and there is ample opportunity to learn about the strong traditions of the various different groups, from the highlanders of the centre to the fishing villages around the coast.

The iconic Avenue of the Baobabs, Morondava, but you can find baobabs everywhere in the south and west
There’s no avoiding the fact that travel in Madagascar can be hard. The roads are in a terrible state and the infrastructure in many places is poor; this is not a destination for the faint-hearted. But the food is excellent (the French influence is clearly noted!) and whilst some areas have a limited selection of accommodation, there are some utterly divine hotels on the beach.
Why take the kids to Madagascar?
Madagascar is a phenomenal destination, ticking lots of child-friendly boxes. Our top activities on family holidays to Madagascar include:
- Watching lemurs fly from tree to tree
- Night walks to spot chameleons
- Hiking in dramatic Isalo National Park
- Swimming in a hidden oasis
- Searching for whales
- Meeting the locals in small rural villages
- Enjoying idyllic white sandy beaches
- Cycling through Betsilao villages

Explore Madagascar’s picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches
Whether you are visiting the north, south, east or west of the country, there will be plenty to keep the whole family engaged. There’s night walks, cycling, snorkelling and boat rides, as well as a wealth of wildlife to astound and amaze. And there are picture-perfect beaches fringing the coast, providing the perfect place to round off a holiday.
Which part of Madagascar should we visit?
Madagascar is known as the island continent, as there is so much variety within its borders. Given the relatively limited infrastructure, you can’t tick everything off in one visit. Therefore it’s best to pick a part of the country, and concentrate your time here. The west and the south offer some of the most incredible scenery; we love the southern route from Antananarivo down to Tulear.
Over in the east you have the most abundant and accessible wildlife as well as incredible beaches. The same is true in the north, where the coast is fringed with idyllic white sand crescents, and a handful of exquisite luxury properties.
We will always be mindful of the ages of your children when planning your Madagascar family holiday. Those with older kids will be able to tackle longer journeys whilst younger families will need to cover smaller distances.
Take a look at our Madagascar places to visit for further information about the different destinations within the country. And head to our Madagascar itineraries to see how you can make this happen.
See When to go to Madagascar to find out more about the weather and what it will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday to Madagascar for your family.

Meet the local people in rural villages along your way
Family holiday itineraries to Madagascar
All of our Madagascar family holidays are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget, and so on.
However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Madagascar, have a look at our sample itineraries, Landscapes of Southern Madagascar and Natural Madagascar.
Also, check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on a Madagascar family holiday and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our gallery.
See When to go to Madagascar to find out more about the weather and what it will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday to Madagascar for your family.

Stubborn Mule’s MD, Liddy Pleasants, says Madagascar’s landscapes are simply breathtaking
Madagascar in pictures
From our blog

“Literally breathtakingly beautiful”
Liddy Pleasants, MD, Stubborn Mule Travel





