Madagascar

Madagascar family holidays

Madagascar is exhilaratingly, breathtakingly, staggeringly beautiful. The sheer breadth of scenery is extraordinary and its intense and varied beauty is a constant surprise. 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 climbing up the side of mountains, and gushing waterfalls cutting a swathe through narrow canyons. There are stunning white beaches and there are remote plains against which the plump baobab trees create their iconic silhouette.

Madagascar family holidays - cheeky ringtail lemur looking at camera lens. When to go to Madagascar

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 and from the minuscule Mouse lemur to the ring-tailed ‘King Julien’ lemur, 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 also 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.

Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, visit on Madagascar family holidays

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 if you are prepared for some long but extraordinarily spectacular journeys, and if you can take the odd hotel hiccup in your stride, you will be very richly rewarded.

Why take the kids

Our top activities on family holidays to Madagascar include:

  1. Watching lemurs fly from tree to tree
  2. Night walks to spot chameleons
  3. Hiking in dramatic Isalo National Park
  4. Swimming in a hidden oasis
  5. Searching for whales
  6. Meeting the locals in small rural villages
  7. Enjoying idyllic white sandy beaches
  8. Cycling through Betsilao villages

Teens on palm fringed beach in Madagascar

Explore Madagascar’s picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches

Madagascar is a phenomenal destination, ticking lots of child-friendly boxes. There is a great variety of different activities, from night walks to cycling, from snorkelling to boat rides, and a wealth of wildlife to astound and amaze. There are picture-perfect beaches fringing the coast, providing the perfect place to round off a holiday.

That said, although a Madagascar family holiday can be adapted for all ages, this is really a destination more suited to older children. Post covid, the roads are in a terrible state and the drives can at times be arduous; children need to be old enough to enjoy the views out the window as they bounce around in the back of the vehicle!

If you are travelling with younger children, we can, of course, tailor your itinerary accordingly and perhaps select a smaller part of the country for you to concentrate on.

Take a look at our Madagascar places to visit to see which destinations most appeal and head to our Madagascar itineraries to see how you can make this happen.

Visitors meeting local people on a Madagascar family holiday - child-friendly holidays to Madagascar with Stubborn Mule Travel

Meet the local people in rural villages along your way

Example Madagascar family itineraries

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 researching Madagascar family holidays - Isalo National Park

Stubborn Mule’s MD, Liddy Pleasants, says Madagascar’s landscapes are simply breathtaking

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Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.

01728 752751

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