Madagascar with kids: the family travel guide
Lemurs a few metres away, turtles in turquoise water, giant baobabs: for a child, Madagascar feels like a life-size wildlife documentary. But it is also a country of long roads, where a family trip needs a different kind of planning. Here is what we tell parents, straight from the field.
Is Madagascar a good idea with kids?
Yes, as long as you adapt the trip. Families are among the most common visitors to Madagascar, and for good reason: the wildlife is unique in the world and very easy to see, and Malagasy people welcome children with great warmth.
The real challenge is not the country, it is the distances. An 8 to 10-hour day on the road is hard on a 5-year-old. The key: fewer regions, short driving days, and domestic flights for the long distances.
What age is best?
| Age | Our view |
|---|---|
| 0 – 3 years | Possible, especially for a beach stay in Nosy Be with little driving. Talk to your paediatrician first. |
| 4 – 7 years | Lemurs, beach, surface snorkeling, short forest walks. Avoid long driving days. |
| 8 – 12 years | The ideal age: national parks, pirogue trips, snorkeling, night walks to spot chameleons. |
| Teenagers | Almost everything is possible: longer hikes, Tsingy, diving depending on the dive centre's minimum age. |
Best regions for families
- Nosy Be and its islands: short distances, calm sea, lemurs on Nosy Komba, turtles at Nosy Tanikely. The best choice with young children.
- Andasibe: the forest of the indri, the largest lemur, a few hours' drive from Antananarivo. Walks last 2 to 3 hours and are easy for children.
- The South-West (Ifaty, Anakao): beaches, lagoons, the Reniala baobab forest and the Ifaty tortoise village.
- Sainte-Marie (July to September): humpback whales, an incredible memory for a child.
- Isalo: the natural pool at the end of a beautiful walk, better from age 7 or 8.
Best avoided with young children: the Tsingy de Bemaraha (long dirt roads, high walkways) and the RN7 in one go. Keep them for when the kids are older.
A 12-day family itinerary
- Days 1 – 2: arrival in Antananarivo, rest and a gentle first look at the capital.
- Days 3 – 4: Andasibe. A day walk for the indris, a night walk for the chameleons.
- Day 5: back to Antananarivo, then a domestic flight to Nosy Be.
- Days 6 – 11: Nosy Be. One excursion every other day (Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Iranja, Lokobe), with beach days in between.
- Day 12: departure.
With more time, add a few days in the South-West or in Sainte-Marie, always flying for the long distances. To compare transport options, read our article How to get around Madagascar.
Health and safety
- See a travel doctor 1 to 2 months before you leave: vaccines and malaria prevention depend on each child's age and the regions you visit.
- Against mosquitoes: mosquito net, age-appropriate repellent, long clothes in the evening.
- Water and food: bottled water only, fruit you can peel, no raw vegetables washed in tap water.
- Sun: hat, sunscreen, UV t-shirt for swimming.
- Insurance: take travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation. Outside the big cities, medical facilities are limited.
Transport, accommodation and food
- Private vehicle with driver: you stop whenever the kids need to. The most comfortable option for a family.
- Car seats: they are not always available. Ask the agency in advance, or bring your own.
- Short stages: aim for 4 to 5 hours of driving a day at most, with breaks.
- Accommodation: choose family rooms and hotels with a pool or beach for downtime.
- Food: in tourist areas you will easily find rice, chicken, pasta, grilled fish and plenty of fresh fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Can you travel to Madagascar with kids?
Yes. With a relaxed pace, fewer regions and domestic flights for long distances, Madagascar is a wonderful family destination: lemurs, turtles, beaches and baobabs.
Which region of Madagascar is best with young children?
Nosy Be and its islands: short distances, calm sea, lemurs and turtles. Andasibe, a few hours from Antananarivo, is also ideal to see lemurs.
What is the best age to visit Madagascar?
Every age is possible with an adapted trip, but 8 to 12 is the ideal age to enjoy the national parks. With a child under 3, talk to your paediatrician first.
Do children need malaria medication for Madagascar?
That decision belongs to a doctor: see a travel doctor 1 to 2 months before departure. In all cases, protect children from mosquitoes (net, age-appropriate repellent, long clothes in the evening).
How many days for a family trip to Madagascar?
12 to 15 days let you combine one nature region (such as Andasibe) with a beach stay (such as Nosy Be) without tiring the kids.