Cruise to Madagascar

Madagascar's unique biodiversity is a wonder to behold. The islands of Madagascar are home to many endemic species such as bulbous baobab trees, lemurs and fossa. Although a number of resorts dot the coastline, Madagascar's beaches are remote and beautiful and its landscape is a diverse range of lowland and high-altitude rainforests, mountains, grassland, limestone formations and desert. One of its most popular destinations is Nosy Be - known as “Perfume Island” due to the abundance of fragrant ylang-ylang, vanilla, and jasmine flowers. In cities like Antananarivo, the capital, you'll find a bustling atmosphere, colourful markets, and historical sites that tell the story of Malagasy culture.   

Several cruise lines offer cruises that include Madagascar in their itineraries. Ponant offer luxury expedition cruises that circumnavigate the entire country stopping in several of its ports as part of an Indian Ocean adventure. Seabourn Cruise Line offers yacht-like ultra-luxury cruises that include stop-offs at the Madagascar island of Nosy Be in its Grand Africa circumnavigation of the continent and several other cruises that explore Africa's east coast departing from Cape Town. Regent Seven seas offers Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines offer family-type larger cruise liner visits to Nosy Be. 

How long cruises to Madagascar are, depend very much on the type of cruise. These range from multi-week or multi-day cruises that include a single stop-off at the Madagascar island of Nosy Be as part of journeys around the African coast, to dedicated explorations of the country lasting about 15 days.

What's included in your cruise package will very much depend on the type of cruise and your cruise itinerary.  In Madagascar, these could include visits to national parks, wildlife reserves, cultural sites, and opportunities for activities like snorkelling, diving, or hiking. 

Citizens of South Africa, like citizens from every other country, require a visa to enter Madagascar. You must obtain a valid travel document from the Embassy of Madagascar prior to visiting the country. Tourist visas are valid for up to 90 days. 

While there are no eco-tourism cruises to Madagascar as such, land-based eco-tourism tours of the Madagascar islands' many national parks are popular for anyone seeking encounters with Madagascar wildlife. These allow you opportunities to see the islands' unique biodiversity up close through tours of the famed baobab trees and lemur tours. 

While most cruises to Madagascar make only short visits to the island of Nosy Be, a Ponant expedition cruise with its many stops in ports around the country will offer you the best opportunities to experience the unique biodiversity of Madagascar and encounter Madagascar wildlife up close. 

The larger entertainment-orientated ships of Norwegian Cruise Lines would be the most family-friendly cruises stopping off in Madagascar. 

Essential clothing to take to the tropical climate of Madagascar includes; short sleeve t-shirts, shorts, skirts, sunhat, reef shoes (for beach areas where there's coral) and comfortable walking shoes for excursions. Essential documents you may need in Madagascar include your passport/I.D, insurance documents, copies of prescriptions, and local currency (the Malagasy Ariary [MGA]).

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