The key to an incredible journey in Madagascar is research. Blogs, Books, Documentaries, etc. Experiences and impressions are far more powerful with a context to interpret them. Give yourself the pleasure of indulging in Malagasy culture and history before you get there – it will do wonders for your vacation.
On top of that, Madagascar is what I would call a very messy country. And that’s phrasing it nicely. There’s no official site explaining to you how to take the bus, no official ”Visit Madagascar” site to get recommendations and advice, ATMs are a rarity in most areas, wifi connection is not as you know it, the official offices are unlikely to have the knowledge to help you, the population hardly speak French – and even less English. The list goes on. The bottom line is, do your research before you get there. It is the KEY.
Luckily others have traveled before you, and are happily giving out advice. Some for free, and others will cost you some well-spent money. This post is a list of blogs to read from home and books to bring on your trip. Get reading!
Travel Books for Madagascar
Truth be told, not many travel books are written about Madagascar. Few tourists visit the country, so perhaps the publishers don’t see the potential. Even so, you need a guidebook and have to choose from the options out there.
Lonely Planet – Madagascar, 9th ed., 2020
This is in my opinion the absolute best travel book to bring. It contains a huge amount of information, including recommendations for specific hotels, restaurants, and activities in every area. The downside to that feature is that it’s hardly ever up to date. Places close, change their names, and prices change.
The newest edition is the 9th published in 2020. Many things have changed in the country since then, so don’t bet your life on its information. But do enjoy the well-written descriptions of the culture, regions, and wildlife. In the book, you have a parlor which is helpful in many cases. And the parlor is trilingual- English, French, and Malagasy. That’s simply gold.
The price is about 15€ on Amazon for 320 pages.
Berlitz – Madagascar Pocket Guide, 2019
Another good option is Madagascar Pocket Guide by Berlitz. It does a good job inviting you into the fascinating Malagasy culture, and while it covers fewer places than Lonely Planets, each area gets the attention it deserves. With only 168 pages it’s a light-weighter in your bag. Short, concise, and to the point. It contains a short language guide and several maps to help you navigate your journey. And on the pro side, you can get it on Amazon for less than 8€.
Insight Guides – Madagascar, 2018
Insight Guides’ travel book is also a great choice. Madagascan history is vividly presented, and the cultural chapter creates a solid foundation for understanding Malagasy. Pictures are generously displayed, which despite the heavy load of information makes it easy to read. Recommendations for specific places are not this book’s best feature, but in my opinion that makes it more timeless. With 328 pages and a price of 20€ on Amazon, it’s a heavy lifter.
Bradt Travel Guide – Madagascar, 2020
This is a classic written by Hillary Bradt and Daniel Austin who are somewhat experts on traveling Madagascar. With its 472 pages you’re looking at the most extensive guide you can bring with you. If you like to be prepared, this is the book for you. The only criticism I have of this book is the layout. They look rather old-fashioned both in and outside, and for youngsters such as myself, that might influence how easy you find it to read. On Amazon it’s sold at about 18€, so you’ve got good value for money.
Blogs about Traveling to Madagascar
Just as with books, there’s a lack of good blogs about Madagascar. In general, attaining the information you need will be a struggle. This list contains the most helpful blogs including a short description of what they cover and whom they’re suited for. Have a good read!
She Is Wanderlust
This is one beautiful blog written by Selene. The travel guide she made offers a bunch of good-to-know practical information. She has very little content about Madagascar, but the look and feel of the blog earn her a shoutout anyway. Give it a read!
Wandering Wheatleys
Wandering Wheatleys is owned by Nick and Matt, but their posts are contributed by several bloggers. The guide to Madagascar, written by Yana & Timon, is one of the more extensive. It’s full of information fitted for most travelers. What I love, even more, is that they’ve created an entire guide on my favorite place on earth, the small paradise island Ile aux Nattes. Thank you Yana & Timon!
A Winter Escape
Here’s a great blog post for creating a context for your experiences in Madagascar. Amelia did a good job of including Madagascan history. On top of that she’s a health professional, so the advice on how to travel safely is just awesome.
Pommie Travels
A thorough guide by Victoria. Her guide takes you through many of the choices you need to make before leaving. Plus, her spin on being a woman often traveling alone is precious. Worth a read.
Very Hungry Nomads
Rach and Marty did a great job on their 2-weeks itinerary post. I’d actually never considered that way around before I read it – and that says something! They take you with them on their journey every day of the trip. A great way to know what to expect.
The Pilot Who Explores
Now, this is probably my favorite blog post about Madagascar. Pierre does an amazing job fitting all the information you need into an easy-read article. Just like me, he’s a traveler wanting to get maximum experiences out of his time, resulting in an incredible itinerary. Thank you for this piece, Pierre!
Vivy Travel
Vivy Travel is a local travel agency in Madagascar. They really get the whole content-creation process, and being local, they’re experts. Their blog is full of inspiration and is a fountain of cultural knowledge. Without a doubt, it’s a must-read!
The Broke Backpacker
Lerato wrote a great piece on safe travel in Madagascar. While I personally find it a bit too dramatic, it’s perfect for those wanting to be prepared for the worst. It’s a great tool to induce your feeling of safety, but please don’t let it scare you off. Thanks to Lerato for giving voice to important advice!
Uncharted Backpacker
Stephen provides four quite amazing articles about his journey in Madagascar. He’s an engaging writer with a wonderful use of pictures. His posts are rather old, so you probably shouldn’t trust the specifics, but for inspirational purposes they’re fantastic!
Build & Board Travel
If you’re into hiking, this is the blog for you! Deirdre has written a few great and extensive guides on the best hiking spot in Madagascar. One of them is in Isalo, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Hikers, keep this one in your pocket!
Charlotte Plans a Trip
This is one of the best travel blogs out there. Charlotte has written many pieces on Madagascar, so you can find tips and inspiration on specific regions. The site offer guides, itineraries, practical information, and her personal diary from Madagascar.
Nomadic Matt
Matt is an American backpacker and has written a few great posts on solo backpacking through Madagascar – and all the troubles that come with it. For backpackers, this is a must-read.
Matt additionally wrote this post: A Journey Through Madagascar: Notes On the Privilege of Travel. It beautifully highlights the challenges Madagascar faces and how much of a difference your traveling there makes. Everyone considering Madagascar as a destination should spend five minutes reading that.
Helen in Wonderlust
Helen is just one of the most inspiring people I can think of. She has a true passion for Africa, which shines through her writing. Her pieces on Madagascar are well-written, easy to read, and frequently updated. I just love her blog!
Original Travel
Here’s a UK travel agency that’s done a great job on their blog. Especially the wildlife post is gold to keep in your pocket. The site is focused on describing the different areas rather than practicalities, which is an intriguing read.
And that concludes the list. Oh wait, I forgot one! This blog, of course.
I aim to make this site the one-stop blog for all the information you need to feel comfortable when traveling to Madagascar. I’m happy to share my knowledge and write articles on exactly the subject you are missing. Don’t hesitate to contact me. For now, I recommend you read these articles written by me:
The Ultimate Itinerary: Madagascar in 3 Weeks
12 Reasons to Visit Madagascar
7 Places to Experience When Staying at Ile aux Nattes
Why Is Madagascar’s Wildlife so Unique?
Enjoy a good read!
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