2 days · East
Andasibe: Lemurs & Rainforest Trails
A short escape from Antananarivo: Peyrieras, a night walk and an early search for indri with a local guide. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Tongasoa: welcome to Madagascar
Madagascar, guided by those who live there.
Private Madagascar trips, planned around you. A first personal reply usually within 24Â hours; itinerary and final quote follow the necessary checks.
Watch the film 2:19
Signature journeys
See all 8 trips
Private Madagascar tours to shape around your dates
Six ideas from our eight private programmes, lasting 2–20 programme days. Adult starting prices assume at least two people; solo travellers, children and the party total need a written quote. The included driver-guide speaks English. Published starting prices exclude flights. Confirm meals, extra nights and any French accompaniment in your programme and quote. See what to include in your full holiday budget.
5 days · West
West: Baobabs and Tsingy
Sunset on the Avenue of the Baobabs, a night walk in Kirindy, and the limestone cathedrals of the Grand Tsingy.
11 days · North
Northern Madagascar: Beaches, Tsingy & Wildlife
The Three Bays, Montagne d’Ambre, red Tsingy and Ankarana, then Nosy Be with an Iranja excursion. The 11-day programme finishes at Nosy Be airport; flights are extra.
10 days · East
Eastern Madagascar: Forests, Lakes & Islands
Indri in Analamazaotra, the Palmarium's friendly lemurs, the Pangalanes Canal, then ĂŽle Sainte-Marie.
11 days · South
Classic South, Expanded Version
Andasibe to the east first, then the RN7 south: Ranomafana, Anja, Isalo and Ifaty. The 11-day programme ends with the transfer to Tulear airport; the onward flight is extra.
20 days · West / South
Ultimate Madagascar Adventure
West, Vezo coast and South over 20 programme days. The Tsiribihina stage needs current checks: FCDO advice recommends alternatives after armed boat robberies. Any revised route, availability and price must be confirmed. Advice checked 17 October 2026.
The film
Madagascar, through local eyes
A two-minute film of landscapes, wildlife, culture and guest journeys, narrated in English, French or Spanish. It shows the Tsiribihina: current FCDO advice recommends alternatives after armed boat robberies (checked 17 October 2026). Film scenes do not confirm present route access or guaranteed wildlife; ask us to check your dates and any alternative. Photo credits below distinguish company, guest and other contributors.
Questions after watching? Christian answers personally.
Talk to Christian on WhatsAppPhoto credits
Film photography by Tongasoa Mada Tours, its guests, and 18 photographers on Unsplash: Alessandro Zanini, Chinh Le Duc, David Bruyndonckx, Falco Negenman, Guillermo Suarez, Hans-Jurgen Mager, iAko Randrianarivelo, karimjy LOULOUA, Marcelo Delgado, Noah Grossenbacher, Pierre Bamin, Rado Rafidinjatovo, Rafael Peier, Sam, Sandy Ravaloniaina, Sitraka Mamy Tantely Andriamialijaona, Tracy Winn, Yasmine Arfaoui. Globe imagery: NASA Earth Observatory (Blue Marble). Coastlines: Natural Earth.
Tripadvisor · checked 17 October 2026
Rated 5.0 by the people we guided
5.0 20 reviews, all Excellent · shortened and translated excerpts See them all on Tripadvisor
We took a trip to Madagascar last August and being accompanied by our guide was, without a doubt, the best part of the experience. … If you go to Madagascar and want someone who not only knows the country like the back of his hand, but who also becomes a friend during the trip, look no further.
My husband and I made amazing memories during our travels with Christian. We felt incredibly fortunate to see so many different species of lemurs and chameleons, and every day brought something new and exciting…
We had an excellent stay with Christian. We appreciated his professionalism, good humor, and in-depth knowledge of the wildlife, flora, and traditions of Madagascar. He is a very good guide with whom we were able to discover many things…
Christian advised us on how to plan our custom trip to discover Madagascar. During the three weeks of travel, he was an excellent guide: always attentive and very caring to allow us to fully enjoy our trip, fostering beautiful encounters, and discovering the wildlife and flora of this magnificent country.
Christian prepared a “custom” 18-day stay with us to accompany us in discovering Madagascar. Christian is an excellent guide, attentive and adaptable to the wishes and expectations of his clients…
It's hard to describe beauty in words, because words can't convey feelings. Our guide Christian and driver Alphus were … very helpful and warm human beings :) … Highly recommended :)
Already the planning went smoothly, Christian always got in touch promptly via mail or WhatsApp and took all my wishes for the round trip into account.
With Christian Major we had a good tour guide and organizer. My journey went from Antsirabe to Kirindy Forest, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Morondava to Ifaty beach. … That was great. It was a beautiful trip…
A caring guide, completely attentive to our wishes during 3 weeks in Madagascar. He knew how to surround himself with an excellent driver for a trouble-free trip.
A beautiful discovery of Madagascar rich in scenery and encounter. Christian is a very caring person who wants to give us a unique experience.
Super good tour, as the photos show, we had plenty of good experiences. We went on two long road trips, one to the north and one to the south. Christian was a good guide. We would not have been able to do it without him.
Welcome to Tongasoa Mada Tours
Your trusted partner for the wild side of Madagascar
A trek, a week by the sea, lemurs at dawn, or a bit of everything: we build the trip around what you actually want to see.
We are Malagasy, we live here, and we drive these roads every season. That means honest advice about what fits your dates, a private vehicle instead of a coach, and guides who can tell an indri call from a sifaka before you spot the tree.
Booking made simple
Three steps from idea to confirmed trip
No accounts, no deposits to ask a question. Send a request and a real person in Antananarivo answers it.
1
Pick a trip or tell us your idea
Choose a published programme as a starting point or describe your idea. Trips are private; route changes depend on your dates, access and the written quote.
2
Share your dates and priorities
The enquiry form requires your name and email. Add known dates, adults and children’s ages, two must-keeps and your budget in the optional message. Say whether flights and extra nights are within that budget; programme days are not your whole holiday.
3
First reply, then a checked written quote
Usually a first personal reply within 24 hours. We then agree the itinerary, inclusions and total for your party in writing before booking or deposit. Any hotel option depends on supplier confirmation; ask which hotel, dates and expiry apply.
Wildlife and trekking
Four ways to meet Madagascar
Each of these can be a trip of its own, or a thread running through one of our journeys. Tell us which one pulls at you.
Lemur Safari
Indri at dawn, ring-tails on the rocks, sifakas in the dry forest: a trip built around the lemurs you most want to see.
Bird Watching
Couas, vangas and other birds of forest and coast: tell us your target species, walking pace and dates so we can discuss suitable sites and local guiding. Sightings remain uncertain.
Reptiles & Insects
Panther chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos and other small wildlife. Discuss habitats, guided walks and your dates; animals, access and conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Trekking & Hiking
Pic Boby, the canyons of Isalo, the hidden Makay Massif. The island is best met on foot.
8
Private programmes
Six featured above; all eight are in our catalogue.
20
Longest published programme
Programme days: allow separately for flights, connections and extra nights.
3
Languages for planning
English, French or Spanish. Included driver-guide: English; other field roles need confirmation.
24 h
Usual first reply
Usually within 24 hours; final itinerary and whole-party quote follow checks.
Ready to explore
Madagascar welcomes you, and asks you to help protect it.
Wildlife found nowhere else, on an island that feels worlds away. We'll plan the trip around what you'd like to see.
Cultures and encounters
Discover the culture of Madagascar
Discover regional crafts, food and performance traditions. These are ideas to discuss when planning, not promised events on every departure.
Traditional handicrafts
Carving and regional craft traditionsCarving workshops are one possible stop around Ambositra. Nearby Zafimaniry communities are recognised for woodcraft knowledge and techniques by UNESCO. Ask us about a visit suited to your route and interests.
Hira Gasy
Highland music, dance and oratoryHiragasy combines music, dance, oratory and moral or civic themes in the central highlands. UNESCO describes this performing art and its communities. A performance may enrich a visit when an appropriate event is actually scheduled; it is not included or available by default.
Moraingy
Traditional martial artMoraingy is a traditional bare-fisted combat sport associated especially with the north and west. The Madagascar tourism board’s visitor manual describes it among regional traditions. Discuss local schedules and the nature of any event; a weekend gathering is not guaranteed.
Malagasy cuisine
Rice, laoka and street foodRice, or vary, is a common base for meals, with accompaniments called laoka. Romazava, ravitoto and zebu dishes are examples in the tourism board’s food guide. Menus vary by region and host; tell us about allergies, vegetarian needs and other requirements before arranging meals.
Basket weaving
Raffia craftRaffia craftsmanship is among Madagascar’s traditions described in the tourism board’s visitor manual (PDF p.38). Ask about the maker, material and production method when choosing an item. Visits to makers and markets depend on your route, opening hours and hosts’ availability.
Savika
Zebu wrestlingSavika is a Betsileo tradition involving holding a zebu by its hump, described in the tourism board’s regional-culture manual. Tell us if you wish to understand the tradition or prefer to avoid animal-related events; no event is promised as part of a trip.
Questions
Who we are, and how booking works
Who is Tongasoa Mada Tours?
Tongasoa Mada Tours is a Malagasy-owned operator based in Antananarivo, led by founder Christian Mayor since 2019. We plan private, custom Madagascar holidays. Our eight published programmes run from 2 to 20 programme days and are starting points for discussion, subject to dates, access and the written quote. Tongasoa means “welcome” in Malagasy. Read our story and contact the team.
Why book with a local operator in Madagascar?
You discuss the route directly with an Antananarivo-based team. We can explain programme endpoints, road days, hotel choices and what needs checking for your dates. We book and pay park guides and community reserves directly when they are part of the agreed itinerary; this does not mean we fund every reserve or guarantee a particular guide or animal. See the service details and ask for the actual inclusions in your written quote.
How does booking work?
Choose a programme or describe your idea in the enquiry form or on WhatsApp. We usually send a first personal reply within 24 hours. The final written itinerary, inclusions and total for your party follow the necessary date and supplier checks, before you book or pay a deposit. If a hotel option is arranged, ask which property and dates are held and when the option expires; it is not automatic availability.
Can you plan a trip that isn't one of your set itineraries?
Yes. Start with your full holiday dates, two priorities, walking pace, adults and children’s ages, and whether the budget includes flights. In the optional message, distinguish your whole-party budget from the form’s per-person budget selector; no exact date or budget is needed to ask a question. For example, “rainforest and a quieter beach, gentle walks” is enough to start comparing routes. Check the complete holiday calendar, North versus South and places to visit. We confirm feasibility and price after checks.
Which languages can I plan my trip in?
You can plan with Christian in English, French or Spanish. Published programmes include an English-speaking driver-guide, with local guides for park walks. If French accompaniment matters on the road or in the parks, tell us: role, language, availability and any supplement must be confirmed in writing before booking. Planning in French does not by itself change the included field service.
Plan your trip
Planning guides from our team
Madagascar itineraries for 1, 2 or 3 weeks
What fits in one, two or three weeks, with real drive times and the combinations that waste days on the road.
How much does a trip to Madagascar cost?
What a private Madagascar trip costs, what our prices include, and what goes on top: flights, the visa, meals and tips, plus park fees if you travel on your own.
The best time to visit Madagascar, month by month
Month by month and region by region: dry roads, cyclones, the Tsingy's short season, whales, lemur babies, birds and chameleons.
Is Madagascar safe for tourists?
What the US, UK, Canadian and French advisories say (October 2026), and what to actually do about crime, night roads, malaria and cyclones.
Madagascar's national parks: which ones to visit
Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana, Isalo, the Tsingy, the north and the remote parks: what each is for, how long to give it, the months that work and the trips that go there.
The best beaches in Madagascar, and when to go
The beaches worth building a trip around, from the Nosy Iranja sandbar to Anakao, with the dry months for each coast, honest notes on swimming, and the trips that finish on the sand.
Still deciding?
Tell us your priorities. Let’s check what fits.
Send your dates, interests and party details if known. Usually a first reply within 24 hours; the checked itinerary, inclusions and whole-party price follow in writing before booking or deposit.
Page maintained by Tongasoa Mada Tours, Antananarivo. Substantive update: 18 October 2026, Madagascar time; programme prices, Tripadvisor sources and travel-advice context checked 17 October 2026 UTC. This revision clarifies programme boundaries, adult starting prices and the first-reply/quote process; cultural sources are linked above.
To query a source or report a correction, contact the team. Photos and the film retain their contributor credits. Displayed reviews are selected excerpts, not a promise of your trip’s outcome.
