Best time to travel to Madagascar

Baby Lemurs in Madagascar

The only place in the world where you can see the many lemurs and their babies in the wild

Best time: October–November

Baby Lemurs
Baby Lemurs
Baby Lemurs

Lemurs are found in virtually all of Madagascar's ecosystems. There are about 60 kinds of them in Madagascar—from small mouse-sized to big monkey-sized. October–November is the time when female lemurs give birth to their babies. Then they carry them on their belly for a couple of weeks. Once they are strong enough they move to the back.

Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc d'Isalo, Parc National d’Andasibe and Reserve National de l’Ankarana are the best places to observe lemurs. Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia is the closest one to Antananarivo. It takes around four and a half hours to take there by car Day trips to Andasibe Lemurs run from the capital city.

Practical info

When is the best time to see baby lemurs in Madagascar?

To increase the chances to see baby lemurs, travelers should visit Madagascar during the months of October and November. This time is when female lemurs give birth, and they usually carry them on their belly before moving them to their backs after a couple of weeks. The most popular national parks to observe these primates are Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc d'Isalo, Parc National d’Andasibe, and Reserve National de l’Ankarana, all of which showcase unique and remarkable behaviors of the animals found in their ecosystems. Show more

Which national parks in Madagascar are better for spotting lemurs?

If travelers are looking for an experience observing lemurs with their unique behaviors and movements, they should visit Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc d'Isalo, Parc National d’Andasibe, and Reserve National de l’Ankarana. Among them, Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia is the nearest destination to the capital, which is approximately 4.5 hours away by land transportation. Guides at these national parks provide valuable information for visitors about the animals' habitats and behaviors, making the tours a thrilling animal-viewing experience. Show more

What is the gestation period of lemurs?

Lemurs are one of the complex primates in Madagascar, with varying gestation periods from 60 to 130 days. Size is a crucial factor determining the length of gestation, with smaller lemurs having shorter periods than their larger counterparts. After giving birth, newborn lemurs are carried on their mothers' belly for a few weeks until they can move on their own on their mother's back. Observing this unique adaptation in the animals can also help tourists appreciate their significant role in the ecological balance of Madagascar's diverse ecosystems. Show more

How many species of lemurs are unique to Madagascar?

Madagascar boasts approximately 60 unique species of lemurs, varying in size and behavior. Some lemurs are as small as a mouse while others larger than a monkey, each offering their charm to observe closely. These primates are significant to conservation efforts in Madagascar's various ecosystems, and their absence would leave significant impacts. Travelers interested in observing these unusual animals in their habitats can head out to the well-known national parks like Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc d'Isalo, Parc National d’Andasibe, and Reserve National de l’Ankarana. Show more

Are guided tours available to observe lemurs in Madagascar?

There are various guided tours available in Madagascar offered by tour operators or national parks. Certified guides knowledgeable about the different species of lemurs are available to provide information on the animals' way of life, habits, and behaviors. The tours offer a rare opportunity to observe these unusual primates up close in settings like soaking in Parc National de Ranomafana's hot springs or exploring Parc d'Isalo's canyons surrounded by lemurs. Booking a tour with an experienced guide is the most exciting way to learn about lemurs while contributing to their conservation efforts. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin