If you’re planning a Madagascar vacation or deciding whether now is the right time to book a Madagascar tour, it’s natural to ask how secure the country feels after the recent unrest. Here’s the reality: Madagascar is safe, tourism is running normally, and the country is fully open for travellers.
From our actual experience with clients on the ground, and our work with local partners, driver-guides, and park teams across the island, the message is consistent: flights are operating, hotels are staffed, national parks are open, and itinerary planning is back to business as usual.
Importantly — and this matters more than any headline — Dadamanga had clients in Madagascar before, during, and after the unrest. Not one client experienced a safety issue. During the peak of the troubles, a handful of itinerary edits were necessary, mainly to avoid specific areas of Antananarivo or to adjust timing. But there were zero safety impacts, and everything is now operating normally again.
What Actually Happened — and Why Calm Returned Quickly
The unrest stemmed from domestic frustrations around infrastructure and politics, mostly concentrated in Antananarivo. The situation escalated briefly, the government changed, and for a short period some airlines paused service. Travel advisories tightened temporarily — but only temporarily.
What most people outside Madagascar don’t realise is how fast things stabilised:
- Demonstrations ended.
- Daily life resumed across the regions.
- Most travel advisories softened again (but some governments are stubbornly maintaining heightened warnings, much to our frustration)
- The tourism industry bounced back almost immediately.
National parks, hotels, restaurants, drivers, guides, and airport operations all returned to standard rhythms within days. Travellers already in-country at the time continued their tours with only minor adjustments — exactly what Dadamanga successfully handled for its travellers.
Why You Can Travel With Confidence Right Now
1. Tour Operations Stayed Solid Throughout
While some destinations around the world shut down completely during political tension, Madagascar didn’t. Dadamanga’s team maintained full operational continuity, and travellers moved safely between regions such as Andasibe, Isalo National Park, Fort Dauphin, and the west coast.
2. Zero Incidents Involving Travellers
Across all clients travelling before, during, and after the unrest, not a single safety incident occurred. A few itinerary edits were made at the peak — sensible, precautionary measures — but the integrity of each tour remained intact.
3. Parks, Forests, and Key Destinations Are Fully Open
Whether you’re planning rainforest hikes in Andasibe, canyon walks in Isalo National Park, a week tour in the south, or cultural visits through the highlands, the experience on the ground is calm, welcoming, and well supported by local teams.
4. Professional Driver-Guides Ensure Comfort and Assurance
Madagascar’s roads require experience at the best of times, and working with a dedicated driver remains one of the biggest safety advantages. Dadamanga’s drivers navigated the transitional period smoothly and continued to deliver reliable, safe service across the country.
5. Hotels and Lodges Are Operating Normally
From boutique ecolodges in the forest to established hotels in Antananarivo and beach resorts in Fort Dauphin, accommodation providers are back to standard service — friendly staff, regular amenities, and smooth day-to-day operations.
Recent reviews from our clients:
Fantastic trip 🙂 - I had an amazing time in Madagascar thanks to Dadamanga. From the beginning, communication and organization were perfect. Hotel standards exceeded my expectations! All trips were fantastic with a lot... read more of wildlife and nature. On top of that, all drivers were kind, respectful and very professional.
10/10!
Vanessa P
July 8, 2026
Travel to Madagascar - I recently traveled to Madagascar from Australia with my friend who joined me there from Canada,we booked our trip with Dadamanga. I’m really happy with their service.
Everything was... read more well organized and communication was easy throughout. The trip went smoothly and I always felt well taken care of.
I’d definitely recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Madagascar.
Thank you Brett and Fano!👌🏻☺️
Soheila M
June 25, 2026
Adventure at its best with Dadamanga - We spent 26 days in Madagascar with our tour designed by Dadamanga. They were nothing short of amazing. All the lodging they put us in was great along with all... read more driver/guides. Dadamanga was always there with great communication and able to make any changes that we needed look seamless. Madagascar is a real adventure, so spend the time if you go there. Dadamanga is an in-country tour company and they really know the inside. We highly recommend them.
rben_mvp
May 30, 2026
Thank you Dadamanga - From the moment we contacted Dadamanga we knew we had made the right choice. Brett Massoud (the owner) and his staff put a private, tailor made 15 day trip together,... read more which included ample daytime and nighttime lemur viewing at multiple locations, a 2 day trip on a river barge with camping along side the river (showering under a waterfall) , a walk through the Tsingy, the Baobab trees and much more. We were provided with detailed information on the country, what to expect and how to prepare. Communication was always timely, Because this is Madagascar, the booking process was a bit different, but Brett and his staff helped us through.
Following is part of our thank you letter to Dadamanga: which explains our gratitude and enjoyment:
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Hallo team.
Let me start off with thanking you all for providing us with one of our most memorable trips ever. Believe me, we've done a few. Dadamanga is truly a 5 star company.
We were completely aware that traveling through Madagascar comes with certain challenges, but your guides and drivers made them virtually all disappear and turned them into one huge exiting adventure.
We want to thank all our drivers for their expert handling of the wheel. We didn't feel unsafe for one single moment. Nothing of praise for all of them.
As to our guides, all were outstanding and experts in their field or locale. We learned so much about Malagasy culture, peoples, customs, history, religion, wildlife, plants and habits. At was like being back in school again.
We especially like to thank Malala, our guide and friend for most of our trip.
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Dadamanga distinguishes itself in service, quality of staff, reliability and pure excellence.
Henk G
February 19, 2026
Fantastic 2 week trip organized by Dadamanga - Very pleased to report that Dadamanga organized an excellent two week trip to Madagascar for my wife and I. We spent about 4 days in the north near Diego Suarez... read more visiting Ankarana and Amber Mountain, followed by a trip up RN7 from Toliara to Tana. Dadamanga was very responsive and provided a very detailed and comprehensive itinerary during the planning phase. We provided the regions we were interested in visiting and Dadamanga filled in the gaps resulting in a trip that allowed us to see a good amount of the country at a comfortable pace. Dadamanga was very responsive when changes had to be made to the itinerary due to factors outside of our control. Originally, we were supposed to spend a few days in Masoala, but Madagascar airlines changed the flight schedule a few months before the trip, and Dadamanga was able to re-work the itinerary so that we could instead visit the North (which ended up being our favorite region) and maintain the RN7 portion. As a side note, our trip had three domestic flights and we did not experience any last minute cancellations or delays with Madagascar Airlines.
The Dadamanga staff we interacted with in the country were welcoming, professional, knowledgeable, and kind. We felt safe the entire trip and learned a lot during the excursions. Madagascar poses a lot of logistical challenges for traveling, but Dadamanga made it easy for us, allowing us to to truly appreciate all the wonderful things Madagascar has to offer. I strongly recommend using Dadamanga to anyone thinking of visiting Madagascar.
Nathaniel B
January 10, 2026
Great tour - professional, well organised, responsive contact - Cannot recommend Dadamanga enough - from the very start of organising our 14 day tour and making adjustments to our itinerary and preferred accommodation, all the way to the drivers,... read more guides and logistics organised. Things don't always go to plan in Madagascar, but Dadamanga's team makes sure you are looked after. We had an amazing experience, with a special shout out to Jacko, or Rambo, our driver in the Tsingy, what a ride! Didi, who looked after us from Tana to Andasibe, went out of his way to take us to the local markets just so my travel buddy could buy a cooking pot (yes, really). It was a fantastic trip, and these guys really know their stuff. Thank you Dadamanga!
Peggy T
December 9, 2025
Amazing support and logistics - I can’t imagine this remote adventure trip going any smoother. Dadamanga was first class at every step, from the planning to the final travel logistics. They had an initial... read more form to outline my trip requirements and then we went back and forth with their helpful suggestions to solidify the itinerary. I was able to combine in-country charter flights with some road travel to reach all my destinations, with a great variety of lodging, rustic to upscale. Dadamanga’s communications were clear and courteous and their itinerary travel links very well-organized and helpful. Our guide for part of our trip, Ms. Malala, was the perfect hostess with impressive knowledge about the sights, history, culture and so fun helping me learn the language and customs of her country. Our steadfast driver, Rado, kept us safe at every point during road travel. Along with using traveler’s common sense, we always had multiple emergency phone numbers for Dadamanga staff, so felt comfortable and safe during the entire trip. Most seasoned travelers expect travel glitches on any trip, but I was so impressed with how well coordinated our varied lodging and complex transportation arrangements were. Any minor hiccups we had became part of the adventure story.
If Madagascar is on your bucket list, don’t hesitate. I highly recommend visiting this incredibly unique and interesting country. If you work with the highly knowledgeable professionals at Dadamanga, they will help you create the trip of a lifetime in a place that most will only dream about.
Tami Z
November 28, 2025
Extremely well planned and professional- fully recommend - Honestly I’ve not encountered a tour operator that is so well organized end to end, starting from the request for a customized itinerary to the last day at the airport.... read more Everyone is polite professional and competent. They don’t just “tick the checkboxes”. There is a whole team working in the background throughout the trip ensuring that we get to visit everywhere we requested, that there are enough buffer times in case of heavy traffic, that one is safe throughout the trip. All drivers are friendly, and put your enjoyment, comfort and safety as first priority. Madagascar is a wonderful country and I am truly glad I chose Dadamanga for travels- absolutely no regrets.
Stanley Y
November 16, 2025
What Travellers Are Experiencing on the Ground
Travellers completing itineraries in recent weeks report:
- Calm streets and relaxed communities
- Parks open and wildlife sightings as good as ever
- Smooth domestic flights (with the occasional flight time changes that are standard with Madagascar Airlines)
- Welcoming interactions with local people
- Fully operational services from hotels, drivers, and guides
In short: the Madagascar you come to see — its forests, wildlife, culture, and natural beauty — hasn’t just returned; it never stopped.

Visit the Tsingy with a Dadamanga tour in 2026…
Practical Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Trip
1. Book with an established tour agency
Expert itinerary planning and local knowledge make all the difference. Our team monitors conditions, anticipates changes, and adjusts routes when necessary.
2. Use a trusted driver
A reliable driver ensures safe, efficient travel between regions — from the airport to the most remote parks.
3. Avoid political gatherings
Even though tensions have settled, keeping distance from political events is a sensible, standard precaution.
4. Travel during daylight hours
Road quality varies across Madagascar, so daytime travel is always the smartest choice.
5. Store valuables securely in cities
Common-sense urban safety applies just like in any major city worldwide.
6. Let your guide manage real-time decisions
Locals know what’s happening long before anything appears in foreign media. Trust the team’s judgement.

Why Now Is Actually a Great Time to Visit
With tourism recovering and global perception lagging behind reality, travellers benefit from:
- More availability in lodges
- Fewer crowds on trails
- Highly attentive service from local teams
- Excellent wildlife viewing with minimal disturbance
- Flexible itinerary options
Isalo’s sandstone cliffs still glow at sunset (see header photo!). The indri still call through the misty forest of Andasibe. The coastline near Fort Dauphin still feels untouched and deeply authentic. Madagascar’s natural beauty hasn’t changed — if anything, it feels even more intimate right now.
Bottom Line: Madagascar Is Safe, Open, and Ready
Madagascar’s brief period of unrest did not translate into safety issues for travellers — something proven by Dadamanga’s successful management of clients before, during, and after the peak. With tourism back on its feet and local communities eager to welcome visitors, this is an excellent time to plan your Madagascar tour. To get the best out of a tour in 2026, we recommend starting early and booking now… Our team is currently under very little pressure so turnaround time right now is at the shortest that it will be…
Top image: Isalo by Paolo Crosetto (CC-BY-SA).



