Antananarivo Highlights Private Tour: Royal Palace & Lemurs Park

The Royal Palace sits at the top of the city, and the tour builds outward from there.

A private tour of Antananarivo's main sights with a professional guide, transportation and bottled water included. You visit the Royal Palace, Lemurs Park 25 km outside the city, the Museum of Photography, Andohalo Cathedral, Soarano Train Station and local markets over six to seven hours. The guide speaks English or French and picks you up from your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Antananarivo's cultural highlights

• Visit Lemurs Park
• Tour the Queen's Palace (Rova of Manjakamiadana)
• Explore Andafiavaratra Museum
• Discover Museum of Photography
• Admire Andohalo Cathedral
• See Soarano Train Station
• Stroll through local market on Avenue de l'Indépendance

The experience

The Rova of Manjakamiadana, the Queen's Palace, anchors the itinerary at the top of Antananarivo's Upper Town. From there the tour moves outward to Lemurs Park, a 5-hectare reserve 25 km north on the RN 1 road, where seven species of lemurs live alongside other Malagasy fauna and flora. The park was built to raise awareness of lemur conservation and to reintroduce animals born in captivity back into their natural habitat. You'll also see the Andafiavaratra Museum, housed in a stone and brick palace rebuilt after a 1976 fire, and the Museum of Photography, which holds nearly 4,500 historical images spanning Madagascar's pre-colonial era through independence in 1960.

The tour includes stops at the Andohalo Catholic Cathedral, completed in 1890 and now the seat of the Archdiocese, and Soarano Train Station, a 1908–1910 building restored to house shops and a restaurant. You'll walk through Avenue de l'Indépendance and the Analakely pavilions, remnants of the Zoma Market, where local merchants sell handicrafts and everyday goods. A private vehicle and English- or French-speaking guide are included throughout. You can also taste local specialties and rums along the way. The tour runs six to seven hours and suits groups of up to eight people.

Museums close on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Bottled water is provided, and the operator asks that you inform them in advance of any dietary restrictions or allergies. Public transportation options exist nearby if you prefer to arrange your own arrival at the meeting point.

What’s included

• Private transportation and vehicle fuel.
• professional guide in English or French.
• bottled water.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Youth (13 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Vivy Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a small group or family and want a dedicated guide and private vehicle for the day. The fixed itinerary covers the main sights of Antananarivo in one outing, so it suits travelers with limited time in the capital.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (3 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Lemurs Park and why is it part of this tour?

Lemurs Park is a 5-hectare botanical reserve 25 km north of Antananarivo that houses seven species of lemurs and other endemic Malagasy wildlife. The park was created to raise public awareness of lemur conservation and to reintroduce animals born in the park back into their natural habitat, making it a key stop for understanding Madagascar's unique fauna.

Can I visit the museums if I'm traveling on a Monday?

No. The Andafiavaratra Museum and Museum of Photography are both closed on Mondays, so you'll need to schedule your tour for another day of the week if visiting those sites is important to you.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you can taste local specialties and local rums during the tour. You're welcome to arrange a meal stop at a restaurant of your choice, or the guide can recommend options along the route.

How many people can join this private tour?

The tour accepts a maximum of eight participants, so it works well for families, small groups or couples who want a private vehicle and guide for the day.