Antananarivo Lemurs Park & City Tour: Wildlife & Palace

Lemurs in a botanical park, a palace with views, local markets, and the story of how they all fit together

A full-day tour of Antananarivo that opens with two hours at Lemurs Park, where rescued lemurs live without fences across five hectares, then moves through the Queen's Palace, the city center, Anosy Lake and local artisan markets. Private transportation and an English-, Italian-, French- or Russian-speaking guide are included. Children from age four are welcome. The tour runs eight and a half hours and covers the capital's wildlife, royal history and everyday Malagasy culture in one route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lemurs Park and City Highlights

• Visit Lemurs Park for two hours
• Explore Queen's Palace and learn history
• Walk down to city center
• Visit local artisan markets

The experience

The day starts at Lemurs Park, located 25 kilometers outside Antananarivo. Unlike traditional zoos, the lemurs here roam freely across a five-hectare botanical park with no fences or enclosures: the animals themselves mark out their own territories. Many were rescued from poachers or private homes and now live as they would in the wild, with minimal interaction from visitors and keepers. You spend two hours watching them move through the landscape on their own terms.

From there, the route moves into the city itself. You visit the Queen's Palace, where your guide walks you through the royal history of the Imerina tribes, the colonial period, and how both shaped what Antananarivo became. The palace sits high enough to give you a panoramic view of the capital's skyline: the guide points out the landmarks and explains what you're looking at. After the palace, you walk down into the center of the city to see how people actually live there: the markets, the daily rhythms, the local food. You can taste typical Malagasy dishes and pick up handmade souvenirs if you want them.

The tour closes at Anosy Lake, a quieter stop after the intensity of the city center. Private transportation moves you between each stop, and your guide speaks English, Italian, French or Russian depending on which you book. The whole day is eight and a half hours, which is long enough to feel unhurried at each place without the route becoming exhausting.

What’s included

• Private transportation between all stops.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Italian, French or Russian.
• entry fees and taxes.
• guide fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 67 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (4 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

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 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by FRIENDLY TOUR GUIDE MADAGASCAR

Is this one for you?Book this if you want one guide to connect four distinct stops (wildlife, palace, skyline views, and markets) in a single day rather than navigating between them separately.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (4 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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.

How close do you actually get to the lemurs at Lemurs Park?

Lemurs Park keeps interactions between visitors and animals minimal by design, so the lemurs can live as they would in the wild. You watch them move through the five-hectare botanical park freely, without fences or enclosures between you and them, but the setup itself keeps the encounter calm and unforced.

What's the Queen's Palace like, and what do you actually see there?

The Queen's Palace sits on high ground overlooking Antananarivo, and your guide walks you through the royal history of the Imerina tribes and the colonial period that shaped the city. From the palace, you get a panoramic view of the capital's skyline, and the guide explains the landmarks and the city's history as you look out across it.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you'll pass through the city center where you can taste local typical Malagasy foods. You can also browse local artisan markets for handmade souvenirs if you want to pick up something during the stops.