Safaris · MADEIRA SAFARIS
Good madeira safaris tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend eight hours in a small Land Rover group of up to eight, travelling from Funchal through Madeira’s villages, mountain roads, Fanal Forest, Porto Moniz, and Seixal. Guides such as Justino, Nuno, Felipe, and Patricia add local stories, while off-road tracks bring extra fun. Bring swimwear, a towel, and warm layers.
“Brilliant activity. Our driver was fabulous! Loved the off-roading experience.”
From Funchal Marina, Magic Dolphin takes up to 18 people offshore in a rebuilt speedboat with 360-degree views. Marine guides such as Clara or Natasha explain Madeira’s dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds while land-based spotters help locate wildlife. A second trip is offered free if nothing is seen.
“We saw 3 different types of dolphins and a turtle. The guides were very passionate and could clearly see how much they cared about the animals and the cleanliness of the sea. Brilliant trip, would recommend”
Spend eight hours exploring eastern Madeira by jeep and on foot. See Pico do Areeiro, walk the Referta Levada, visit Santana’s thatched houses, stop at a rum distillery and finish at Ponta de São Lourenço. Guides such as Pedro, Miguel and Gil are praised for safe driving and lively local insight.
“Such a great trip loads packed into one day but never felt rushed or too much. Driver was so knowledgeable and friendly and the lunch was incredible value and delicious. Don't make the same mistake as us and forget a jacket, can be windy in the jeep when stood up”
Spend eight hours touring western Madeira in a Land Rover Discovery with guides such as Francisco, Cristiano, John, or Nuno. Expect Cabo Girão, off-road tracks through Laurisilva forest, Fanal’s ancient trees, Seixal, Ribeira da Janela, and swimming at Porto Moniz. Lunch is optional.
“Really enjoyed our trip. John was a great guide - very informative and a great driver! Definitely recommend this trip.”
Ride from Funchal into Nuns Valley, up to Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 meters, and along forest tracks in a 4x4 jeep. Guides such as Paulo and Ricardo add local stories, food tips, and a relaxed pace. The tour ends at Miradouro das Neves, timed for sunset when conditions allow.
“We couldn't ask for a better guide, Paulo was a perfect guide for this tour, everything was well explained and everything in a friendly, almost familiar atmosphere. If we return to Madeira again we will want him as a guide as well as Renato too, both excellent guides. We loved it”
Join Paulo or Ricardo for a four-hour small-group jeep tour from Funchal to Cabo Girão, Serra de Água, and São Vicente. Expect steep off-road tracks, vineyard views, a walk through Quinta do Barbusano, and tastings of Madeira white, rosé, and red wines with cheese and salami.
“Het was een geweldige ervaring en we hebben echt de verborgen schoonheden gezien tussen de route van Funchal naar de prachtige wijngaarden. Heel erg bedankt!”
Spend four hours exploring Madeira’s southeast coast by 4x4, from Funchal through Camacha, Morena, Santo da Serra, and Machico. Expect a short, easy Levada walk, scenic viewpoints, hotel pickup, and a multilingual guide. Jazz and Victor are among the guides praised for their friendly approach.
“Jazz was absolutely amazing! Super friendly, charismatic, and you can tell he truly feels the tour. His energy is contagious, and he creates a fun, relaxed, and engaging atmosphere from start to finish. Every moment was enjoyable, and it never felt boring for a second. He really gives it his all and goes above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable. Highly recommended — if you get the chance to join a tour with Jazz, don’t miss it! :-)”
Join a small 4x4 group of up to eight people for an 8-hour Madeira adventure from Funchal. You’ll reach Pico do Arieiro, walk through Laurissilva Forest, visit Santana, taste local rum in Porto da Cruz, and finish at Ponta de São Lourenço.
“Deffo recommended to everybody. There were some troubles with the booking through GetYourGuide, but Mauricio solved everything in the best possible way. He is a very nice person with loooooots of knowledge about Madeira, places, flora, people. A very professional guide and a very friendly positive person. The tour itself is incredible. You "get lost" in Jurasic World, very old fantastic forest but also ocean and cliffs and coast... You really feel Earth how it was before people, before civilisation, only wild nature...”
Dunes, game drives, camps or snow.
