- 1. Antananarivo
- 2. The island of Nosy Be
- 3. Baobab Alley
- 4. Isalo National Park
- 5. Ranomafana National Park
- 6. A walk on the Tsiribihina River
- 7. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
- 8. Belo sur mer
- 9. Ankazobe
- 10. Mats Island
- 11. Diego-Suarez Bay
- 12. Marojejy National Park
- 13. The Nahampoana Reserve
- 14. Maki Canyon
- 15. Baie des Dunes
- 16. The Anja Reserve
- 17. Santa Maria Island (Santa Maria)
- How to go to Madagascar?
- Where to sleep in Madagascar?
Visiting Madagascar: what are the best things to do and see in this country that is nicknamed the "Red Island" or the "Big Island"?
Located in the Indian Ocean, the immense island of Madagascar, this island with red earth, this place of a thousand fantasies, is a place of discoveries and travels. Between its climate, its fauna, its flora, its incredible landscapes and its adorable population, how not to fall in love with this island which is one and a half times bigger than France?
Whether you like sports, cultural activities, parks, fishing or just relaxing on a beautiful beach, the island of Madagascar offers its thousand and one beauties both African and Asian.
An island with a strong personality but also a language, a gastronomy and a history that enters the head of every traveller and tourist like a heady music. Enchanting Madagascar, an island with a thousand faces that can be visited to the rhythm of the minibuses and this extraordinary atmosphere. If you are a sportsman, if you like hiking, trekking, a trip to Madagascar will offer you nearly 5500 km of coastline: immense beaches, rocky coasts as far as the eye can see, heavenly landscapes, it is the perfect place to walk for hours and discover a land and its soul.
For nature aficionados, for those who like to get lost away from the civilized world, why not try Sainte-Marie Island or Mahambo? It will be the opportunity to see for the first time a real humpback whale in its element. The island of Madagascar also offers many parks and sites that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Ankarafantsika Park and the Marojejy Park are very important nature reserves protecting very rare species and more than 250 species of birds as an example.
We give you our 17 essential ideas to know what to do and what to visit in Madagascar:
1. Antananarivo
Antananarivo, formerly Tananarive in French, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. The Malagasy capital is one of the most dynamic cities in the whole of Africa, and here you will enjoy rich historical, architectural and cultural sites all over this city built on several hills, with palaces and churches along its cobbled streets.
The city is divided into 3 levels: the Lower City, the Middle City and the Upper City. Take a walk along the Independence Street: this is certainly where you will find many beggars, but you will really be in the heart of the city, close to the locals. Visit the Queen's castle (about 10 000 Ar/pers) through its gardens, and don't hesitate to take a guide (25 000 Ar more) who will teach you a little more about the history of the country. You can also go for a walk around the Anosy lake which is in the middle of the city centre.
2. The island of Nosy Be
Nosy Be is the largest and certainly the most beautiful seaside resort of Madagascar, located off the northwest coast. Its tropical climate and superb location make it a perfect holiday destination. The beaches of Nosy Be are ideal for swimming as they are gradually spreading out, remaining shallow for miles in the water. They are peaceful and you forget all the stress, with abandoned canoes in the sand and the calm offshore.
3. L'Allée des Baobabs
L'allée des baobabs or avenue des baobabs is a group of baobabs that border the dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region of western Madagascar. Taking this road is a moment both magical and impressive. It is a row of about 20 to 25 imposing baobabs along a dirt road of 260 meters in the middle of pastures between Morondava and Belo Tsiribihina. The striking landscape of this very "photogenic" place attracts travellers from all over the world, making it one of the most visited places in the region. Since 2007, the Ministry of Environment, Ecology and Forests has given this place the status of temporary protected area, which is the first step towards the classification of "national monument" in Madagascar.
To get there, you have to go to Morondava, which can be reached by road, air or sea. By car, you have to leave the famous RN 7 at Antsirabe and take the RN 44 towards Morondava (600 km or 9 hours drive).
4. Isalo National Park
The Isalo National Park is currently the most visited park in Madagascar. Often called Jurassic Park, it is home to some of the most magnificent landscapes of the island. The landscape of Isalo consists of eroded ruiniform sandstone formations dating from the Jurassic period, deep canyons with riparian forests, palm-fringed oases, fire-resistant tapia forests and open grasslands. It is undoubtedly the best place to see catta lemurs (ringed-tailed lemurs) and white glass sifakas dancing and jumping. It is also a sacred place for the Bara tribe, whose burial sites are marked by mounds of tiny stones placed in crevices in the rock.
For those who enjoy trekking and hiking, the park is a godsend. Once you've gained a little height, you'll have the chance to admire a sensational view of what is known as the "Malagasy Colorado".
5. Ranomafana National Park
A giraffe beetle spotted in Ranomafana National Park -
Ranomafana is one of the best known and most important parks in Madagascar. Created in 1991 following the discovery in 1986 of the golden bamboo lemur, Ranomafana Park has served as a model for subsequent parks and reserves in the country and even abroad. Note that once you venture into the more remote areas where most tourists don't go, that's when you have the real experience with wildlife.
6. A walk on the Tsiribihina River
One of the unique ways to explore the country is by pirogue or canoe tour on the Tsiribihina River. There are several reputable companies that organize excursions and some even offer to camp on the shore and cook under the stars while the wildlife surrounds you and soothes you before you fall asleep.
7. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
Tsingy de Bemaraha is one of the most recent parks in Madagascar (opened in 1998). The 72,340 hectares of Bemaraha are especially famous for their Tsingy, sharp limestone pinnacles that can reach 45 meters in height. These unique formations, unique in the world, arouse the curiosity of botanists, geologists, environmentalists and biologists. Through the Tsingy are canyons and gorges rich in flora and fauna. They are home to a number of animal species, including 11 types of lemurs (including Decken's Sifaka, Red-fronted Lemurs and the Madagascar Eagle, one of the rarest species of raptors in the world). The gorges of the Manambolo River, which form the southern boundary of the park, are simply breathtaking and magnificent and can be explored by canoe.
A ringtail mongoose -
8. Belo on sea
For lovers of beautiful beaches, the one in Belo sur Mer is the ideal place to meet. You will be able to relax at leisure while admiring the pirogues that come back and go fishing. Here, it is interesting to go and see the salt works and watch the marine carpenters who produce schooners following a 19th century model.
9. Ankazobe
This city is some 40 kilometres from the capital, Antananarivo. Unlike big cities, the streets are not paved and you will find the red earth contrasting with the elements and the immaculate sky. To find trinkets, to discover the real Malagasy community, to admire charming, typical places, it is the perfect place to fill up with memories. However, if you don't have much time in your trip, it is not a must on the island, but Ankazobe remains a nice place to visit.
10. Mats Island
Located in the South of Sainte Marie Island, the "Ile aux Nattes" is a real little paradise in Madagascar. It is a site known for its hiking trails but also for its beaches. This place is made for all those who want to reconnect with Mother Nature, be in harmony with the environment and enjoy, if possible, the unique spectacle of humpback whales.
11. Diego-Suarez Bay
The bay of Diego-Suarez is located at the northern tip of Madagascar and owes its name to two Portuguese navigators of the 15th and 16th century. This bay consists of 4 bays, one of which is considered a sacred place. Discover this little corner out of nowhere, smell the atmosphere of the port city of Antsiranana, and finally visit the Amber Mountain National Park.
12. Marojejy National Park
Marojejy National Park is located in the northwest of the island. With an area of 55,500 hectares, an incredibly dense forest and reaching an altitude of up to 2,000 metres, this place is now declared a nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the lower part of the park, you will find a real jungle that is both warm and dense, and the higher you climb, the more you encounter small forests: all this biodiversity offers the opportunity to shelter more than 110 species of birds, 140 species of snakes and dozens of lemurs. Today, this park is open to the public and it is also one of the privileged places for hikers.
13. Nahampoana Reserve
Near Tôlanaro (or Fort-Dauphin) is the Nahampoana reserve where you will be able to discover many animals including the famous lemurs but also a diversity of flora that is just incredible: between eucalyptus, bamboos, hibiscus, camphor trees, you will have enough of your eyes to immerse yourself in this greenery so present and so fragrant. Note that it is possible to take a little dive in a waterfall.
14. Maki Canyon
Starting from Ranohira, one of the beautiful walks to do is the Makis canyon. With meadows as far as the eye can see, you will forget all your landmarks and suddenly, as you walk quietly, it is at this precise moment that lemurs will appear before your astonished eyes. Do not forget to take a guide with you because the ground is not always safe and the slopes are sometimes slippery because of wet stones.
15. Bay of the Dunes
About twenty kilometres from Diego-Suarez, the "Three Bays" follow one another (Sakalava Bay, Pigeon Bay and Dunes Bay). The latter, with its white sand, is attracting more and more people: with its turquoise water, its breathtaking seabed, its wild coast, you have the impression that this little piece of paradise is within your reach and that no one will be able to take it away from you. To relax, to sunbathe serenely, to have fun in the waves, to picnic in one of the caves while looking at the horizon and the blue sky, the Baie des Dunes is surely one of the favourite places for lovers of the island. And we understand why...
16. The Anja Reserve
Located at 15 mn by car from the city of Ambalavao in the center of the country, the park of Anja can be discovered day and night: you will be able to discover there an extraordinary fauna between chameleons, lemurs and multicolored insects which play of illusion with the floral elements. The visit is very pleasant and it is possible to take many photo breaks.
17. Santa Maria Island (Santa Maria)
To the east of Madagascar, this island allows you to enjoy the beach as well as the coral reefs for those who love scuba diving. However, most tourists come here because it is an excellent spot for whale watching.
How to get to Madagascar?
The vast majority of international flights land at Ivato-Antananarivo International Airport, but you can land at other Malagasy tourist destinations (Nosy Be, Sainte-Marie Island, Mahajanga). From France, the country is served by Air Madagascar, Air France and Corsair. To find a cheap flight to Madagascar, go to the website of our partner Skyscanner.
Where to sleep in Madagascar?
Depending on your budget, you can find everything you need to stay in Madagascar: from a simple falafy (palm) hut to a chic hotel in an old colonial building. Intermediate addresses are generally clean, even if the facilities (plumbing...) are often old-fashioned. Hotels are a little more expensive in Antananarivo and in tourist sites such as Nosy Be or Sainte-Marie for example. During the local summer, "high season" supplements are applied. For
