This captivating island off the south-eastern coast of Africa is the fourth largest island in the world so there is plenty to see and do, and almost all its fauna and flora is unique to Madagascar.
If you’re planning a trip to this extraordinary island, here are the top 8 adventures which are guaranteed to be unforgettable.
Antananarivo
Antananarivo, formerly known as French Tananarive, is the largest city in Madagascar and is also the island’s capital.
Visitors can look forward to experiencing its rich historical, architectural, and cultural sites peppered all over the vibrant hillside city, complete with palaces and churches along cobbled streets.
Nosy Be
Situated off the north-west coast, Nosy Be is the island’s largest and most frequented tourist resort. The tropical climate and incredible location create the perfect beach resort escape and the gradual slope of its beaches – which stay shallow for miles out to sea – make them ideal for swimming.
Look out for the long, narrow canoes known as pirogues which dot the water.
Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana was created in 1991 following the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur in 1986 and is one of Madagascar’s most well-known and best-loved parks.
Ranomafana has served as the perfect model for successive parks and reserves in both the country and abroad, and you’re sure to enjoy a real wildlife experience if you venture into the more distant areas.
Tsiribihina River
The Tsiribihina River flows through the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in western Madagascar and is completely surrounded by mangroves. The most unforgettable way to traverse the Tsiribihina is by taking a river tour by pirogue or canoe and there are several reputable companies that will accompany you as you camp on the riverbank.
You’ll be so relaxed that you’ll probably place the best NBA bets in history!
Avenue of the Baobabs
The Avenue of the Baobabs is a collection of baobab trees which line the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region of western Madagascar.
Expect a row of approximately 25 imposing baobab trees alongside the 260m-long stretch of road and in the nearby pastures. This unique landscape attracts travellers from all around the world and it’s one of most visited locations in the region.
Isalo National Park
The Isalo National Park, affectionately referred to as ‘Jurassic Park’, is home to some of the island’s most spectacular scenery. The Isalo landscape is made up of eroded ruiniform sandstone formations which date back to the Jurassic period, deep canyons with luscious forests, palm-lined springs, tapia forests, and open grasslands.
Arguably the best place to spot ring-tailed lemurs and white sifakas, Isalo is also a scared place for the Bara tribe whose burial sites are marked by piles of tiny stones placed carefully in the rock face crevices.
Andasibe National Park
The Andasibe National Park is a 3-hour drive east of Antananarivo and is comprised of two parts: the Mantadia Park and the Analamazaotra reserve of Indri.
A real treasure trove of fauna, the Andasibe boasts 11 species of lemur and provides shelter to several species of birds, reptiles, insects and batrachians.
Tsingy de Bemaraha
The Tsingy de Bemaraha was opened in 1998, making it one of Madagascar’s newest parks. The 152000ha Bemahara is most well-known for its tsingy sharp limestone pinnacles, many of which reach 150ft in height, and its canyons and gorges are rich in fauna and flora.
The Tsingy de Memaraha is also home to a massive number of animal species, including the unique Decken’s sifaka and the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle.