Experience Madagascar

Madagascar is home to unique and endemic species, such as lemurs, fossa (the island’s top predator), and a variety of bird species. The island’s diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, dry forests, & coral reefs, offer opportunities for exciting wildlife encounters and exploration. Madagascar’s rich cultural heritage is a blend of African, Asian, & European influences. Visitors can experience the local way of life, traditions, and customs by visiting villages, markets, and historical sites like the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga.

Andasibe National Park

Area Overview

Andasibe National Park is famous for easy viewing of a variety of fascinating species.

Aside from being one of the best places to see the largest living species of lemur, the Indri, visitors may also be lucky enough to see the Diadem Sifaka and Common Brown Lemur. The reserve is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a secondary forest is conserved and wildlife reintroduced. As such, though Andasibe’s resident lemurs are wild, they are somewhat habituated and visitors are often treated to quite special up close and personal encounters. Bird viewing here is simply fantastic and frogs and chameleons are plentiful.

Just over an hour’s drive north lies Mantadia, forming a wildlife corridor with Andasibe. Mantadia is one of the last remaining tracts of primary rainforest in the whole country and while the viewing is more challenging than Andasibe, the experience is equally magical. The unique morning chorus of the Indris sounds much like whales calling under the sea. Visitors can swim at the bottom of a crystal clear waterfall or, with luck, spot a giraffe-necked weevil. In the late dry season, Mantadia is one of the best places to spot the lemur’s nemesis, the elusive Fossa.

Another worthwhile stop in the area is Lemur Island at Vakona. They house a variety of rescued lemurs, making this little conservation project a great place to appreciate some species that can be challenging to see in their natural environment.

Antananarivo Capital City

Area Overview

Andasibe National Park is famous for easy viewing of a variety of fascinating species.

Aside from being one of the best places to see the largest living species of lemur, the Indri, visitors may also be lucky enough to see the Diadem Sifaka and Common Brown Lemur. The reserve is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a secondary forest is conserved and wildlife reintroduced. As such, though Andasibe’s resident lemurs are wild, they are somewhat habituated and visitors are often treated to quite special up close and personal encounters. Bird viewing here is simply fantastic and frogs and chameleons are plentiful.

Just over an hour’s drive north lies Mantadia, forming a wildlife corridor with Andasibe. Mantadia is one of the last remaining tracts of primary rainforest in the whole country and while the viewing is more challenging than Andasibe, the experience is equally magical. The unique morning chorus of the Indris sounds much like whales calling under the sea. Visitors can swim at the bottom of a crystal clear waterfall or, with luck, spot a giraffe-necked weevil. In the late dry season, Mantadia is one of the best places to spot the lemur’s nemesis, the elusive Fossa.

Another worthwhile stop in the area is Lemur Island at Vakona. They house a variety of rescued lemurs, making this little conservation project a great place to appreciate some species that can be challenging to see in their natural environment.

Nosy Be Island

Area Overview

Nosy Be is the epitome of an Indian Ocean island with its warm, turquoise waters and pristine white sand beaches.

It has the perfect mix of local culture and French colonial history. Just off the northwestern tip of mainland Madagascar, the island is serviced by its own international airport, making it the largest and busiest tourist destination in the country. The area provides easy access to some of the most remarkable beaches, while visitors can also see lemurs and so much more of Madagascar’s weird and wonderful wildlife.

Anjajavy Peninsula

Area Overview

Anjajavy Protected Area is situated on a remote peninsula in north-western Madagascar.

From its famed baobab trees to Coquerel’s sifaka, the Madagascar Fish Eagle, chameleons, and all sorts of other wildlife, the area remains one of the country’s best preserved. The deciduous forest is home to a variety of endemic fauna and flora and is complemented by perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, as well as the otherworldly Tsingy limestone formations.

With such variety, Anjajavy epitomizes the Madagascar experience. Due to it being so remote, it is best accessed by light aircraft.

The North

Area Overview

Situated in the far north of Madagascar, Antsiranana, also called “Diego Suarez,” is the biggest town in the area, and sits in relatively close proximity to Nosy Be and Anjajavay.

There are some beautiful sites to explore here, including the Emerald Sea, the Red Tsingy, Amber Mountain and French Mountain, as well as endless gorgeous beaches. The area is renowned as a top kite-boarding destination and boasts a variety of other sport and leisure activities. Antsiranana also has an interesting history, and so all around offers a sampling of the best of what Madagascar has to offer.

Further to the southeast, the island of Sainte Marie is yet another idyllic spot in a country that has no shortage of pristine beaches and fascinating wildlife.

Morondava Town

Area Overview

This west coast town is the center point of an area that has much to offer.

Having been hard hit by cyclones in recent years, Morondava overlooks the ocean where hundreds of fishermen can be seen going about their daily lives. This is a great part of Madagascar to try some of the local cuisine, fresh fish, crab and shrimp, of course, and perhaps take a tuk tuk or rickshaw to get the full local experience.

Just 45 minutes away you have one of the most remarkable natural landmarks on earth, the Alley of the Baobabs! The alley is long enough to find your own place of quiet amongst these gigantic, ancient trees. Sunrise or sunset here is a spectacular, spiritual experience.

Taolagnaro, Fort Dauphin

Area Overview

Far and remote, the southeastern corner of Madagascar changes from high rainfall, thick, forested regions to arid spiny forests dotted with baobabs and vast stretches of sisal and prickly pear.

Synonymous with much of the country’s endless coastline, this area of great contrast also boasts some of the most idyllic beaches for swimming and surfing. Grab a beer and lunch along the beach while fishermen bring in the biggest and tastiest lobsters imaginable or climb up nearby Peak St. Louis for the best view of Taolagnaro. The town, known interchangeably as Fort Dauphin, offers a good base to explore Nahampoana Reserve or, slightly further afield, Andohahela National Park.

The drive west on the national highway is riddled with potholes big enough to swallow a whole vehicle. Locals walk for miles alongside to reach markets to sell their produce. Heading over the mountain, suddenly the area changes from lush tropical forest to dry, spiny forests dominated by hardy species like the Octopus tree. This is where you can find Madagascar’s national animal, the ring-tailed lemur.

It takes a few days’ drive from Madagascar’s capital to reach Taolagnaro but a relatively short flight in and you couldn’t be further from the hustle and bustle of Antananarivo.

Toliara Town

Area Overview

Located in the southwest of this huge island, the town of Toliara provides access to some beautiful natural areas and beaches, and can be used as a start or end point for a variety of incredible excursions.

Madagascar’s diversity and quirkiness is on full display here. As on the rest of the island, much of the fascinating wildlife is unique to this area. Southwest of Toliara, past the charming historical town of Fianarantsoa, lies Ranomafana, an interesting park that ranges from lowland rainforest to cloud and high plateau forests. The park is home to an endemic species of golden bamboo lemur.

Further southwest, the Isalo and Zombitse-Vohibasia National Parks are inhabited by the ring-tailed lemur, Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur, Madagascar boa, Malagasy rain frog, and a great variety of birds, fauna and flora.