The Unusual Things to Do in Madagascar & Best Places to Visit
Madagascar presents a diverse array of activities, ranging from the exploration of distinctive animals in national parks to engaging in cultural events. Notable attractions encompass observing lemurs in their natural habitat, trekking through breathtaking terrains such as Tsingy de Bemaraha, and unwinding on picturesque beaches.
Things to Do in Madagascar, Places, Attractions & Activities. Madagascar, a country known for its lemurs, baobab trees, birds, and jungles, provides tourists with a varied and exciting playground. The vast canyons and gorges, enormous waterfalls, and incredibly varied topography captivated me.
You could be in a subtropical forest one day and a desert the next, all within the span of a few hours! In addition, the number of lemur species is practically infinite.
With only 350,000 annual visitors, you’ll have a lot of the country to yourself despite Madagascar’s isolation and the difficulty of getting affordable flights. (And since you can never tell where the next “it” destination will be, it’s best to visit any given location as soon as possible.)
While I wish I could have spent more time there, I was only able to travel 250km in eight hours due to the bad roads.
TOP 10: Exciting Things To Do In Madagascar
The Unusual Things to Do in Madagascar & Best Places to Visit
1. Allée des Baobabs
Madagascar is abundant in baobabs, but one location, in particular, epitomises the enchantment of this unique tree. Adjacent to the western coastal town of Morondava, the Allée des Baobabs showcases a genuine forest of baobab trees arranged in a magnificent alignment along a roadway. It is among the most exquisite locations in Madagascar to observe the sunset.
The Adansonia grandidieri trees are extraordinary natural specimens, characterised by their elongated, smooth trunks that reach many stories in height; some may be over 1000 years old. Their strange look facilitates belief in ancient traditions that their small, lanky branches are, in fact, the roots of trees set upside down by a spiteful deity.
Recommendation: Traverse to the eastern shore of the small lake for optimal sunset vistas.
ALLÉE DES BAOBABS ET TSINGY, Ouest de Madagascar
2. Parc National Bemaraha
Among the peculiar and extraordinary natural landscapes exclusive to Madagascar, none evokes awe quite like the tsingy. Consolidated in clusters of irregular spires, these limestone columns evoke a legendary city suspended in time.
The distant vista is magnificent; nevertheless, proximity can be equally breathtaking. The officials in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Parc National Bemaraha have established an innovative system of vie ferrate, rope bridges, and walkways to enhance exploration.
Bemaraha is situated at the terminus of an extensive roadway, with the two principal sections of tsingy divided into two distinct areas: the Grands Tsingy and the Petits Tsingy. Although the former features more extensive formations, seeing the latter necessitates a journey by pirogue along the magnificent Manambolo River Gorge. Intend to engage in both experiences.
Planning advice: Given the availability of more than 10 distinct routes, consult with your guide to select those that align optimally with your timetable and physical capabilities.
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (Madagascar)
3. Parc National Ranomafana
Optimal for fauna, particularly lemurs
To optimise your opportunity to observe a diverse array of lemur species, Ranomafana must be included in your schedule. Situated atop the mountainous spine that traverses the core of Madagascar, this humid rainforest park hosts an impressive 13 species of lemur, including the renowned golden bamboo lemur. Although 118 bird species inhabit the park may not seem substantial, it is noteworthy that over half of them (68) are endemic to Madagascar.
The remaining fauna statistics of Ranomafana resemble an entry in an exotic, plentiful menagerie: Thirteen species of chameleons (readily observable during nocturnal excursions), fourteen species of snakes (all non-venomous), and an impressive one hundred six species of frogs and toads. Botanists can observe 80 distinct species of orchids and approximately 200 varieties of ferns.
Consideration of seasons is essential in this context. Bird-watching is optimal from September to December, whilst reptiles and amphibians exhibit peak activity from December to March.
MADAGASCAR: Parc National de Ranomafana
4. Parc National Isalo
Optimal for trekking
Situated on a prominent escarpment that ascends steeply from the desolate plains of southern Madagascar, Isalo features some of the most diverse terrains in the nation. Hiking trails traverse streams within deep, narrow gorges abundant with forest; certain paths ascend to a rocky plateau teeming with unusual flora and reptiles. At ground level, the park’s seven lemur species captivate visitors with their playful behaviour and intimate interactions.
Alongside comprehensive hiking paths accommodating various fitness levels, potential activities include 4WD touring, mountain biking, and equestrian riding. In the southern expanse of Isalo, the RN7 traverses renowned vistas, notably La Fenêtre de l’Isalo, a rocky aperture encircled by magnificent rock formations that faces the setting sun.
Recommendation: Observe for ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas in the vicinity of the primary campsite.
Out of this WORLD SUNRISE Isalo National Park MADAGASCAR
5. Ambohimanga
Optimal for historical and cultural exploration
Few man-made attractions in Madagascar possess the historical significance of the UNESCO World Heritage site Ambohimanga. This historic location, the capital of a mediaeval Malagasy kingdom, is located about 21 kilometres (13 miles) from the contemporary city of Antananarivo.
The focal point of the renovated and operational site is the Rova, a fortress-palace featuring a complex of spas, royal chambers, and sacrificial altars, where villagers continue to leave sacrifices to this day. Engage a guide to learn about the historical wealth and royal intrigue that transpired here – narratives of mediaeval mythology.
Exploring the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga: Madagascar’s Hidden Gem
6. Parc National Andasibe-Mantadia
Optimal for forests – and indri
Located east of Antananarivo, the network of parks and private reserves surrounding the picturesque village of Mantadia is an excellent destination for a brief stay. Parc National Analamazaotra is a focal point for biodiversity, featuring approximately twelve species of lemurs, a similar number of chameleon species (notably the remarkably unattractive Parson’s chameleon), several amphibians and reptiles, and more than 100 avian species.
However, one performer eclipses all the others: the indri. The indri, the largest lemur species, resembles a giant teddy bear and resides in small familial groupings within the forest canopy. Their sorrowful wails will resound across the forest, announcing their presence before they are seen.
Recommendation: Notable indri sightings frequently occur in the Parc Villageois (VOIMMA), a community area adjacent to the village.
Andasibe Mantadia National Park, Madagascar
7. Anakao
Best for snorkeling and whales
Located on Madagascar’s southwestern coast, at the sparsely populated southern tip of the island, Anakao evokes a Robinson Crusoe-like ambiance. The beach appears interminable, its alabaster sands and azure waters exuding a nearly primal force. It is a dreamlike reprieve following the challenges of life on the Malagasy road. It is an excellent location to observe humpback whales breach the ocean’s surface from a fishing vessel. The proximity to the Great Reef offshore makes snorkelling and diving among the finest in Madagascar.
Optimal planning: The prime months for whale observation are from mid-June to September, coinciding with their coastal migration.
Anakao – Surfing in Madagascar
8. Réserve Forestière de Kirindy
Optimal for exceptional biodiversity, particularly fossas.
While driving from Morondava to Belo-sur-Tsiribinha, you will encounter a regrettable expanse of deforestation. Subsequently, Kirindy Forest emerges from the fields as to a mirage. In an ecologically compromised region, Kirindy (distinct from the distant Parc National Kirindy-Mitea located south of Morondava) is an exceptional hub of biodiversity.
The reserve is primarily recognised as the premier location in Madagascar to observe the fossa, the nation’s largest animal. This elusive feline, characterised by its elongated body and large ears, is surprisingly simple to observe near the reserve’s primary ecolodge, where it frequently rests beneath the cabins and roams through the campsite. Kirindy is home to eight lemur species, including four nocturnal varieties observable on guided night excursions in the jungle. The avian population is remarkable in this location.
Planning tip: Fossas are readily observable throughout the year, with heightened activity during the mating season from September to November.
Ecole de terrain du Master BEST-T à Kirindy ( Madagascar)
9. Baie d’Antongil and Masoala Peninsula
Optimal for wilderness
In an era where genuinely untamed locations are progressively scarce, this exquisitely secluded bay and coastal expanse in eastern Madagascar is exceptionally valuable. The Baie d’Antongil serves as a sanctuary for whales that arrive to give birth and then remain in the unspoiled waters with their offspring. It also contains extensive areas of ancient rainforest, abundant in enigma and fauna, along with trekking trails that allow for days of solitude without encountering another person. Ensure ample supplies are packed in this genuinely isolated location.
Reaching this destination is an expedition, necessitating a guide and preparedness for self-sufficiency. However, the sense of being distanced from the world’s clamour is one that nourishes the spirit.
Advisory: Cyclones may occur in eastern Madagascar between January and April; consult local authorities before to venturing into the wilderness.
Antongil Bay, Masoala National Park, Madagascar
10. Nosy Be and Île Sainte Marie
Optimal for coastal tranquilly
Among Madagascar’s several premier beach spots, two stand out distinctly. Nosy Be is a magnificent tropical island, ideal for trekking, sailing, snorkelling, or any activity that piques your interest. Alternatively, one might simply relax on the beach, swim in the cerulean sea, and indulge in exquisite restaurants and bars. It is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite resort islands in the Indian Ocean, offering both exclusivity and accessibility according to one’s preference.
Its sole competitor is Île Sainte Marie, located off the untamed eastern coast of Madagascar. It offers delights akin to those of Nosy Be, enhanced by seasonal whale watching, and features a little offshore counterpart in Île aux Nattes, an idyllic tropical haven.
Île Sainte Marie – Nosy boraha Madagaskar