Posted by Madagascar, formerly known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island nation on the Indian Ocean, not far from the southeast coast of Africa famous for its tours and travels. It is 570 km wide and 1600 km long and is considered to be the fourth-largest island in the world.
Most ecologists refer to Madagascar as the ‘eighth continent’ and are known to have freed themselves from Africa some 65 million years ago.
It is located in the Indian Ocean and separated from Africa by the Mozambique Channel.
There are two reasons for Madagascar; Cool, dry season (from May-October) and warm, rainy (from November-April).
The climate is unique and consists mainly of southeast trade winds that flow from the Indian Ocean’s anticyclone. Discover all Madagascar tours and holidays in Africa.
The topography of Madagascar varies as it is classified into five geographical regions; West coast, east coast, southwest coast, central highlands, and Sassartana massif.
Madagascar is a member of the African Union and its capital, and the largest city in Madagascar is called Antananarivo, the country has a population of 21.5 million people (21 World Bank) and the main languages spoken in Madagascar are Malagasy and French.
In Madagascar, there are habitats of many species of animals, including ring-tailed lemurs (over 103 living species and tribes), which are only found here. In other words, 90% of animals are unique to Madagascar and are nowhere to be found as a part of tours.
The country is rich with beaches, beautiful rain forests, and reefs (also the third largest coral wall found here), which find their home on the island.
Another unique thing about Madagascar is ‘Baobad’s Avenue’ where there are tall old trees along the dirt road. Here are the main attractions and things to do while in Madagascar
14 Best Madagascar Destinations for Safari & Tours
1. Antananarivo
Antananarivo is the largest and capital city of Madagascar, formerly known as French Tananariv-it is the main entrance to Madagascar and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
Antananarivo is one of the most attractive cities in Africa; Tourists here discover and enjoy cultural sites such as various churches and palaces, architectural and rich historical sites throughout the city.
The city is classified into three places and these places have different attractions; The ancient city of the upper city, also known as the “Haute Villa”, will find various cathedrals, old residential areas, and palaces such as the Prime Minister’s Renailerivani place, the Queen’s Palace, the Palace of ancient justice and the pink Baroque Andafiavarat Palace, which is adjacent to the Haute Villa.
Known as Colbert and lastly down to the level of the Town Acina known as wetlands.
Antananarivo has more attractions that cannot miss the itineraries such as the Rowan (the royal toms and wooden houses) of the Antananarivo Palace complex, with views of the Avenue de independence, the Simsbaja Zoo, and the animals, surrounded by the Anosi Lake, View the museum, the market, other places including Lemur Park Uli.
Birds can spend a great deal of time visiting the park de Sarasota wetlands, which is sheltered by several rare bird species. All of these attractions together give Antananarivo plenty of spectacular scenery and plenty to offer visitors.
Antananarivo can be accessed by road for those who are already in the country and by flight to the Iwato Airport (TNR). Antananarivo has ample housing facilities that are affordable, classic, and comfortable.
2. Nosy Be
Nosy Be is located 5 km northwest of Madagascar, the word Nosy B means ‘big island’ in the Malagasy language, and the main town here is Andoani and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
The island covers an area of approximately 320.02 sq km; Nasi B has been given different names over the years where it was called Assad. The island’s climate is tropical and the summer periods are humid in December, January, and February.
Nosy Be is one of Madagascar’s busiest and largest tourist destinations/destinations, because of the great climate and location it receives many tourists so it makes it a great place for a hiking and trekking vacation in Madagascar.
The nosy wedding has a variety of things to get started with beaches where one can swim, relax, and cool, Nosy Sakatia Island is an opportunity to swim with turtles here, it is an amazing experience, Mount Passant also offers lovely scenery on the island and surrounding places.
Also, it’s a great place to watch the sunset. Other activities that can be done include cultural tours around the villages, scuba diving and snorkeling, and a visit to the Lokobi Nature Archive, where you will have the opportunity to visit Lemurs, Panther Girgiti, among others, and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
There are various beach restaurants that serve food, drinks, and drinks and also accommodation, and are mainly used in Sakatia Lodge, Le Zahir Lodge, and more.
3. Nosy Boraha / Sante Marie
Its name is currently Nosy Boraha although it is still known to most tourists as Il Santay Marie. It is an island located 8 km east of Madagascar, covering an area of 222 sq km the main city of this island is Ambodifotra which is an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
It is one of Madagascar’s top tourist attractions, there are various beaches that are littered with lush vegetation, beautiful coconut palms, bays, and coves surrounded by coral walls and various villages and it can explore and discover lots of things.
Here while you are feeling the freshness of the atmosphere, enjoy a different view from the landscapes and see the humpback whales that migrate in the autumn and early winter; This is an amazing experience.
The island is a forest of Ambodena that captures geckos, lemurs (mouse lemurs, white-fronted brown lemurs, etc.), lizards, and frogs.
Among the activities performed at Nasi Borah are; Bicycling, touring the village, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, and swimming on the beaches and turquoise lagoon (swimming is not easy) The climate on the island is more favorable from September to December, though rainfall is expected at any time of the year.
Nosy Boraha has many service providers, such as restaurants and hotels; They are well-developed.
4. Cincy de Bamarah
Tassi de Bemaraha is one of the newest parks in Madagascar, the word ‘tasting’ in Malagasy means ‘walking on tiptoes’ and is an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and opened in 1998; It is 1,575 sq km in size.
It is found in a remote southern part of Madagascar and not far from Antananarivo, although you will not have much experience to remember when you arrive at the fact that it is famous for its nearly 1.5 feet long sharp limestone peaks.
There is so much to see – beautiful and rich plants, gorges, waterfalls, valleys (the valley of the amazing Manabola River) and seven species of reddish-brown lemurs and seven species of lemurs such as the cypress of the Deccan.
The Madagascar Tours Park is home to several mammals such as ring-tailed mangroves, more than 100 bird species, such as the Madagascar wood-rail, crest ebbs, and endangered Madagascar fish-gag, about 45 reptiles and frogs.
The park is accessed by road which is just as difficult as spending time crossing the river (this is also your own experience), and also accessible to the park using charter flights and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
Local English speaker guides are ready; Accommodation is also comfortable and affordable because there are three camping sites; The restaurants also serve great food. The birds of Madagascar
5. China River
The China River is found west of Madagascar; It is surrounded by mangroves and passes through the Cinci de Bemaraha National Park and is an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
A boat or canoe cruise along the river is something you will never forget as you enjoy the cool landscapes, wildlife, and birds of different species so that you can relax and relax. So this canoe can be an extra experience on your trip to the Cinci de Bemaraha National Park.
6. Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana National Park is one of Madagascar’s most famous national parks and excludes UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is located in the village of Ranomfana, southeast of Madagascar, and was formed on the 5th.
The park is home to a variety of lemon species, including golden bamboo lemurs, in the 6th and it has a rainforest covering 1,650 hectares.
This species lives on. Ranomafana National Park has beautiful landscapes, especially in the eastern part, such as the flow of water through mountains and forests and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
Golden bamboo lemons are found here, which feed on the bamboo shoots keep in mind that many more animals, birds, and landscapes can be seen when you visit this park.
The Ranomfana National Park is accessible by road and no worries about where to stay while staying in the park as there are many accommodations and affordable places.
7. Baobabs Avenue
Baobab Avenue is a very beautiful and magnificent view scapes made of many trees along the dirt road in the western part of Madagascar in the Menabe region and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
These baobab trees have been in existence for more than 3 years and have about 20-20 trees remaining others growing on the neck, and sugarcane and paddy leaves that can be harvested at any time by the farmers of the surrounding is not a national park.
Years ago there were remnants of dense forests that existed in Madagascar, many of which were harvested for farming. Went
The Baobab Tree Avenue also has the popular Baobab Amurex, which is just a few kilometers away, the two Adansonza trees twisted together, the local story behind this twist is amazing and it’s something you don’t want to miss.
This place is accessed by road and the perfect time to travel is from February to March as they flower, so here is a good time to take as many photos as you can, but if you want to take pictures of people, search for them before you do just that.
Remember that just taking photos of them is rude to them. Lodging options are available near this area and are affordable. Check out Baobabs Avenue today!
8. Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park is located in Ihorumbe, in the southern part of Madagascar; It was formed in 1962 and operated by the Madagascar National Parks Authority since 1997 and is an inevitable part of Madagascar tours at present.
Famous for its beautiful landscapes consisting of Isalo National Park, Madagascar, Isola meadow, palm-lined wes, deep gorges, fire-resistant Tapia forests, and sandstone, it is close to ring-tailed lemurs near seven species of lemurs.
There are more than 33 reptile species in Isolo National Park, 82 bird species such as knob-billed ducks and Madagascar ibis, 14 mammal species, and 15 species of frogs.
The tracks in Isalo National Park can go from hours to weeks depending on what you want, and it is advisable to keep a local guide familiar with the park to enjoy your trip. Isola receives seasonal rainfall with tropical dry weather.
Other activities you can do while visiting natural swimming pools and cultural tours are to meet the surrounding communities, especially the Bara people who have lived here for centuries and are an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
9. Andesabi – Mantadia National Park
Andasibi – Mantadia National Park is located about 150 km east of Antananarivo. Andajibe National Park is an easily accessible park in Madagascar as it is not too far from the country’s capital, Antananarivo.
It covers an area of 155 square kilometers and is located between 900m-1250m high. The weather in this region is cool and wet and the average temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.
The park is divided into two parts; The Analamajotra Reserve, where the senses are found, is the largest lemur, and Montadia national park.
Andasibe National Park is a rain forest, sheltering variously endangered and endangered species such as lemurs of about 11 species and reptiles of various species, frogs, birds, batrachians, and insects.
Also found in various plants are orchids, ferns, dwarf palm trees, and terrific climates which give the park a beautiful view.
Access to this park is easy, as stated earlier; It takes about 3-4 hours to drive from the capital to the park, local guides are advised for visitors entering the park and various hotels are also available near the park entrance.
10. Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This royal hill lies about 25 km northeast of Madagascar, about 30 km from Antananarivo, and is an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
The word ambohimang means “blue heel”. The mountain is regarded by the Malagasy people as a sacred place — it was the wall around the hill to the Princess of Madagascar in 1847.
A royal city, a cemetery, and a collection of holy sites make up the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga. It has retained its spiritual and holy nature in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years, and is linked to strong sentiments of national identity.
The place served as the ecclesiastical center of nineteenth-century Madagascar and is where past sovereigns’ homes and cemeteries are located. The location continues to be a destination for pilgrims and worshippers from Madagascar and other countries since the veneration of ancestors is a significant part of Malagasy culture.
There is a lot to see in this place, such as the former King’s house, and the arts, and crafts, such as weapons, talismas, and drums, among other things.
Of the 12 hills that encircle Antananarivo, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is the most significant and is said to represent the Malagasy cultural identity. Important palaces and holy locations from the 17th and 19th centuries may be found there.
11. Madio Rano and Mangili
Ifatti is a region consisting of two fishing villages called Madio Rano and Mangili, located on the southwestern coast of Madagascar. This is an ideal place to visit because it has beaches where one can relax and cool down, the other activities here are snorkeling, diving, and fishing.
This is a great time to spend in Ifati. There are bungalows available for anyone who can spend the night at any one and an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
12. Masoala National Park
The Masoala National Park is run by the Madagascar National Parks Association and was established in 1997. It is located northeast of Madagascar in the Sava region and covers 100 square kilometers of marine park and 2,300 square km of rainforest.
The Masoala National Park and the nearby island reserve of Nosy Mangabe are the biggest and least-visited protected land areas in Madagascar, known for their great richness of species.
More than ten species of lemons are found in this national park; The park is sheltered by several reptile species, such as birds as an inevitable part of Madagascar tours.
The fauna in the jungle can be difficult to view despite a large number of species there, but you may encounter animals such as the aye-aye, eastern fork-marked lemur, weasel sportive lemur, white-fronted brown lemur, greater hedgehog tenrec, Uroplatus geckos, chameleons, and fosas.
13. Mandrare River and the South East
Mandrare River Camp, which is situated on the remote southeast coast of Madagascar, provides easy access to a rare spiny forest, a wealth of species, and the natural world. Anosy in southern Madagascar is home to the river Mandrare.
Near Amboasary Sud, it empties into the Indian Ocean. In some months of the year, it gets dry. Fort Dauphin is 3 hours, and 30 minutes by car from Mandrare River Camp. Before leaving on a journey, have leisurely breakfasts on the Mandrare river’s banks.
14. Nosy Ankao
The new opulent island resort Miavana is situated on the island of Nosy Ankao, also known as Nosy Anko, which is off the northeastern coast of Madagascar. The Levens Archipelago, which lies off the northeastern coast of the island of Madagascar, contains five islands, with Nosy Ankao being the biggest.
Nosy Ankao is a remote private island that lies 3.5 kilometers off the northeastern edge of Madagascar. The most opulent and expensive lodge in the nation is located on the secluded tropical island of Nosy Ankao, which is located off the extreme northeast of Madagascar.
What should I pack for my safari trip?
Pick out some practical and comfy safari attire. Long days in an open-air car with loads of dust, heat, sun, and maybe rain are what you can expect. Focus more on wearing clothing that makes sense and less on trying to be trendy. There are certain things to remember.
As the weather changes, put on layers that you can remove. Normal weather patterns include cold mornings, hot afternoons, and cold nights. Bring coats, or dress in layers that you may remove or add as necessary.
Benefit from doing laundry every day. You don’t need to bring a lot of clothing because Brave Africa provides a daily washing service. Even for a ten-day excursion, three to four clothes are more than plenty.
Put on a pair of supportive hiking boots or walking shoes. There are bugs, thorns, plants, and dust where you must go through the wilderness. Your feet will be protected by sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots.
Aim to have sunny days. More than 300 days a year in Botswana are sunny. Take sunglasses and a hat with a broad brim for the sun.
Wear beige, brown, and green-colored apparel. Wearing blue, crimson, purple, black, or white is OK, but staying in the color family is not advised. You can get away with avoiding overly vivid colors and patterns.
Other Recommended Reading
- Vultures Facts – Profile | Traits | Behavior | Appearance | Prey
- 22 African Horned Deer Species – Grandeur | Aristocracy
- 17 Animals with Horns that Stand Out with Pride
- 22 Unique African Animals with Beautiful Horns
- South African Garden Route – Unique Travel Experience
- 56 Things to Do in Nairobi Kenya on Your Coming Trip
- 16 Unique Types of Antelope in Africa Wildlife Diversity
- Africa Wildlife Variations – Mammals | Birds | Fishes | Reptiles
- 16 Top Kenya Tourist Attractions – Explore Hidden Adventure
- 15 Places to Visit in Kenya on a Budget for Vacation
- Elephant Orphanage Nairobi – Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Kenya Animals – List | Facts | Safari | Migration | Poaching
- Botswana Wildlife – Safari | Conservation | Sanctuary
- Masai Mara Game Reserve – Safari | Wildlife | Adventure
- Kruger National Park Safari Plan – South Africa Adventure
- Gombe Stream National Park – Safari | Reviews | Jane Goodall
- Ruaha National Park Tanzania – Safari | Location | Animals
- Mikumi National Park – Safari | Animals | Location
- Katavi National Park Tanzania – Safari | Location | Reviews
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park – Safari | Activities | Animals