Madagascar is a tourist destination, which is like no other place on earth. Here you can find an endless list of things to see and interesting activities to do – stunning nature, unique wildlife, amazing culture and incredible history of the island, to name a few. Let’s look at some of the top Madagascar attractions:
• Explore the Beaches – If you love relaxing and spending leisure time on the beaches, then Madagascar is the best place to be. The island has numerous beaches that are tourist destinations as well as other beaches that still remains to be explored. Whether you are looking for luxury or something more authentic, Madagascar offers something for everyone. Some of the most popular beaches where you can relax and have a great time are in areas around Diego, Morondava, Anakao, and the beautiful islands of Nosy Be, Nosy Ve and Sainte Marie.
• Avenue of the Baobabs – The avenue of the Baobabs, situated in the west coast near the Morondava town is famous for the unique Baobab trees that can be found everywhere. These trees line the road and they are well-protected since there is a lot of deforestation going on in this area. The best time to visit here is in the evening at the time of sunset, when you will be able to witness the extraordinary and magical view.
• The Big Tsingy Stone Forest in Madagascar – This is another main tourist attraction in Madagascar, which can be described as beyond impressive. It takes a whole day via 4×4 vehicle through the very rough terrain, to reach this place. Here you can find two parks called Big Tsingy (large park) and the Small Tsingy (small park). You also get to view the amazing landscape, where thousands of grey limestone penetrate the blue sky with their sharp towers. Although getting there is not that easy, it is definitely worth the visit and you won’t regret it!
• Explore the Wildlife – Madagascar is blessed with an abundance of unique flora & fauna that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The island is home to about 70 different species of Lemurs and different varieties of chameleons. Madagascar and the surrounding islands have eight plant families, five bird families, and five primate families that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Some of the endemic wildlife in Madagascar include, tomato frogs, dancing lemurs, comet moths, Aye-Aye, flat tailed gecko and various types of chameleons. A few of the parks you should visit are Andasibe-Mantadia, Berenty, Ankarana Montagne d’Ambre, Ranomafana, Kirindy, and Masoala.
• The Capital of Antananarivo (Tana) – Although the capital of Madagascar doesn’t have the architectural prowess of many other capitals in the world, the city is unique in its own way. Spread out over a series of hills, Tana, however does have some traces of French colonial architecture combined with traditional Malagasy buildings. One of the major attractions here is the market that winds up and down the steps. Other places to visit include the Marché Artisanale de La Digue, Royal Hill of Ambohimanga and the Lemurs Park, located just outside the city.
• Diving in Madagascar – With a large coastline, Madagascar is inarguably one of the best diving places in the world. The waters are warm all year round and there are several places where you can get certified. The best diving spots are mainly in the Northern coast in the cities of Diego and Nosy Be. You can also have a good diving experience in Anakao, Ifaty, Morondava, and around the islands of Sainte Marie.
• Cooperate With The Locals – Madagascar might be part of the African continent, but its people and cultural are very different to those of the rest of the continent. The Malagasy people form nearly the entire population of the island. They are some of the nicest and welcoming people you will ever meet. They are always very curious and prepared to talk to you. Interacting with the locals will give you an idea of their culture, traditions, food and their lifestyle. Make sure to take along gifts such as pens, notebooks or candys for the kids, they will love it.
• Isalo National Park – Located in the central southern region of Madagascar, the Isalo National Park is well-known for is multifarious terrain that includes areas of steep canyons, grasslands, tree-lined lakes and sandstone formations. Waterfalls, serene pools and hundreds of species of plants and animals can be found here. As in many of the country’s national parks, the service of guides are required. Tours can last from several hours to days or even weeks.
• Andasibe National Park – Located 100 miles east of Antananarivo and set in the mountainous rainforest, is the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which is home to eleven lemur species, including the country’s largest lemur, the Indri. Visiting the park is the perfect way to meet these cheeky lemurs in their natural habitats. The best way to experience the park would be to take a night tour, when the lemurs and other animals are the most active.
• Tsingy de Bemaraha – Located in the southern region of Madagascar’s largest natural reserve, Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve. The park features a wide range of mangrove forest, which is home to seven lemur species, including the Deckens sifaka, a genus of lemur with creamy black face and white fur.
Although well-known as a tourist hot spot, there are still parts of Madagascar that haven’t been discovered yet. It is one of the safest countries in Africa even though it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Madagascar’s exceptional natural diversity has earned it the name,“the eighth continent.” Visit the top tourist attractions in Madagascar to discover the natural, cultural and historical diversity of the country.
