What to do and visit in Madagascar?

It’s very rich in biodiversity and more than 80% of its wildlife are endemics so you can’t found anywhere else on Earth.

Madagascar is a big island in the Indian Ocean, about 587 041 Km², however, it remains a mystery to many. At this moment, if you would like to see the weirdest thing that you ever saw in your life, desire to discover the lost land, jump into a friendly community, welcome people, also want to invest your money in a country full of hope. I would say “Madagascar” is the best place for you. Travelling through Madagascar gives you the feeling of being a true explorer, off the beaten track! And then the country turns out to be beautiful too! It has everything: bounty islands, rugged mountains, tropical rainforest, delicious food, and incredibly sweet people. We organized tours throughout this beautiful country for the whole year, and we made a variety of trips and excursions. Madagascar is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so we can heartily recommend it to you!

Find your perfect beach
Good news for beach-loving tourists! Madagascar is home to a large number of seaside resorts. On the beautiful beaches of the island, a multitude of aquatic activities await you, to name only scuba diving. As you’d expect of an island anchored in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is blessed with its fair share of beautiful beaches. Being a rather large island, with over 5,000km of coastline, it offers beaches of all different kinds: some deserted and remote, others better suited for aquatic activities like surfing and kite-surfing.

The north-east coast around Île Sainte-Marie offers palm-fringed stretches of white sand, secluded coves, and turquoise, clear waters.

Nosy Be, in the northwest, is just as beautiful and offers a more tropical vibe, particularly on the idyllic beaches of Ambatoloaka and Ambondrona. The Mitsio Archipelago is known as the ‘Maldives of Madagascar.’ Take your pick.

For something a bit more authentic try Anakao, a fishing village, complete with colorful boats. It has a stunning white sandy beach and crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling. Or Manafiafy, on the south coast, with tree-lined bays many tourists don’t go to. Tôlanaro, also in the south, offers reliable swells for surfing and kite-surfing.

Isalo National Park
This national park is famous for various reasons and one of them is the fact that it has a huge variety of landscapes. From canyons, refreshing mountain pools, palm trees, and eclectic sandstone formations. Most of Madagascar’s national parks mandatorily require one to travel with a guide, this park is no different. Guided tours can easily be arranged and can last a few hours or a few days depending on what you wish to experience and how much time you have to spend on the island.

Avenue of the Baobabs
This could be one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of Madagascar and the gigantic baobabs which are said to be roughly 800 years old can be found along the gravel road between Morondava and Belon’l Tsiribihina towards the west of the country. This famed site is unfortunately the result of deforestation for the sake of agriculture and many years before this, the area was the location of a lush forest. The baobabs are all that remain.

Ranomafana National Park
This is the area in which one of Madagascar’s most famed national parks is located. This is also the region of the endangered Golden lemur. One animal’s food is another’s poison as the iconic creature’s diet consists entirely of a certain variety of bamboo. However, this particular bamboo contains lethal doses of cyanide for which other animals wouldn’t last one bite.

Amazing people
Sustainable tourism can help preserve the country’s unique flora and fauna but also support local communities. To travel sustainably, consider staying at hotels that have eco-initiatives, working with local travel agents, and visiting national parks. In 2016, travel and tourism generated more than 641,500 jobs for local Malagasy. The hope is that by 2027, it will support 850,000 jobs. As for conservation, projects like Anja Reserve, a reforested nature reserve independently managed by a local community, rely on tourism (entrants into the park have to pay a small fee) to support and build the community.

What Madagascar can offer?
Madagascar offers its fair share of tourist sites and activities, whether you’re interested in the history of the island, local culture, or its natural sites. Plus, many of them are incredibly budget-friendly. Adventure seekers, ecotourism enthusiasts, nature lovers … The tours and activities on offer are sure to delight all tourists.

Lemurs!
Yes, lemurs are a top reason to visit Madagascar. The endangered species endemic to the island exist nowhere else in the world and are on the verge of extinction due to deforestation and poaching.
From the tiny egg-cup-sized mouse lemur to the morning calls of the teddy bear-esque Indri, Madagascar offers something truly unique for the wildlife lover. For those wishing to see the renowned dancing lemurs (sifakas) then the southern reserve of Berenty is world-renowned as well as the Relais and Chateaux private reserve of Anjajavy. Nothing however can beat the lazy ring-tailed lemurs which can be caught spread out sunbathing as the early morning sun comes over the horizon. If lemurs aren’t cuddly enough for you as they are, then make sure you visit during October and November when it is baby lemur season, ideal for those photographers amongst you!
Unique in its own right, there is only one place in the world where you can spot lemurs in the wild and that is Madagascar.
• Best place to see lemurs in Madagascar: Andasibe, Berenty, Anjajavy, Isalo, Ankarafantsika
• Best time to see lemurs in Madagascar: June to December

Ecotourism remains in the same spirit as sustainable tourism. It is about promoting responsible tourism in Madagascar. To achieve this, the agencies ensure that on each tour, tourists are in contact with the local population. We will talk about participatory tourism, such as buying artisanal products, favoring accommodation with villagers,
Madagascar invites all foreign visitors to adventure as well as to discover the riches of the island. Thanks to its unparalleled tourist sites, it is possible to spend memorable moments on the Big Island, taking part in various sports circuits while admiring the beauty of nature: trekking, kayaking, and hiking.