Top 9 Things to do in Madagascar

Madagascar is an exceptional safari destination to explore while on self drive safari with friends and family. The country includes various stunning natural beauty, rare wildlife and vibrant culture. Various things can be done in Madagascar and these include;

1. Visit Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe Mantadia National Park is exceptional to visit while on self Drive Safari in Madagascar. The Park is known to inhabit various primates that are watched by all travelers on vacation holiday. The Primate species you watch in the Park include; Lemurs, Indri Indri (the largest living lemur), verdant rainforest, chameleons, and birdwatching.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is located approximately 3 to 4 hours East of Antananarivo (the capital city of Madagascar). The Park is exceptional for nature lovers looking to seeing lemurs, orchids and rainforests. The Park consists of dense humid rainforest with altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters.

 2. Explore Avenue of the Baobabs

The Avenue of the Baobabs is one of the most iconic adventures to do in Madagascar.

The natural tablet includes beautiful lineup of centuries-old baobab trees that create a dramatic and photogenic landscape that is exceptional to watch at sunrise and sunset.

While here, you follow a dirt road covered with Grandidier’s baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri), the tallest of Madagascar’s six native baobab species.

Some of these trees are known to be 800+ years old elevating to 30 meters (100 ft) in height.

The avenue is located in between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina on Madagascar’s west coast.

Getting to the avenue requires you to transfer by air from Antananarivo for a period of one hour to the Avenue of Boababs. By Road, travelers can transfer via long rough terrain for a period of 10 hours.

From Morondava, you can drive for 45 minutes to the avenue of boababs.

The Best Time to visit the avenue is during sunrise and sunset in the dry season months of April to November.

 3. Visit the Ranomafana National Park

Visiting Ranomafana National Park is ideal as it offers you a chance to explore Madagascar’s verdant rainforest, rare wildlife and natural hot springs. The Park is situated South East of Madagascar close to the town of Ranomafana approximately 65 kms from Fianarantsoa covering an area of more than 400 km² (100,000+ acres).

Various primates and wildlife species can be seen in the Park and these include; Golden bamboo lemur, Greater bamboo lemur, Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, red-bellied lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur. You shall also watch Leaf-tailed geckos, colorful chameleons, frogs (many endemic), bird species like the Paradise flycatchers, ground rollers, vangas and over 100 bird species, insects, and rare orchids. Best Time to Visit

4. Explore the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is among the most iconic safari destinations to explore on self drive safari in Madagascar. While in the park, you shall watch the geology, adventure, and off-the-beaten-path. The Park is located close to the town of Bekopaka covering an area of 1,500 km².

The term “Tsingy” means “where one cannot walk barefoot” in Malagasy, due to the sharp rocks which feature the terrain.

The wildlife animals you watch here include; Lemurs, Decken’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur, bird species i.e more than 100 species, including the Madagascar fish eagle. There are floral species in the park and these include; Baobabs, pachypodiums, and other dry-adapted plants.

 5. Relax in Nosy Be

Relaxing in Nosy Be is exceptional o do while on self drive safari in Madagascar due to the fact that the destination includes turquoise waters, sandy beaches, water sports, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. Nosy Be is situated off Madagascar’s northwest coast in the Mozambique Channel.

Nosy Be can be accessed after flying for 1 hour from Antananarivo or a boat ride from Ankify (mainland Madagascar). This destination offers unique adventures like Beach relaxation, diving/snorkeling, island hopping, and seafood lovers. The Beaches you explore include; Ambatoloaka Beach, Madirokely Beach. You can also enjoy snorkeling and Diving.

6. Explore Anakao and the South Coast

Exploring Anakao and Madagascar’s South Coast is such an exceptional adventure watching the wild beaches, traditional fishing villages, marine life, and raw, unpolished beauty. The fishing village is situated on the southwest coast of Madagascar, south of Tuléar (Toliara) with white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and authentic culture.

This destination is accessed using boat and on reaching here, you shall relax at the uncrowded beaches ideal for swimming, reading under a palm tree. Various adventures are done here and these include; snorkeling & diving at Nosy Ve, Nosy Satrana with white sand, red-tailed tropicbirds, and calm lagoon.

You can also enjoy fishing and boat trips as well as watch sunsets over the Mozambique Channel. Getting here you shall fly to Tuléar (Toliara) from Antananarivo then embark on Boat transfer from the port of Saint Augustin or Tuléar approximately 1 to 2 hours. Best Time to visit is during the months of April to November as well as December to March.

7. Hike in Isalo National Park

Hiking in Isalo National Park is an incredible safari adventure to do as you explore sandstone canyons, natural swimming pools and hidden oases. Isalo National Park offers beautiful views and diverse terrain landscapes.

The Park is located in the South-central part of Madagascar close to the town of Ranohira covering an area of 800 km² with Sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, palm-lined oases, grasslands and dry forest. The places you visit in the park include; Canyon des Singes & Piscine Naturelle (Monkey Canyon & Natural Pool), hike through a canyon with sandstone cliffs, watch ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas.

You shall also watch wildlife animals like the Ring-tailed lemurs, verreaux’s sifakas, Brown lemurs, Madagascar kestrels, couas, and vangas as well as reptiles i.e colorful chameleons and geckos.

8. Go Caving in Ankarana Reserve

Caving in Ankarana Reserve is one of most remarkable adventures to do in Madagascar. Ankarana Reserve is situated in the Northern part with many limestone caves, subterranean rivers and dramatic tsingy (sharp limestone formations). The reserve is ideal for nature lovers covering an area of 100 kms South of Diego Suarez (Antsiranana).

The reserve comprises of Dry deciduous forest, razor-sharp limestone tsingy, deep gorges, and over 100 known caves & karst systems. The wildlife animals you watch include; lemurs, bats, crocodiles and rare blind cave species. The top places to visit in the reserve include; the Cave of the Bats (Grotte des Chauves-souris), Grotte d’Andrafiabe, the Suspension Bridge Trail (Pont Suspendu), Grotte du Milieu. The Best time to visit the reserve is during the months of May to November and getting here, you shall transfer from Diego Suarez (Antsiranana): ~3–4 hours by road.

  9. Experience Malagasy Culture

Experiencing Malagasy culture is very exceptional on self drive safari in Madagascar. The Malagasy Culture is a blend of African, Austronesian and French influences with centuries of island life, ancestral customs, music and deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. Visit villages like Antsirabe, Ambositra, West Coast (Vezo villages), South (Antandroy and Mahafaly communities).

You shall engage in traditions like Traditional craftsmanship (woodcarving, weaving, or pottery), attend a local festival or ceremony which is colorful, deeply spiritual. You shall visit the traditional musical theater where you enjoy songs, dance, satire. You shall also enjoy listening to Malagasy Music.