City: Madagascar
Top Things to do in Madagascar
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Madagascar, Madagascar
– in Africa (light blue & dark grey)
– in the African Union (light blue)
Restaurants in Madagascar
1. Lokaro Beach
2. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
The amazing landscapes of limestone pinnacles, gorges and pristine forests protect many rare birds, lemurs and reptiles.
Reviewed By AndrejM973 - Bratislava, Slovakia
Amazing national park, totally worth the bad road that you have to take to get there, great views from Grand Tsingy, you are literally climbing to the top, passing caves, the hike itself is fun, using ferrata. Small Tsingy are also nice, it is possible to do both in one day.
3. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 719 reviews
A true paradise for nature lovers, the Andasibe Mantadia National Park enjoys a rich and incredible flora and fauna. Located in the Rural Municipality of Andasibe, this Protected Area is the most visited in Madagascar because of its proximity to the capital: 135 km for around 3 hours by road.
Reviewed By midway42 - Minnesota, United States
Located east of Antananarivo, it takes about a three-hour drive from Tana (on a paved road…. yes!) to access the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. The area consists principally of primary growth forest and receives a significant amount of rain annually. It is home to a number of Madagascar’s unique, iconic wildlife. I stopped by here with my guide and driver early in the morning during my second full day in the country. After paying the requisite admission fee we were met by the local guide and toured the area for about two hours. The visitor center greets everyone with a brief description of the surrounding ecology and history of the area with English subtitles to boot. After a few minutes here we struck out on the trails, and after passing by a number of unique plants and insects we were face-to-face with a number of lemurs. Brown lemurs abound here and are like squirrels, but the real find was a group of indri which were high in the tree-tops. We observed them for about an hour, hearing the distinctive call and watching them interact. This was followed by a group of sifaka (jumping lemur) that literally took the hat off this reviewer. A trip to one of the internal lakes and a visit to a bamboo grove rounded out the experience with a visit to the small souvenir shop. Overall this was a memorable experience and the perfect introduction to Madagascar’s signature species. The local guide made all the difference here and was in touch with other guides that identified the indri and sifaka; he also exhibited an encyclopedic knowledge of all of the plants, insects, and animals encountered during the tour. The sighting of the Indri was a highlight not only of the visit here but of my entire time on the island; unable to be kept in captivity and critically endangered, their survival is among the most tenuous of the animals in the country. Moreover, there were no more than a dozen tourists in sight while we were in the forest proper. The trails weren’t strenuous by any means but did provide a bit of physical exertion to boot. A recommended visit.
4. Isalo National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 647 reviews
Distinguished by a canyon and beautiful, rolling plains, the Parc National de Isalo is an attractive reserve of Madagascar's land and wildlife.
Reviewed By PeterE5 - Sydney, Australia
I spent 3 days in Isalo National Park and loved it. Although it's rainy season here this area is relatively dry and a good place to go at this time of year. It is difficult to get to sites and trailheads without transport, and the access roads are poor, but I managed to join another traveller with a vehicle, making things much easier. I am sure my experience was made much better by my guide Sandra. Sandra is a local Ranohira woman, has 3 years experience as a guide, has recently completed her tourism degree and speaks excellent English, as well as French and Malagasy. There are over 100 guides for the park, but only 5 females. So just in the interests of advancing women in Madagascar I would recommend hiring a woman, but Sandra was excellent. The guide rates are set at 120,000 ariary for full day, or 80,000 for half day. You can hire a guide at the guides office, across from the National Parks office, or they may approach you first. The Fenetre (Window) of Isalo is a unusual rock formation and great place for sunset - you need a vehicle to get there. My first hike was to the Piscine Naturelle, then we crossed within a wide canyon to Namaza camp site where there were lemurs and many birds, and then up the gorge to Piscine Bleu and Piscine Noire with waterfalls and beautiful natural swimming pools. Beautiful! My second hike was to Canyon des Makis and Canyon de Rates (but no rats!). They are two beautiful gorges. We were the only ones hiking there that day. I thoroughly recommend the Park and these hikes.
5. Lokobe Nature Special Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,121 reviews
Reviewed By tjfc66 - Kenya, null
We went via canoe with Jean Robert’s team and had a fascinating time as we saw several rare and endemic creatures, such as two different Pygmy chameleons (I think) on the two hour forest walk, along with several snakes, several lemurs quite close up. The lunch at the end was also splendid and very well prepared. Highly recommended.
6. Avenue of the Baobabs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 752 reviews
Reviewed By Mikiduta - Bucharest, Romania
We have been to The Avenue twice, both at sunset and sunrise. Being low season not too many tourists were around at sunset (around 40-50) while at sunrise which was happening at 5 am we were just a few (around 10 probably). The baobabs are amazing trees that can survive without water for a long period of time. During December they had a lot of leaves because one week before it rained. The weather was great when we visited the avenue so both sunset and sunrise were spectacular. During sunset there were plenty of mosquitos around while during sunrise the flies took the places of mosquitos. Sunset was really great and we have stayed also after the sunset to take pictures during the blue hour. The sunrise was also spectacular but totally different mainly before the appearance of the sun when a mix of orange, red and dark blue was taking our pictures to another level. I am really happy that we have visited Madagascar during December because we had good weather and almost no tourists around us. Special thanks to Cactus Madagascar which organized very professionally our tour!
7. Lemurs' Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 860 reviews
Reviewed By hnemcic - Makarska, Croatia
Perfect place to see various spices of lemurs in one place. When i have arrived on Madagascar i was thinking that lemurs will jump all around. It’s not like that. So if you want to see them in something that’s most close to natural environment, this is place to go. And guides are very good and helpful. Without explanation it will be just half of experience.
8. Anja Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By PaulAndGijs - Den Bosch, The Netherlands
Must visit community run reserve. 6 communities decided to change their ways of making a living dramatically with great results. From hunting ringtail maki’s and cutting trees to make a bit of money to full-fill basic subsistence needs, they decided to create the nature reserve. The number of ring tails increased from 20 to over 400 now in their best fit habitat. During the 2 hour hike you’ll meet maki’s, cameleons snd more. The landscape is gorgeous.
9. Ankarana Special Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
Reviewed By huys25 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The limestone Tsingy from Madagascar are without exception one of the most spectacular features of the country, all worth visiting. Here only a short walk and two bridges over the Tsingy are the basic route. Behind the bridge you can walk another circuit, we did not do. The large cave is interesting. The underground river that disappears is more interesting. Pity that you cannot go down and explore the tunnel for some distance. In the park, near the entrance we had a nice pick-nick lunch supplied by the hotel Chez Laurent, in the company of a few curious lemurs.
