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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Madagascar

Going to Madagascar is an experience in itself. The "great island" is a vast territory and to choose an itinerary is sometimes very difficult. Where to go? Which stopover places to choose?

Don't worry, we're here to help. An entire team of travellers, passionate about Madagascar and members of the Evaneos Travel community, have come together to share their advice and reviews with you on the places to visit during your trip to Madagascar. In short, you'll have all the information you need to organise the perfect trip.

Antananarivo, the capital and its twelve hills, boasts multiple attractions. Spend a few days there and discover its surroundings and the numerous trekking possibilities, on foot or by bike. Île Sainte Marie is a favourite spot: coconut trees, white sand, and the pleasures of nautical delights, not to mention whales when it's the right season. Diego Suarez, on the northern tip, and all its surroundings are beautiful. The "Tsingy Rouge" (red stone formations), Amber Mountain and the natural parks are must-sees. The villages of fishermen, Ramena and its vast beaches will enchant you. Nosy Be shouldn't be overlooked either, with its richly diverse and colourful sea-beds.

Towards the south, an unmissable route is to follow the RN7 highway to Tuléar. At Fianarantsoa, take the train to Manakara. An unforgettable and colourful journey awaits you, during which you'll cross incredibly stunning landscapes, so keep your cameras ready. In the extreme south-east, FortDauphin will give you the feeling that you're on another planet. Madagascar is a land of contrasts, between the red of its earth and the green of its crops and forests. There's a neverending list of activities on offer, from water sports to hikes in numerous natural parks like Isalo, or Ranomafana... Above all, don't hesitate to invest in a local guide, who'll share his knowledge of the area with you.

Cathy Trichet
Who hasn't dreamed of finding themselves alone on a heavenly desert island, just for a short enchanted time? Nosy Vorona, which is also called "the island of birds" can help you to live the dream... 
Between Antananarivo, the capital, and the city of Mahajanga in north-west, there are huge rolling plateaus as far as the eye can see: the Tampoketsa. This Malagasy term designates a landscape of bare, grassy hills shaped by erosion.
Ramena (Madagascar)
Ramena
4/5
Situated at the extreme north of the island, you will be captivated by the quietness of this village of 4000 fishermen souls. Water sports fans, Ramena is for you : windsurfing, kitesurfing, on Diego Bay for beginners and for the more seasoned, Sakalava Bay awaits you!
Ranohira is the homeland of the Bara people, in the Ihorombe region, in the heart of the savannah and the great plains. This little city with 6,000 inhabitants has little value other than being the gateway to the immense Isalo Natural Reserve.
Ranomafana, a small town with a population of around 12,000, is part of the heritage of the Tanala: the people of the forest. It stands at a point where the landscape abruptly and dramatically changes as the Central Highlands give way to the coastal areas of the eastern part of the country.
The Red Tsingys of Irodo are located two hours by road from the city of Diego-Suarez. Different from their limestone counterparts of Bemaraha and Ankarana National Parks, these Tsingys are formed of red sandstone and laterite. 
The Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park covers more than 26,000 hectares, half of which is over seabeds. The rest of its surface is comprised of coastal forests and the mangrove. The site has been classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is one of the first ten parks to have been created in the country in 1927. The reserve, which is accessible from the village of Efoetsy, spreads over 43,000 hectares. It consists of a coastal forest and a dense, dry forest.
Located in the region of Bongolava, meaning "the long hills", Tsiroanomandidy lies at the border between the highlands and the south, homeland of the Bara where the zebu is king. It is home to an important zebu market.
The town of "sleeping rocks" gets its name from the large black rocks that emerge one hundred metres from the coast. It is the nearest coastal town to the capital.
Vohimanana is home to a very rich primary forest, threatened by deforestation, but it's interesting to discover duringa trip to Madagascar.
Situated in northwestern Madagascar, not far from the island of Nosy Be, Russian Bay opens onto the Mozambique Channel. Its quiet waters provide shelter to many species of fish, rays and turtles.
Why not stop for a little swim? Because there are crocodiles living in the Tsiribihina River. A trip down the river in a motor barge or canoe is one of the best ways to discover the Malagasy west.
Located in the Haute Matsiatra region, Ambalavao is nestled in a valley at the foot of the Andringitra Massif which reaches 2,658 metres at its highest point, the second highest in the country. Three rocky hillocks, called the Portes du Sudrise up a few kilometres from the town.
Due to its location on the banks of the Sambirano River and its microclimate, Ambanja is a particularly fertile land.
This little country town of 27,000 inhabitants at the foot of the Ankaratra massif, is one of the coldest in Madagascar. During the southern winter, temperature can get as low as 3°! !
Ambatoloaka is an old fishing village on the island of Nosy Be, which has been transformed into a seaside resort today.
Bordered by the Canal des Pangalanes, the Indian Ocean and the Fanantara river, Ambohitsara is a small village in eastern Madagascar. 
Ready to climb? Andringitra National Park has Boby Peak, which is 2,658 metres high! It's the highest peak in Madagascar and makes a magnificent trek.
Anja (Madagascar)
Anja
3/5
Anja Community Reserve is a small protected zone covering an area of about 74 acres and is managed by a village association south of Ambalavao. 
Ankarafantsika National Park and its lakes are the ideal place for bird watching. There are lots of lakes but be careful! It is taboo for woman to swim. 
Ankavandra is a quiet town in the Menabe region of western Madagascar.
The city of Antsohihy has a population of approximately 25,000 inhabitants. It is located in the Sofia region of northern Madagascar, on the National 6 between Antananarivo and Diego-Suarez and mid-way between this latter and Mahajanga.
A pristine island, a gorgeous bay, and a lot of coves: welcome to Lokaro. To get there, you take a canoe on Lanirano Lake. From there, you navigate through the creeks, the river's branches, passing through beautiful aquatic vegetation, like arum lilies, traveller's trees, pandanus, etc.
In the heart of Menabe region, the name Belo-sur-Tsiribihina can be transmated as "lots of rottenness". It's the vestiges of a great battle between the Merina and Sakalava people. The roads of the village were littered with bodies, hence the name.
Berenty is a village in the south of Madagascar which has been home to a private reserve since 1936.
Bevoay (Madagascar)
Bevoay
3/5
Bevoay is a little village in the Atsimo-Andrefana region of southwestern Madagascar. A little town in the bush, Bevoay is located on the banks of the Mangoky River and people usually visit it on a trip between Morombe and Toliara. 
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Canal des Pangalanes was developed by merging hundreds of lakes and lagoons running along Madagascar's eastern coast. Stretching over more than 370 miles between Tamatave and Mananjary In the south, it boasts about 250 navigable miles.
Faliarivo is one of the villages you go through when trekking in Zafimaniry country. Perched on a rocky spur, the village dominates the surrounding area and offers a breathtaking view of the region.