Places to discover

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, Fort Dauphin 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.

Masoala

In the north-east of Madagascar, Masoala peninsula harbours primary forests with enormous wealth in terms of biodiversity.

La vallée du Sambirano

The green side of the long Sambirano Valley contrasts with the dry landscape of savannah and red soil on the western coast of the island.

Ambilobe

Ambilobe is the starting point when heading to the magnificent Tsingys,a must on a trip to Madagascar.

La mer d'Emeraude

The emerald sea is found at the entrance to Diégo-Suarez bay, the second biggest bay in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Tiny desert islands are scattered over this startling coloured water.

Nosy Mangabe

Not only does this northern Madagascan island provide a habitat for some magnificent and wonderful plants and animals, it has beautiful beaches to offer too. Nosy Mangabe truly is a little piece of heaven on earth!

Antalaha

Welcome to the vanilla capital. Antalaha,which was still a village in the 19th century, is now a prosperous town, thanks to the introduction of vanilla at the start of the 20th century.

Arboretum d'Antsokay

Antsokay Arboretum is located around one and a quarter miles north of the Tropic of Capricorn and was founded in 1980 by Hermann Petignat, a Swiss botanist. The organisation that manages the arboretum is working to protect the endemic flora of southern Madagascar.

Sahamalaza

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.

Marojejy still has many secrets to unravel.

Marojejy National Park

Marojejy National Park is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas of the country. Its beauty originates from its "Jurassic" atmosphere: 90% of its hilly terrain is covered by primary forest.

Majunga

Mahajanga is an important city of the north-west of Madagascar. Located at the mouth of the Betsiboka River on the Mozambique Channel, the city has approximately 200,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the region that bears the same name.

Nosy Sainte Marie

This once southern seas pirates’ hide-away is now well known as a meeting point for humpback whales. Saint Mary’s Island, very elongated in shape (30.5 miles long by 3 miles wide), is named for its discovery due to a shipwreck that occurred on a 15th of August, Assumption Day. What is more, it has the oldest church in Madagascar, built in 1857.

Ialatsara

Miandrivazo

3.5

Poised on the banks of the River Mahajilo, which flows in to the Tsiribihina, "where one must not dive", Miandrivazo is the hottest town in Madagascar.

Toliara

Welcome below the Tropic of Capricorn. Toliara has about 200,000 people. Nicknamed the "white city", it's the capital of southern Madagascar.

Fianarantsoa

In southeastern Madagascar, the city of Fianarantsoa was built in the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona wanted to build a city between the capital and the South. Literally the "city of good education" , its name is suggestive: it's an important religious centre. It is also known for the training of its intellectuals.

Joffreville

Joffreville is apeaceful little town near Diégo-Suarez..

Ambalavao

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.