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.

Windsor Castle

Visible from Diego-Suarez, Windsor Castle is a monolith 391 metres high, with a magnificent view from the top.

Nosy Ambariovato

Peacefulness and simplicity are the strong points of Nosy Komba . Indeed, this volcanic island that is 5 miles in diameter has neither electricity nor roads. It tempts you to live the local and traditional way, giving you a pleasant rest during your stay on the Red Island . It is also called Nosy Ambariovato which means "island surrounded by rocks".

Antsohihy

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.

Ankarafantsika

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.

A bird's-eye view of the bay of Bombetoka

Katsepy

Katsepy is a village near Mahajanga, which is the starting point for some beautiful walks along the coast or inland.

Andohahela National Park

Beraketa

Beraketa is a little bit like the world's end. Located on the National 13 between Betroka and Ambovombe, the city is essentially a waypoint on the track leading to Ihosy or Fort-Dauphin.

Manakara

Terminus: Manakara It’s the final station on the FCE line: Fianarantsoa- Côte Est, the only railway line in the whole of Madagascar. Over here, it is best not to be in any hurry... it will take you at least 12 hours to end up in Mankara! But the trip is well worth it: mountains passing by, traveller's palm forests, bamboo, litchis, and even passing through Ranomafana forest will all be part of the adventure…

Canal des Pangalanes

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.

Fort Dauphin

Nestled between the mountains and the Indian Ocean, Fort Dauphin or Tolagnaro translates to "place of dreams" in Malagasy. Its status as a peninsula gives it three distinct bays.

Plateau de Tampoketsa

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.

Manandona

The Manandona plain has the particularity of being very wide and straight, whereas most of the Malagasy plains are steep and winding. With an average altitude of 1500 metres, the landscape of Manandona consists of a rim of mountains, high plateaus and deep gorges.