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.

Kirindy Mitea

Along the Mozambique Channel, Kirindy Mitea National Park is a transitional area between the biodiversity of the Big Island's southern and western regions.

Mananara Nord District

Mananara Nord is both a land and marine national park. Listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, it covers 144 000 hectares spread between sea and land on three islets: Nosy Antafana, Nosy Rangonty and Nosy Hely.

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 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.

Antananarivo & les Hautes Terres

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.

Baie de Lokaro

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.