Evolution has occurred more or less in isolation on this remote island – located 400 kilometres of Africa’s east coast – with the result that much of its indigenous wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar’s menagerie of weird and wonderful creatures includes the world’s biggest and smallest chameleons, the near-extinct elephant bird, and over 70 species of lemur – long-tailed primates endemic to the island. The Madagascan landscape is no less compelling than the resident wildlife, with terrain ranging from lush jungles and palm-fringed beaches to the knife-edged tsingys of Bemaraha National Park’s ‘stone forests’.
Antananarivo is Madagascar’s capital city, perched on top of a mountain range close to several nature reserves, including Tsingy de Bemaraha, with its fantastical limestone spikes. Founded in 1625, it has a rich historical heritage that is complemented by scenic landscapes traversed with a multitude of hiking routes. The city is also known for its bubbly nightlife, with live music played regularly at various clubs, bars and hotels.
Located in eastern Madagascar in the Moramanga District, the small village of Andasibe is surrounded by a belt of protected rainforest and several parks boasting incredible natural scenery and an array of exotic Madagascan wildlife. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the spectacularly scenic surrounds. Visitors can look forward to discovering the natural wonders of the nearby Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Analamazaotra Reserve and Perinet Special Reserve. Don't miss the opportunity to hear the unique song of the large indri lemur, explore a network of incredible trails that wind past glistening lakes and magnificent waterfalls and discover the rich biodiversity in the local flora and fauna.
The seaside town of Morondova is situated on the west coast of Madagascar. The town serves as a gateway to the area’s claim to fame and main attraction: the world-renowned ‘Avenue of the Baobabs’. These massive, ancient Baobab trees tower over the terrain and create magical otherworldly silhouettes at sunrise and sunset. Other places to explore in the surrounding area include: Kirindy Forest, home to a host of endemic lemurs; and the magnificent Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park to the north, featuring unique, spiny rock formations. Don’t miss the opportunity to browse Morondava’s local market for a selection of locally made textiles and other sought-after Madagascan handicrafts.
Set close to the southern boundary of the Tsingy of Bemaraha National Park, the town of Bekopaka lies in the district of Antsalova, Madagascar. It offers visitors a host of comfortable accommodation options and serves as an excellent base for exploring the spectacular Tsingy of Bemaraha National Park, a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is known for its unique geology boasting forests of ‘tsingy’, which are spiky limestone karsts creating an otherworldly landscape for visitors to discover. Other attractions include the park’s untouched woodlands, mangroves and glistening lakes abundant with an array of wildlife such as the endemic lemur and almost 100 different bird species.
As previously described
Nosy Be’s is Madagascar’s most popular tourist destination, located off Madagascar’s northwestern coast, this small island is blessed with exquisite sand beaches, glittering volcanic lakes and diverse flora and fauna. Nosy Be has remained refreshingly unspoilt and free of rampant development, with low-key beach bungalows outnumbering the glitzy commercial resorts. Most visitors relax on idyllic beaches, go swimming or snorkelling in the calm azure waters and enjoy seafood feasts at oceanfront restaurants, but if you enjoy sightseeing, it’s worth paying a visit to the bazaar in Hell-ville to pick up samples of fragrant spices as Nosy Be is nicknamed ‘The Perfume Island’. Don’t miss the lush rainforests of the Lobeke nature reserve as well as the coral reefs skirting the coast offer phenomenal scuba diving opportunities, while a peppering of surrounding islets make for enchanting day trips.
