Evolution has occurred more or less in isolation on this remote island – located 400 kilometers off 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 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 karst Tsingys of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park’s ‘stone forests’. Madagascar is an otherworldly paradise where visitors are offered a unique glimpse into a fantastical one-of-a-kind world.
Antananarivo, also known as Tana, is Madagascar’s capital city. It is perched at 1200 meters above sea level crowning a mountain range. Founded in 1625, Antananarivo boasts a rich historical heritage that is complemented by scenic landscapes covered in a large network of popular hiking routes. Known for its vibrant nightlife, Antananarivo features local live music at a variety of clubs and bars. Visitors can look forward to exploring the remnants of the French colonial era in the old heart of the city, as well as discovering ancient Malagasy palaces interspersed between the faded grandeur of these colonial relics.
From the Airport to Antananarivo city center (12km), it can take sometimes more than an hour. Antananarivo is a very crowded city during the day. Upon your landing/takeoff times, you will see rice paddies, houses that are all different from each other and the daily life in this city of about 2 million inhabitants on your way. Tananarivians mostly live from day to day jobs, we call it “Ady Gasy”: repairing tires, selling Chinese-made products in the streets, selling scrap… Antananarivo is full of life and colors!
The Tsaranoro valley is surrounded by the Tsaranoro Mount (Granite cliff) on one side and the giant mountain chain of Andringitra National Park on the other side.
The Valley is best known for its excellent rock climbing routes and its spectacularly scenic hiking trails. Climbers flock to the valley from all corners of the globe for a chance to traverse the impressive rock walls.
The mostly arid valley is dotted with mango trees, open savanna and tropical dry forest meeting the rugged granite walls of the Tsaranoro Massif reaching up to 800 meters in height.
Located in south-central Madagascar, the Andringitra National Park is best known for its incredible natural scenery including indigenous flora and fauna, cascading waterfalls and the soaring peaks of the Andringitra Mountains. Dubbed Madagascar's most scenic park, visitors flock here to soak up Andringitra’s scenic natural landscapes. The park is also known for its biodiversity with over 1000 plant species, 50 reptile species,75 amphibian species, 50 mammal species and over 100 bird species inhabiting the park. Visitors can look forward to spotting the endemic 13 species of lemur who call this beautiful island home and hiking along scenic trails through lush rainforest, deep valleys and passed crystal-clear mountain streams. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Pic Boby, one of the highest mountains in Madagascar.
As previously described
As previously described
As previously described
Ranomafana is a small city located near the famous Ranomafana National Park. There are comfortable accommodations in the nearby village of Ranomafana. Ranomafana means “where the warm waters are” because of the hot springs. Local people do natural spa treatments here.
We recommend waking up early for a morning walk inside the Park, as it is the best time for lemur observation. You will be fascinated by botany, ornithology, herpetology in this tropical rain forest. Flora and fauna variety is huge here, and most species are unique.
