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 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 area include: Kirindy Forest, home to a host of endemic lemurs; and the magnificent Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park to the north (8 hours drive), 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 Malagasy handicrafts.
With the Mozambique Channel to its west and encircled by dry natural landscapes, Kirindy village lies on Madagascar's beautiful western coast. 2 hours drive from the famous Baobab Alley, and 2h30 drive away from Morondava, the Western Madagascar capital city. In Kirindy you can find proper accommodation, especially if you intend to visit the Kirindy private reserve at night. Kirindy reserve is a privately managed forest in one of Madagascar's most threatened environments. Bush fires are very common in this region and you might see some on your way.
As previously described
