Isolated for tens of millions of years, Madagascar is a living oddity — giant baobabs, lemurs found nowhere else, and landscapes that feel utterly alien.
Madagascar offers an extraordinary journey into a world rich in natural and cultural wealth. The island split from Africa and Asia in the time of the dinosaurs; because of that long isolation, Madagascar’s plant and animal life have evolved in astonishing ways — many endemic species are found nowhere else on Earth. Around 2,000 years ago Madagascar began to experience human settlement, and today the island’s rare natural resources face pressure as the population grows.
When you travel to Madagascar you won’t experience the crowds seen at many mass-market destinations: tours to Madagascar tend to be luxury trips and travel costs are high. Below, with a guide from Alibaba Travel Magazine, we cover what you need to know before visiting Madagascar.
Madagascar is an island nation off Africa’s southeast coast, east of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. About 135 million years ago the supercontinent Gondwana began to break up — Madagascar separated from the Africa–South America landmass and, later, roughly 88 million years before the Indian subcontinent split away. This isolation drove extraordinary evolutionary change: roughly 90% of Madagascar’s species are endemic and appear only on this island.
The island’s unique ecology has led some to call it the world’s eighth continent. The capital is Antananarivo; Madagascar ranks as the world’s fourth-largest island. The population is ethnically diverse, and visitors can easily feel that cultural richness. The Malagasy ariary is the currency, Malagasy is the official language, and French is also widely used.
Many local people do not speak English; for this reason, booking an organized Madagascar tour is advised so you can visit the island’s attractions and navigate cities without difficulty. Most of the population are Christian, although traditional local beliefs persist in some communities. Major cities include Toamasina, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa and Mahajanga.
Madagascar’s sights are so beautiful and unique that they have turned this lesser-known island into a dreamlike landscape: emerald rainforests, towering baobabs that rise like giant windmills above the savanna, and dramatic limestone ranges resembling Gothic spires. In higher areas you’ll also find terraced rice paddies that mirror the sky and granite peaks that complete the extraordinary picture.
Alongside natural wonders, human-made attractions add to Madagascar’s beauty. Terraced rice fields and reflecting paddies, village life and colourful settlements all contribute to the island’s rich visual tapestry. Below are the top natural sights you can see on a Madagascar tour.
To see Madagascar’s golden beaches, head to the island’s east coast. Massive coastal rocks and palms, cooled by Indian Ocean breezes, make the shorelines striking and pleasant. In the island’s west and south you’ll find dry savanna plains, vast green expanses with dense forests and winding rivers. Below we introduce the best natural sights to visit on Madagascar tours.
Many travellers say there is nowhere quite like Antananarivo. Emerald rice terraces form a necklace around lakes, canals and green hills; colourful houses and partly cobbled streets create a singular urban landscape. Even humble scattered cottages add to the city’s charm.
Notable sights in Antananarivo you can visit on a Madagascar tour include:
The Queen’s Palace of Antananarivo (the royal palace complex used by rulers since the 17th century) — located in the city’s high centre.
Ambohimanga — a sacred, elevated royal site about 24 km northeast of the capital. Ambohimanga and its royal palace are pillars of Malagasy cultural identity; the hill is one of twelve sacred Imerina hills and has been a spiritual symbol for at least 400 years.
Tsimbazaza Botanical and Zoological Park, in the Tsimbazaza neighbourhood of Antananarivo, is a centre for studying and conserving native and non-native plant and animal species. Located just north of Madagascar’s National Assembly, the park is said to contain the “best Malagasy wildlife collection,” featuring species found nowhere else.
The site includes a museum with tribal carvings and skeletons of extinct vertebrates — including elephant birds, hippos and giant lemurs. The park also houses Madagascar’s largest herbarium, with roughly 80,000 dried plant specimens.
Lake Anosy is an artificial lake in the southern section of Antananarivo, about two miles south of Haute-Ville. In Radama I’s time a marsh was replaced by the lake; later it was reshaped into a heart and features a small island connected to the city by a narrow causeway. On the island stands a memorial erected by France for those who died in World War I. Jacaranda trees bloom there in October–November, and fireworks are commonly launched at Independence Day on 26 June.
Ifaty, on Madagascar’s southwest coast, includes two traditional fishing villages. If you want a quiet coastal escape, include Ifaty on your Madagascar tour. The area is popular with tourists and offers water sports: fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. Thorn forests near the village contain ancient baobabs, some roughly 800 years old, and the famous Avenue of the Baobabs — between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina — is a key photography hotspot often visited by travellers.
Tsingy de Bemaraha is a national park in the Melaky Region, northwest Madagascar. The park’s dense forests host diverse tropical trees and rare plants, and it is home to many lemur species. Lemurs — cat-sized primates with furry coats in white, cream, grey, brown and black — live only in Madagascar and occupy habitats from rainforests to dry zones. Tsingy de Bemaraha is known for two geological features: the Great Tsingy and the Little Tsingy. The reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Nosy Boraha, formerly Île Sainte-Marie, lies off Madagascar’s east coast. Ambodifotatra is the island’s main town, and Nosy Boraha forms an administrative area with Analanjirofo. Along with its striking beaches, the island is famed for pirate shipwrecks. Visitors can dive, jet-ski, boat and swim here.
Isalo National Park (Isalo) lies in Ihorombe, southeast of Fianarantsoa. Nearby towns include Ranohira, Toliara and Ihosy. Isalo is known for its sandstone or limestone ranges sculpted by erosion into extraordinary rocky outcrops, plateaus and deep canyons up to 200 metres in depth. The park contains permanent streams and many seasonal rivers, and its elevation ranges roughly from 510 to 1,268 metres.
Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar, near the village of Ranomafana, is one of the island’s most popular parks. The eastern section is especially beautiful: numerous streams run through forested hills. The park is home to the golden bamboo lemur, a species now threatened with extinction. These lemurs feed on bamboo shoots that contain cyanide, yet they show no signs of poisoning — a remarkable ecological note.
Masoala National Park, in the island’s northeast, protects around 250 miles of rainforest and includes three marine parks. The park hosts ten lemur species, including the nocturnal aye-aye, and a rich variety of birds and reptiles — among them the bright red “tomato frog.” Marine parks such as Ambodilaitry, Tampolo and Ifaho are ideal for diving, swimming and kayaking.
Andasibe-Mantadia in eastern Madagascar covers about 100 miles and hosts 11 lemur species, including the largest lemur, the indri. Near Antananarivo, it is one of the most accessible national parks for visitors. The park includes Mantadia National Park and the Analamazoatra Reserve. Andasibe-Mantadia is among Madagascar’s most visited parks due to its rich plant and animal diversity — alongside charming lemurs you may spot many other unusual species.
As with travel anywhere, visitors may encounter scammers or other risks; many travellers therefore prefer guided tours for convenience and safety. Madagascar is still a relatively obscure destination; for visitor security it’s recommended to travel with a tour. Iranian travellers often carry cash and should take extra care, particularly when using public transport. Crime — especially theft — is widespread in Madagascar, and locals advise avoiding leaving hotels after dark. Some Antananarivo hotels even hire escorts to accompany guests to restaurants or cafés at night.
For greater safety avoid solo travel, travel with an organised tour, and be cautious of beggars and people approaching tourists. Keep a copy of your passport on your phone or in your luggage in case the original is lost or stolen — this simplifies embassy or consular procedures. Don’t carry all your valuables while sightseeing; use your hotel safe box.
The ideal travel time depends on your purpose, activities and the regions you plan to visit. Madagascar’s summer is hot and humid, running roughly from November (around 10 Aban) to March — during this period heavy rains in highlands and eastern slopes are common and storms can cause severe local damage. Although tour prices may fall then, the season is not ideal for travel.
From April (about 12 Farvardin) to October (roughly 9 Mehr to 9 Aban) the climate is cooler and drier — generally the best time for travel. For wildlife watching, particularly whale-watching, June (11 Khordad) to September (about 10 Shahrivar to 8 Mehr) is recommended. November (approx. 10 Aban–9 Azar) is often suggested as a good month for wildlife viewing as well. August–October (about 10 Mordad–9 Aban) are prime months for diving.
If you have tips or experiences from Madagascar, share them with Alibaba Magazine’s readers.
Tip | |
|---|---|
Book an organised tour — many travellers prefer tours for convenience and safety in Madagascar. | Article advises touring with guides and tour operators. |
Travel April–October for cooler, drier weather; June–September is best for whale-watching. | Best time to travel section (April–October; whale watching June–September). |
For diving, consider August–October when conditions are ideal. | Best time to travel section (diving: Aug–Oct). |
Keep valuables secure and carry a passport copy (phone or luggage) in case of theft. | Safety section recommends passport copy and using hotel safes. |
Avoid going out alone after dark — some hotels offer escorts for guests who dine out at night. | Safety section notes local advice and hotel escort practice. |
