Ifaty & Mangily
Near Reniala Nature Reserve, this 70,000-sq-metre park protects over 1000 radiated and spider tortoises. A guided tour of the grounds (in English) tells…
Must-see attractions in Madagascar
Western Madagascar
About 8km southwest of Katsepy, Katsepy’s Lighthouse has sweeping views of Bombetoka Bay and Mozambique Channel. It’s a hot, two-hour walk to get here…
Southern Madagascar
Canyon des Makis is an important hiking area north of town, with some lemurs in residence. It's a 17km drive from Ranohira and an easy 2km hike, taking…
Madagascar
This workshop, at the back of the Aux Bougainvillées hotel compound, showcases the production of a unique kind of paper, made from the bark of a Malagasy…
Nosy Be
This is a truly beautiful plantation full of ylang-ylang trees climbing up the hillsides, with mangroves along the river. The entrance fee includes the…
Southern Madagascar
Around 17km north of town, Canyon des Rats is a traditional burial area with some lemurs in residence. Often combined on a hiking expedition with Canyon…
Antananarivo
Antananarivo’s heart-shaped lake lies in the southern part of town. It's particularly lovely in October, when the jacaranda trees lining its shores are…
Antananarivo
In 1929 French engineer André Michelin, of tyre fame, patented the use of pneumatics on rail vehicles in a bid to improve passenger comfort. Trials were…
Antananarivo
Housed in a magnificent pink baroque palace, this museum is the former home of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, the power behind the throne of the three…
Madagascar
This international training centre for the study of biodiversity is housed in attractive buildings on the edge of the national park. If you have any…
Eastern Madagascar
Very popular with tour groups, this private reserve is touted by some tour companies as 'the best place to photograph lemurs'. That might well be true…
Madagascar
The monks at this monastery continue to do what they have done for centuries: make wine (red and white, and flavoured aperitifs) and honey (which you can…
Antananarivo
This beautiful 19th-century manor was an official French residence for many years. It became the Malagasy presidential palace in 1975 and remained so…
Northern Madagascar
The affable Jean Michel Besinoa delights in showing off his 70,000-sq-metre plantation featuring cocoa, pepper, ginger, two types of turmeric and various…
Madagascar
Zebu horn is a versatile – and beautiful – material, which artisans at this family-owned workshop turn into numerous objects, from jewellery to salad…
Antananarivo
Lake Alarobia may be located at the heart of Antananarivo's industrial area, but it is a vital refuge and nesting site for 14 threatened endemic bird…
Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro)
This fort is used as a military base and the soldiers at the entrance endlessly discuss whether or not to let you in, how much to charge and who should…
Nosy Be
On the coast beyond tiny Mahatsinjo village, there's an enormous sacred banyan tree planted by the Queen of the Sakalava tribe in 1836. Nowadays, the…
Eastern Madagascar
Rare species flourish in this protected humid forest, including the mouse lemur, the candy cane palm (Dypsis paludosa) and a parasitic orchid (Gastrodia…
Madagascar
The technique used to make traditional sweets here hasn't changed in decades: a syrup is prepared, then rapidly cooled down and kneaded on a granite slab…
Antananarivo
This small, dusty museum in Isoraka gives an overview of archaeological digs around the island, including displays of grave decorations from the south …
Eastern Madagascar
This little park is at its most attractive in October to December when the orchids are in bloom. By late summer it’s almost completely dried up. There’s…
Madagascar
Wondering where all that Three Horses Beer comes from? Look no further. Madagascar’s dominant and unmissable brand is made in this, the country’s biggest…
Northern Madagascar
In this small park, the black lemurs are wild, but locals feed them bananas so that the animals will eat off your hand or jump on your shoulder for that…
Northern Madagascar
This NGO protects the environment by planting indigenous forest trees and spices in its nursery. Tours of the 40,000-sq-metre site are led by Jean-Pascal…
Madagascar
A Malagasy version of a Moroccan souk, this sprawling open-air market, with distinct areas of jewellery, clothing, food and more, will keep you occupied…
Madagascar
Ambalavao hosts the largest zebu market in the country. Tough, wizened herders walk from as far away as Tuléar and Fort-Dauphin to sell their cattle. It…
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
'Here died two brave Japanese sailors on 3 June 1942' reads the inscription on the memorial erected by the Japanese Embassy 30 years later. The sailors,…
Northern Madagascar
In peak vanilla season (June to January), this is an interesting place to learn about processing vanilla in the large workroom at the back of the shop. It…
Eastern Madagascar
The village of Andranokoditra is a popular half-day destination with tour groups staying at nearby lakeside hotels. It's an interesting enough little…
The Great Reef
This table mountain is unmissable as you approach Tuléar down the RN7, about 10km from town. There’s a relatively easy trail to the top, which takes about…
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
Once a magnificent hotel overlooking the sea, the Hôtel des Mines is now in ruins. Built in the early 1900s by Frenchman Alphonse Mortages who made his…
Madagascar
This museum illustrates tribal life around Madagascar with exhibits including model tombs, hunting and fishing tools, modern wooden carvings, and…
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
The former Governer's residence, now administrative offices, was first built in 1897. Overlooking the sea, it was often battered by cyclones and parts…
Southern Madagascar
The buttons don't work at this once-interactive little museum, but it's still a good introduction to the history, culture and geology of the park. If you…
Antananarivo
This WWI memorial, erected by the French, is a large golden angel on an island connected to the shore by a causeway. It is currently not advised to walk…
Madagascar
Fianar is a market town, with at least one small market open every day. The largest is the Zoma, where you’ll find everything under the sun. It’s held…
The Great Reef
This small, three-room museum is run by the local university and features exhibits on local culture, an elephant-bird egg and other oddities, including an…
Madagascar
At the western edge of town is a Benedictine monastery, where the nuns sell delicious cheese, honey and jam. The red-brick church warrants a look if it's…
Madagascar
This imposing red-brick cathedral is one of a number of churches in the historic Haute-Ville and is the one most used for services. It's at the bottom of…
