Must-see attractions in Southern Madagascar

  • Parc National Isalo

    Southern Madagascar

    Isalo is one of Madagascar's most beautiful parks. It contains sculpted buttes, vertical rock walls and, best of all, deep canyon floors shot through with…

  • Pachypodium Tree at Antsokay Arboretum

    Arboretum d'Antsokay

    The Great Reef

    This is the one must-see attraction in Tuléar. Essentially a 400,000-sq-metre distillation of the entire spiny forest in one place, it's a fantastic…

  • Parc National Andohahela

    Southern Madagascar

    This 760-sq-km park protects some of the last remnants of rainforest in southern Madagascar, as well as spiny forest and a remarkable 12 species of lemurs…

  • Domaine de la Cascade

    Southern Madagascar

    This gorgeous park, about 9km from the Total station on the road to Ambovombe from Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro), covers 136 hectares, and with a budding…

  • Réserve de Nahampoana

    Southern Madagascar

    This 0.67-sq-km forest reserve, 7km north of Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro), deserves much greater recognition. Its exotic tropical setting, with mountains for…

  • La Fenêtre de l'Isalo

    Southern Madagascar

    La Fenêtre de l’Isalo is a popular natural rock window that frames the setting sun, although we actually prefer it for the surrounding views of sweeping…

  • Parc National Zombitse-Vohibasia

    Southern Madagascar

    Parc National Zombitse-Vohibasia protects one of the last stands of dense dry forest in all of southern Madagascar, a bird-rich island of foliage in the…

  • Réserve Spéciale Cap Sainte-Marie

    Southern Madagascar

    Madagascar’s southernmost tip, Cap Sainte-Marie is a thought-provoking climax to the ‘eighth continent’, a stark and windswept place that, like so many…

  • Réserve Privée de Berenty

    Southern Madagascar

    This well-known private reserve contains nearly one-third of the remaining tamarind gallery forest in Madagascar, nestled between the arms of a former…

  • Parc National Tsimanampetsotse

    The Great Reef

    This 432-sq-km park and its large, ancient salt lake hosts some part-time resident flamingos (April to October). Amid the spiny forest, watch also for a…

  • Reniala Nature Reserve

    Ifaty & Mangily

    This is a 0.6-sq-km spiny forest full of baobab trees and some birds. There are two circuits, one of 45 minutes to an hour and the other of 1½ to two…

  • Réserve Spéciale Beza-Mahafaly

    The Great Reef

    Southwest of the RN7 from Andranovory, the Réserve Spéciale Beza-Mahafaly is better known as a scientific venture rather than a tourist destination, but…

  • Mangrove Information Center

    The Great Reef

    On the west side of the road, 12km north of Tuléar, a sign directs you to the Mangrove Information Center a 2-sq-km wetland complex created by Honko, a…

  • Libanona Beach

    Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro)

    What luck for locals to have this fine beach right in the city! It's known for its surfing, both board and wind. Don't leave your belongings unattended on…

  • Village des Tortues

    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…

  • Canyon des Makis

    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…

  • Canyon des Rats

    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…

  • Fort Flacourt

    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…

  • La Table

    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…

  • Maison de l’Isalo

    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…

  • Musée Cedratom

    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…

  • La Reine de l'Isalo

    Southern Madagascar

    If you like finding figures in stone, La Reine de l’Isalo sits about 3km south of the museum, on the left side of the road. It's cool once you spot it,…