The Ultimate Adventure in Madagascar

You may think we’re insane for suggesting a trip to such a remote place, and maybe we are. That being said, if you have the time and resources, why wouldn’t you want to visit one of the most isolated and bio-diverse places on the planet? Most people know of Madagascar from the animated film featuring singing and dancing wildlife. But as fun as the idea of dancing and singing wildlife is, this island nation has so much more to offer in the real world! So pack your hiking gear and bug net, and prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime – an adventure in Madagascar!

Explore Antananarivo

Regardless of where in the world you are coming from, your flight will land in Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo (sometimes just called Tana). You can either explore this area at the beginning or end of your trip, but either way, it must be done! One thing you’ll notice right off the bat is that Tana has strong French influences, and is a good place to get a quality pastry (seriously, it’s a highlight). As far as things to see around the city though, the Queen’s Palace is generally regarded as the main attraction. While the building itself is beautiful to look at, the best part of the visit is the view. Getting to the palace will involve a bit of an uphill trek (likely by foot), but once you reach it, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the capital city.

If you’re a sports fan, watching football is another experience you won’t want to miss in Madagascar. There is a national team you may be able to catch while you’re in Tana, but there are also smaller, local leagues all over the country, even in the smallest of villages. The Malagasy natives love their football and take it very seriously, supporting their favorites with enthusiasm and sometimes wagering on outcomes. The best international betting sites are increasingly available to African markets, which make the live atmosphere for football all the more exciting. Meanwhile, if football isn’t your cup of tea but you still like to watch sports abroad, rugby is also quite popular around Madagascar.

Look for lemurs

Our last recommendation for what to do in Tana would be Lemurs’ Park, an area located on the outskirts of the city center. We like this park because the lemurs here are able to roam free in their habitats. They are also very used to people, and will approach you with confidence! That said, the best way to see lemurs is still in the wilderness. So after you’re done in Tana, we’d recommend catching an Air Madagascar flight up to the northeastern area of the country for a trek in Marojejy National Park.

This park is where your hiking gear will come in handy. The summit hike takes around three to four days round-trip, depending on your pace. The hike can also take longer if you spend a lot of time at the second camping stop, which is where the lemurs are known to live. If you’d like, the park rangers can send a “lemur guide” to take you around the forest and point out a few different lemur species. Without the experts’ help, it can definitely be challenging to find them. We would definitely recommend them because watching the lemurs in their natural habitat will probably be one of the most magical experiences you’ll ever have. While at Marojejy, be sure to look up at the stars once the sun sets fully, as this is one of the most isolated places on the planet.

Beach and baobabs

After you emerge from a few days in Marojejy, you’ll likely want a warm shower, a yummy meal, and maybe a cocktail or two. If this is the case, head to Sambava! There, you will find restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs, and most importantly, some of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches in the world. We’d recommend having at least one relaxing beach day before catching a flight at the Sambava airport to the last destination we’ll recommend: Madagascar’s spiny forest.

The spiny forest is in the southwestern part of the country, where you’ll be able to find the iconic Baobab trees that essentially define Madagascar, at least where travel photos are concerned. The conditions in the spiny forest are dry and desert-like, and will probably be unlike anything you’ve seen or felt before. This is because 95% of the plant species are endemic to the region, meaning they literally don’t grow anywhere else. Meanwhile, there are a few national parks in this area as well, so you can find other exciting treks organized by forest rangers that will help you to properly explore the region.

With just these few stops, you would have successfully enjoyed the beach, mountains, rainforest, and a desert. What more could you ask for in an adventure in Madagascar?