Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and sits on the balmy Indian Ocean. Many people won’t realize however that it is actually part of Africa, and it represents a completely different look at this already fascinating continent. Madagascar is known for its indigenous flora and fauna that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, and for that reason alone this is a great destination for nature lovers. As you would expect, Madagascar is covered in national parks and there are a wealth of outdoor attractions for adventure enthusiasts.
Nosy Be is known for its fishing but it can also tend to get crowded here which means that you may not find the perfect catch. As such, use Nosy Be as a starting point to head out to the neighboring Mitsio Islands. This part of the country is famous for its fish like the whopping King Mackerel as well as Kingfish and Wahoo.
Travel time:
1 hour 35 minutes by plane
Clothing: Make sure to bring clothes you don’t mind getting wet and wear plenty of sunscreen.
Distance from Antananarivo: 500 km
Kayaking along the coastline of Sainte Marie is a highlight for many visitors to Madagascar and you can expect to find azure waters here and calm seas. This part of the country is covered with hidden inlets and pristine beaches and you can take a kayak tour that will skirt along the shore line and can either last anything from a couple of hours to a few days.
Travel time:
55 minutes by plane
Clothing: Swim wear is a must as is sunscreen.
Distance from Antananarivo: 1,089 km
If you are looking for adventure in Madagascar then the Emerald Sea is the place to find it. Located off the coast of Antsiranana you will find some of the best kite surfing and sea conditions in the country, especially if you come during the windy season which runs from April to November. Winds get up to 30 knots here and you can also try windsurfing off these shores.
Travel time:
2 hours by plane
18 hours by road
Clothing: Make sure to bring swimwear if you are planning to go in the sea.
Distance from city center: 10 km
Rova is the Queen’s Palace of the Kingdom of Imerina and dates from the 17th century. Unfortunately it was damaged in the 1990s although you will still find preserved areas like the chapel as well as statues and other interesting historical artifacts. There are guides that you can hire to give you a tour and explain the significance of the site and its contents. Also expect gorgeous views from the summit as this is one of the highest spots in the city.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 29 minutes
There is no specific dress code to visit the Rova but note that there is a 10,000 ariary fee for entrance.
Distance from city center: 5.1 km
There are not a huge number of museums in Antananarivo but one of these is the Musée d’art et d’archéologie of Isoraka which houses a number of significant archeological pieces and will tell you the story of the history of this fascinating country. You will get to learn all about the background of Madagascar, from ancient times until the present starting way back in the 1st century.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 19 minutes
Bring a camera to take photographs
Distance from city center: 287 km
This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sprawls over 152,000 hectares of land. The signature feature in the park is the central limestone plateau that is topped with jagged pinnacles which are the ‘tsingy’ to which the name of the park refers. You will also find an array of typical wildlife indigenous to Madagascar such as brown lemurs and sifakas. You will also find plants like orchids, baobabs, and aloes.
Best mode of transport: Plane
Bring a camera to take photographs
Mahavelona:
Located near to the town of Mahavelona from which it takes its name, this beach is known for its fantastic coral reefs that sit around 150 offshore. This means that this is a great place to swim as the reefs form a bay of protected water and you can expect calm waters and clean sands.
Nosy Be:
This is one of the most famous beaches in Madagascar and is actually its own island off the coast. Here you will find a range of gorgeous beaches flanked by turquoise waters and this is also the home of the Omura Whale which is one of the main reasons why people travel here.
Nosy Komba:
The island of Nosy Komba sits between Madagascar proper and Nosy Be. This is a stunning volcanic island that is the perfect place to come if you are looking to get off the beaten track away from the crowds. Here you will find a range of picturesque inlets and clean beaches and you can go trekking across the island and take in the black lemurs that call this part of Madagascar home.
Andravoahangy Handicraft Market:
Madagascar is full of handicraft markets and one of the best and most popular is Andravoahangy which is around 2 kilometers from the city center. Here you can buy a range of goods such as wood carvings as well as fabrics, shell and silver jewelry and other arts and crafts. They also sell postcards, toys, and ornaments.
Carambole (Immeuble Teillet Labrousse, Ampasamadinika BP 5168):
This is a one stop shop for all your travel needs and souvenirs. Here you will find travel information on Madagascar as well as postcards and local souvenirs. There are local items likes t-shirts with traditional motifs as well as other cutting edge fashions.
Jumbo Score:
Located about 3 kilometers from the city center is Jumbo Score which is a mall outlet that you will find in several locations all over Madagascar. You can explore a selection of local stores here that sell Malagasy food and souvenir items as well as some international brands. This is a good place to come if you are looking to browse a range of shops under one roof including cafes and eateries.
Jasmin, Palace Analakely 101 Antananarivo. This delightful restaurant has a set menu which will give you two courses and a drink. The menu is vegetarian and vegan and you can get a plate of delicious veggie food with an emphasis on local tofu. It is not one of the cheapest options in Madagascar but a great choice if you don’t eat meat.
Ku de Ta, 16 rue de la Reunion, tel + 261 20 22 281 54. This is one of the newer choices in Antananarivo and you will find Malagasy food with a French twist. Prices are a little higher than other places but you will get to try fusion food that still incorporates classic dishes.
Lasopy:
Typical Malagasy food has a strong French influence such as this soup named lasopy. The base is made with veal, carrots, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and turnips. This is pureed to make a thick soup and is usually served with bread or crackers on the side.
Akoho Misy Sakamalao:
One of the most popular dishes in Madagascar is akoho misy sakamalao which is basically chicken cooked with ginger and garlic. The chicken is fried and then served with artichoke hearts or boiled okra as an accompaniment. It also often comes with a sauce made of red peppers, garlic, and ginger called sakay.
Romazava:
If Madagascar has a national dish then this is definitely it. Romazava is cooked in one pot and can be made of beef, chicken, or pork mixed with onions, tomatoes, and spinach. The meat in fried and then the vegetables added to make a kind of stew.
KUDeTA Urban Club (15 lalana Reunion, Isoraka, 101, Madagascar):
One of the trendiest clubs in Madagascar is KUDeTA which is open every day from 10 am. You will find different themed club nights here and multiple dance areas as well as dance shows like Latin night. The club also has a restaurant by the same name where you can get a bite to eat before you start to party.
Le Pandora (Route d’Ivoloina, Toamasina, Madagascar):
Le Pandora club is notable for its fun tropical decor and its vibrant party atmosphere. It is open from 10 pm until 6 am and you will find different drinks promotions here as well as separate sections that have different themes and moods. There is also a restaurant here that serves typical Malagasy and Western bar snacks.
Le Six (Lalana Ratsimilaho, Antananarivo, Madagascar):
Open from 9 pm until the wee small hours, Le Six is one of the premium nightclubs in Antananarivo. You will find a mixed crowd here and they have a range of themed nights and special events to keep the party going whenever you visit. As well as delicious drinks, many of which are mixed with delicious local fruits, you will also find pizza served here as well as some bar snacks.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
All travelers to Madagascar will require a visa on arrival.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:
Travelers from all countries can obtain a visa on arrival in Madagascar provided they have a passport that is valid for 6 months.
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions: N/A
Drugs use and trafficking is illegal in Madagascar and severe penalties are often enforced for those caught.
Prostitution is illegal in Madagascar and can end in a prison term of 5-10 years for either party.
Alcohol is widely available in Madagascar and there is no required legal drinking age.
Street crime such as robbery and bag snatching can be common in Madagascar in areas frequented by tourists. As such remain vigilant and store valuables in a safe in your hotel room.
Homosexuality is legal in Madagascar.
Do not drink the tap water in Madagascar and beware of ice in drinks.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for Madagascar but some diseases can be common here that you wouldn’t find in other countries such as plague and syphilis.
The original settlers of Madagascar would have traveled here from Borneo as far back as 350 BC. Since then however, Madagascar has become something of a melting pot and you will find large Chinese, Indian, and Arab communities across the country as well. This means that cultures mix easily here and you can expect to find this reflected in the food as well as the fashions, trends, and architecture. Madagascar is technically part of the African Union although it can feel more Asian than many other parts of the continent. There is also a strong French influence in Madagascar and the official languages used here are Malagasy, which has roots in Indonesian and Malay, as well as French.
