Top 14 Attractions in Madagascar

Madagascar is often referred to as "a continent in miniature" due to the unique nature and wide variety of endemic animals that inhabit the island. Excursions to the national parks of the state will interest tourists who are prone to research and contemplation, as well as active travelers who are fond of trekking.

Madagascar can also be considered as a place for a beach holiday, but you need to know that the base of hotels on the island is quite poor, and the beach infrastructure is very poorly developed. A few tourists prefer to stay on the island of Nosy Be, where there are more entertainment and better service.

Often people come to the island as part of a combined tour, after visiting mainland Africa. Travelers are taken to Antsirabe, Morondava, the island of St. Mary (Nozi Boraja) and some other places.

What to see in Madagascar?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

City of Antananarivo

The capital of the state, from the local language is translated as "the city of a thousand." Among the inhabitants there is an affectionate diminutive name of the city "Tana". The influence of the French, who left here only in the 1960s, is strongly felt in the city. In the center you can find many shops with French names, there is also a French hotel and many bakeries offering fresh croissants.

Tsingzhi du Bemaraha Nature Reserve

An area with unusual karst landscapes (rocks) that resemble a stone forest. The road to the reserve is a separate adventure, as you will have to overcome kilometers of off-road and difficult hiking routes, so physically prepared tourists will master such a trip. There are several species of lemurs on the territory. These animals are considered the symbol of Madagascar.

Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

Historical monument, valuable evidence of Malagasy culture. Previously, there was a large city around the hill, which housed the royal residence of the rulers of the island. It is believed that the settlement flourished by the 16th century. The hill had a ritual significance - rituals and sacred events were held here for many centuries. The area is of particular importance for the self-consciousness of the Malagasy, as it keeps the secrets of their traditional culture.

Andafiavaratra Palace

Located in the capital, it used to be the residence of the Prime Minister of the country, Rainilayarivuni, who headed the government at the end of the 19th century. Now there is a museum in the building, where 1466 exhibits are exhibited. These artifacts are of great historical importance for the culture and history of the country. Many items were restored and ended up here after the big fire in 1995 in the Ruva Palace.

Ruwa Palace

Located in Antananarivo on Mount Analamanga (almost 1.5 km above sea level). The palace was originally made of wood, later faced with stone. The building was built in the 19th century for the first queen of Ranavaluna. After a fire in 1995, it has not yet been restored. Analamanga mountain offers a panoramic view of the surroundings, from here the whole city is clearly visible.

Isalo National Park

The reserve was established in 1962. His landscapes are reminiscent of the African shroud. There are almost no animals here, rather poor flora due to unsuitable weather conditions. Isalo was created with the aim of preserving the natural landscapes of the area, as they are recognized as unusual and valuable. The reserve has several very picturesque tourist routes along natural river channels.

Rainforests of Atsinanana

Relic (prehistoric) forests located on the east coast of the island of Madagascar. More than 12,000 plant species are recognized as unique and endemic. It is believed that the isolated ecosystem of the region was formed 60 million years ago. Rare species of animals live here, some of them are in danger of extinction. In 2010, forests were included in the list of objects that may soon disappear from our planet.

Montagne d'Ambre National Park

Natural attraction of the northern part of Madagascar. Unlike the adjacent arid valleys, this park has a humid climate and it rains every day. A large amount of water is collected here to supply the nearest city. Also around 70,000 hectares of rice fields are cultivated. On the territory of Montagne d'Ambre, there is a miniature chameleon, Brookesia, only about 2 cm long.

Volcano Ankaratra

It is part of the Ankaratra mountain range, which was formed as a result of the split of the continents millions of years ago during the formation of the modern appearance of the planet. The volcano has died out for a long time, now it reminds of itself only with rare earthquakes and steam emissions. The crater, which has become harmless, as a natural attraction attracts tourists who want to "conquer" the once raging Ankaratra.

Lake Tritriva

Volcanic reservoir with many hot springs in the central part of Madagascar. Located in a former volcanic crater. The maximum depth is about 150 meters. It has unknown sources of water replenishment (possibly underground), as the water level rises during the dry season. If you throw an object into the lake, then later it can be found in a valley lying below the level of the banks.

Avenue of the Baobabs

The road between the settlements of Morondava and Beloni, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Along the edges of this "avenue" grow giant baobabs, many of which are hundreds of years old. The height of these unusual trees reaches 30 meters, the girth of the trunk can also be a couple of tens of meters. The alley is a protected area. Locals believe that all Madagascar forests went from the baobab.

Nosy Be Island

A secluded place with beautiful beaches, popular with foreign tourists. The largest ylang-ylang and coffee plantations in the country are cultivated here. Rare species of lemurs can be found in the local Lukube reserve. Tired of lying on the beach and traditional holiday entertainment, travelers are invited to visit the native village, the ruins of the Portuguese fort and the silver waterfall.

St. Mary's Island

It is located seven kilometers from the east coast of Madagascar. In honor of the Virgin Mary, the island was named by the French, the local Malagasy name sounds like "Nosi Boraja". Today, this place is a beach resort, popular primarily with Madagascarians themselves, but foreigners are also found here. There is a legend that pirates buried treasures worth many millions of pounds on the island of St. Mary.

Lemurs are the symbol of Madagascar

These funny animals live only in Madagascar and the Comoros. They are considered the ancestors of monkeys. There are several species of lemurs on the island. The rarest of them is a small aye-aye, which, according to mythology, was considered a harbinger of death. The animal is distinguished by large "surprised" eyes, a flexible body and a long tail. It is thanks to the funny “facial expression” that the lemur has become the hero of many popular Internet memes.