Madagascar is an island state, similar to a large nature reserve. Every new guest of the country finds something to see in Madagascar: active recreation on the seashore is complemented by ecotourism to protected areas, and guides in Madagascar help organize any kind of recreation – they conduct numerous excursions to the sights of Madagascar with accommodation in comfortable hotels in Madagascar. Excursions in Madagascar are a huge network of routes around the country that are almost impossible to cover at one time, but you can always choose the most important sights that form the most complete and vivid impression of this country. The recommendations given in this article will help solve the problem of selection.
What to see in Madagascar first of all
This review will allow you to plan your future route so that you can easily determine what to see in Madagascar in 1 day, a week or any other period of time, depending on the possibilities. The best sights – cities, structures and protected areas, of which there are a lot here, will make a trip to Madagascar rich and memorable.
1. The city of Antananarivo
Sunset over the “city of a thousand warriors”
You will definitely find a place to go in Madagascar if you visit its capital, the city of Antananarivo. This is a real pearl in a beautiful necklace of the country’s cities. While walking through the streets of the capital, it may even seem that you are in the heart of France – the Hotel France is located in the center of the city, the inscriptions on the shops “Made in France” flash everywhere, all this is complemented by the alluring smell of fresh croissants and accordion sounds floating in the air. There is a lot to see in Madagascar and from the natural attractions of the capital. Just a few kilometers from Antananarivo there is a nature reserve with rare species of animals, and Lake Anusi, located in the very center of the capital and surrounded by a beautiful park, surprises with an unusually beautiful, lilac color of its waters.
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2. Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
View of the royal hill of Ambohimanga
It is one of the most important attractions in Madagascar dedicated to Malagasy culture. The Royal Hill represents the ancient ruins of a once thriving city. In addition to the royal city itself, there are ancient sanctuaries and burial grounds. It is assumed that sacred rituals were also held here. The hill was arranged in such a way that a forest grew on its top, where peace and tranquility reigned, and on the lower tiers there were cut-down areas intended for agriculture. The city was surrounded by walls with 14 stone gates, and moats were dug around the perimeter for additional protection.
3. Andafiavaratra Palace
The former residence of the country’s Prime Minister Rainilaiarivuni
Now, in more detail, what to see in Madagascar on the aforementioned hill. First of all, this is Andafiavaratra Palace. At one time, it served as the residence of the Prime Minister who ruled the kingdom in the 19th century. Now the palace is equipped as a museum, which presents about one and a half thousand exhibits, including antique furniture, portraits of rulers, royal jewelry and outfits. These and other exhibits are of great historical value to the state. Many of them were restored after a major fire and were moved here from the Ruva Palace, which will be discussed later.
4. Ruva Palace
Ruwa Palace building on Analamanga Mountain Hery Zo Rakotondramanana
The palace is located on Analamanga Mountain, at an altitude of about 1.5 kilometers above sea level. It was built of wood and stone in the 19th century in honor of the first queen Ranavaluna, who ruled the state in the 17th century. In 1995, as already mentioned, a fire broke out at the Ruva Palace, right in the process of demonstration, which destroyed almost all the wooden structures of the building. To date, the palace has been completely restored, and this landmark has regained its former glory.
5. Qingzhi du Bemaraha Nature Reserve
Suspension bridge among the stone forest of the Qingzhi du Bemaraha Nature Reserve
Some natural sites are so beautiful that you should definitely see them in Madagascar, including them in the travel itinerary. One of these sites is Qingzhi du Bemaraha, the largest nature reserve with an area of 1,500 square kilometers, consisting of huge limestone ridges and impassable labyrinths. The purpose of the reserve was to protect karst landscapes and rare species of lemurs. If you look down from the tops of limestone cliffs, you can observe extraordinary views that are difficult to describe: stone jungles alternate with deep canyons and gorges, caves and the dark waters of the Monambolo River. The harsh landscape is diluted only by carefree lemurs, who easily move through the most impassable labyrinths.
Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Madagascar!
6. Izalo National Park
Landscape of Izalo National Park
Izalo’s natural landscapes were once recognized as valuable and unusual, which is why it was decided to create a nature reserve here. The local landscapes are very reminiscent of the views of the desert African savannah. Nevertheless, there are also some very beautiful eco-routes along the riverbeds. Izalo was founded in 1962 on an area of about 800 square kilometers, and the elevation difference ranges from 500 to 1200 meters above the sea. The beauty of the local landscape is given by bizarre rocks, deep caves and canyons.
7. Atsinanana Rainforests
Nature Corner of the Atsinanana Rainforest Frank Vassen
This landmark of Madagascar is a relict forest stretching along the east coast of the island. This zone, which was formed about 60 million years ago, remained geographically isolated throughout its existence, which led to a high degree of endemism – for many millennia evolution went on here. For example, about 12 thousand species of vegetation growing here are endemic, as well as 78 species of mammals living here.
8. Ankaratra Volcano
The ancient volcano of Ankaratra reminds of itself with columns of red-hot steam
Just 50 kilometers from the capital there is a unique attraction of Madagascar — a range of extinct volcanoes, which covers an area of about 100 square kilometers. Volcanoes have been extinct for about 2 thousand years ago, but sometimes they “wake up” for a short time, making themselves felt by small earthquakes and the formation of new hot springs. The highest volcano is Ankaratra, its height is more than 2.5 thousand meters. Having risen to a height, you can observe an extraordinary panorama formed by dormant volcanoes. Numerous tourists are attracted here by the abundance of healing water springs that gush from the ground right on the streets of the town of Antsirabe, located at the foot.
9. Montagne D’Ambre National Park
The picturesque waterfall of the Montagne D’Ambre National Park
This landmark of Madagascar is located on an area of 23 thousand hectares right on the slopes of an extinct volcano. Tropical forests grow in the park, the territory is saturated with moisture – there are many lakes, beautiful waterfalls and rivers. The local population greatly reveres this place as sacred, shrouded in many beliefs and legends. This protected area has become home to many endemic animals and plants, including 7 species of lemurs, 77 species of birds and 24 species of amphibians.
Madagascar Attractions: what else to visit in Madagascar
Reviews of excursions to Madagascar indicate the possibility of combining a relaxed holiday on the cleanest beaches and challenging exciting trips to numerous volcanoes, deserts, islands and coral reefs. The rating of other attractions in Madagascar is for those who want to get to know these lands as well as possible.
10. Lake Tritriva
Sacred lake Tritriva in the mouth of an extinct volcano
The lake has a volcanic nature – it is located right in the crater of an extinct volcano, and its depth reaches 150 meters. The amazingly beautiful turquoise color of the lake attracts many visitors here, as well as the legend that exists about this reservoir. According to her, local lovers, Ibeniombi and Ravolahanta, who were not allowed to be together, once rushed into the waters of the lake.
Another phenomenon has this reservoir – during the period of drought, the water level in it rises, whereas in the rainy season, on the contrary, it falls. And objects that are thrown into the lake eventually appear down in the valley, so there is an assumption about the existence of underground channels. The lake is so unique in its features that everyone should visit it in Madagascar.
11. Nusi Be Island
Nusi Be Island is a place for deep-sea diving
There is a lot to see in Madagascar and among other natural monuments of volcanic origin. Such is the island of Nusi Be with magnificent nature – the purest sandy beaches, rich in wildlife and flora. It is an ideal place for a calm and relaxed holiday by the sea. The island is a plateau of volcanic nature, which rises above the sea waters to a height of 450 meters. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here, which attracts travelers from all over the world: hotels, diving clubs, equipped beaches – in short, everything you need for a comfortable rest and recuperation.
12. Baobab Avenue
Baobab Avenue at sunset
For the inhabitants of Madagascar, the baobab is a sacred tree, it is revered along with various deities. Therefore, with the development of agriculture on the island, forests were actively cut down, only baobabs remained untouched. Therefore, old baobabs now rise along the edges of one of the roads, forming a kind of corridor. The trees growing in this alley belong to a very rare species of endemic plants, whose height reaches 30 meters, and their age is about 8 centuries.
13. St. Mary’s Island
St. Mary’s Island is a popular Cost of Living beach resort
About 7 kilometers off the coast of Madagascar is the narrow and long island of St. Mary. This place is known all over the world as a landmark of Madagascar, providing all the opportunities for beach holidays, diving and fishing. The island is famous for its white sandy beaches and clear azure sea. Nowadays it is one of the most visited islands in Madagascar, so in recent years a large number of hotels, restaurants, diving clubs have been built here, which attracts more and more tourists every year.
14. Lemurs are the symbol of Madagascar
A pack of feline lemurs
The nature of the island is so unique that only here there are several dozen species of lemurs that have become a living attraction of Madagascar. These animals belong to primates, and they are often mistaken for monkeys. In fact, lemurs are the progenitors of modern monkeys. They are trusting, friendly and peaceful. Their appearance is very cute – big round eyes, fluffy fur and relatively small size. The smallest species of lemurs are very tiny and weigh about 30 grams, and the weight of the largest individuals reaches 10 kilograms.
Official website: https://ru.wikipedia.org
A trip to Madagascar is a trip to a unique island reserve where every tourist can relax in their own way: visit the mountains of volcanic origin, take photos of dizzying landscapes, climb into the thickets of mangroves, visit huge vanilla plantations, soak up endless beaches and visit other interesting places. Read also about the sights of South Africa and be inspired for your further journey through the countries of Africa!