Best Things To Do In Madagascar

Discover Madagascar’s most unforgettable experiences — from baobab avenues and rainforest treks to lemur encounters, coral islands, and the island’s wild, untouched beauty.

Top Bucket List Experiences, Must-Do Things & Unmissable Attractions.

Avenue of the Baobabs (Menabe Region) One of Madagascar’s most photographed landscapes, this ancient dirt road flanked by towering baobabs feels otherworldly. The silhouettes at sunset glow against amber skies, embodying the island’s timeless spirit. Locals believe these “upside-down trees” hold ancestral power, and standing among them evokes deep reverence for Madagascar’s natural soul.

  • Insider Tip: Visit at sunrise or sunset for the best light and fewer crowds.
    Timing / Best Time: May–October (dry season).

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Home of the Indri, the largest living lemur, this lush rainforest echoes with haunting calls at dawn. Mossy trees, chameleons, and rare orchids surround winding trails. It’s a living Eden that defines Madagascar’s biodiversity.

  • Best Way: Hire a local guide for early morning walks — wildlife is most active.
    Good to Know: Rain is frequent; waterproof gear essential.

Nosy Be Island Fragrant with ylang-ylang and vanilla, Nosy Be is Madagascar’s tropical escape. Its turquoise lagoons invite diving, sailing, and barefoot dining by firelight. You’ll find volcanic lakes and rum distilleries inland — a perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.

  • Insider Tip: Venture to nearby Nosy Komba for quieter beaches and lemur encounters.
    Timing / Best Time: April–December for calm seas and warm weather.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park A maze of limestone pinnacles, razor-sharp ridges, and hanging bridges — this UNESCO site is both surreal and thrilling. Hike through narrow canyons and spot rare birds and lemurs perched above stone spires shaped by millennia of erosion.

  • Best Way: Explore with a certified park guide; safety gear required for high paths.
    Good to Know: 4x4 access only — dry season travel essential.

Ranomafana National Park Steam rises from hot springs and dense rainforest conceals lemurs, frogs, and rare bamboo. Trails wind through misty valleys alive with birdsong — a paradise for nature photographers and hikers.

  • Insider Tip: Night walks reveal nocturnal species like mouse lemurs and geckos.
    Timing / Best Time: June–October for clear trails and comfortable weather.

Antananarivo’s Upper Town (The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga) The island’s cultural heart blends tradition and history. Ambohimanga, a UNESCO site overlooking the capital, was once the sacred home of Madagascar’s monarchs. Wooden palaces and royal tombs whisper centuries of stories.

  • Best Way: Take a local guide to understand the symbolism behind royal rituals.
    Good to Know: Dress modestly — it remains a deeply spiritual site.

Isalo National Park Carved by wind and water into a dramatic canyonland, Isalo stuns with golden cliffs, oases, and natural swimming pools. Lemurs leap across rock faces as travellers cool off beneath desert skies.

  • Insider Tip: Bring a swimsuit for the Piscine Naturelle waterfall pool.
    Timing / Best Time: April–October for hiking and clear sunsets.

Unique Experiences

Meet the Lemurs Up Close Over 100 lemur species inhabit Madagascar, each with its own quirks. Watching them swing through forest canopies feels like entering another world.

  • How to Do It: Visit Andasibe or Anja Reserve; hire ethical guides who follow conservation rules.

Explore Malagasy Village Life Experience rural hospitality — rice planting, weaving, and family meals reveal the rhythm of island life.

  • Good to Know: Always ask before photographing people and offer small gifts of thanks.

Join a Traditional Famadihana Ceremony (“Turning of the Bones”) A rare ancestral ritual celebrating family spirits with music, dancing, and feasting.

  • Timing: July–September, though dates vary by region.

Visit the Zafimaniry Woodcarving Villages Known for intricate geometric carvings, these highland communities keep centuries-old craftsmanship alive.

  • How to Do It: Guided hikes from Ambositra — overnight stays available with local families.

Learn to Cook Malagasy Cuisine From ravitoto (pork with cassava leaves) to coconut rice, Madagascar’s fusion of African, Asian, and French flavours is unforgettable.

  • Good to Know: Classes available in Antananarivo and coastal towns like Nosy Be.

Hidden Gems / Off-The-Beaten Path

Masoala National Park (Northeast Coast) A remote rainforest-meets-sea paradise teeming with endemic wildlife and coral reefs. Perfect for adventurous eco-travellers.

  • Getting There: Boat or domestic flight from Maroantsetra.
    Timing: May–October (dry season).

Anja Community Reserve A small reserve run by locals near Ambalavao, where ring-tailed lemurs bask on boulders surrounded by sacred fig trees.

  • Good to Know: Entrance fees support local schools and conservation.
    Timing: Year-round; mornings best for lemur activity.

Ifaty’s Spiny Forest Alien-like baobabs and thorny flora stretch across sandy plains — a surreal ecosystem found nowhere else on earth.

  • Getting There: Accessible by road from Toliara.
    Good to Know: Visit with local guides who know hidden trails.

Lokobe Nature Reserve (Nosy Be) Dense forest alive with rare black lemurs, chameleons, and colorful frogs.

  • Timing: Morning tours ideal for wildlife spotting.

Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) A remote coastal gem where rainforest meets wild beaches and surf-friendly waves.

  • Good to Know: Ideal for adventurous travellers seeking seclusion.
    Timing: April–October for dry weather.

Lake Tritriva (Antsirabe) A volcanic crater lake surrounded by legends of love and loss. Its emerald water shifts hues with sunlight — a photographer’s dream.

  • Getting There: 17 km west of Antsirabe by car.
    Timing: Early afternoon for perfect light.

Unusual / Quirky Experiences

Baobab Amoureux (“Lovers’ Baobabs”) Two intertwined baobab trees near Morondava symbolize eternal love — a favourite among locals for romantic folklore.

  • Why Go: A charming symbol of Madagascar’s mystical nature.
    Good to Know: Combine with the Avenue of the Baobabs visit.

Antsirabe’s Rickshaw Rides Brightly painted “pousse-pousse” carts carry visitors through thermal spas, colonial homes, and markets — part transport, part art.

  • Why Go: A nostalgic, colourful way to see the city.

Visit the Pirate Cemetery on Île Sainte-Marie Weathered skull-and-crossbones gravestones mark the resting place of 18th-century buccaneers who once terrorised the Indian Ocean.

  • Good to Know: Accessible via guided tour or bike hire from local villages.

Tsingy Rouge (Red Tsingy) Nature’s abstract masterpiece — crimson clay formations sculpted by wind and rain near Antsiranana.

  • Why Go: Stunning photography and geological wonder.
    Good to Know: Best visited in morning light for vivid colour.

Suggested Activities By Region / City

Antananarivo (Tana)

  • Visit Analakely Market for handicrafts and spices.
    Insider Tip: Bargain kindly — it’s part of the culture.

  • Tour the Royal Palace and Ambohimanga.
    Best Way: Local guide adds fascinating context.

  • Try Malagasy street food like sambos and mofo gasy.
    Good to Know: Eat where locals queue — freshness guaranteed.

Nosy Be

  • Dive with manta rays at Nosy Tanikely Marine Park.
    Insider Tip: Early morning dives have calmest currents.

  • Explore ylang-ylang plantations.
    Best Way: Hire a scooter to explore freely.

  • Take a sunset cruise to Nosy Komba.
    Good to Know: Bring cash for craft markets on the island.

Morondava

  • Walk the Avenue of the Baobabs at dusk.
    Insider Tip: Bring a tripod for silhouette photos.

  • Visit Kirindy Reserve to spot the elusive fossa.
    Best Way: Go at night with local rangers.

  • Explore Belo-sur-Mer fishing village.
    Good to Know: 4x4 access only; rustic but rewarding.

Adventure & Outdoor Activities

Do’s / Recommended Activities: 

  • Trek through Isalo National Park’s canyon trails.
    Tip: Bring sturdy boots and swimwear for natural pools.

  • Dive or snorkel off Nosy Be’s coral reefs.
    Good to Know: Visibility peaks May–November.

  • Kayak mangrove channels near Morondava.
    Tip: Sunrise offers golden reflections and birdlife.

  • Cycle through highland villages around Antsirabe.
    Good to Know: Terrain moderate — bike rentals easy to find.

Cultural & Food Experiences

Do’s / Recommended Experiences: 

  • Visit a local zebu (cattle) market in the highlands.
    Tip: Go early — lively trade ends by noon.

  • Taste rum arrangé infused with tropical fruits.
    Good to Know: Locals offer samples in small roadside bars.

  • Watch traditional hira gasy music performances.
    Tip: Bring small change to tip performers.

  • Join villagers for a Sunday “kabary” (storytelling circle).
    Good to Know: Translations may be needed — local guides help bridge language gaps.