It is difficult to know at first glance how to spend your time in Madagascar because it has so much to offer… but don’t worry, we’ve spent months planning and researching so we can advise just how best to spend your precious weeks or days.
For the first-time visitor, no visit to Madagascar would be complete without visiting Nosy Be. This tropical paradise with its stunning beaches, and crystal clear warm turquoise water provides an idyllic base to explore the surrounding lush tropical forests with its friendly lemurs, and scuba dive into the vibrant underwater world, where coral, colourful fish and turtles abound. Tired of working up an all-over tan, why not head over to the ylang-ylang, cinnamon, clove and vanilla plantations and who “nose” if your senses will be hit with an olfactory overload?
This, the largest of the islands, is worthy of its visit and is a great introduction to island living for first-time visitors. The ring road around the island has just been upgraded, allowing easy access to interesting sites, such as the Mont Passot panoramic hilltop viewpoint. And please don’t let the name of the capital of the island scare you off – “Hell-ville” was named after the French Admiral Anne Chrétien Louis de Hell.
For the more adventurous, and if undertaking an exclusive Nosy Be trip doesn’t quite do it for you, we recommend some of the below:
North
- whale watching at Antsiranana
- scuba diving in one of the richest marine life regions of Madagascar
- Madagascar Luxury Sailing Holiday
East
- the graveyard at Ile Sainte Marie is replete with skull and cross-bone inscribed headstones denoting the final resting place of countless 18th-century pirates.
- lounging in hot geothermal springs followed by a spa massage revitalise the spirits
- Nosy Mangabe with its healthy population of endangered aye-aye lemurs, which are probably some of the freakiest looking animals you will ever see
- seeing upward of ten different lemur species whilst partaking in gentle walks through tropical forest
West
- Morondava with its majestic Avenue of the Baobabs
- the dramatic Tsingy de Bemaraha UNESCO World Heritage Site with its otherworldly landscapes
South
- Ifaty with its wide beaches of shining yellow sand and for humpback whales between August and September
- Isalo National Park with its monumental sandstone formations
Highlands
- the bustling markets and colonial architecture of Antananarivo
- being enthralled by bare-footed artisanal foundry workers casting aluminium art from recycled aeroplane and car parts
Madagascar is not just a one-stop destination. We wouldn’t recommend visiting more than two regions at a time, as more time will sadly be spent travelling than actually immersing oneself in the beauty that is Madagascar. Sadly the roads could do with a little TLC…
Take a look at our sample itineraries for suggestions on spending your time in Madagascar, but please bear in mind these are merely ideas. And that is what we’re here for, to help guide you in creating your perfect holiday – and our advice and expertise are completely free! If you have taken a peek at our online itineraries and are interested or have questions, just email our Madagascar expert at madagascar@fleewinter.com or even better, give him a ring at (UK) 020 7112 0019 to begin planning your tailor-made holiday.
