Tanindrazana, the "land of ancestors", delights all those who have explored and discovered it. A great idea when it comes to planning your summer vacation. While Antananarivo, the capital, may exhaust the freshly disembarked traveller, its history and culture fascinate, especially around the Queen's Palace, home to the former Merina kings who ruled the country. A short stay allows you to discover the beautiful architecture of the Highlands and the gastronomic specialities of the region: how to resist an excellent local foie gras, an exquisite zebu fillet with green pepper or one of the typical Malagasy dishes, such as romazava or ravitoto? We will also hunt in the many markets, in search of heady spices and a rich craft industry in carved wood, carved stones, raffia or silver.
Then, a multitude of destinations are available to us, each one unique and wonderful, in a country where the fauna and flora are simply exceptional. What to do in Madagascar? Lovers of wilderness will head west to the land of baobabs in the Morondava region. The gold and amber of the vast plains of the ancient Sakalava kingdom, these burning lands criss-crossed by great rivers like the Tsiribihina, which can be descended by pirogue, canoe or barge, these karst sculptures which suddenly stand out over the dry forests: all this makes you dizzy and intoxicated
In the north, mango trees near Ambanja and ylang-ylangs in Nosy Be shudder, while cocoa, combava, citronella, patchouli and vetiver plantations stretch out. Languid tropics, where you can indulge in all kinds of leisure activities: diving, hiking, cycling, motorcycle or quad biking, sailing or catamaran cruises, whale shark watching in season... We're not bored for a moment. Strings of heavenly islands line the extremely rugged coastlines, where green mangrove creeks follow pristine white sandy beaches. And then Diego-Suarez appears with its Emerald Sea, a favourite of kitesurfing and other water sports enthusiasts.
A sanctuary of nature
In the northeast, in Sambava or Antalaha, the exhilarating fragrances of vanilla invite us to another journey, to the heart of an unknown region. The discovery of this glorious orchid is combined with a beautiful hike in the Marojejy massif, a true natural wonder. Or a long trek through the Masoala rainforest, which is full of endemic flora and fauna
Further south, it's a great adventure along a bumpy track to Tamatave, the great port on the east coast. Here begins the Pangalanes Canal, a navigable waterway of nearly 700 km to Manakara, along the Indian Ocean
Lost in the very south-east of the country, Fort-Dauphin is nestled in a magnificent site. Surrounding us, we will meet several species of lemurs, our facetious primates that amaze young and old, in the park of Nahampoana or at the Berenty reserve. It is the symbol, the emblem, the coat of arms of the Malagasy "natural kingdom". Players or indifferent, shouters or sneaky, they will not stop surprising you. Whether they are as small as the microceb, or as fleshly as the indri, you can't miss them anyway - and then, let's face it, that's also the reason for a trip here, right?
Off Tamatave, the paradisiacal island of Sainte-Marie is home to beautiful beaches, an indolent atmosphere, beautiful romantic hotels and the magical ballet of humpback whales, from June to September. There is a unique atmosphere, and all travellers come back amazed
The RN7: a summary of Malagasy wonders
For a colourful discovery, the RN 7 or Route du Sud is the favourite route for travellers. Indeed, the perspectives change as the kilometres go by: green rice fields as far as the eye can see around Fianarantsoa; villages with red brick and dried earth houses on the Highlands, or small wooden huts in the Zafimaniry country near Ambositra; ideal mountains for trekking or climbing in Andringitra; humid forests in Ranomafana, reminiscent of the Amazon; dry forests in Anja; massive ruins with a western feel in the Isalo; long hikes of several days in the Makay massif, a pure treasure still unknown..
The trip to the Tropic of Capricorn also allows you to discover interesting parks such as Gasikara at the exit of Antananarivo (reproduction of all types of Malagasy habitats by region) or master craftsmen's workshops in Antsirabe; to take a train as old as the world that dives by spitting towards the Indian Ocean, from Fianarantsoa to Manakara (magic memories!); to stroll through a landscape of pandanus and water hyacinths on the Pangalanes canal; to taste crocodile or dogfish wings (a bat...) in Fianarantsoa or a lobster in Manakara; and to learn a little more about sapphire in the "Far West" village of Ilakaka, south of the Isalo
A unique birdlife
It is often said that the Big Island is a true "sanctuary of nature". The expression seems to come from a commercial brochure, but there are few as accurate as it is: it is even a real enchantment. We no longer count the mineral and vegetable wealth of this land of abundance or the number of endemic species. The lemur is found alongside luminescent orchids, in the company of chameleons, reptiles and thousands of birds. No less than 290 bird species, including 107 endemic species. They are red like fody in the mating season, green like parakeets and pigeons, black like drongo, they are everywhere, chirping, singing, whistling in gardens, groves, and forests. Depending on the national parks, you can admire various varieties of grebes, herons, egrets, Madagascar crested ibises (Akohon'ala), widowed dendrocygnes (Tsiriry), snake eagles (Fisarabe), single-coloured mesites (Roatelo), Madagascar Railings (Kiky), painted turtle doves (Domohina), green pigeons (Fonimaitso), large Vasa parrots (Boloky)... And this list is far from exhaustive! In short, the Big Island is a prime spot for birdwatching. Get out your binoculars!
Time for idleness!
Then in Madagascar, of course, we dream of landing for a few days ona white sandy beach. They are superb, but, strangely enough, the best known are not necessarily the most beautiful. Ifaty, Anakao, Nosy Be... all this is soothing, let's face it: but to find real dream beaches, wild or tropical, you have to reach the Masoala peninsula, the northeast coast between Majunga and Nosy Be, the islets off Maintirano, the north coast of Tulear (Ankasy, Salary, Ambatomilo) or a small village like Mahambo, north of Tamatave. Pure jewels of the Big Island, real postcards on the edge of an emerald and turquoise lagoon. Here, time suspends its flight....
Madagascar is also a paradise for scuba diving. The coral reef between Morombe and the far south of Madagascar is the second largest in the world, after Australia. This means that fish are crowding around the Malagasy coasts. The infrastructures are now well in place to welcome you, whether in Nosy Be, Diego, Sainte-Marie or Tulear (Ifaty, Mangily). The equipment is recent, the instructors are competent, and the sites are nice. Moreover, you don't rush to the gate yet, and there are still many spots to discover!
Smart info
When? When? All year round, but the hurricane season, which mainly affects the east and northeast coast, extends from December to March. The ideal time is from April to June or in September and October.
Getting there. Count up to 5 weekly flights between Paris or Marseille and Antananarivo with Air Madagascar.
AIR MADAGASCAR - More information on the website
Useful. To prepare your trip as well as possible
OFFICE NATIONAL DU TOURISME DE MADAGASCAR - More information on the website
