Tourist Attractions & Monuments Madagascar

The office offers guided tours of the city. Departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, and by reservation. Circuits from 1 to 3 hours. Also offers family hikes on the second Saturday of the month, ideal to discover the 12 hills and the life of the highlands. Sportsmen also have their more intensive hike on the fourth Saturday of the month. The website has interesting information about the region.

Despite the lack of means, this museum offers a good overview of the regional marine fauna. Among the rarities is a coelacanth fished in 1995 in Toliara and perfectly preserved. This specimen is by far the most impressive, but since then a female was also discovered in 1997 (exhibited at the town hall of Fort-Dauphin), two other females in 2001 and a last one with a fetus in 2011. This museum also exhibits multiple specimens of the flora and fauna of the reef, about 760 different species (algae, corals, crustaceans, mammals, fish and reptiles).

New team, new communication media, the Regional Office of Tourism of Tulear seeks to modernize and move the region. Just like their website, which you can consult to get a lot of information, a short visit to their offices, when arriving in Tulear, can be very useful. ORTU works with a village association and organizes activities and excursions to help the local communities.

The lake Andraikiba, located at 7 km from Antsirabe, was appreciated during the colonial period. On foot, you can walk along the lake, in a bucolic setting. It is said that a prince lived here, and that he could not choose between two young women. So he proposed a challenge: the one who would cross the lake the fastest would become his wife. Unfortunately! One of them, pregnant, couldn't make it to the end; in despair, she shouted "Kiba!" ("I'm sinking!") and disappeared under the waves. Since then, it is whispered that the spirit of this beautiful princess is prowling around.

By taking the road to Belazao, one reaches the belvedere of Ivohitra (notice the large antenna), from where the view embraces the whole region, with a superb panorama on this part of the Highlands. Walkers will appreciate the walk: count one hour and a half to reach the summit by turning left on the road to Betafo, at the level of the sign "Children of the sun". Then, count two hours to return to the southern entrance of the city, obviously these timings are approximate. Beware of pickpockets though.

The big market of Ambatolampy is one of those big markets so typical of the Highlands, on Thursdays, and to a lesser extent on Mondays. To get there, you have to turn left on the road just after the zebu market, coming from Antananarivo. You can get a haircut in the open air for a very low price and buy regional products: rabbits, poultry, ducks, river fish, superb fruits and vegetables... The visit of the zebu market, even if it is small, is also an interesting experience in itself!

If you take the road from the airport and continue for 3 km (12 km north from the city center), at the Grand Pavois, you will come to a surprising landscape. A natural cirque, carved by the winds and the waters, forms a kind of canyon of a surprising color: the limestones and the sands are pink, burgundy, carmine. Walking along the river, you reach the sea after a nice walk. The sunrise and the sunset on the red circuses are magical moments. Further, the red circus of Ampazony makes the joy of the amateurs of quad.

At the Enceinte Hotel. Miora and his team take care of all kinds of excursions, on foot, in atvs, quad, car, canoe, boat, etc. Confirmation of tickets, customer assistance, transfers on the sea and on earth. This very serious provider tries to offer the best possible services at the lowest price.

High quality operator offering all kinds of excursions to Nosy Be, to the most famous tourist sites, but also according to your wishes. A dynamic, pro and efficient team. ESF also has antennas in Tana and Nosy Be, and it is possible to organise its travel throughout Madagascar.

Their offices are located in Hell City, in front of the Oasis. There are brochures and maps on the island.

Nice botanical garden where the vegetal varieties of the great forest of the East are well represented. An opportunity to greet lemurs (we observe at least five species in semi-liberty). Ecological approach of sustainable development of the places to underline. A visit to the garden of medicinal plants, to the old prison and to the fish farm is recommended. A snack bar and a refreshment stand are available. Jean René, a French-Malagasy half-breed who created a factory and a sugar refinery and developed education under the reign of Radama^I, is buried here.

This tomb is said to contain the remains of the ^17th-century prophetess Séraphine Frantsay, who was said to perform miracles and heal people. Her tomb is still visited today, and in great numbers... Maybe you'll see for yourself: people come to his grave to ask for love, fortune, health and happiness... And they leave a plate! Buy one at the bazar-bé, and ask the cemetery keeper to point out Seraphine's grave.

It is reported that, in the th century, the Prophetess Timasy Vavitiana lived in this place and made miracles. She was buried on this site, and her descendants perpétuèrent the tradition by gradually burying into what became a place of worship where people gathered together. This traditional religious practice déplaisant the missionaries, the colonial administration decided to exhume and expel sacred relics at the municipal cemetery. In order to prevent worship, a monument was built surrounded by chains.

Approximately 7 km from Toamasina was the largest merina in the region. The only remains are vestiges. The cannon defended the garrison against the maritime attacks of the French and British navies. The hill surrounded by marshes and its surroundings is a fascinating landscape.

One will go there after having obtained the authorization of the president of the Fokontany and having provided oneself with rum for the offerings to the ancestors. Once there, one should not forget to introduce oneself to the municipal authorities.

They are in fact the descendants of the Antemoro sovereigns, who will accompany your visit after a welcome speech followed by offerings to the ancestors. The visit remains informal. It is advisable to make a donation (see with the president of the Fokontany).

This beautiful lake extends near the plantations of sisals, in approximately 30 min of 4X4 of Amboasary. We can bivouac there. The wind is favourable to windsurfing. It is an objective of walk, to observe the pink flamingos, or to accompany a herbalist collecting the medicinal plants which grow in the surroundings. The sand dunes by the sea are constantly in motion. They make up a fascinating landscape. In the distance a white heap is erected, it is about the collection of small shells, sent to Tana to be used as food for the chickens!

Along the roads and tracks that drive north, east or west, there will be a lot of funeral monuments. The oldest are recognizable with the sacred statues of carved wood. The most recent are surmounted by stone obelisks. Elsewhere, we will find levées and accumulations of zébus skulls. Here, too, the dead are not forgotten.

These funeral works have only a role as a mausoleum (the tombs are elsewhere). However, it is necessary to visit these monuments accompanied by Malagasy friends: the villagers are very suspicious. Every year, sacred statues are sawn in hundreds and disappear… these flights would be due not to tourists, but to dealers in antiquities of the world art market.

A recognized official guide that knows the fauna and flora well.

This 600-hectare reserve is one of the smallest in the country, and can be explored via five circuits, ranging from 1 to 4 hours' walk. It is home to 102 species of birds (including the endangered Madagascar sparrowhawk) and 39 species of mammals. It is now a scientific research center. It can be hot. Further on, you reach the Seven Sacred Lakes, whose waters are said to lead via an underground route to the Sarodrano cave, 70 km away.

At the entrance to the city, a large metal suspension bridge spans the river. This imposing structure in the style of Eiffel's constructions is surrounded by an abundant vegetation. The region produces vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, etc. You can watch the loading of cargo for export. Buried in the bougainvilleas, the colonial style buildings of the trading posts are not lacking in charm. It is not recommended to swim here because of the strong currents.

The tapia forests are the only primary forests in the highlands of Madagascar. Tapias (Uapaca bojery) abound there, of course, as well as many orchids, aloes or medicinal plants of all kinds. One can discover there the experiments on the repopulation of wild silkworms Borocera madagascariensis. Tapia leaves are the main source of food for these silkworms, two species being endemic to the country.

A specialist of chameleon and reptiles, but also of fauna and flora in general, it can organize expeditions in the Ankarana, the Amber Mountain and other natural sites in the region. Very competent, friendly, he will take care of you, explain the reasons why, and you find animals there or others see nothing.

Awareness of the concept of ecotourism with tourist operators, both private and public. Promotion of Community initiatives (particularly rural tourism). Standardization of tourism products in Madagascar.

Here you will find essential information about natural heritage, filming authorizations, natural reserve plans.

A must on the cultural scene. A rock and alternative place, a breeding ground for local artists and offbeat personalities. It is at the same time a place of exhibition, residence and sale of contemporary art of Malagasy and foreign artists, a space of experiments and a musical scene where many groups and local artists come to perform every week. Between concerts, exhibitions and cultural events, Is'art has become the place to go. Relaxed and lively atmosphere, in a very bohemian and ecofriendly spirit.

Nestor is THE guide to discover Nosy Komba. A native of the island, he has been a certified guide since 2007. Nestor knows the trails of Nosy Komba and the whole area inside out. As the grandson of an herbalist, he knows all about plants. There are several possible tours: a 2-hour walk in the heights of Nosy Komba, a 4 or 5-hour crossing of the island... He'll guide you, for example, to the island's great baobab tree (8.24 m in circumference) or to the "3 brothers" island. You can also have lunch at his place, where you'll taste home cooking. Recommended!

Ihosy is a place of trade and transit between the southern regions and the highlands. On Saturdays and Sundays, the zebu market, located behind the stadium, is fascinating. There, thousands of heads of cattle are the object of skilful negotiations. We are in Bara country, where the zebu is not only a symbol of social prestige but also of virility. Its possession has long been the sine qua non for being considered a real man. Since zebu thieves, the dahalo, have been wreaking havoc, traditions have changed.

A must for travellers, the museum is also a must for residents and Aboriginals who can be proud of this infrastructure that brings together various treasures from the past: paintings, swords, documents and various works of art... In particular, there is a family tree that tells the story of the Sakalava royalty

A place of worship and purification according to tradition, it is the ideal goal of an authentic stroll, through small villages and rice fields. Possibility to bathe, camp and fish there.

Displays beautiful ethnographic objects from the whole island (including musical instruments) and the various finds of the University of Archeology. Short visit but helps to support students and develop research.

This superb sandy beach unfolds its postcard landscape close to the sea turtles. It is the ideal escapade before going to observe them and swim with them. Nosy Be Original agency offers to travelers this private beach on Nosy Sakatia tastefully furnished. Kitchen area, bar area, a large table under a vast straw hut: the beach lined with palm trees and planted in front of a forest looks like a dream place! In addition Nosy Be Original organizes weekly parties and even full moon parties ! The dream, we tell you...

Let's meet on the Orsini quay, early in the morning or late in the day. The dockers doze in the shade of the old Arab counters, the rickshaw drivers rest in their vehicles, the sambo sellers seem to be waiting... Suddenly a dhow arrives and a feverish agitation takes over the quays. Semi-trailers loaded to the brim with cotton rub shoulders with rickshaws crumbling under the weight of fabrics. The dhows painted in red and blue, green and yellow remind us of all the journeys to Zanzibar and Moroni, according to the winds...

Various information on members, brochures and maps of the island. Feel free to consult the website, very complete, to get a general idea of the offer in the beautiful region of Nosy Be.

Bruno and Germain are unspoiled on their region and develop many activities focused on hiking and the environment. They can help you organize your activities and contact local operators.

Information on city, leaflets, maps and guided tours of the city (2:30 a. m.), the sacred lake (1/2 day), the Belobaka caves (1/2 day), the red circus, the new Antrema protected area and many others.

Admission tickets, park information. Visit the park from 6:30 am to 6 pm under normal circumstances, and from 5:30 am to 6 pm during bird watching season

Information on the tourist sites of the city and the region. Monthly walks organised to discover the surroundings, the opportunity to make beautiful meetings.

In the Cul de Sac Gallois Bay, a 15-minute boat ride will take you to small hills planted with baobabs. Dozens of these majestic trees, some of them several hundred years old, can be discovered during an easy one-hour walk. The opportunity to see two endemic species of baobabs. We walk near Diego, in a completely different universe already with the crystal clear waters nearby. A visit of the most exotic not to be missed, especially if you do not go to see the baobabs of the Menabe region or the west of Madagascar.

A small (but no less interesting) space devoted to mahafaly funeral art, crafts and the customs and customs of the South.