Antananarivo, also known as Tana, is the capital city of Madagascar. Start your trip by exploring the city's historical and cultural sites like the Rova of Antananarivo, a royal palace turned into a museum, and the Andafiavaratra Palace, the residence of Madagascar's prime minister. Enjoy traditional Malagasy cuisine at Le Six restaurant and experience the local attractions such as the Analakely Market.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a rainforest sanctuary in eastern Madagascar known for its pristine forests, waterfalls, and rare wildlife like the indri, a singing lemur. Stay at the Vakona Forest Lodge in Andasibe village, take a guided tour of the park and visit Lemur Island, a private reserve where you can interact with tame lemurs.
Morondava is a coastal town in western Madagascar and the gateway to the Baobab Avenue, a natural monument of giant baobab trees lining a dirt road. Spend two days exploring the area, including the nearby Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, an otherworldly landscape of limestone rock formations. Watch the sunset over the Baobab Avenue, and stay at the Renala Sable d'Or Hotel for an unforgettable experience.
Belo sur Mer and Morombe are peaceful coastal towns in southwestern Madagascar, famous for their pristine beaches, traditional fishing villages, and unique Vezo culture. Stay at the Soanambo Hotel in Belo sur Mer and enjoy snorkeling, diving, and pirogue (canoe) tours. Visit Morombe to explore the Amborovy and Tsimanampetsotsa National Parks and observe rare bird and lemur species.
Ifaty is a small fishing village and beach resort in southwestern Madagascar famous for its blue lagoons, coral reefs, and spiny forests. Stay at the Hotel Solidaire Mangily and take a boat tour to the Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for snorkeling and diving. Visit the Reniala Nature Reserve to see rare plant species and ring-tailed lemurs.
Isalo National Park is a dramatic landscape of sandstone canyons, natural pools, and waterfalls in southwestern Madagascar. Stay at the Isalo Rock Lodge and take a guided tour of the park to see the unique flora and fauna, including ring-tailed lemurs, sifakas, and chameleons. Relax in the hot springs and enjoy a scenic sunset over the canyon.
Fianarantsoa is a picturesque highland town in central Madagascar known for its tea plantations and historical sites. Stay at the Tsara Guest House and visit the nearby Ranomafana National Park, a lush rainforest home to rare lemur species like the golden bamboo lemur. Take a guided tour of the park and enjoy a natural hot spring bath.
Antsirabe is a spa town in central Madagascar famous for its thermal waters, colonial buildings, and handicrafts. Stay at the Hotel des Thermes and explore the town's attractions like the Lake Andraikiba, the Fianar Palace Museum, and the Antsirabe Market. Take a pousse-pousse or traditional rickshaw tour of the city.
Andringitra National Park is a spectacular mountain park in southern Madagascar known for its towering peaks, endemic orchids, and rare wildlife like the ring-tailed mongoose. Stay at the Camp Catta and take a guided trek to the summit of Pic Boby, the second-highest peak in Madagascar. Visit the nearby town of Toliara and relax at the seaside hotels on the shores of the Mozambique Channel.
To explore Madagascar, you need to rent a car and a driver or join a tour group to avoid significant risks due to unsafe driving conditions. Air Madagascar, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines operate daily flights from many international destinations to Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo. Domestic flights are also available to other major cities in Madagascar, but they are less frequent and more expensive than road travel. Expect to pay USD 40-50 per day for car rental, USD 20-30 per day for a driver, and USD 5-10 per day for fuel.
If you have more time, consider visiting the northern coast of Madagascar, including Nosy Be Island, the Ankarana Reserve, and Diego Suarez City. You can also extend your trip to the eastern coast of Madagascar, including the Masoala National Park, the Sainte Marie Island, and the Foulpointe Beach. If you have less time, prioritize the national parks that interest you the most and skip the coastal towns.
Ivato International Airport (TNR) is the primary airport serving Madagascar, located 15 km north of Antananarivo city centre. The airport is served by major airlines like Air France, Air Madagascar, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines, providing connections to many international and domestic destinations within Madagascar. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs USD 10-15, and the journey takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.