Madagascar
Madagascar is an island of lemurs, giant baobabs and landscapes found nowhere else on Earth, and a destination that rewards planning.
This guide covers the highlights properly: the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, the indri of Andasibe-Mantadia, the royal hilltop of the Rova and the free-roaming lemurs of Lemurs' Park in Antananarivo, the limestone needles of the Tsingy de Bemaraha in the dry season, a boat day from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely, the canyons of Isalo, the rainforest of Ranomafana, whale watching off Ile Sainte-Marie from July to September and the multi-day circuits that tie it together. The rainy season begins around November, so the guide is plain about timing, then matches each stop with a base, from central Antananarivo to the beaches of Nosy Be.
Avenue of the Baobabs
A dirt road near Morondava lined with towering Grandidier's baobabs, at its best in the warm light before sunset. It is one of the most photographed places in Madagascar, and the road itself is free to visit.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Madagascar's easiest rainforest outing from the capital, home to the indri, the largest living lemur, whose haunting call carries across the forest. Go for a day trip or stay overnight for a guided night walk.
Tsingy de Bemaraha
A UNESCO-listed maze of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles in western Madagascar, crossed by suspension bridges and narrow canyons. It is a seasonal, multi-day trip from Morondava, best in the dry months.
Rova of Antananarivo (Queen’s Palace)
The royal compound on the highest hill of the capital, once the seat of Merina kings and queens. Visit for the hilltop views, the history of the Merina kingdom and a look at how the city grew around it.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
FreeA dirt road near Morondava lined with towering Grandidier's baobabs, at its best in the warm light before sunset. It is one of the most photographed places in Madagascar, and the road itself is free to visit.
Madagascar's easiest rainforest outing from the capital, home to the indri, the largest living lemur, whose haunting call carries across the forest. Go for a day trip or stay overnight for a guided night walk.
The royal compound on the highest hill of the capital, once the seat of Merina kings and queens. Visit for the hilltop views, the history of the Merina kingdom and a look at how the city grew around it.
A private reserve a short drive from the capital where several lemur species roam free among the trees. It is the quickest way to see lemurs up close if you only have a morning in Antananarivo.
A UNESCO-listed maze of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles in western Madagascar, crossed by suspension bridges and narrow canyons. It is a seasonal, multi-day trip from Morondava, best in the dry months.
A boat day from Nosy Be to lemur-filled Nosy Komba and the clear-water marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely, with snorkelling over coral and turtles. It is the classic island outing in northwest Madagascar.
A sandstone massif in southern Madagascar, cut by canyons and natural pools, with sunset views over rock formations. It is the highlight of the RN7 road trip from Antananarivo.
A steep, misty rainforest park in the southeastern highlands, known for bamboo lemurs, birds and hot springs nearby. It is the wildlife stop between Antananarivo and the dry south on the RN7 route.
Humpback whales pass through the channel off Île Sainte-Marie in the austral winter, roughly July to September, and local boats take visitors out to see them. Outside those months the island is a quiet beach destination.
Madagascar's distances are long, so many visitors join a private multi-day circuit that strings together lemurs, baobabs, canyons and beaches. This highlights tour is a flexible way to see several regions in one trip.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Nosy Be beachfront
A beachfront resort on Nosy Be with 56 rooms, two outdoor pools, a full-service spa and a golf course next door. It is the splurge pick for an island stay after a rainforest and road-trip itinerary.
Check rates →Dzamandzar beachfront, Nosy Be
A 50-room beachfront hotel on the Dzamandzar side of Nosy Be with an outdoor pool, a six-room spa and a golf course next door. It suits couples and families who want a resort feel at a mid-range price.
Check rates →Antaninarenina
An Art Deco hotel built in 1930 in the Antaninarenina district of the capital, with 80 rooms, a spa and a terrace. Its central position near Independence Avenue and the Upper Town makes it the best-placed mid-range base for city sights.
Check rates →Antaninarenina
A mid-range hotel in the Antaninarenina district with a spa, sauna and hot tub, a restaurant and bar, and Ambohitsorohitra Palace two minutes away on foot. It is a comfortable, well-located base for city sightseeing.
Check rates →Tsaralalana
A budget-friendly 50-room hotel in Tsaralalana with a free breakfast buffet, a rooftop terrace and Independence Avenue three minutes away on foot. It is the value pick for travellers using Antananarivo as a stopover.
Check rates →What to book ahead, how to get around, how many days to allow and where the headline sights fit, for a first trip to Madagascar.
Compare the main bases for a Madagascar trip, from the central districts of Antananarivo to the beaches of Nosy Be, tied to five hotels.
