Madagascar Things to Do

  Inside the market.
by rosequartzlover1
 
  • Inside the market.
      Inside the market.
    by rosequartzlover1
  • Atmosphere around the market.
      Atmosphere around the market.
    by rosequartzlover1
  • That's my 4WD and people who helped us
      That's my 4WD and people who helped us
    by rosequartzlover1
  • very simple class room in the middle of the field
      very simple class room in the middle of...
    by rosequartzlover1
  • black board
      black board
    by rosequartzlover1
 
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Lemur spotting - 7

by glenn57

Pictured here is Verreaux's sifaka, scientific name 'Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi'. It inhabits drier areas, therefore the south of Madagascar. Sifakas are the type of lemur that resemble monkeys; they hang vertically in trees, and can jump vertically as well. Verreaux's sifaka can also jump a few metres while on the ground - some people call this its 'dance'. At Isalo National Park, I saw at least 14 of them. One got very curious, and came bounding down through the trees, and clung to a tree just 2 metres from me; we stared at each other in silence for about 5 minutes. Believe it or not, I had just used up my last roll of film at that point, so I don't have a photo of that one (I still haven't gone digital - all the photos you see here originated on film).

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Lemur spotting - 6

by glenn57

This is the black-and-white ruffed lemur, scientific name 'Varecia variegata'. They inhabit lowland forests - 'lowland' here means under 3000 metres. I saw them in the wild at Ranomafana National Park, although the one pictured here is at Vakona Forest Lodge.

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Lemur spotting - 3

by glenn57

This is the ring-tailed lemur, Scientific name 'Lemur catta'. The 'catta' part is not hard to understand : it looks like a cat and cries like a cat. The ring-tailed lemur is native to dry parts of Madagascar, mainly the south. I saw them in the wild at Isalo National Park.When on the ground, the ring-tailed lemur always holds its tail up in the air like this.

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Rice paddies

by glenn57

The people of the highlands of Madagascar are mostly of Indonesian origin (although by now there has been a lot of mixing). These people arrived in Madagascar about 2000 years ago, and brought with them their methods of rice agriculture. As a result, you see rice paddies all over the highlands. The green of the rice paddies against the very red earth of Madagascar is a beautiful thing to see. For me, it was strange to see rice agriculture at such altitudes (1500 to 2000 metres, 4500 to over 6000 ft); I had only ever seen it at low altitudes before. I imagine the yields must be very low compared with rice agriculture at sea level, since the nights (and even the days at some times of the year) are rather cold here.

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Antananarivo - District "67 Hectares"

by glenn57

This is a poorer area of Antananarivo, and a low-lying one, subject to floods. This gives you an idea how poor this city (and country) is. A high percentage of the people here live on less than 50 cents US a day.

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Lemur spotting - 1

by glenn57

Many tourists come to Madagascar to see lemurs. Lemurs are primates that are native only to Madagascar. They vary a lot in size and shape - some look like monkeys, some look like raccoons, some look like mice. But they all have soft fur, a dog-shaped face, and they all live in trees and have opposable thumbs (it's funny to see what looks like a mouse with opposable thumbs!). Madagascar's 59 species of lemurs are found in various National Parks. Pictured here is the indri, the world's largest lemur. The indri has one of the loudest cries in the animal kingdom; it can be heard up to 3 km away. This one is at Andasibe, a national park 3 hours east of Antananrarivo. You are guaranteed to see and hear indris if you go there in the morning (best time is around 8 or 9 AM). There are about 60 families of indris at Andasibe, although the public are only taken to the territory of two families. A...

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The people!

by belgianchocolate

'The people' I can't say it enough...they are fantastic. In general the Malagasy will do anything to make your trip something fantastic. I feel very lucky to speak some basic french and to be able to do some conversations. (I did feel comfortable speaking French in Madagascar since it is their second language as well). English travelers we've met did feel like it was a big disadvantage not to be able to speak French - However , people will talk whatever they picked up in English to help you for sure. And even if French is the second official language in Madagascar...not everybody speaks it.We choose to keep the same taxidriver for a couple of days and asked him to pick us up at the hotel...they helped to find a hotel , adviced us on restaurants and local places , brought us to the national parcs sometimes , did the big trip of the island. It was nice to get to know them a little bit...

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Diego Suarez or Antsiranana

by belgianchocolate

You got to like Diego , as the locals call their city. It is probably the most French city on Madagascar. We seemed to be always returning to Diego and it felt like a safe haven. Diego is the largest city of the north , about a 100 000 people , but it feels much smaller. (or was the source I used talking about the whole area?). Anyway , Diego is located at a huge natural bai , used as a harbor. The French used it as a marine base and only left in 1973. During WWII Diego had loads of action and you can experience remains of that in the near surroundings of Diego.Diego is more then the perfect spot to prepare to visit the national parcs nearby. (Montagne d'Ambre and Special reserve de l'Ankarana). It has wide boulevards with nice colonial buildings , the main straat , rue Colbert , is stuffed with shops and fine restaurants , bars and even a casino. At place Joffre you'll got a nice view...

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The bais near Ramena!

by belgianchocolate

About a two hour walk , we had our best time ever on a beach... We started walking in the morning. The road from Diego end right after the village where the military domain begings. The domain is sort of desolated. The buildings are ruins , and zebu's have taken over the place. Almost abandoned , since there is still one guard where you have to buy a permit. 2000 Ariary and you are allowed to enter the area for one day. (that is less then one euro).We followed the road to the left and started climbing where the road stopped. A steep climb , and spiny thorns found us...(aren't thorns always spiny?) , also take something to keep insects away. The view up there is so rewarding. You'll find a lighthouse and another one and cannons and amazing view over the rocks. Some nice birdlife too...And then 'Baie des dunes' is waiting for you. Since there is a road stopping there from Ramena we found...

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Ramena , our favorite beach-time

by belgianchocolate

After visiting the two national parcs near Diego Suarez in the north , and the last one was some serious walking and climbing , we spoiled ourselves with two nights in Hotel Villa palm beach in Ramena 18km from Diego and easy to reach by taxi. Time to rest , have our laundry done.We went there on a sunday evening and there was a lot of traffic 'from' theis little village back to Diego. Keep that in mind if you are seeking for rest. During the weekend it is a frequently visited and favorited location of the local people.'Ramena' itself hasn't got the best beach. It is rather small , but it is nice to sit down and watch the fisher men sort out their catch. It seems like the whole village takes off in one little boat to go fishing. Little kids playing whit old tires on the beach...Sit down in front of the mosque du nord and have a Bon Bon Anglais-drink at the local shop-bar. This little...

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Fun things to do in Madagascar

Top 3 Hotels in Madagascar

Hotel Tamboho  Antananarivo

 32 Opinions

 Hotels in Antananarivo

La Varangue  Antananarivo

 1 Review and 29 Opinions  I spent three nights in this very pleasant hotel in Tana. The location is excellent,. right around... 

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Hotel Royal Palissandre  Antananarivo

 1 Review and 47 Opinions  Le Royal Pallisandre is a very good quality hotel in the heart of the city. The rooms and public... 

 Hotels in Antananarivo

18 Hotels in Madagascar
 
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Reviews and photos of Madagascar attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madagascar sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Madagascar
  1. Antananarivo Things to Do
  2. Antsirabe Things to Do
  3. Ampefy Things to Do
  4. Toamasina Things to Do
  5. Nosy Be Things to Do
  6. Ambohimanga Things to Do
  7. Toliara Things to Do
  8. Morondava Things to Do
  9. Mahajanga Things to Do
  10. Nosy Sainte Marie Things to Do
  11. Anjajavy Things to Do
  12. Malaza Things to Do
  13. Andasibe Things to Do
  14. Tangorombohitr' Isalo Things to Do
  15. Ranomafana Things to Do
  16. Antsiranana Things to Do
  17. Nosy Mangabe Things to Do
  18. Berenty Things to Do
  19. Sambava Things to Do
  20. Antalia Things to Do
  21. Anakao Things to Do
  22. Ambalavao Things to Do
  23. Lazaina Things to Do
  24. Ambatolampy Things to Do
  25. Ambalavao Things to Do
  26. Ranomafana Things to Do
  27. Mahavelona Things to Do
  28. Tolanaro Things to Do
  29. Ranomafana Things to Do

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Popular Regions in Madagascar

Faritanin' Antananarivo Things to Do  Faritanin' i Toamasina Things to Do  Faritanin' i Toliara Things to Do  Faritanin' Antsiranana Things to Do  Faritanin' i Fianarantsoa Things to Do  Faritanin' i Mahajanga Things to Do 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Has anyone used Desire Travel Tours and had problems just before arriving? I'm 12 days from departure to Madagascar from Kenya... 

Odinnthor profile photo

A: I think you may be jumping to bad conclusions too quickly. I have been a tour director for several decades, and have a pretty good handle on most operators. It is... 

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