From seeing three of the world's eight species of baobab tree in Kirindy Forest to exploring coral reefs around the Nosy Be Archipelago, there are plenty of things to do in Madagascar.
This tropical island in the Indian Ocean harbours extraordinary biodiversity. In the east, you have rainforests that extend in a discontinuous band almost from Vohemar right down to remnant tracts near Fort Dauphin. Whereas in the semi-arid south, extensive areas still feature the 'spiny bush', a harsh land of thorny octopus trees interspersed with an assortment of bloated, drought-resistant plants.
If you're planning on what to do in Madagascar, our Travel Specialists have provided their expert insights on the top experiences. Read on to find out more and speak with us to book your holiday.
Top Things to Do in Madagascar
Amazing Things to Do in the Regions
Must-See Madagascar Tourist Attractions
Kirindy Forest and the Avenue of the Baobabs
One of the must-see places in Madagascar is Kirindy Forest.
Kirindy is a highly threatened tropical dry deciduous forest in the west of the island, famed for its baobab trees and oftentimes very rare, unusual wildlife. Walking along, you have the opportunity to encounter endangered species such as fossa, Madagascar’s largest endemic carnivore.
The forest is also just a 30-minute drive from the much-photographed ‘Baobab Alley’, where you can see the same baobab species.
Further Reading: Kirindy Forest Travel Guide
The ‘Tsingy’ Plateaus of Bemaraha, Ankarana and Namoroka National Parks
Madagascar is home to alluring geological phenomena. This includes the iconic 'tsingy' limestone plateaus in the drier western half of the country, which rise abruptly from surrounding savannahs and are topped with fields of razor-sharp karst pinnacles (‘tsingy’).
Tsingy de Bemaraha, a national park in the central-western lowlands, is the largest of the ‘tsingy’ plateaus at 152,000ha. Its jagged tsingy rise high into the sky, resembling a forest of stone needles. The walkways and paths have been ingeniously and painstakingly created to allow you to delve deep into this limestone fortress. With luck, you may Decken’s sifaka and the relatively recently described tsingy wood rail.
Ankarana and Namoroka national parks are the two other 'tsingy' plateaus. Both Ankarana and Namoroka feature extensive cave systems and winding canyons, and, between sheer cliffs, pockets of sunken moist deciduous forests harbour rare wildlife. In underground rivers and streams live blind cave fish, crocodiles and, in the caves, many species of bat.
In terms of cool things to do in Madagascar, venturing into the caves and hiking among tsingy formations is right up there. More than half the country's bat species roost in the extensive cave networks. The caves contain various ancient burial sites. Your exploration takes you to awe-inspiring caves, pinnacle fields and sunken forests in search of rare wildlife. Renowned travel writer Hilary Bradt justifiably described the limestone plateaus as having that 'world-class wow factor'.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
One of the top Madagascar tourist attractions, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in the eastern escarpment attracts nature lovers from all over the world. This is thanks to its wildlife-rich rainforests, home to numerous rainforest-dependent, endemic species of flora and fauna.
Perhaps most of all, the protected areas in the rainforest block of Andasibe-Mantadia are renowned for their habituated groups of the endangered indri, the largest surviving lemur. Able to leap up to ten metres from tree to tree and communicate with whale-like calls, listening to and watching indri in their rainforest home is a very compelling experience.
Aside from eleven other species of lemur being present in the area, you'll also likely see iconic 'herps', including the impressive two-foot-long Parson's chameleon and birds such as red-fronted coua and coral-billed nuthatch-vanga.
Royal Village of Ambohimanga
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a historic place of worship that international travellers and Madagascar residents have visited for over 500 years.
The royal village and burial site is located 24 kilometres northeast of the capital city of Antananarivo. If you're interested, we can add visits to culturally significant Madagascar landmarks like this to your tailor-made itinerary.
Speak with our experts to add any of these experiences to your tailor-made Madagascar itinerary.
Madagascar’s Most Iconic Wildlife Experiences
Lemur Watching
Lemur watching is rapidly growing in popularity among the international wildlife travelling public and is one of the most requested things to do in Madagascar. It’s conducted in most of the island’s national parks and nature reserves.
In the same, carefully planned trip, you can go from experiencing the indris of Andasibe-Mantadia to seeking the near-mythical Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur - along with a host of other nocturnal species - in Kirindy. And you can take in other lemur watching experiences, including marvelling at the ‘dancing’ Verreaux’s sifakas of Berenty or Ifotaka; searching for localised golden bamboo lemurs in Ranomafana National Park; observing conspiracies of ring-tailed lemurs on the cliffs of Anja Community Reserve and being spellbound by the bizarre aye-aye at Le Palmarium on the Pangalanes Canal.
Africa Travel Specialist
"If we had to choose the best time to visit Madagascar to see lemurs, we would say September to November. But, truthfully, you can see lemurs all year. To see some of the true lemur species with small youngsters, it’s best to visit in September."
Night Walks to Seek Nocturnal Wildlife
Montagne d’Ambre (Amber Mountain National Park) is appreciated for its nocturnal wildlife – during a night walk in that area, you may see some of the island’s innumerable and iconic small-scale marvels, like the bark-mimicking giant leaf-tailed gecko and the dead-leaf mimicking eyelash leaf-tailed gecko, both of the endemic Uroplatus genus.
During guided walks in the Andasibe-Mantadia area, your guide will take you to explore either ‘Mitsinjo Parc’, Analamazaotra Special Reserve or the small rainforest parcel of Voimma, protected by a local guide association. Here, you may observe critters such as eastern woolly lemur, furry-eared dwarf lemur and Goodman’s mouse lemur.
Accompanied by an experienced guide, head out on a night walk of Kirindy Forest, setting off after dusk on a quick drive to the trailhead. Chances are you won't be alone, as many other wildlife enthusiasts will be coming to seek mammals such as the vociferous pale fork-marked lemurs, grey mouse lemurs and red-tailed sportive lemurs, which are usually in the vicinity. Stay out later if you’re keen to try for a sighting of the critically endangered giant jumping rat.
Whale Watching in Île Sainte-Marie and the Nosy Be Archipelago
The best places to visit in Madagascar for whale watching opportunities are Nosy Boraha (Sainte Marie Island) off the east coast and the Nosy Be Archipelago. Take a boat trip with reputable excursion operators from July to September for the most optimal chances of seeing these majestic creatures.
As well as observing humpback whales off Sainte Marie and Nosy Be, swim with other marine life like whale sharks off Nosy Be and marine turtles around Nosy Tanikely (off Madagascar's north-west coast).
Birdwatching in the Protected Areas
Madagascar’s endemic birds have long attracted the international birding community. They come to seek the island’s avian denizens along the popular ‘birding route’, which takes in Andasibe-Mantadia and a number of protected areas and stakeouts along the ‘RN7’ route, which you can explore on our RN7 Overland Holiday. To add more 'specials' to your wish list, take an extension to Ankarafantsika in the western lowlands.
With an experienced, specialist birding guide, you can seek the eccentric, rail-like mesites and the quietly beautiful ground-rollers on the forest floors; observe the showy couas; unusual asities and the fascinatingly diverse vangas in the trees. Making that eye-to-brain connection with some of the world’s rarest birds – such as the Madagascar fish eagle – adds to the quality of any Madagascar birding trip.
Speak with our experts to add any of these experiences to your tailor-made Madagascar itinerary.
Best Things to Do in Madagascar’s Cities
Things to Do in Antananarivo
There are plenty of things to do in Madagascar's capital city, Antananarivo, if you have a day to spare.
Enjoy a fascinating glimpse into Malagasy history at the Musee de la Photographie in Upper Town; visit the royal village of Ambohimanga, a spiritual centre of the Merina tribe in the hills outside the capital; head to African House for authentic Malagasy art and music; stop by at the Silkworks in Anosipatrana; or if you're a keen birder, visit Tsaratsaotra – the world’s only privately-owned RAMSAR wetland site.
Things to Do in Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)
Discover an array of things to do in Antsiranana, Madagascar's northernmost provincial capital.
One idea is to take a guided tour around the city, which will allow you to learn about the history of the island’s northernmost urban centre. If you have time to linger, discover the decaying colonial architecture, vibrant market and wealth of craft workshops that make Diego atmospheric.
Additionally, do the short Baobab Trail on Montagne des Français to enjoy panoramic views over the Bay of Diego Suarez and Nosy Lonja. There are two species here – the endangered Suarez baobab (Adansonia suarezensis) and the more plentiful Madagascar baobab (Adansonia madagascariensis).
Speak with our experts to add any of these experiences to your tailor-made Madagascar itinerary.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities in Madagascar
Trek in Marojejy National Park
Enjoy a challenging hike through the rugged and rainforest-clad slopes of Marojejy National Park. The first three kilometres take you through open terrain with cultivated plots and secondary growth, with the next four kilometres in closed rainforest terrain until you reach Camp 1. After this, make the steep, remaining two-kilometre trek up to Camp 2, where you can seek the 'forest angels' (silky sifakas).
What makes this one of the most interesting things to do in Madagascar is the national park's impressive biodiversity, which is among the highest of any of the island’s protected areas. There are red-bellied lemurs and eastern lesser bamboo lemurs as well as the helmet vanga, with its massive blue beak. Herps abound include various species of Uroplatus (leaf-tailed) gecko and frogs such as the climbing mantella.
Explore the Lowland Rainforest of Masoala National Park
In Masoala National Park, see up to ten lemur species, including the locally endemic red-ruffed lemur, the white-fronted lemur, and at night, lowland streaked tenrecs and a variety of 'herps'. It's one of the most unique things to do in Madagascar, as it gives you a different perspective on the area's rich ecosystem. Stay at Dounia Forest Lodge, an excellent choice for wildlife enthusiasts who appreciate remote, unspoiled locations and some coastal time. You can enjoy guided day and night rainforest walks for wildlife. Plus, Nosy Mangabe reserve island offers speedboat outings, snorkelling and kayaking.
Speak with our experts to add any of these experiences to your tailor-made Madagascar itinerary.
Beach Holidays & Coastal Activities in Madagascar
Enjoy a Beach Break, Go Snorkelling and Experience Scuba Diving
Looking for things to do in Nosy Be, Madagascar's most popular area for beach holidays?
Enjoy beach time on the islands and snorkel vibrant reefs around Nosy Tanikely Marine Park. The small island is uninhabited, with the well-preserved corals around it offering some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in Madagascar. With varied marine life and good calibre accommodation, you have all the ingredients for relaxing Madagascar beach holidays on an exotic tropical isle.
Observe rare wildlife in Lokobe Reserve. The national park protects the last 740 hectares of Sambirano forest remaining on Nosy Be. Along the trails, be on the lookout for the resident lemurs (notably the endangered black lemur), reptiles like the Malagasy boa constrictor and amphibians including brown mantella frogs.
Head of Rainbow
“Why not stay at Eden Lodge? I had a beautiful, natural experience at Eden Lodge last year. Set on a secluded beach, it’s perfectly placed so you can see endangered black lemurs in the trees by day.”
Less well known, but equally appealing, are nearby Baobab Beach and the shores of remote Anjajavy, Anakao, Ile Sainte Marie and Miavana.
Other fun things to do in Madagascar include exploring its reef environment, which has some rewarding dive sites. Sakatia Lodge arguably offers Madagascar's best diving centre and access to around 20 sites. Water visibility is at its clearest during the dry season, which takes place between May and November. Swim alongside sea turtles, multicoloured shoals of fish and coral. The small island of Tanikely is uninhabited, and its underwater world is spellbinding. See the likes of stingrays, clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and green and hawksbill turtles. Dolphins are regularly encountered as well.
Further Reading: Best Time to Visit Madagascar
Speak with our experts to add any of these experiences to your tailor-made Madagascar itinerary.
Ready to Plan Your Madagascar Adventure?
With so much to see and do across this incredible island, planning your own trip can feel overwhelming — but that’s where we come in. As the UK’s leading Madagascar experts, we’ll help you create a tailor-made holiday that includes the highlights you’ve read about here, and many more hidden gems only our Travel Specialists know about.
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