A guide for your trip to Madagascar – Roxanne Reid

​Madagascar is home to 5% of the world’s total biodiversity, according to the World Wildlife Fund. An impressive 89% of the flora and more than 90% of the fauna are endemic (i.e. they occur nowhere else in the world), giving rise to its nickname of ‘The Eighth Continent’.

No matter your preference, there’s something for every kind of traveller. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts can expect lush landscapes with diverse plant life and rare wildlife. For coastal lovers, there are idyllic beaches and snorkel-friendly waters with a rich biodiversity.

Culturally, the Malagasy (people of Madagascar) are as diverse as the land they call home. World influences have come together over several centuries to form what is Madagascan culture today, and you can experience this through the food, traditions, religions, languages, and daily lives of the people.

Whether you want to relax or explore, you’ll find many reasons to visit Madagascar and plenty to love about this island country.

Top places to visit & things to do in Madagascar 
While Madagascar isn’t a typical safari destination, it’s still a unique place to visit for its plants and wildlife. It also makes a fabulous follow-up destination to a safari for anyone interested in a combination of bush and beach adventure.

Immerse yourself in nature, experience a taste of Malagasy culture, or try some of the many activities. Here are some of the best things to do while on the Great Red Island.

1. Visit pristine beaches 

If gorgeous sands and shimmering waters are what make you happy, Madagascar makes a dreamy island getaway that compares with the more popular Mauritius, Zanzibar or Maldives. Expect world-class beaches with a relaxed atmosphere on both the mainland and surrounding islands.

Nosy Be off the north-west coast is renowned for its coral reefs teeming with colourful species, and its must-see parks and reserves that are home to reptiles and lemurs. To the east, the lively Île aux Nattes is a palm-fringed beach where you can kick back with a beer in hand, watch whales, or enjoy 360-degree views of the island from the White House rooftop terrace.

If you prefer to get away from the crowds, Manafiafy is a smaller beach to the south-east of the island, lined by lush rainforests where you can take long walks and search for five species of lemur. Ramena, a charming beach and fishing village in Diego Suarez Bay, is a great cultural excursion. Visit the town and eat at one of the restaurants, stroll around or enjoy the shores, and learn how to kite-surf – a popular activity here.

2. Explore Madagascar’s unique wildlife 

Madagascar is home to many creatures you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Lemurs, chameleons, various amphibians, and the carnivorous fossa are just some of the creatures endemic to the country. Each has many subspecies – for example, there are an estimated 107 species of lemur in the country. These prosimians are a star attraction.

Lemurs can be found across Madagascar, with Andasibe National Park a common stop for visitors looking to see the largest of the species, the Indri. You can see the bamboo lemur, which is also the most common, in many eastern parks. Wherever you go, you have a relatively high chance of bumping into a few of the lemur family members. September to October is lemur birthing season, when you can expect to see lots of cute baby lemurs.

Madagascar is also a fabulous whale-watching destination. From June to September, pods of humpback whales migrate to the warmer waters surrounding Madagascar to breed and calve. During this time, Sainte Marie Island and Nosy Be are two of the best places to see these oceanic giants.

3. Hike through diverse landscapes ​

Madagascar has a range of terrains, from towering mountains with high peaks to lush forests that are home to a range of extraordinary wildlife. One of the best ways to explore is on foot. In fact, many travellers from across the world visit for the sole reason of hiking.

There’s a wide array of trails to choose from. The lengths range from two to six hours and even several days, all with varying difficulties and scenery. The much-loved Isalo National Park offers 815 square kilometres of secret canyons, sandstone massifs and deep gorges, while Andasibe’s flat terrain, short trails, and Indri calls make it a great pick for beginners and families.

​Ranomafana Rainforest is one of the most accessible hiking hotspots with both half-day and multi-day treks. The longer routes are an exciting opportunity to camp overnight. Here, you’ll find many a golden bamboo lemur as well as red-bellied, and black-and-white-ruffed lemurs.

4. Enjoy water-based activities

With its unspoiled beaches and crystal-clear waters, Madagascar is a paradise for anyone looking for fun in the water. When the winds are up in northern Madagascar from April to November, surfers, kite-surfers and wind-surfers can have a ball; Malagasy waters are famous for making the most of the wind.

Looking for calmer waters? Go scuba diving or snorkelling among the coral reefs. If you’d prefer to stay on the surface, choose a catamaran tour or canoeing off the coast. The south-west coast, Nosy Be, Nosy Boraha and Ifaty are a few well-known water-sports hubs, but each coast has its fair share of choice sites.

5. Visit the Avenue of Baobabs

Located in the Menabe region of western Madagascar, just 45 minutes from the city of Morondava, the Avenue of Baobabs is a 260m path lined by 800-year old giant baobab trees. During sunrise and sunset – the best times to visit – the area becomes a multi-hued landscape and you can see some 25 baobabs in all their splendour. These Grandidier’s baobabs line an unpaved road known as Road Number 8 that links the cities of Morondava and Belon’I Tsiribihina. They stand 25-30m tall. You can combine a visit here with a stop at Kirindy Forest Reserve, a private reserve that’s home to the elusive fossa as well as seven lemur species, including the dancing white sifaka.

People and culture 

Madagascar is one of the least developed countries in the world and its people are highly traditional in culture and lifestyle. At least 80% of the population speaks only Malagasy, while a small portion speak French and even fewer speak English. The culture is a blend of African, Arab, French, South-east Asian, Chinese and British influences. There are 18 ethnic groups, many of which have their own dialects.

Over 80% of the population are Christian, 3% are Muslim, and nearly 7% don’t practise any religion. Despite this, most people still maintain traditional animistic beliefs that are rooted in ancient traditions, while around 4% adhere solely to traditionalism.

The traditional clothing and houses show external cultural influences, but the style of dress ranges from traditional attire to western dress, with most people – particularly in rural areas – wearing a mix of the two. Urban areas like Antananarivo are more modernised and outfits such as jeans and T-shirts are commonplace.

Food of Madagascar: what to expect 

If you‘re staying at a coastal resort or hotel, you can expect fine dining from the hotel restaurants. Think fresh seafood dishes made using local produce, and delicious cocktails with an ocean view if you’re near the coast. Restaurants differ from one hotel or resort to the next, ranging from classic Italian menus and French cuisine to delicious and diverse buffets, large breakfast spreads, even gastronomic dining experiences.

If you crave something more local, there’s a range of street food vendors, local restaurants, eateries and markets that serve traditional Malagasy dishes. You may be surprised to find that French, Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine are common throughout the country. You’ll find a medley of African, Arab, Indian, French, and Indonesian elements in many dishes.

Rice is the staple food, usually cooked and served with herbs or leaves. It’s accompanied by meat or fish, and various vegetables. Zebu – a type of domestic cattle – is the most common beef across the country. A meal you’re sure to come across is Ramazava, which is made using Zebu meat, cooked in oil until browned with a combination of herbs and spices. Malagasy food is packed with flavour, with herbs, spices, tomatoes, chilli, ginger, garlic, and onion used in most dishes.

Stir-fried pork is a common delicacy, usually served with white rice. Curries and stews are prominent in Malagasy cuisine, and there are many bean-based dishes. If you’re vegetarian, you won’t struggle to find a tasty meat-free meal at most places as vegetables are grown all over the country and used in many of the dishes. It’s best to ask before you order.

If you have a sweet tooth you’ll love desserts using fresh and locally grown fruit. Madagascar is also a producer of cacao, so chocolate lovers can delight in trying out some of the country’s finest sweet treats. Madagascar is the world’s largest vanilla bean producer. Its vanilla is renowned for a distinctly rich taste, so don’t miss trying a vanilla-based dessert.

When it comes to alcohol, if you’re not at your hotel or a restaurant in the capital, you’re less likely to find premium liquor. But the local Three Horses Beer is available almost everywhere. Restaurants and bars also serve locally produced rum which varies in taste. It’s often infused with an additional ingredient like fruit, vanilla or jasmine to enhance the flavour, and worth trying.

Tap water in Madagascar isn’t safe to drink, but you can buy bottled water almost everywhere. Your accommodation will also supply bottled water.

Best time to visit Madagascar

The best time to visit Madagascar depends on what you intend to do. While the island is technically considered a year-round destination thanks to its typical southern hemisphere seasonal pattern and tropical climate, the south-eastern trade winds that bring monsoons and cause much of the rainy season make certain times of the year less desirable to travel in certain regions.

Dry/peak season: While there isn’t a single month considered to be the best, the peak season (when most people travel) runs from May to October, which is the island’s dry season. During this time the weather is considerably cooler, there’s less rain, and the humidity dies down so inland activities like hiking are more enjoyable.

Wet season: The wet season begins in November, although the west and south coasts remain relatively dry in comparison to the north coast, as this is when the north-west monsoon starts. December is the hottest month of the year, and the peak of summer. It’s also when the whole country sees the heaviest rains as the tropical rains begin in the middle of the month.

December-March: While rain may discourage most visitors during this time, the combination of extreme heat and rain during December entices many reptiles and other animal species to come out of hiding to bask in the warmth. Fewer crowds and good summer animal spotting may make this time more appealing if you can stand temperatures that average 28 degrees Celsius.

January is the second rainiest month of the year, and February is when the risk of tropical cyclones is highest, so we don‘t recommend travelling during these months. Many areas become inaccessible and the roads become muddy and sometimes impossible to use. In March, the rains come to a stop and the temperature begins to drop, although the northern regions still see heavy rains.

Shoulder season: Between April and May is shoulder season. This may be the best time to visit if you want a combination of cool and dry weather, rich and green vegetation, and the fewest crowds. During this time, the lemurs come out to play, swinging from tree to tree. In May, hiking becomes possible as the rainy season tails off. Note, though, that the east coast still experiences light rain, so come prepared.

​What to pack

It‘s essential to be prepared when travelling to Madagascar because few stores cater to travellers. An all-inclusive package will cover most of what you need during your stay (transfers, accommodation, car rentals with an English-speaking driver, and specified excursions) but it’s important to pack based on your itinerary given that there may be no stores that will cover any special needs.

Pack the following:

• Comfortable clothes to wear when venturing out and during activities (avoid revealing clothing, and pack warm clothes to be worn in the evening or in case of a change of weather)
• Walking shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking and possibly hiking, so closed shoes you can wear on different terrain are essential)
• Sunblock (with a minimum sun protection factor of 50), a hat or cap, and sunglasses no matter which time of year you travel
• Insect repellent
• Swimsuit
• Camera
• Medications (this includes anti-malarial prophylactics as recommended by your doctor before you travel)

Flights to Madagascar

Ivato International Airport is Madagascar’s main airport in the capital city Antananarivo. There are direct flights there from these international airports:

• Johannesburg, South Africa (OR Tambo International Airport)
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Addis Ababa Bole International)
• Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport)
• Paris, France (Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport)

Getting around
Most all-inclusive packages include a rental vehicle as well as an English-speaking driver to guide and advise you outside of your accommodation. Remember that most locals don’t speak English, so it’s best to have your driver or guide with you at all times.

There’s public transport in the form of minibuses and rickshaws, but this is mostly limited to the city and can be unreliable if you’re travelling on a schedule.

On its own, Madagascar ticks all the boxes for a perfect island holiday, but it truly shines when combined with a safari, serving as the finishing touch to your bush and beach holiday.

Copyright © Roxanne Reid – No words or photographs may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za​