Madagascar is one of the more or less undiscovered wonders of the world. By undiscovered, I mean that The Great Red Island has unbelievably few tourists compared to most countries around the globe, and even more so compared to how much it has to offer. Madagascar invites you to experience mountains, cities, rainforests, desserts, bounty beaches, and an incredibly compelling culture. All within a relatively short distance. If you are considering directing your next adventure towards this pearl, there is nothing else to say but ”GO FOR IT!”. And that leads to the point of this post. While I can think of about 100 reasons to visit Madagascar, these 12 should be enough to convince you to make it your next adventure.
Are you asking yourself: ”Why should I visit Madagascar?”, this is the post for you.
1) The Madagascan People (Malagasy)
You are probably reading this post to indulge in mental pictures about bounty beaches and beautiful natural sceneries, and I promise we will get to that. But before so, I am compelled to underline that few countries offer a population as open, peaceful, and happy as Madagascar.
While the locals on the island belong to 18 different tribes, they are united as Malagasy. While they are among the poorest people in the world, they are rarely without a smile on their faces. And while the lack of everything is clearly presented everywhere you go, they are peaceful and proud of what they can offer.
In Madagascar, a magical thing happens when you go to a market. You will expect to be followed around, to feel unsafe, and feel the need to hide everything you own. But you won’t be followed, you won’t feel unsafe, and while it is always a good idea to at least hide your valuables, you will not feel the need to. This even applies to young blond women such as myself. That’s a rarity outside of Europe.
The locals are curious when a foreigner comes by, but they will rarely approach you, and if they do, they do it respectfully. If you approach them, you can rest assured that they will welcome you with open arms and a big smile. They will try their best to communicate in your language, even if they do not have the faintest idea of how to do so, and they’ll want to learn from your culture as much as they’ll want to teach you theirs.
Such is the Malagasy nature and therefore the Malagassies have earned the first place in this post.
2) The Sunset at Baobab Avenue
You’ve definitely seen a picture, or a dozen, of this. And while you might be thinking it’s a tourist trap, I promise you that this is one of the few experiences where the real deal exceeds even the most well-photoshopped Instagram posts. So here’s the picture:
You’re sitting on a porch, enjoying a beer (or whatever floats your boat), while studying these weirdly-looking trees famously known as Baobabs. Meanwhile, the Malagasy life goes by. Women carry their babies in a piece of cloth on the back while balancing layers and layers of goods on the top of their heads. Young boys herding zebus (a Malagasy kind of cow). Children in uniforms running home from school. Taxi Brousses transports so many people that even the western clown community would be impressed. And then it happens. During just a few minutes, the sky goes from being blue to expressing every shade of red you could ever imagine. Yet the baobabs stay exactly the same, like the enormous, lonely giants that they are.
It’s not just a view, but a sacred moment that will make you feel more human and more insignificant in relation to time (in a great way) than you ever have before.
3) Isalo National Park
Isalo is one of the most beautiful areas of Madagascar. When driving there you’ll see nothing but miles and miles of grassland until enormous stone formations suddenly appear out of nothing. The sandstone formations have been shaped through water- and wind erosion throughout thousands of years, which has resulted in a landscape of stones reaching as high as 1200 m. combined with steep canyons.
To truly appreciate their peculiar vegetation and breathtaking views, you’ll have to strap on your best walking shoes and go for a hike. If you dare to do so, you’ll be moving through rough plateaus only inhabited by hardy plants, for then to be spoiled with suddenly appearing canyons naturally decorated with white sand, palms, and natural springs. In some of the canyons, you’re able to see unique ecosystems bursting with rainforest-like vegetation. The contrasts are marvelous.
And as if that’s not enough, it’s also a great place to spot wildlife – including the charming and endangered ringtailed lemurs.
4) Sainte Marie & Il aux Nattes
These two tiny islands on the east coast of Madagascar are the spitting images of paradise. The wide sandy beaches are embraced by blue shallow waters and decorated with coconut trees in various shapes and sizes. The friendly local community is present everywhere with a laid-back and happy attitude – especially in the water, where you’ll find fishermen punting through the waters in their colorful pirogues.
Sainte Marie and Il aux Nattes are the perfect places to end a round-trip in Madagascar with a few days of tranquility and relaxation. And if you’re the type who easily gets bored, don’t worry. Both Sainte Marie and Il aux Nattes offer a wide range of sights and activities for all moods and temperaments.
6) Transportation Itself
Many travelers go out of their way to plan a trip with as little transportation as possible. When traveling to Madagascar, I believe that to be a big mistake. Transportation is a valuable experience in itself.
Driving in a car will enable you to view incredible landscapes and charming villages. You can either do so with a driver or by driving yourself. Be warned that the traffic works differently and that the roads often are in bad condition, if they’re even there at all. In any case, a 4-wheeler is necessary. Do not try to save money by renting a regular car. Personally, I prefer having a driver who conveniently doubles as a guide by answering my waterfall of questions.
Traveling Madagascar by Motorcycle is by far the fastest in the rural areas, so if you’ve got a daredevil wrapped up inside who is dying to give it a go, it could definitely save you some time, and at the same time enable you to see areas that are impassable by car.
If you’re on a budget or simply want to get a taste of Malagasy life, you can try your luck with the Taxi Brousses (local busses). They are surely an experience for life. Prepare yourself for being one of 15 people cramped in a mini-bus, and for spending lots of time waiting. The Taxi Brousses come when they come, no sooner or later. On the up-side, it’s a perfect way to get local friends.
7) Lemurs
King Julien and his dance-loving subjects made the lemurs famous all over the world in the movie ”Madagascar”. While the movie is definitely worth seeing, it is no match for the lemurs in the wild. These funny-looking primates come in more than a hundred different types, which are all different in color, size, and way of life. And they are all endemic to Madagascar. If you’re still asking yourself: ”Why go to Madagascar?”, lemurs are a tremendously good reason.
Lemurs can be spotted in Madagascar’s many national parks and several private reserves. Experiencing the Ring-tailed Lemurs sunbathing in Anya Park or hearing the Vari wail in Andasibe are some of the most powerful wildlife encounters you can imagine. The national parks and private reserves are all doing important work for the preservation of Madagascar’s many endangered species. When entering the parks, you’re obliged to be accompanied by a trained guide who will secure that the animals are not disturbed too much, and educate you on Madagascar’s many natural treasures.
Visiting national parks in different regions and climates is a must-have experience, as they provide the best way to experience the many species of lemurs. But remember that Lemurs live outside of the parks as well, so keep your eyes and ears open throughout your trip, and you are likely to spot the lemurs in many unexpected places along the road.
8) The Pangalanes
The Pangalanes are a series of lakes, rivers, and waterways. Some of these are natural, and some of them are constructed by human hands. The canals are located on the east and reach around 650 km. They are home to many local communities and many different species of plants and animals. They offer a beautiful and safe space to indulge in watersports, discover untouched beaches and follow the slow life of the locals.
During the french colonization, Pangalanes were cleverly constructed as a method of moving goods from north to south of the country faster than the roads (or lack of same) allowed. Today they are still used for that purpose and are an essential spot for the fishing industry, but they also offer a unique environment for tourists, which is definitely worth a visit.
Whether you’re into sailing, rowing, fishing, or simply beautiful views, the Pangalanes are there for you. Furthermore, it’s a great place to spot many kinds of lemurs.
9) Water Sports & Diving
With 6000 kilometers of coastline, it is not hard to imagine the endless possibilities of indulging in various watersports in Madagascar. Whether you’re an extremist looking for a high-speed rush in the shape of waterskiing or paragliding, or a marine biology enthusiast looking for beautiful spots to dive or snorkel, Madagascar is one of the best destinations.
If you’re a beginner in either in- or on-water sports, you should stick to the most touristed places such as Nosy Be, Sainte Marie or Ifaty. Here you’ll find the most established watersport centers, where you do not have to worry about safety and equipment. However, if you’re an experienced enthusiast with your own equipment, the entire coastline is your playground.
When it comes to diving, there are several recommendable spots. The Mozambique channel on the west coast is home to one of the world’s largest living reefs. The Andavadoaka reef is more than 450 km long and houses thousands of species. On the east coast, the islands Il Sainte Marie and Il aux Nattes are surrounded by a double reef barrier. That offers many interesting diving spots. Furthermore, the islands were formerly a pirate capital, which makes it a perfect spot for wreck divers as several ships have sunk on relatively low waters.
10) Endemic Species (Do I need to say more?)
If there’s one thing Madagascar is known for, it is the fact that 90% of every plant- and animal species throughout the country is endemic. That means, that 9 out of 10 of every plant and animal you meet on the way, is something that you have never seen before, and never will encounter anywhere else. Think about it for a second – it is kind of crazy! While you sit on that for a second, let me add another statistic: 5% of all species in the world, are found in Madagascar.
As you can imagine, with 5% of every species in the world being found in Madagascar, and 90% of those being endemic to Madagascar, that results in one hell of a unique ecosystem. Every place you visit will be unlike the rest of the world. Now if that’s not a reason to go, I don’t know what is!
11) Humpback Wales
Every year in June, July, and August thousands of Humpback Wales travel from Antarctica to mate in the waters surrounding Madagascar. That enables the most spectacular views of these majestic creatures jumping and playing on the surface.
There are two great spots in Madagascar for watching the whales. One is Ifaty on the west coast, and the other is Sainte Marie and Il aux Nattes. Now, which of the two offers the best opportunity to see whales, is a cause for great discussion. Personally, I’ve been lucky enough to see more than 70 individuals on one trip at Sainte Marie. But there are no guarantees, so it’s best to base your choice on which other activities and sights you want to bring home.
When whale watching, there are a few good pieces of advice. Firstly, you should always go with a professional tour operator. The weather in Madagascar is temperamental, and a clear blue sky can turn into a storm in a matter of minutes. Sailing around on open water is dangerous for captains not used to the area. Secondly, pick a tour operator who is a member of Cetamada. Cetamada is an organization with the purpose of preserving whales, and by choosing to go whale watching with its members, you can be sure that the captain has received training in sailing with respect for the animals.
12) Tsingy de Bemahara
In 1990 UNESCO listed Tsingy de Bemahara as a World Heritage Site – and for good reason! Tsingy is a limestone landscape shaped by water erosion over millions of years. The limestone formations resemble trees, giving you a view that can only be described as a huge forest made of stone. It is absolutely beautiful.
Getting to Tsingy is not the easiest task. It is located northwest of the island, and the only way to get there is by driving from Morondava and up along the coast. The roads leading there are in terrible shape, and it will take you several days with a 4-wheeler. Luckily, the trip is beautiful and you can stop at several local villages on the way.
The park is quite a rough hike and is definitely not suited for sore souls and bodies. If you dare, you can take in the view from wooden hanging bridges, which enables you to experience numerous caves, lemurs, and fascinating species of plants and insects. And if you’re a sports enthusiast, this is a great place to climb.
13) The Challenges and Difficulties
This one is a bit edgy to present, but here I go. Madagascar is directly suffering from many problems and faces many challenges. You will be aware of and occasionally experience them from afar as a tourist. Poverty is the most visible one. Lack of education, lack of proper sanitary conditions, and lack of accessible healthcare are others. I know what you’re thinking: ”Why is that a reason to go there?”.
Simple. There’s a lot to learn (and if you’re bringing your kids, to teach).
Visiting Madagascar inspires a bit of altruism in most of us. Furthermore, it encourages us from the western world to appreciate how much we have. And if you offer yourself the chance to get to know the locals, it will force the, in my opinion, very healthy question: ”How do they possess so much joy, when they have so little? Am I capable of the same?”
These were just 12 of countless reasons to start planning your trip to Madagascar. All in all, very few places in the world offer you what the Great Red Island can, and if you’re not convinced yet, I’ve got one more argument for the good-hearted people. Tourism makes a difference in Madagascar. The money you spend while having the experience of a lifetime, creates innumerable possibilities for a better life for the locals. So, as Nike says, just do it!
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