Places you can’t miss · Madagascar

A dirt road lined with giant Grandidier’s baobabs, some several centuries old. The most photographed place in Madagascar — come at sunset when the trunks glow red.

🗓 When: Sunset · April to November

A “forest” of razor-sharp limestone needles crossed by rope bridges and ladders. One of the most unusual landscapes on Earth.

🗓 When: Open roughly May to November (roads close in the rainy season)

Rainforest home of the indri, the largest living lemur, whose haunting song carries across the valley in the morning. The easiest real-forest trip from the capital.

💡 Good to know: Go early: the indri sing in the morning. Night walks show chameleons and mouse lemurs.

Sandstone canyons, palm-lined oases and natural swimming pools — Madagascar’s “Colorado”. Great for hiking and ring-tailed lemurs.

The “island of perfumes” (ylang-ylang): beaches, diving, sunsets from Mont Passot and boat trips to Nosy Iranja and Nosy Komba.

Palm beaches, an old pirate cemetery and — from July to September — humpback whales coming to calve in the channel.

🗓 When: Whales: July – September

The sacred hill of the Merina kings, about 20 km north of the capital: royal houses, ancient stone gates and wide views. A half-day trip.

The Queen’s Palace on the highest hill of the city, rebuilt after the 1995 fire. Walk down through the old Upper Town for the best views of Tana.

The heart-shaped lake in the middle of Tana with its angel monument. In October–November the jacaranda trees around it turn the whole city purple.

🗓 When: Jacarandas: October – November

A cool spa town of colourful pousse-pousse (rickshaws), crafts workshops and volcanic lakes like Tritriva.

Misty rainforest, waterfalls and hot springs; home of the rare golden bamboo lemur.

A green volcanic massif with crater lakes and waterfalls, and nearby the red sandstone pinnacles of the Tsingy Rouge.