Madagascar’s Regions at a Glance

The Central Highlands

Antananarivo

Antananarivo, known as Tana, is the capital and the main arrival point. Built on hills, it offers the Rova (Queen’s Palace), lively markets, French colonial architecture and views over rice fields. Most visitors spend a night here on arrival and departure. Nearby, the Ambohimanga royal hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers insight into Malagasy history.

Antsirabe and Ambositra

Antsirabe, a spa town south of Tana, is known for colourful pousse-pousse rickshaws and artisan workshops. Ambositra is famous for Zafimaniry wood carving, recognised by UNESCO. Both are common overnight stops on the RN7.

The East

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe-Mantadia is about three to four hours east of Antananarivo and is the most visited park in Madagascar. The Analamazaotra section is famous for the indri, whose song fills the forest in the morning. Mantadia, a little further, offers wilder rainforest with diademed sifakas. Night walks reveal mouse lemurs, chameleons and frogs.

Best for: First-time visitors, lemur lovers, short trips.

The Pangalanes Canal

The Pangalanes Canal is a long chain of lakes and canals along the east coast, offering boat trips through fishing villages and quiet waterways.

Île Sainte-Marie

Île Sainte-Marie, off the east coast, is a relaxed island with beaches, coconut palms and history linked to pirates. From around July to September, humpback whales gather in the channel to breed and calve, making it one of the best whale-watching spots in the Indian Ocean.

Best for: Whale watching, beach relaxation.

The South and the RN7

Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana protects mountain rainforest with waterfalls, rivers and hot springs. It is famous for the golden bamboo lemur, discovered in 1986, as well as other bamboo lemurs, sifakas, frogs, chameleons and birds. Night walks along the park edge are popular.

Best for: Lemur and frog enthusiasts, birders.

Anja Community Reserve

Anja, near Ambalavao, is a community-run reserve where ring-tailed lemurs live among granite boulders. Sightings are reliable, and income supports local villages.

Best for: Easy ring-tailed lemur viewing.

Andringitra National Park

Andringitra offers dramatic granite peaks, including Pic Boby, one of the highest points in Madagascar. Multi-day treks pass through highland valleys and villages.

Best for: Hikers.

Isalo National Park

Isalo’s sandstone massif is carved into canyons, gorges and natural swimming pools. Hikes lead to the Piscine Naturelle, the Canyon des Makis and viewpoints across the plains. Ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas live in the canyons.

Best for: Hikers, photographers, landscape lovers.

Ifaty, Anakao and the Southwest Coast

The southwest coast near Toliara offers beaches, coral reefs and spiny forest. Ifaty is known for its spiny forest reserves and baobabs, while Anakao is a quieter fishing village reached by boat.

Best for: Beach relaxation at the end of the RN7.

The Far South

Berenty Reserve and Fort Dauphin

Berenty, a private reserve near Fort Dauphin, is famous for ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas dancing across open ground. The surrounding spiny forest is home to unusual plants. Fort Dauphin offers beaches and coastal scenery.

Best for: Lemur photography, spiny forest.

The West

Morondava and the Avenue of the Baobabs

The Avenue of the Baobabs, near Morondava, is one of Madagascar’s most iconic sights: a dirt road lined with giant Grandidier’s baobabs, glowing orange at sunset.

Best for: Photographers.

Kirindy Forest

Kirindy is a dry deciduous forest north of Morondava, known as one of the best places to see the fossa, Madagascar’s largest predator, especially from around September to November. It also hosts Verreaux’s sifakas, the giant jumping rat and several nocturnal lemurs.

Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

Tsingy de Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, deep canyons and forests. Rope bridges, ladders and walkways lead through the Grand and Petit Tsingy. Access is by rough road and river crossings, and the park is usually open only in the dry season, from around April or May to November.

Best for: Adventure, geology lovers.

The North

Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)

Diego Suarez sits on one of the world’s largest natural bays. Nearby attractions include the Emerald Sea, a turquoise lagoon, and the Three Bays coastline.

Montagne d’Ambre National Park

Montagne d’Ambre is a cool, mountainous rainforest with waterfalls, crater lakes, crowned and Sanford’s brown lemurs and tiny Brookesia chameleons.

Ankarana Reserve and the Red Tsingy

Ankarana features limestone tsingy, caves and forest with crowned lemurs. The Red Tsingy, nearby, are colourful eroded formations.

Best for: Varied scenery, northern itineraries.

The Northwest

Nosy Be and Surrounding Islands

Nosy Be is Madagascar’s main beach destination, with resorts, snorkelling, diving and boat trips to Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Iranja. Whale sharks are often seen offshore from around October to December. Lokobe Reserve offers black lemurs and reptiles.

Best for: Beach extensions, honeymooners.

Ankarafantsika National Park

Ankarafantsika, between Antananarivo and Mahajanga, protects dry forest and lakes, with Coquerel’s sifakas, mongoose lemurs and excellent birding.

Best for: Birders, wildlife lovers.

The Northeast

Masoala National Park and Nosy Mangabe

Masoala is one of Madagascar’s largest and wildest rainforests, meeting the sea in the Bay of Antongil. It is home to red ruffed lemurs, tomato frogs and leaf-tailed geckos. Nosy Mangabe, a small island reserve, is known for aye-aye sightings. Access is usually by flight to Maroantsetra, then boat.

Marojejy National Park

Marojejy protects steep mountain rainforest and is the best place to see the silky sifaka, one of the world’s rarest primates. Treks are demanding, with camps on the mountain.

Best for: Adventurous travellers, serious naturalists.

When to Visit Each Region

How to Combine Destinations

Getting Around Between Destinations

Distances in Madagascar are large, and travel takes longer than maps suggest. The RN7 is the best road on the island, yet the drive from Antananarivo to Toliara still takes several days with stops. In the west, the road from Morondava to the Tsingy involves rough tracks and ferry crossings and can take a full day or more. Many northern and northeastern destinations are best reached by air.

Accommodation Across the Regions

Accommodation varies widely. The RN7 and Andasibe offer a good range of mid-range lodges and some upmarket options. The west has simpler lodges near the Tsingy and comfortable hotels in Morondava. The north offers lodges near Ankarana and Montagne d’Ambre, and Nosy Be has the widest choice of beach resorts, from simple bungalows to luxury properties. Remote areas such as Masoala and Marojejy offer basic camps and a few eco-lodges.

Combining Madagascar with Other Islands

Some travellers combine Madagascar with Mauritius, Réunion or the Seychelles, using regional flight connections. Others combine it with mainland Africa via Nairobi or Johannesburg, adding a classic safari to their journey.

Lesser-Known Destinations

Beyond the main routes, Madagascar has many quieter places for travellers with time:

• Tsingy de Namoroka: A remote limestone park in the northwest.

• Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park: A small forest on the RN7 with endemic birds.

• Lake Alaotra: A large lake with the Alaotra gentle lemur.

• Mananara-Nord: A remote rainforest and marine reserve.

• Kirindy-Mitea: Coastal dry forest and mangroves south of Morondava.

These areas see few visitors and require more planning, but reward explorers with solitude.

Costs by Region

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular destination in Madagascar?

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, for the indri.

Where can I see the Avenue of the Baobabs?

Near Morondava on the west coast.

When is Tsingy de Bemaraha open?

Usually in the dry season, from around April or May to November.

Where can I see ring-tailed lemurs?

At Anja, Isalo and Berenty.

Where can I see the fossa?

Kirindy Forest is one of the best places.

What is the best beach destination?

Nosy Be is the most popular, with Île Sainte-Marie and Anakao as quieter options.

How many destinations can I visit in two weeks?

Usually one or two regions, such as the RN7 plus a beach.

Where can I see whales?

At Île Sainte-Marie from around July to September.

Is the northeast worth visiting?

Yes, for adventurous travellers seeking wild rainforest and rare lemurs.

Can I fly between regions?

Yes, but domestic schedules can change, so allow extra time.

What are fady?

Local taboos and customs that vary between regions. Guides explain them and how to respect them.

Can I combine Madagascar with Mauritius?

Yes. Regional flights connect Madagascar with Mauritius and Réunion.

How long does it take to reach the Tsingy?

From Morondava, usually 8 to 10 hours by rough road and river crossings.

Which region is cheapest to visit?

The East and RN7 are usually most affordable thanks to road access.

Are there places with few tourists?

Yes. Namoroka, Lake Alaotra and the northeast see few visitors.

Which region is best for a first visit?

The RN7 with Andasibe offers the best introduction.

Can I see baobabs on the RN7?

A few, but the most famous baobabs are near Morondava in the west.