Ifotaka Community Forest
Ifotaka is a community managed forest reserve protecting 22,000 ha of spiny forest and gallery forest in the remote south of the island. Very few tourists venture here and it is incredibly rewarding to be off the beaten track: you will experience the authentic and wild Madagascar that enchanted early explorers. With two distinctive forest types, 5 species of lemur, including the Verreaux’s Sifaka and Ring-tailed Lemurs, countless birds and reptiles, the wildlife experience here is outstanding.
Walk amongst the octopus trees in the otherworldly landscape of the spiny forest in the early morning to spot the many endemic birds such as Crested Coua, Vangas and Running Coua. Explore sacred forests where the ancestral tombs of the Antandroy tribe are interspersed with 500 year old baobab trees, inquisitive lemurs and an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, unique to the spiny forest. The sacred gallery forest along the Mandrare River is home to large troops of playful Ring-tail lemurs; the forest is accessed by boat from Mandrare River Camp. Night walks are a fantastic way to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs begin to wake in the eerie and prehistoric Spiny Forest. You will spot Sifakas and sleeping White-foot Sportive Lemurs, then once the sun has set, two mouse lemur species, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls and now active Sportive lemurs.
The Camp also organizes visits to the colourful local market as well as schools and clinics that they sponsor. Nearby there is a local version of the ‘Avenue of the Baobabs’ where sundowners are served. Watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the Baobabs to the mountains beyond is a magical experience. In the evening the local village may come to perform beautiful traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music. Song and dance is at the heart of Antandroy culture and is used to accompany the major rituals and events of everyday life.
organized through the Camp including: day and night walks, cultural visits to the local village and school, Antandroy traditional dancing, sundowners on the river bank and in ‘Avenue of the Baobabs.’
Isalo National Park & Zombitse National Park
Isalo National Park
The combination of sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons and eroded into spectacular shapes and rare endemic plants, makes Isalo one of Madagascar’s most appreciated parks. For botanists there are Pachypodium plants and locally endemic Aloe; and for lemur lovers there are Sifakas, Brown Lemurs and Ring Tails. Isalo is also sacred to the Bara tribe; for hundreds of years they have used caves in the canyon walls as burial sites. A full day of guided walking in the park will allow you to explore one of Madagascar’s most diverse parks. Very different to the lush tropical vegetation in the east, Isalo’s attraction is its vast rolling plains interspersed with stunning rock formations. Wildlife is not as dense as in other parks but look out for Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Brown Lemurs, Sifakas and 14 nocturnal lemur species hiding in dense vegetation along the streams. There are also 80 species of bird (including the rare Benson’s Rock-Thrush, the Knob-Billed Duck or the Crested Ibis), 35 species of reptiles and several endemic frogs. Your guide will offer you a variety of possible trails depending on your interests and physical abilities. A popular trail is the ‘Canyon des Singes’ which winds through the dense foliage of the forest and brilliantly colored rock formations to reach a stunning rock pool known as the ‘piscine naturelle’.
Zombitse National Park
Zombitse National Park is a 36,300 hectare transition forest between the western and the southern habitat types, rich in biodiversity. The park is outstanding for birdwatchers as it offers the chance to glimpse one of Madagascar’s rarest endemics, Appert’s Greenbul, which is confined to this forest. Other bird species include the Giant Coua and Crested Coua.
Tuléar / Ifaty
Reniala Private Reserve which is a small 45 ha protected area, managed by an environmental association called Reniala (meaning baobab in Malagasy) that is trying to develop eco-tourism in the area. The reserve is located less than 1km from the Mozambique Channel near the village of Ifaty-Mangily. An early morning visit guarantees sightings of the Long-Tailed Ground Roller and Subdesert Mesite, two endemic species. The towering spiny forest is home to more than 2,000 plant species (many of them locally endemic), some spectacular and very old baobabs (there is a giant baobab of 12,5 m diameter) and a completely endemic plant family, the Didieraceae. Reniala includes a botanical trail and a bird sanctuary.
Ifaty is also a beach destination with a number of diving and snorkeling excursions as well as kite surfing and boat trips.
Tuléar / Anakao
Anakao, a coastal village about 1hrs boat transfer from Tulear, is a great destination for those who enjoy wildlife and beaches. Its calm beaches and vibrant marine life make it a great spot for snorkelling and diving, where you can encounter colourful coral reefs, sea turtles, and even dolphins. Beyond the water, Anakao provides a gateway to unique wildlife experiences, including spotting endemic bird species and lemurs in nearby reserves like Nosy Ve Island and Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. With its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, Anakao is a haven for those seeking tranquillity and natural wonders..
Nosy Be Archipelago and other islands
Nosy Be
Nosy Be, often called the “Perfume Island,” is the most popular beach destination in Madagascar. Located just off the island’s northwest coast near Antsiranana, Nosy Be is famous for its palm-lined beaches, warm turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life. The island is known for its fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, spectacular sunsets from Mont Passot, and lively markets in HellVille. With excellent snorkelling, diving, and whale watching opportunities, Nosy Be offers the perfect combination of tropical relaxation, Malagasy culture, and easy access to some of Madagascar’s most beautiful coastal landscapes.
Nosy Komba
Nosy Komba is a small island nestled between Nosy Be and the mainland in the Mozambique Chanel. It is known for its population of black lemurs, lively local crafts market and stunning beaches. This volcanic island is covered with lush rainforest, home to the Macacoa lemur species and an abundance of chameleons, butterflies, tropical flowers and more. The beaches are white sand that flows into emerald waters. Snorkelling, scuba diving and boating excursions offer encounters with turtles, dolphins, hump-back whales (July-November) and whale sharks (October – December).
Mitiso Islands
The Mitsio archipelago lies some 50km from Nosy Be, accessible only by boat. This is the Maldives of Madagascar with world class diving and outstanding beaches. One of the islands, Nosy Tsarabanjina, meaning ‘good-looking’, is made up of red, grey and black volcanic rocks with lush green vegetation clinging to them, including baobabs and pachypodium. The highlight of the island is its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and abundant marine life.
Nosy Ankao – Miavana
Time + Tide Miavana, designed by the creators of North Island in the Seychelles, is located on a private island, Nosy Ankao, off the north-eastern coast of Madagascar. With just 14 exclusive villas, untouched white sand beaches and world-class marine biodiversity, visiting Miavana is an outstanding way to experience the Indian Ocean.
Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens have designed Miavana, meaning ‘to reconcile’, blending barefoot beach luxury and historic European renaissance. Celebrating diversity, the natural elements of water, sand and air merge elegantly with luxurious interiors and textures unique to Madagascar.
The island is surrounded by a pristine reef offering superb snorkelling and diving opportunities, as well as whale and dolphin watching, deep-sea fishing beyond the reef, jet skiing, kite surfing, helicopter flights, and more. The resort’s “blue safari” comprehensive guided water activities provide fascinating insights into the surrounding ecosystem as guests explore the aquamarine bays, beaches, lagoons, and channels of the archipelago.
Ile Sainte Marie
Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha), is a luxuriant island off the eastern coast of Madagascar. The best times to visit are June and mid-August through December. It is an excellent spot for whale watching from July through October. Humpback whales visit the island’s shores yearly to have their young. This is a real tropical island experience with endless deserted beaches overhung by coconut palms, bays protected by vibrant coral reefs and lush vegetation. The island was a major pirate hideout in the 18th century and was the first part of Madagascar to fall under French rule in 1750. There is even a pirate cemetery with gravestones dating back to the 1830’s.
