Where is Madagascar, the land of strangeness and beauty?

It is an African island country in the Indian Ocean, about 250 miles (400 km) off the coast of East AfricaThe country consists of the island of Madagascar and several small islands.

Just the mention of the name conjures up exotic, tropical images. A land filled with centuries-old, bulbous baobabs, bug-eyed lemurs and swaying indri trees.

All the warmth and sparkling sands of the Indian Ocean, all the traditions of a separate, lonely place steeped in tribal history.

This massive island – the fourth largest in the world, in fact – is a magnet for a whole range of different travelers.

Beach lovers can flock to the sparkling beaches of the west coast to snorkel with rays and see whales.

Adventurers can also take jungle trails, or travel in 4x4 cages to remote rainforests in the hills.

In addition, history buffs can see UNESCO sites that showcase the royal past of the island's indigenous inhabitants.

Tourism in Madagascar, the land of strangeness and beauty

Best Places to Visit in Madagascar

1. Evati

Madagascar, a land of strangeness and beauty

Ifati - Madagascar

One name for a pair of resorts is an extension of former sun-kissed fishing villages on the southwestern tip of Madagascar.

Known for its luxury hotel resorts and wide beaches with bright yellow sand, it attracts some of the biggest crowds in the country.

Most come for the sun, sea, sand and world-class diving that the Indian Ocean has to offer, while others head to enjoy boat tours on the Mozambique Channel, sample fresh fish curries and explore Mozambique's traditional reed villages.

2. Nosy Mangabe Island

This small island lies deep in the coastal hills of Helodrano Antonguela Bay, which juts inland on the northeastern edge of Madagascar.

In fact, it is a must-see for wildlife lovers heading to these parts.

Known for its thriving population of odd-eyed lemurs, this spot is a picture of tropical perfection.

Giant fig trees clash around palm groves, ringed lemurs meet mantella frogs in the undergrowth, and green hills collapse into secluded bays of bright yellow sand.

Boats to the island and all necessary permits are available in Maroantsetra, the nearest town on the mainland.

3. Nosy Be Beach

The lovely little Nosy Be is the place to go for Madagascar's best beaches, just a short hop from the town of Ambania.

Sparkling with white marble hues, the bays that flank the beach here are beautifully lit up by small fishing villages like Ambatoloaka, or dotted with clusters of swaying palm trees in Ambondrona.

There are also beach parties, which erupt every Sunday along the sands of Madirokeli.

Despite Nosy Be's popularity, there are opportunities for true isolation – just visit the remote island of Orangia, which sits off the northwest coast.

4. Isalo National Park

Designated a protected area in 1962, the area's high biodiversity and unique natural composition are immediately recognizable.

Visitors marvel at the windswept Runiform Mountains and walk under towers of stacked stones.

They come to see the rare crested ibis and meet ring-tailed lemurs in the wild.

There are also over 80 endemic bird species to spot, along with the famous Monkey Valley, home to the skilled sifaka population.

5. Tsingy de Bemaraha

One of Madagascar's most intriguing natural treasures, Tsingy de Bemaraha is a truly dramatic landscape of carved rocks, towering capstones, needle-like stone towers and massive monoliths balanced precariously on the cliffs.

It can be found amidst the long green belt of nature reserves on the west coast, showcasing its rugged karst landscape.

This place, characterized by its great biodiversity of dry deciduous forests, rare rocky habitats, and the attractive nature of the sweeping plateau within it, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Madagascar, a land of strangeness and beauty

6. Ranomafana National Park

A natural gem of Fianarantsoa and home to Madagascar's famous golden bamboo lemur, Ranomafana National Park attracts thousands of people each year to its forested areas in the heart of the eastern part of the island.

The area stretches from misty mountain forests to lowland plains, crisscrossed by miles of hiking trails, dotted with roaring waterfalls and dotted with multi-colored lizards.

Read also: Best National Parks in the World

7. Antananarivo – Capital of Madagascar

The capital is located at an altitude of more than 1,400 metres in the heart of the country's highlands, and therefore cool mountain breezes blow most days of the year.

But the wind may be the only thing that's great about the cityscape, which today pulsates with noisy traffic and bustling markets.

The old heart of the city still shows some traces of French colonialism, with its elegant Parisian mansions cascading down the hill in the city centre.

There are also ancient Malagasy palaces to explore, along with a famous crocodile farm, and a plethora of spice-scented curry houses.

8. Andasibe Mantadia National Park

Located a surprisingly short distance from the capital for day trippers, it is one of Madagascar's most accessible national parks.

It covers a vast area of primeval green rainforest, with a total area of more than 150 square kilometers.

The entire area is spread over two separate zones, from the sprawling Mantadia Reserve to the Danalamazaotra Private Reserve, and the entire region showcases an amazing array of biodiversity.

There are inland crabs crawling through the forests, bow-billed sifakas swinging about, and even delicate indri monkeys to be seen.

Andasibe Park has a large number of hiking trails that offer trips ranging from one to six hours in length.

Read also: Best Safaris of 2024

9. Zahamena National Park

Zahamena National Park

Shrouded in rain clouds and mist, covered in rolling canopies of emerald green, and hidden among the soaring peaks on the eastern edge of Madagascar, the famous rainforest jewel of the Atsinanana comes in the form of Zahamena National Park.

In fact, this area of just over 400 square kilometres is one of the most difficult protected areas in the country, and is home to one of the most selective collections of bird life.

Where red owls and serpentine eagles wander through the waxy branches and fern forests, you'll encounter white-eyed indri indri, dwarf lemurs and other curious simian life.

You can sleep in the nearby Vavatenina or Ambatondrazaka area for the best access to these wildernesses.

10. Ile Sainte Marie Island

From Ile Sainte Marie

Ile Sainte Marie is an elongated finger of land that runs along the eastern edge of Madagascar, across the whale-filled waters of Baie de Tintingy. It is certainly one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

Most travelers disembark between the dilapidated jetties at Ambodivotatra, before heading to the secluded bays and beaches to the north and south.

This island is made up of powdery yellow sand interspersed with large boulders and surrounded by coconut palms, complete with a resort hotel hidden among the mangroves.

Read also: Great pictures from Africa

11. Ambohimanga

It is a place deeply intertwined with Malagasy national identity and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is also called Royal Hill, as it was formerly home to local kings.

The hill of palaces, tombs, crumbling fortifications and royal tombs was expanded and added to during the 19th century. It was the centerpiece of one of Madagascar's four quarters. It was the place from which King Andrianampoinimerina launched his now famous campaigns to reunite Imerina after more than seven decades of civil war in the 18th century.

Today, visitors can come on a day trip from the capital to tour the UNESCO site, spying on the halls of the royal court and the magnificent architecture of the wooden and stone settlements.

12. Masoala National Park

Masoala National Park

Falanucus, leaf-tailed geckos and rare lemurs converge on the vast 2,300 square kilometres of land that make up Masoala National Park.

This area juts out into the Indian Ocean amidst a mosaic of dense rainforest that cascades down to the crashing waves of the Sava cliffs, one of the largest and most protected in the country.

Visitors can also come for a walk along the famous Cap Est and Ohatrosana trails, to see the pristine forests that line the entire length of the beach.

Nestled between the sandy beaches of Kirindi Mitea National Park to the south and the deltaic lands of the Andranomina Reserve to the north, it's clear from the outset that Morondava's real attractions lie outside the city.

That's not to say the centre isn't worth sleeping in. This coastal spot has some very small wooden houses and earthy guesthouses. Plus, it has a great backpacker vibe.

Frequently asked questions about Madagascar, the land of strangeness and beauty:

Is Madagascar an Arab country?

Actually the answer is no, but the Arabs had migrated to the island of Madagascar centuries ago, settled there and mixed with the rest of the immigrants who settled on the island from Asians and Africans. The Arabs did not just settle on the island, but they also contributed effectively to its political, economic and cultural life.

What is the religion in Madagascar?

About 45% of Madagascar today are Christians. This proportion is roughly evenly divided between Catholics And the ProtestantsThe percentage of Muslims in it is about 7% out of a population of about 25.5 million people.