1. Antananarivo: Gateway to All Places in Madagascar

All planes arrive in Antananarivo (don’t worry if you can’t say it – even the locals call it ‘Tana’), the capital city of Madagascar. Tana, perched on the slopes of the mountain ranges that encircle it, is the melting pot of the island, the starting point for all the attractions in Madagascar’s spectacular nature. Here soak in the history and culture of the island country, taking in the French architecture and Parisian landmarks of days gone by.

2. Getaway on an Island Paradise: Nosy Be & Other Archipelagos

Some of Madagascar’s biggest attractions, the various archipelagos of the Indian Ocean, are around the main island. The most popular of these islets is Nosy Be, a jewel off the country’s north coast with gorgeous beaches, boundless adventure and some of the best Madagascar resorts. Mostly travellers come here to this low-key hub because to near-perfect conditions for kite surfing, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. If you want additional private reefs of coral to explore, the archipelagos of Nosy Komba, Nosy Kelly, Nosy Ankao and Nosy Mitsio are good choices.

3. Diego Suarez: A Port City with a Rich History

Antsiranana (or Diego Suarez) is one of the nicest destinations you can visit in Madagascar. This diverse holiday resort caters to all tastes with a great mix of exciting nightlife, rich architecture and a plethora of activities such as trekking the French Mountain, surfing, kitesurfing and admiring the famous deep-water harbour.

4. Montagne d’Ambre National Park: Walk Amongst Volcanic Remnants

Among the prominent landmarks of Madagascar is Montagne d’Ambre National Park, which means Amber Mountain in English. The park is named for the red laterite soil and limestone pinnacles present in the area. The park is home to seven species of lemur, ring-tailed mongoose and the fossa – Madagascar’s only predator.

The wonderful scenery is the main attraction for visitors to the national park, but the near importance of easy and quick routes to follow is quite close. This natural wonder allows us the chance to see spectacular views of volcanic mountains looming above the clouds, waterfalls flowing into crater lakes and long rivers and a diversity of distinctive flora and species that call Amber Mountain home – including lemurs.

5. Ranomafana National Park: Home of the Golden Bamboo Lemur

Ranomafana National Park is great for anyone looking for a real Madagascar safari. The 400-km2 protected area is the greatest place to come in Madagascar to see the endangered golden bamboo lemur. Ranomafana is a biodiversity haven, with various kinds of unique animals and vegetation. It consists of misty highland forests and lowland plains with hiking pathways and roaring waterfalls in between. And if you like it, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and stand under the hot running water in any of the waterfalls that can be found around the park.

6. Anja Community Reserve: Locally Managed Preservation Site

The Anja Community Reserve consists mainly of woods and a freshwater lake, protecting the biggest concentration of ring-tailed lemurs in Madagascar. The natural reserve is a special place for environmental and cultural preservation. The natural reserve has brought jobs and income to the community, while safeguarding the species and environment under local management.

7. Isalo National Park: A Striking Canvas of Stone

Isalo National Park is one of the things to visit in Madagascar and has a distinctive natural beauty on the list of many travellers. The park’s unique environment is a tapestry of carved-rock gorges, twisting valleys, cascading oasis, towers of stacked stone, and palm groves. The highlight of a visit to Isalo is probably the natural pool on the western side of the reserve, rock plateaus, and dazzling waterfalls.

8. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve: Baobabs & Tsingies

Almost all Madagascar travel recommendations will include a visit to Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. The bizarre beauty makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site one of the top attractions in Madagascar. The spectacular environment of Tsingy de Bemaraha is one of nature’s most beautiful sights, sculpted by brilliantly cut fossil beds and huge monoliths. These needle-sharp limestone pinnacles, shaped 5 million years ago, are locally called tsingies. Just outside the nature reserve is the Avenue of the Baobabs, one of the loveliest sights on the island. This row of giant baobab trees lines a dirt road making for the perfect photo opportunity.

9. Île Sainte-Marie: Whale Watching & Seaside Fun

One of the notable sights of Madagascar is the Île Sainte-Marie (or Sainte-Marie Island in English) which is recognised for its stunning black reefs of coral, lovely beaches, pirate shipwrecks, and unique aquatic life. This tropical island is the ideal location for the typical beach holiday and provides almost perfect conditions for canoeing, swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. But the main attraction of Sainte-Marie is not swimming in the Indian Ocean, it’s whale viewing. Humpback whales visit Madagascan waters every year during their migration between June and September. The whales are particularly busy on the massive reef off the island, with females giving birth and males “singing” to attract new mates. Visitors typically hear the whale singing loud and clear as there is no noise pollution around.

10. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park: Spot the Bear-Like Indri Lemur

One of the most visited sites in Madagascar, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is easily accessible from the island’s main city. The park is home to the country’s largest lemur species – the indri – and boasts numerous hiking circuits ranging from one to six hours long, as well as a waterfall. Look out for the inland crabs that walk on the forest floor.