Why go to Madagascar? Authenticity, lagoons and baobabs!

Why go to Madagascar? Red Island has a lot to offer its visitors: unspoiled nature, a melting pot of cultures for an unforgettable trip!

Madagascar, a huge island bathed in the Indian Ocean close to the coast of South East Africa, offers travelers a rich experience. Why go to Madagascar? As much as the human mosaic or the unique animal and plant species, as well as the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, Red Island invites you to travel and explore. Still protected from mass tourism, the island of Madagascar is a unique travel destination with many national parks or its capital, Antananarivo.

Discover nature in national parks

There is also Madagascar Several national parks rich in fauna and flora that are unique in the world. This makes this island a preferred destination for eco-tourism. Ranomafana park on the east coast allows you to hike or canoe on the Pangalanes canal. Andasibe – That of Mantadia makes it possible to observe Indri, the largest lemur species, in the middle of the lush vegetation of the tropical forest.

A destination that deserves attention

It became a French colony at the end of the 19th century. The island of Madagascar was one of the first islands to regain its independence in 1960. Since then, several political crises have followed one after another, the most recent in 2009 – which led the French Embassy to encourage travelers to take the utmost precaution during their stay in Madagascar. Avoid intercity trips at night, always close your car doors in residential areas, do not go to certain districts of the capital Antananarivo, do not resist at the time of attack or have valuables other than a small amount of money. in itself is part of the basic measures to take advantage of your stay in Madagascar, so as not to disappoint the criminals.

Tananarive, city of a thousand hills

Why should you go to Madagascar and specifically to Antananarivo? Because accommodation on the island usually begins in this hospitable city.. The inland capital has very typical cobbled neighborhoods like those in the upper town. Thanks to products from Madagascar handicrafts, the city’s markets are also an opportunity to shop. The full name of the city is Antananarivo, meaning the city of thousands. This is especially the hills surrounding the capital. It is an unusual place not to be missed because of the sacred character of some hills (Fanasinana places painted in royal red and white) and its landscapes: rice fields, hills, red earth wall ruins…

mountain biking in Madagascar

As a still relatively wild destination, Madagascar is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts., on foot, by ATV and especially by mountain bike. It is quite possible to reach the villages of Mantasoa or Ampefy from Antananarivo by bike. Another favorite destination for cyclists is the island of Sainte-Marie, located near the northeast coast of Madagascar. It has the advantage of offering a variety of trails for all mountain biking levels.

Beaches and snorkeling at Nosy Be

Madagascar is also It is a very pleasant place for activities offered by the beach and shores. Farniente also lets you explore the wonders of Madagascar’s underwater flora, whether it’s snorkeling (diving with just a mask and a tuba) or scuba diving. The island of Nosy Be in the Mozambique Channel (north-west coast of Madagascar) is a perfect example of this. Its beaches are wide and magnificent, with many activities. You can also visit the Lokobe reserve and have the chance to observe lemurs, which are primates found only in Madagascar.

Hotels that are not easy to find

Due to the slow opening to tourism, the hotel park in Madagascar is quite small. Infrastructure is lacking and sometimes it’s hard to find hotels in the capital or in the most touristy areas. So don’t expect to find a room at the last minute in Antananarivo or Nosy Be. But, there are alternative solutions to sleepsuch as campsites or guest rooms. They have the advantage of being cheap compared to some hotels.

practical information

Do you want to go to Madagascar? For a successful stay, OK Voyage allows you to benefit from its practical knowledge and good plans.

• Tourism Office : visit website madagascar national tourist office
• Passport and visa : Visa is required to stay in Madagascar. It is issued free of charge by the consulate before travel or upon arrival, for a period of one month. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after travel.
• Health : It is important to seek treatment for malaria before traveling to Madagascar. It is also highly recommended to be vaccinated against viral hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever, as well as against rabies, which is transmitted by many dogs and stray animals. Strict food hygiene measures (not eating raw fruit and vegetables, not drinking tap water) help prevent the risk of cholera.
• Weather : The best season to visit Madagascar is September – October. Check weather trends.
• Money and change : The currency of Madagascar is the Ariary (MGA), which officially replaced the Madagascar franc in 2005.
• jet lag : There is a 2 hour difference with France in winter and 1 hour in summer. When it’s noon in Paris, so it’s 1 or 2 pm in Antananarivo.

transports

• Getting to Madagascar : Flights arrive regularly from France to Antananarivo international airport. To reach the city center of the capital from the airport, you need to take a taxi or rent a car.
• Getting Around in Madagascar : You can take planes to reach different cities of the island. Otherwise, renting a car or scooter allows you to move freely, but roads are sometimes in bad shape. The most typical mode of transport is a taxi: a public transport which can be of various types (van, minibus or 4 x 4).