In 2024, approximately 1 billion passengers departed from U.S. airports. Nearly a quarter of those travelers, about 236 million, experienced a flight delay or cancellation, according to a recent report from AirHelp, an air passenger rights company.
29.01.2025 - 19:07 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 29, 2025 • 8 min read
Simply put, Madagascar is one of Africa’s greatest adventures.
Its wealth of endemic species and otherworldly landscapes have given it the nickname “the Eighth Continent” – and, indeed, it’s truly unlike anywhere else on the planet. From its culture to its wildlife to its wild places, everything here is uniquely Malagasy. There are world-class beach destinations aplenty, for sure – yet even there you’re likely to find yourself walking along the waves all alone. Or exploring landscapes that seem to spring from a child’s imagination. Or passing through forests looking for lemurs and other animals that exist nowhere else on earth.
Madagascar can be a challenging destination, it’s true: distances are long, roads are poor and the weather can be problematic. But the rewards far outweigh the difficulties in this very special destination.
Here are 10 extraordinary places in Madagascar you shouldn't miss.
Best for sunsets
Madagascar brims with baobabs – yet there’s one place above all others that captures the magic of this special tree. Close to the western beach town of Morondava, the Allée des Baobabs features a veritable forest of them lining a highway in majestic formation. It’s one of Madagascar’s most beautiful places to watch the sunset.
These remarkable trees – of the Adansonia grandidieri variety – are true epics of nature, with long, smooth trunks that soar several stories high; some may be 1000 years old. Their surreal appearance makes it easy to believe the ancient legends that their short, spindly branches are actually roots of trees planted upside down by a vengeful god.
Planning tip: Walk across to the eastern side of the small lake for the best sunset views.
Best for unique landscapes
When it comes to weird and wonderful natural vistas you’ll find only in Madagascar, none inspires wonder quite like the tsingy. Gathered together in bunches of jagged spires, these limestone pillars resemble a mythical city frozen in time.
The view from a distance is spectacular – but getting up close can be just as stunning. The authorities at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Parc National Bemaraha have set up an ingenious system of vie ferrate (mountain routes equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders and bridges), rope bridges and walkways to facilitate exploring.
Bemaraha lies at the end of a very long road, and the two main sections of tsingy are separated into two areas: the Grands Tsingy and the Petits Tsingy. While the former has more-extensive formations, visiting the latter involves a trip by pirogue (traditional wooden canoe) through the glorious Manambolo River Gorge. Plan on experiencing both.
Planning tip: Since there are over 10 different routes to choose from, sit down with
In 2024, approximately 1 billion passengers departed from U.S. airports. Nearly a quarter of those travelers, about 236 million, experienced a flight delay or cancellation, according to a recent report from AirHelp, an air passenger rights company.
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