As Gus exclaimed on one of his videos you'll see below, “Wow! This country!” That is a great summary of Madagascar. It is full of surprises.
Gus is escorting our 2024 Self Drive Adventure. Below are just a few things that you may not know about Madagascar and some of the imagery from our group of explorers’ traveling around this incredible country.
What Unique Wildlife is there in Madagascar?
Around 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth! Lemurs, chameleons, and the elusive fossa are just a few examples of its unique biodiversity.
What language do they speak in Madagascar?
Although it's geographically close to Africa, Madagascar's culture is a blend of African, Asian, and Arab influences. The Malagasy language is more closely related to Indonesian languages than to African ones.
What kind of landscapes will I see in Madagascar?
From the towering limestone formations of the Tsingys to lush rainforests, baobab trees, and pristine beaches, Madagascar's diverse landscapes are stunning.
What predators are there in Madagascar?
Unlike many African countries, Madagascar has no lions, leopards, or other large predators. The fossa, a unique carnivore, is the island's top predator.
What is the turning of the bones?
Malagasy culture is steeped in fascinating traditions, including the famadihana, or "turning of the bones," a ritual where families exhume the bones and rewrap them to celebrate their ancestors. Sounds like it would be a sombre affair, but it is not, it usually involves a huge party!
Can you self drive in Madagascar?
When we were organising our first adventure in 2017 one of the hardest logistical problems to solve was being allowed to drive a rental car. The usual tourist will hire a car and a driver. Someone self driving was unheard of, but we convinced them and there were many surprised looks throughout the tour when a western (and particularly female) face behind the steering wheel. Things are changing on this front, but one important thing to consider in Madagascar is that if you want to drive off the beaten track, there will not be maps/GPS systems that you can use. We travel with local guides who know these lesser travelled routes that allow us to adventure WAY off the tourist tracks.
Here are some of the experiences our guests enjoy on their self drive adventure.....
Ambohimanga (Royal Hill) & Antsirabe
The journey kicks off in Antananarivo (Tana), Madagascar’s vibrant capital, known for its mix of French colonial architecture, lively markets, and historical sites like the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Madagascar’s most important cultural landmarks. Once the royal city of the Merina Kingdom, it’s rich with history and tradition. In this video, Gus dives into the fascinating history of this landmark. After picking up the 4x4s in Tana, the real adventure begins on day 3 with a scenic drive to Antsirabe, south of the capital. Buckle up!
Morondava, Alley of the Baobabs and Kirindy Mitea National Park
The next few days of our Madagascar Self Drive Adventure take the group from Antsirabe to the coastal town of Morondava then passing through the iconic Alley of the Baobabs to Kirindy Mitea National Park. Here the first sightings of lemurs and the elusive Fossa carnivore await. Next up, we tackle legendary ferry crossings and some exciting 4x4 action en route to Bekopaka and the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. But more on that in the next video!
Tsingy de Bemaraha
Two days exploring the incredible limestone formations of Tsingy de Bemahara National Park included a peaceful pirogue (canoe) ride to explore caves along the river, followed by a visit to the "Little" Tsingy, where the limestone towers reach 10-20 meters high. The next morning, the group tackled the "Big" Tsingy, where harnesses and ropes were required to scale the towering formations before cooling off at the hotel pool in the afternoon.
Stay tuned for the next videos coming soon!
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