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 2025 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 that around this incredible country in 2024.
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.....
Antananarivo - Madagascar's Capital
The journey kicks off in Antananarivo (Tana), Madagascar’s vibrant capital, known for its mix of French colonial architecture, lively markets and busy streets.
Ambohimanga (Royal Hill) & Antsirabe
Day trip to the historical site of 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.
Bekopaka to Morombe
Our Self Drive Adventure through this magnificent country continues down the west coast from the Tsingys of Bemaraha national park, through the stunning Allée des Baobabs, to a gloriously quiet and isolated beach resort at Belo sur Mer, and on to the forgotten town of Morombe. Via a ferry. The road ends at a river. There's a ferry on the opposite bank. People appear from all sides and, before we know what's happening, the ferry is being manually towed across the river by a group of willing helpers. This is real Madagascan adventure!
Morombe, Laguna Blue, Tulear to Isalo National Park
The journey heads south from Morombe to the stunning Laguna Blue, where the group enjoys a rest day snorkeling in the azure waters and exploring by pirogue. After tackling deep sand and the unique “octopus trees” of the spiny forest, the group reaches Tulear—the largest town in the south—before heading to Isalo National Park. Here, the rocky landscape resembles Arizona or Colorado but comes alive with lemurs, chameleons, and rare plants. A trek through the park leads to a refreshing pool complete with its own waterfall.
Tsaranoro Valley and Andringitra National Park, Anja Community Lemur Reserve & Ranomafana National Park
From Isalo, the group travels north to the breathtaking Tsaranoro Valley in Andringitra National Park, with its towering granite cliffs. A fantastic hike reveals dramatic rock formations, followed by a visit to the Anja Community Lemur Reserve, home to ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons, and more. The group lucks out with a visit to a bustling zebu cattle market and a stop at a traditional paper-making factory before arriving at Ranomafana National Park’s rainforest. Here, they spot the rare Golden Bamboo Lemurs and sifakas, unique to this remarkable region.
Peyreiras Private Reserve, Andasibe National Park, Akanin'ny Nofy, the Pangalanes Canals and the East Coast Indian Ocean
Wrapping up an incredible month on the road in Madagascar! Highlights included visiting the reptiles of the Peyreiras Private Reserve, seeing lemurs and Indri Indris in Andasibe, exploring the Pangalanes Canal by boat, seeing the strangest of all lemurs, the Aye Aye on a night walk and experiencing the wild Indian Ocean waves on the east coast. This adventure was truly unforgettable, and leaving this stunning country is bittersweet.
And that's a wrap.
Until Next time, hope you can join us to explore this incredible country!
Check out all our self drive adventures world wide here.
Comments