A unique travel experience planned by a destination expert
Toamasina (commonly known as Tamatave) is Madagascar’s second city, the site of the most important national seaport, is a busy coastal city with many economic activities. Being tropical, it is a hub for spices and tropical fruits, the famous lychees being exported to Europe every year. It is the jump-off point for south-bound trips down the Pangalanes Canal, or north-bound to the port that leads you to Sainte Marie Island, and for the most intrepid travellers, it is the departure point heading north on the treacherous National Highway 5 (RN5).
A haven of greenery, the east coast of Madagascar is full of exceptional sites for lovers of seaside and ecological tourism.
With its magnificent beaches, its natural reserves, its profusion of tropical fruits and the Pangalanes canal, the province of Toamasina is a destination particularly appreciated by nature lovers.
On the fringe of this coast is also the island of Sainte Marie, with her romantic history and the possibility of observing humpback whales up close.
When visiting the province of Toamasina from the city of Antananarivo, the first part of the discovery will be the road trip.
All along the national road N° 2, visitors will be able to marvel at the green landscapes, the fruit sellers, and the “trano falafa” – these small houses made with the stems of the traveller’s tree – which line the roads.
For road-trip enthusiasts, the national road is also the access path to many seaside villages, including Manambato, a coastal town with a paradisiacal setting with many comfortable hotels.
Nature reserves are also present on the RN2, for unparalleled proximity to the lemurs of Madagascar
A visit to the city of Toamasina is also recommended.
Main port city of the country, Tamatave will enchant you with its dynamism and the many entertainment options it offers. Whether it’s a short trip in a rickshaw or tuk-tuk, tasting the famous local soup or exploring its local markets, exploring the city is a delight. The discovery of the east coast can also be done by waterway, in particular by taking the Pangalanes canal. Nestled in lush vegetation, this canal is located just a few meters from the Indian Ocean and allows you to discover the tiny fishing villages and, in many places still intact natural forest, that border it.
Toamasina – or its French name Tamatave – and the second largest agglomeration in Madagascar. Equally accessible by road and air, the city perfectly combines urban modernity and summer exoticism. Besides its beaches, markets and hotels, Tamatave has a good number of historical sites, such as the pirate lair of Ivondro, the waterfalls of Farafaty, or the zoo of Ivoloina.
Andasibe is one of the most visited tourist sites in Madagascar. Regardless of that, we still consider it to be a “must see” due to the close proximity to Antananarivo (4 hours drive) and the fantastic up close and personal experiences that are possible with our largest lemur, the Indri. From the special reserve of Analamazaotra to the trail of the “Hazo tsy fantatra” (or unknown tree), every corner is important and worth a visit.
The main attraction in the region is the Andasibe-Mandatia National Park, a nature reserve in several sections, nestled in the heart of a green primary forest and home to a large number of protected species. Analamazaotra Special Reserve (often confusingly called Andasibe, which is the name of the area) is the easiest part of the forest to visit with the ticket office and entry on the main road. The Mantadia park is around an hour away on pretty rough dirt roads, so is less visited. A tour of either park will bring you to meet one of the largest lemurs in Madagascar: the indri-indri and his cousin, some say the most beautiful of all the lemurs, the Diademed Sifaka.
The Peyrieras Reserve is located in Marozevo, this is a former breeding station for reptiles destined for the pet industry, in a village about an hour's drive from Andasibe. Thanks to CITES and other conservation laws, is has been converted to a place where tourists can see extraordinary reptiles, up close. It has an interesting introduction to the Malagasy fauna and many endemic animals can be observed there, including frogs, chameleons, crocodiles, and some species of the famous lemurs of Madagascar.
For a more serene discovery of Andasibe, the Vakona Private Reserve is the ideal destination. With a small museum, a crocodile lake, an aviary and a small lemur park, the private reserve provides access to a good moment of escape in more comfortable conditions.
The VOIMMA village park is a part of the same forest as Andasibe, but dedicated to ecotourism, managed by a local NGO. Easier to navigate than Andasibe National Park, the site is very well laid out and is easily accessible for young children to discover nature.
Located just across the street from Analamazaotra, this community-run reserve protects a considerable area of rainforest which was previously vulnerable to slash-and-burn agriculture. With a series of routes available, there is something for everyone from an abundance of frogs and chameleons, through to an incredible variety of orchids. The night trail is also recommended for the ease of spotting nocturnal lemurs and leaf-tailed geckoes.
Nosy Boraha – which is better known as the island of Sainte Marie – is a unique jewel in the Indian Ocean. Sainte Marie is more or less split in two by the road that heads from the airport in the south to the township and port. The hotels on the west coast are more easily accessible, but the less accessible hotels on the east coast have arguably much nice beaches. Among its notable attractions, Sainte Marie has a history closely linked to piracy, and the pirate cemetery is a short visit worth stopping for if you are intrigued by history. The island offers luxurious hotels, paradisiacal beaches and seaside activities such as diving and humpback whale watching. The way of life on Sainte Marie is peaceful and slow, but, if you really want to get away from it all, the tiny island at the far south of Sainte Marie, the Ile aux Nattes, is a perfect Robinson Crusoe barefoot adventure destination, for those who want peace and quiet on a superb tropical island with no roads and no cars.
700 kilometers long, the Pangalane Canal is a legacy of Madagascar’s colonial past. Originally intended to serve as a waterway for the transport of goods, the canal still offers the possibility of traveling by canoe or speedboat in order to admire the typical landscape of the country’s east coast and to visit its small fishing villages. Notable along the Pangalane is a hotel that has proved to be a favourite for a very long time, the Palmarium Hotel and Reserve. The hotel is surrounded by forest, and lemurs wander into the restaurant and public areas of the hotel. It is also a place to see the elusive aye-aye.
Masoala National Park is a protected nature reserve in the heart of a vast mangrove and tropical rainforest located in the northeast of the country. As the largest nature reserve on the Big Island, the park is home to many animals, including many endemic species such as lemurs, geckos and owls. A wide variety of hiking and trekking programs are available to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. It does require a little time to properly visit Masoala and we recommend allocating at least five days to the adventure of getting there and back.
With its rugged mountain landscapes nestled in lush vegetation, Marojejy National Park stands out for its unique flora and fauna in a country where a large majority of plants and animals are endemic. The vast majority of what constitutes the living beings of the reserve are indeed endemic to the region. In addition, the forest is so dense that scientists believe that some species in the area have not yet been discovered. A trip to Marojejy is not for the faint hearted. First you need to get to Sambava, then transfer to the foot of the mountains, then you can choose between one to three day adventures. To reach the peak, you will need to allocate around five or six days, including travel to and from Sambava.
Located in the southeast of the Red Island, Manakara is a sleepy but picturesque port town renowned for endless beaches and the decaying remains of its colonial past. Beautiful old colonial relics, long ago battered by cyclones and abandoned, remain on the foreshore. It is the end of the road from Ranomafana, but you can divert to visit the Pangalanes Canal at Mananjary and take a leisurely boat trip heading north up the Pangalanes to Toamasina from there. Discovering the daily life of the villagers – who practice pirogue fishing on the high seas – is also on the list of its attractions.
Toamasina – or its French name Tamatave – and the second largest agglomeration in Madagascar. Equally accessible by road and air, the city perfectly combines urban modernity and summer exoticism. Besides its beaches, markets and hotels, Tamatave has a good number of historical sites, such as the pirate lair of Ivondro, the waterfalls of Farafaty, or the zoo of Ivoloina.
Andasibe
Andasibe is one of the most visited tourist sites in Madagascar. Regardless of that, we still consider it to be a “must see” due to the close proximity to Antananarivo (4 hours drive) and the fantastic up close and personal experiences that are possible with our largest lemur, the Indri. From the special reserve of Analamazaotra to the trail of the “Hazo tsy fantatra” (or unknown tree), every corner is important and worth a visit.
The main attraction in the region is the Andasibe-Mandatia National Park, a nature reserve in several sections, nestled in the heart of a green primary forest and home to a large number of protected species. Analamazaotra Special Reserve (often confusingly called Andasibe, which is the name of the area) is the easiest part of the forest to visit with the ticket office and entry on the main road. The Mantadia park is around an hour away on pretty rough dirt roads, so is less visited. A tour of either park will bring you to meet one of the largest lemurs in Madagascar: the indri-indri and his cousin, some say the most beautiful of all the lemurs, the Diademed Sifaka.
The Peyrieras Reserve is located in Marozevo, this is a former breeding station for reptiles destined for the pet industry, in a village about an hour's drive from Andasibe. Thanks to CITES and other conservation laws, is has been converted to a place where tourists can see extraordinary reptiles, up close. It has an interesting introduction to the Malagasy fauna and many endemic animals can be observed there, including frogs, chameleons, crocodiles, and some species of the famous lemurs of Madagascar.
For a more serene discovery of Andasibe, the Vakona Private Reserve is the ideal destination. With a small museum, a crocodile lake, an aviary and a small lemur park, the private reserve provides access to a good moment of escape in more comfortable conditions.
The VOIMMA village park is a part of the same forest as Andasibe, but dedicated to ecotourism, managed by a local NGO. Easier to navigate than Andasibe National Park, the site is very well laid out and is easily accessible for young children to discover nature.
Located just across the street from Analamazaotra, this community-run reserve protects a considerable area of rainforest which was previously vulnerable to slash-and-burn agriculture. With a series of routes available, there is something for everyone from an abundance of frogs and chameleons, through to an incredible variety of orchids. The night trail is also recommended for the ease of spotting nocturnal lemurs and leaf-tailed geckoes.
Nosy Boraha – which is better known as the island of Sainte Marie – is a unique jewel in the Indian Ocean. Sainte Marie is more or less split in two by the road that heads from the airport in the south to the township and port. The hotels on the west coast are more easily accessible, but the less accessible hotels on the east coast have arguably much nice beaches. Among its notable attractions, Sainte Marie has a history closely linked to piracy, and the pirate cemetery is a short visit worth stopping for if you are intrigued by history. The island offers luxurious hotels, paradisiacal beaches and seaside activities such as diving and humpback whale watching. The way of life on Sainte Marie is peaceful and slow, but, if you really want to get away from it all, the tiny island at the far south of Sainte Marie, the Ile aux Nattes, is a perfect Robinson Crusoe barefoot adventure destination, for those who want peace and quiet on a superb tropical island with no roads and no cars.
Pangalanes Canal
700 kilometers long, the Pangalane Canal is a legacy of Madagascar’s colonial past. Originally intended to serve as a waterway for the transport of goods, the canal still offers the possibility of traveling by canoe or speedboat in order to admire the typical landscape of the country’s east coast and to visit its small fishing villages. Notable along the Pangalane is a hotel that has proved to be a favourite for a very long time, the Palmarium Hotel and Reserve. The hotel is surrounded by forest, and lemurs wander into the restaurant and public areas of the hotel. It is also a place to see the elusive aye-aye.
Masoala National Park is a protected nature reserve in the heart of a vast mangrove and tropical rainforest located in the northeast of the country. As the largest nature reserve on the Big Island, the park is home to many animals, including many endemic species such as lemurs, geckos and owls. A wide variety of hiking and trekking programs are available to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. It does require a little time to properly visit Masoala and we recommend allocating at least five days to the adventure of getting there and back.
With its rugged mountain landscapes nestled in lush vegetation, Marojejy National Park stands out for its unique flora and fauna in a country where a large majority of plants and animals are endemic. The vast majority of what constitutes the living beings of the reserve are indeed endemic to the region. In addition, the forest is so dense that scientists believe that some species in the area have not yet been discovered. A trip to Marojejy is not for the faint hearted. First you need to get to Sambava, then transfer to the foot of the mountains, then you can choose between one to three day adventures. To reach the peak, you will need to allocate around five or six days, including travel to and from Sambava.
Manakara
Located in the southeast of the Red Island, Manakara is a sleepy but picturesque port town renowned for endless beaches and the decaying remains of its colonial past. Beautiful old colonial relics, long ago battered by cyclones and abandoned, remain on the foreshore. It is the end of the road from Ranomafana, but you can divert to visit the Pangalanes Canal at Mananjary and take a leisurely boat trip heading north up the Pangalanes to Toamasina from there. Discovering the daily life of the villagers – who practice pirogue fishing on the high seas – is also on the list of its attractions.
