Toliara & South West

Tulear has the great advantage of benefiting from as many charms and attractions as other cities, while being spared from mass tourism. With magnificent beaches to the north and the south, an enormous fringing reef, and very well-preserved marine and terrestrial attractions, the city of Toliara is aptly named “the city that never sleeps”. Besides tourism, a stay in Tulear is also an opportunity to enjoy a very lively nightlife (if you stay in town itself) and the great sense of hospitality of the local population.

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Ifaty is a small seaside resort to the north of Toliara. With its paradisiacal beaches and turquoise water, the place is conducive to well-being and relaxation. For lovers of aquatic activities, diving is one of the flagship entertainments of this place rich in underwater biodiversity. When it comes to accommodation, a variety of hotel facilities are available to suit all tastes and budgets. In season, hump-backed whales frequent the Mozambique Channel, and whale-watching is a common activity.

Isalo National Park is one of the most impressive nature reserves in Madagascar, mainly visited for landscapes, rather than wildlife. In this park, the desert meets the humidity and greenery of a tropical oasis, home to natural lakes, waterfalls and various species of shy wildlife. In the desert before the oasis, the scenery is breathtaking and discovering the shapes carved in the rock is fascinating. For those who want to fully enjoy the place, it is possible to stay on site in hotel complexes located around the village of Ranohira. In Isalo, there are many standards of hotels, from simple bungalows, to luxurious retreats tucked into the rocks themselves.

Located about one hour by boat south of Tulear, this small Vezo village is located on the mainland, close to Nosy Ve Island and not far from Nosy Satrana Island. These two coral islands can be visited during canoe trips. Again, as with many beach hideaways in Madagascar, you can choose a simple beach shack, or the comfort of Anakao Ocean Lodge. Crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn, the bay does not have much vegetation, but its long stretch of deserted beach and translucent water more than makes up for this absence. Another attraction of Anakao is the villagers, who always show a great sense of hospitality. They are very attached to their habits and customs, and discovering their way of life is also an exceptional experience.

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is an explosive set of limestone plateau, salt lake and splendid thorny forest. The lake in this protected area is exceptional because it changes color three times a day, going from white, to topaz green, then to turquoise blue depending on its lime sulfate concentration. Unfortunately, this prevents marine animals from surviving in the lake. Either way, terrestrial animals live in the park, including birds, reptiles and radiated turtles. In addition, the local flora is also impressive, with many endemic species, including magnificent baobabs. A bit of a trek, it is worthwhile to those intrepid visitors who make it there, sometimes rewarded by a rare sight of flamingoes.