With its largely endemic fauna and flora, its Afro-Asian culture, its landscapes of alternating forests, rice paddies and geological interest, Madagascar is an island nation that defies classification. Express boarding to see the curiosities of the Big Island, whose beauty contrasts with socio-economic woes.
The majesty of Baobab Alley
It is an amazing collection of plant pachyderms. Less than 20 km from Morondava, in the west of the country, the Baobab Alley lives up to its name; on either side of the track are a dozen of these giants so large that their branches appear to be on top of a small tower. rice fields. The site features the mightiest of baobabs, Adansonia grandidieri. Of the eight species of these trees in the world, 7 live in Madagascar, 6 of which are endemic. To best appreciate the show, join the alley at dawn.
The amazing zing of Bemaraha
Imagine sharp needles of limestone interwoven so densely that it looks like a veritable stone forest. Weather and geology sometimes correct the situation. When Madagascar separated from the African continent 160 million years ago, this submarine plateau, on which coral formations were deposited, rose to the surface. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tsingi de Bemaraha offers one of Madagascar’s most amazing landscapes. But the site must be earned. before you can admire these limestone temples, you have to spend many hours on the trails in the west of the country. If you don’t have the time or physical condition, go to Ankara, a zingia south of Diego-Suarez, where access is easier.
In the reliefs of Isalo
Between the variegated rice-growing highlands and the semi-arid southern regions, Isalo Park is one of the most visited in the country. The reasons for this success. not only is it located on the edge of the RN7, making it easy to access, but its rock formations are particularly photogenic with their palette of colors; to the lichens that cling to it. A ticket to walk between canyons and natural pools and meet the Malagasy stars of the animal kingdom, the famous ringed lemurs or ringed lemurs, which thrive in the folds of the terrain. Isalo is also home to Relais de la Reine, an icon of the country’s hotel industry.
Andringitra and Tsaranoro, the (almost) forgotten valleys
Unknown and often overshadowed by Isalo, Andringitra National Park and its neighboring Tsaranoro Valley are a delight for travelers willing to sacrifice a little comfort and stand a few hours on the trail to discover an area as beautiful and preserved as it is. little frequented (except for nature lovers). Their majestic granite masses are actually criss-crossed by roads, including those leading to Peak Bobby (2,658m), the island’s highest accessible peak. In the neighboring Tsaranoro valley, our favorite because it has more opportunities to receive visitors, we will be amazed by the sight of the lichens and the peak of the same name sparkling by the sun.
Sainte-Marie and its points
Sainte-Marie is not only a tropical island off the east coast, prized for its idleness, its beaches, coconut palms and the sweetness of life. In the land of lemurs and chameleons, it’s famous for its… humpback whales. Between July and September, these great travelers migrate by the hundreds to the island’s fringes to mate and give birth, offering the spectacle of their leaps and their sounds. Tourism providers have come together to control the sighting of these whales through association and codes of good conduct. We cannot strongly recommend using service providers that respect it.
Nosy Be… and the other islands
For many, Nosy Be is synonymous with Eden. For others, this island in the north-west of the country is resolutely mastering the evils of “mass” tourism. Let’s introduce two clarifications into the debate. 1/ Beautiful Nosy Be, a place of idleness, is certainly touristy, but we are far from visiting the beaches of Costa Brava even in summer… 2/ Nosy Be is bordered by a number of other islands, as peaceful as heavenly, with beaches bordered by crystal clear waters and fringed with coconut palms. They are called Nosy Komba, Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Iranja (not forgetting the Mitsio and Radama archipelagos and their luxury hotels). On good terms…
Parks, forests and lemurs
They are called Montagne d’Ambre, Ranomafana or Analamazaotra, to name a few. Their common points. Spread across the island, these national parks have vast forests, either wet or dry, that shelter special flora and fauna. Madagascar, often described as “Noah’s Ark of evolution”, does display a rate of endemism that lights up the stars in any naturalist’s eyes. Many of the species in this “mega diversity” area are only seen here. First of all, lemurs, friendly ancestors of monkeys, which have become the emblem of the country. After spending the night in Analamazaotra Park in the east of the capital, waking up early in the morning to the terrifying screams of Indri-Indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, is a travel memory you’ll never forget.
The Edes of the Great South
Tracks of light sand, turtles moving with small cautious steps and the blue-green common thread of a coastline bathed in light. This is the great south of Madagascar, on either side of the town of Tulear. On one side, the coast rises to the southwest towards the virgin areas of Salari and Andavadoaka. On the other side, tracks lead to Fort-Dauphin and its bay, passing through Anacao and the majestic deserted beaches of Itampolo and Ambola. Hard to reach and with little infrastructure, this “land of thorns” reserved for the most adventurous is one of the poorest regions in the country. Going there is also a way to share tourism revenue with an isolated and often marginalized population.
Our tips
The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar is a country larger than France, often with haphazard infrastructure and difficult to get around. Don’t try to see everything (one trip won’t be enough). Instead, choose an itinerary on a part of the island according to your expectations and your desires. The RN7, a concrete road that descends 900km south of Antananarivo, provides a great introduction to the island’s diversity. Tailor your tour to your expectations of comfort and your idea of travel and consider using a specialized local supplier. A few we recommend are: Escapes Without Borders – Océanes Aventures, Espace Mada and Malagasy Tours.
Source: Le Figaro
