East Coast & Rainforest

The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is the most accessible nature experience in Madagascar — only 140 km (3–4 hours) east of Tana, on a well-paved road. The park consists of two parts: the smaller Réserve Spéciale Analamazoatra (also known as "Périnet") and the larger, wilder Parc National Mantadia.

Analamazoatra — The Realm of the Indri

The star of Andasibe is the Indri (Indri indri) — the largest living lemur (60–70 cm, up to 10 kg) with its distinctive black and white fur and lack of a tail. Its call is unforgettable: a piercing, melancholic howl that echoes through the rainforest for kilometers, reminiscent of whale song. The groups call in the morning to mark their territory — the best time for an encounter is between 7 and 10 AM.

The sighting rate is over 90% — the local guides know the family groups and lead you directly to them. Besides the Indri, Diademed Sifakas, Gray Bamboo Lemurs, Woolly Lemurs, and numerous nocturnal species live here.

Mantadia — For the Adventurous

The Mantadia National Park (20 km north) is wilder and less visited. The trails are more challenging, but the reward is greater: fewer tourists, denser primary forest, and the chance to see Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs and the rare Aye-Aye. Mantadia also has a beautiful waterfall, the Sacred Waterfall, reached after a 3-hour hike.

Night Hike — A Must!

The night hike in Andasibe is one of Madagascar's most impressive experiences. With flashlights, you sneak through the forest and discover a completely different world: Mouse Lemurs (the smallest primates in the world, 30 grams!), Leaf-tailed Geckos indistinguishable from tree bark, Chameleons that glow in the spotlight, and Giant Stick Insects as long as your forearm.

The Ranomafana National Park is located on Route Nationale 25 between Fianarantsoa and the east coast — a 41,000-hectare rainforest on steep slopes, crisscrossed by rivers and waterfalls. Ranomafana means "hot water" — named after the thermal springs at the park's edge, where you can bathe after hiking.

Why Ranomafana?

Ranomafana became famous for the discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur aureus) in 1986 — a species thought to be extinct. The park is home to 12 lemur species, including the Red-bellied Lemur, Milne-Edwards' Sifaka, and several nocturnal species. There are also over 115 bird species, chameleons of all sizes, and an incredible diversity of insects.

Hiking

There are routes for different fitness levels — from easy 2-hour walks to challenging full-day hikes in the primary forest. The trails are often steep and slippery — good hiking shoes and rain gear are essential. The night hike is also a must here: Mouse Lemurs, giraffe-necked weevils, and nocturnal chameleons.

Thermal Springs

The hot springs at the park entrance are a welcome reward after hours of hiking. The warm, sulfurous water relaxes the muscles and is accessible to all (minimal entrance fee). The village of Ranomafana itself is small but has a handful of good lodges and restaurants.

Île Sainte-Marie (Malagasy: Nosy Boraha) is a 60 km long, narrow island off the northeast coast of Madagascar — and one of the best whale-watching areas in the world. From July to September, hundreds of humpback whales come to the warm, sheltered waters between the island and the mainland to mate and give birth to their calves.

Whale Watching

Whale watching on Sainte-Marie is an overwhelming experience. From small boats (pirogues or motorboats), you can see the giants often just 50–100 meters away: breaches, tail slaps, mother-calf pairs, and with a bit of luck, even the song underwater (with a hydrophone). Tours cost 30–60€ per person and last 2–4 hours. The best time is August and September, when most animals are present.

Beaches & Snorkeling

Sainte-Marie has its own charm outside the whale season: white sandy beaches, coconut palm-lined bays, and the offshore island Île aux Nattes (Nosy Nato) — a car-free paradise for snorkeling, relaxing, and unwinding. The coral reefs are intact and colorful.

Pirate Cemetery

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Sainte-Marie was a pirate headquarters — famous figures like William Kidd and Thomas Tew anchored here. The small Pirate Cemetery at Baie des Forbans is an atmospheric relic of this wild time, with weathered tombstones among palm trees.

Getting There

Fly from Tana (about 1 hour, Air Madagascar, 80–180€ one-way) or take a ferry from Soanierana Ivongo (7–10 hours drive from Tana, then 1.5 hours ferry). The ferry is cheaper (10–15€), but the road is catastrophic in the rainy season. In the dry season, the overland journey is an adventure in itself.

The Canal des Pangalanes is an over 600 km long system of natural lagoons, rivers, and artificial canals running parallel to the east coast — created by the French during the colonial era as a protected waterway. Today, it is one of Madagascar's most atmospheric travel routes.

By Boat Through the Pangalanes Canal

The most popular route runs from Mananjary to Manakara (or vice versa) — a day trip by motorized pirogue through a world of water, palms, and villages that have changed little over decades. Along the way, you pass:

• Fishing villages on stilts, where children wave from the shore
• Rice fields stretching to the water's edge
• Fragments of primary forest with lemurs and water birds
• Palm forests and vanilla plantations

The tour can be booked as an organized trip (20–40€ per person in a group) or by private boat. Overnight stays in simple lodges on the canal bank or in Manakara, a sleepy coastal town with French colonial charm.

Manakara

Manakara is the endpoint of Madagascar's last functioning passenger train — the legendary Fianarantsoa–Côte Est (FCE) route. The 163 km journey through rainforest, over bridges, and through tunnels officially takes 8 hours but regularly takes 12–18 hours. It is not a journey — it is an adventure. The train stops at every village, vendors sell bananas, coffee, and rice through the window, and the scenery is breathtaking.

Tamatave (Toamasina)

Toamasina (Tamatave) is Madagascar's largest port city and second-largest city. For tourists, it is primarily a transit point on the way to Sainte-Marie or the Pangalanes Canal. Worth seeing: the Boulevard Joffre (seaside promenade), the colorful Bazary Be (main market), and the cityscape with Art Deco facades from the colonial era.