To help inspire or plan your trip to Madagascar, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Madagascar which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural attractions in Madagascar

Antsirabe
Antsirabe
Antsirabe

The town of Antsirabe is located in the highlands south of the capital Antananarivo and its cool climate made it a popular location for European missionaries. Today this colonial influence is still strongly felt in the architecture and churches of the town. The town is known for its gemstones and handicrafts produced in artisan workshops while the 'pousse-pousse' or rickshaw is seen all over town. West of Antsirabe are the beautiful volcanic lakes Lac Andraikiba and Lac Tritriva.

Andringitra National Park

Andringitra National Park is located near the town of Ambalavao and was set up in 1999. One of the most beautiful parks in Madagascar, Andringitra comprises low altitude rain forest, the granite peaks of the Andringitra mountain range, deep valleys and spectacular waterfalls such as Riandahy and Raimbavy. The park is an excellent trekking destination, both for wildlife walks through the forest and mountain trekking to the summit of Mount Imarivolanitra (Pic Boby), at 2658m the highest point in the south of Madagascar. There is a wide variety of wildlife in the park, including many species of birds, frogs and lemurs.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Rainforests of the Atsinanana

Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park in the south of Madagascar is a spectacular mountainous region where natural erosion of the sandstone rock has created a dramatic landscape of canyons, gorges and rock towers. Covering over 800 km², the park makes for excellent trekking through the beautiful scenery as well as having opportunities for wildlife spotting. The magnificent Canyon des Makis is home to ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux's sifakas and the park also comprises numerous snakes, lizards, chameleons and birds. Another highlight of the park is the natural oasis of the Piscine Naturelle, ideal for a swim amidst the arid landscape.

Toliara (Tulear)

Located in the desert-like south-west of Madagascar, the coastal town of Toliara was once an important port for Dutch and English ships on their 16th and 17th century trade routes. Today, the beaches close to the town offer relaxation by the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The offshore reef attracts many species of fish which can be explore by snorkelling while migrating whales may be spotted in the Mozambique Channel in July and August.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve in west-central Madagascar is a spectacular and unique landscape comprising a karstic landscape of tsingy - sharp edged and tall towers of limestone (some several hundred metres high), and a forest of limestone needles. Separated into the Grands Tsingy and the Petits Tsingy, the reserve also contains the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river and undisturbed deciduous forests, lakes and mangrove swamps home to 11 species of lemur, 90 species of bird and 50 types of reptile.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Alley of Baobabs

The Alley of Baobabs is one of the most famous sights in Madagascar, with lines of these amazing and uniquely shaped trees. The best time to visit is at sunset, when the shadows of the trees are long and the colours spectacular.