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Madagascar is one of the last places on Earth to have been inhabited by humans, making its nature well-preserved and a favourable habitat to endemic flora and fauna. It's a land of many different forms – paradise beaches, lush mountains, sprawling national parks, jagged limestone karsts and teeming wildlife! Sight exotic lemurs, admire the towering baobabs and swim with whale sharks for a shore excursion like no other.
A Madagascar cruise calls at some of the most tranquil and remote destinations in the world, such as Antsiranana, Nosy Bé and Fort Dauphin. Sitting on Antsiranana Bay, a vast natural harbour comprising smaller bays – Antsiranana boasts a fascinating history reflected in the colonial architecture in the city centre. Nosy Bé is a sundrenched and beach-swamped island, nicknamed “The Perfumed Island” because of its pungent ylang-ylang fields! And if you’re after immersing yourself in history and culture, visit the small but vibrant city of Fort Dauphin, steeped with rich history and diverse culture. Madagascar is an East African island nation that appeals to every discerning traveller – so how will you spend your time onshore?
Lemurs are arguably the most iconic creature among all the wildlife living in Madagascar – and seeing these is a great way to make the most of your shore excursion in the island nation! Lemuria Land is a vast nature reserve park in Nosy Bé, home to diverse flora and fauna on the island. It’s one of the best spots to sight the endemic Madagascar lemurs, as well as crocodiles, snakes, chameleons and more! Surrounded by large ylang-ylang plantations, large amounts of ylang-ylang essential oil are harvested here, so you can smell the scented blooms along the way.
Coined as the “tree of life,” Baobabs are towering trees that provide large amounts of fresh water stored in their enormous trunks during scarcity and produce fruits to eat during the dry seasons. Perhaps the best spot to admire the queens of the forest is the Avenue of Baobabs, a dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina in western Madagascar. The sightseeing experience is especially noteworthy during the sunrise or sunset when the daylight douses the trees in golden glow.
Andohahela National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just outside the city of Fort Dauphin – offering hiking trails across the verdant forests and rare wildlife sightings! A crossroads between East and South, it harbours three different climates and landscapes – making it a haven for an extremely rich biodiversity, including various species of lemurs, birds and medicinal plants. Get the chance to spot the untamed Do, a yellow snake that can reach more than three metres long!
Ambohimanga is a UNESCO-listed hill and traditional fortified royal settlement set in the capital of Madagascar. This archeological site comprises the ruins of an imperial city, burial sites and an ensemble of religious places, where cultural and spiritual heritage are thriving. It’s a proud embodiment of the Malagasy cultural identity – something history buffs and culture vultures will surely appreciate. The royal hill is also swathed with holy groves and agricultural terraces, with a sacred lake running across the area!
Water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers will fall in love with Nosy Bé, with warm waters offering a thriving marine life, perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling! Dive sites dot the coasts of the island – providing divers a chance to glimpse at some of the bucket-listed underwater life forms, including the sharks, turtles, dolphins and spectacular coral reefs. You may also be lucky enough to spot the magnificent humpback whales as they visit the shores on their migration.
Walking down the streets of Antsiranana, you'll marvel at the French colonial architecture – highlighted by the old covered market and the Hôtel de la Marine ruins. Brightly-coloured buildings, quaint cafés and local restaurants beautifully line the streets of the Old-World city. From the cruise port, you can easily reach a botanical garden filled with dense trees and tropical plants – which makes perfect for getting a breath of fresh air and finding shade from an all day stroll under the scorching sun.
The most ideal season to take a Madagascar cruise is in the austral winter, which runs from April to November, to enjoy milder temperatures to avoid hot summers and heavy rains. It’s also the time when lemurs are actively roaming around, so you can easily spot them on your trip!
Just like in many other countries, security issues may arise without proper precautions and safety measures. Pickpocketing and petty theft are quite common in Madagascar, especially in populated areas. So, you need to be alert at most times and try not to show up your valuable belongings. While there are chances for these potential threats and problems to occur, there are still many travellers who can enjoy Madagascar without experiencing any issues.
Malagasy ariary is the official currency used in Madagascar. Credit cards are widely accepted at most upscale hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are also available in major cities as well as airports dispensing local currency.
Be sure you’re up-to-date on all routine vaccines before the trip, including vaccines for chickenpox, flu, measles, polio, etc. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers below nine months old arriving from countries with risk for yellow fever transmission. Other recommended vaccines are for Hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid.
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