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Frankly, it is quite difficult to single out specific attractions in Madagascar, all because the whole island is one single unique attraction of its kind, which you want to visit more than once or twice. In order to make it easier for you to navigate, we focus on specific places, but remember, besides them, there are a lot of interesting things on the island! Madagascar is primarily nature reserves and national parks, there are a myriad of them here, since the island is the natural heritage of our entire planet. Among the largest and most interesting are Tsingy de Bemaraha (150 thousand hectares) with huge arrays of karst deposits that make up entire labyrinths and rocky forests, De Ranomafana with incredible well-groomed evergreen forests and, of course, Perine (800 hectares) – the kingdom of lemurs on and so filled with them Madagascar. You can feel the flavor of local life and see colonial architecture in the capital – the city of Antananarivo, as well as in the popular tourist town of Mahajanga. The first is famous for the Ruva Ambuhimanga palace complex, the Tsimbazaza Botanical Park, the canal district, the folk theater, the country’s best crocodile farm Croc Farm and many others. In Mahajanga, it is worth visiting the mysterious Andzuhibe grotto, the Mahafanin waterfalls, the royal fortress of Ruva, the Mangatsa and Ravelube lakes, mosques and the court cemetery. The concentration of all European culture in Madagascar is the island of Saint Mary or otherwise Ile Sainte Marie, where most foreign expats live. The island has many quality hotels, restaurants, the cleanest beaches in the whole country. In July and September, humpback whales frolic near the island, in it, according to legends, pirate treasures from ships sunk off the coast are hidden. At 50 kilometers from Antananarivo there is a ridge of a volcano that has been extinct for several million years, periodically reminding of itself with small earthquakes and flashes of hot steam. The main among them is the Ankaratra volcano with a height of 2644 meters. Together they are a majestic, completely unearthly spectacle. Among the strangest and most unusual sights on the already exotic island of Madagascar, it would be correct to single out two. The first is a dead lake, which, despite the complete biological predisposition to the formation of life here, remains terribly, completely empty. Scientists have not yet been able to unravel its secret; there are a lot of mysterious legends and stories around the lake. There is not a single germ of life in it, nor plants, no animals. The second strange place in Madagascar is the Kirindi forest – dry deciduous foxes, hiding in the center of the tropical climate zone among evergreen rainforests. Hordes of rats live here, every now and then trying to climb onto the shoulder of a shy tourist. In addition, unusual night excursions are held in the Kirindi forest, during which tourists can see hundreds of sparkling eyes of local lemurs, since it is during this period that the animals are most active and ready for human contact.

National cuisine of Madagascar

According to itypeusa, the basis of Madagascar cuisine is white or brown rice and very, very hot capsicum! They are served in various combinations with meat, fish, corn, cheese and spices. Of course, the local cuisine is rich in all kinds of seafood, and fresh tropical fruits are available throughout the year. The most famous and popular dishes of Madagascar among the locals are “rumazava” – a spicy meat stew with tomatoes, as well as “ravitutu” mashed coconut pulp and cassava with beef fillet. Gourmets all over the world praise the local goose liver. As in other former French colonies, Madagascar has a high level of production of wines and other alcoholic products. The French also left a love for bread, milk and good pastries here. Local desserts often contain chocolate, as cocoa plantations are actively developing on the island. Tea and coffee are also popular drinks.

Transport

Undoubtedly, the main mode of transport for intercity travel is buses, they run here regularly and quite accurately. If you decide to travel on your own in a rented car, keep in mind that walking along the road among people and animals is common, and most of the roads in the country are not lit at night. Road coverage in Madagascar is good, but only between central cities. Inside the cities there are several options for movement: taxis – official with a meter and unofficial – without it, bicycles, as well as “taxi-be” and more budgetary “taxi bars”. The latter are the original local transport and are a combination of minibuses and taxis. The price for all types of transport except for a taxi with a meter is negotiable. Antananarivo Ivatu International Airport is located 17 kilometers from the capital. The country has three more international airports in Arivunimamu, Nosy Be, Toamasina and Mahajanga, which serve selected destinations such as the Seychelles, Comoros and others.