Activities in Madagascar
You naturally wonder, what can you actually do in Madagascar? Which activities suit me? Is this country the right destination for me? On this page you can read more about what you can experience. The conclusion: There is something to do for everyone, and you will never be bored here!
In the example trips you can already find some activities on the program. Your trip is completely tailor-made, contact us and tell us what you would like to experience during your trip.
Diving and snorkeling
For diving enthusiasts. Have you ever dived in Madagascar? If not, put this activity on your list! This island in the Indian Ocean has some of the best diving spots in the world. From colorful corals to beautiful sea creatures, Madagascar has it all.
One of the best places for diving is Nosy Be and the islands around it such as Nosy Sakatia. Here you will find crystal clear water and an abundance of marine life. You can even spot whale sharks between October and December.
Another great place for diving or snorkeling is Sainte Marie Island. This island (of an island) is known for its shipwrecks and coral gardens. You can even dive with humpback whales during whale season (July to September).
So if you want to have a diving adventure, head to Madagascar. You can never get enough of this coastline and sea. During your water activities, you don't have to be afraid of white sharks. These are occasionally seen, but attacks on humans actually almost never occur.
To walk
Do you like walking? Then Madagascar is the perfect destination for you! You can practice this activity anywhere in the country. This island in the Indian Ocean is known for its diverse landscapes and unique flora and fauna. Hiking in Madagascar is a must-do activity for every nature lover.
There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from, from short and easy trails to multi-day hikes.
A well-known hiking destination is the Andringitra National Park, with its rugged mountains and waterfalls. You can go on hikes here for up to a week, spending the night in a tent in unforgettably beautiful places. Along the way you might spot lemurs, chameleons and other exotic animals.
Don't feel like long hikes? Then there are also plenty of shorter walks to do. For example, visit the Tsingy de Bemaraha, an impressive rocky landscape with narrow gorges and deep ravines. Or take a walk through the rainforest of Ranomafana National Park, where with a bit of luck you will come face to face with the Golden Bamboo lemur and the Red-bellied lemur.
Before each walk you can discuss with your local private guide how long you want to walk and at what level. The trip is tailor-made, as are the walking tours.
In short, walking in Madagascar is the way to discover the beautiful nature and rich culture of the country. Grab your backpack and hiking boots (or good sneakers) and go on an adventure!
Cooking and Eating
Who doesn't like good food and drinks? Especially when traveling, you also want to enjoy culinary delights. We turn it into an activity! The Malagasy people like to eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a bit of a luxury product for them. In the city they sometimes eat a pizza, for example, but then they come home and they still want to eat a little rice. In the countryside they eat cassava and beans more often.
You can do a super fun cooking workshop in Antsirabe. Together with a local guide, you will get the ingredients you need for the meal at the market (Antsenakely). A busy market full of colors and scents. Most fruit and vegetables simply come from the area. Depending on the season, you will see mangoes as well as bananas or lychees in abundance.
For the workshop you choose to cook with or without meat. A dish that you will definitely make is Ravitoto, rice (yes) with pounded cassava leaves.
During the rest of the trip you can get acquainted with many other local dishes. Rice cooked in coconut water, fresh fish, fruit juices and not to forget the flavored rum!
Horse riding
Madagascar is not necessarily known for this, but it is truly an activity you will never forget. Horses were also originally imported from Europe and the Middle East and the different breeds together have now evolved into a unique breed on this island.
Places where you can ride circuits, for example:
Antsirabe, here the ranch is linked to a social project that offers work (and therefore income) to people in the area. You can also spend the night at SPV-Felana in very simple accommodation.
You can also see horses walking on the streets in the center of Antsirabe. These horses generally look pretty sad and the laps are not much bigger than down the street.
Nosy Be: You can ride long stretches of beach here and the guide will go out of his way to take beautiful photos of you on the horse (if you want). You can choose how long you want to travel for.
Isalo National Park: A well-known park where you can enjoy beautiful walks, but from a horse the view looks slightly different. This ranch is part of a Relais de La Reine hotel, but you can also go horse riding if you stay elsewhere. This ranch also offers multi-day routes if you are interested.
In other words, Madagascar is also the place to be for horse riding fanatics!
DO NOTHING
Read a book, lie in or on the water, stroll aimlessly through a village, drink fruit juices (or cocktails), take photos. Doing nothing is an option ;)
It is a holiday after all