15 Unique things to do in Madagascar other than spot Baobab trees

Wondering WHY you should visit Madagascar? Lemurs, Baobab trees, and what else? This is pretty much all the general world knows about the eighth continent. But it has so much more to offer an intrepid traveller. 

Geena Truman went on a 1-month self-drive trip in Madagascar and is excited to share her personal top 15 incredible things to do in Madagascar you don't want to miss. 

Take a quick trip to check one or two of these iconic attractions off your bucket list or plan a lengthy excursion to give yourself the time to take it all in!  

1. Witness the pink-lipped cries of the indri in Andasibe National Park

• Andasibe National Park is on the RN5 and easy to combine with a visit to Aye Aye Island on the tropical extension. 

The Ghost of the Forest. This odd primate is one of the most unique, rare, and otherworldly animals still alive in the world today. Unfortunately, it’s uncertain how much longer this species will survive. Indri are unable to survive in captivity, and today, the entire population resides in the forests around Andasibe National Park. The haunting wails of the lemurs ring from the tree-tops, the sound has been described as a whale song, as the mates call to one another. 

The absolute best chance you have to see them is to visit Mitsinjo Reserve in the early morning hours and hit the trails. Mitsinjo also offers an exceptional night safari if you’re interested in Madagascar’s more nocturnal wildlife. 

2. Soak in the hot springs of Ranomafana National Park

• One of the very first stops on the RN7, and easy to combine with other national parks on this list. 

Ranomafana, literally translated to “hot water” in Malagasy, is a lush tropical rainforest with thermal spring-fed pools to soothe roadtrippers on an overcast, damp day. But the hot springs aren’t the park's main attraction, in my opinion. Ranomafana’s diversity of wildlife and the resident population of Golden and Greater Bamboo Lemurs make it well worth the trip. 

Just off the RN7, this park is a highlight for wildlife enthusiasts. 

3. Stand in a sea of ring tails at Anja Community Reserve

• The Anja Reserve is easy to combine with other National Parks like Ranomafana, Andringitra, and Isalo on the RN7 route. 

The charismatic ring-tailed lemur is the face of Madagascar. While there are a few places to see this pesky lemur, none are better than Anja Community Reserve. The landscape in the part of the island is STUNNING, the campsites exceptional, and the reserve itself is owned and operated by the Betsileo community members who call this place home. 

It’s a beacon of ethical and sustainable tourism. 

So, pop in for a lengthy stay or simply take a 1-hour walk through the forest to find yourself surrounded by leaping lemurs. 

4. Photograph the lush rice terraces and traditional villages along the RN7

• The RN7 route follows the lifeline of the country. 

One of the least discussed and most spectacular sights in Madagascar is the varied landscape itself along the RN7. This is the most popular road trip route in Madagascar as it connects most of the heavy-hitting attractions (many of which are on this list) and is known to be the best road surface in the country. 

Stretching from the capital Antananarivo down to the southwest coast at Tuléar (Toliara), first you’ll pass through the Central Highlands with its rolling hills, terraced emerald rice paddies, red-earth villages, and eucalyptus forests. Then you’ll venture into lush tea plantations and steep-sloped tropical rainforests near Fianarantsoa before leaving the misty jungle for arid canyons, grasslands, and finally, the dry spiny forests of the South. This diverse landscape is what makes a road trip the perfect way to explore Madagascar and a stunning backdrop for all your travel photos. 

5. Sleep in the shadow of the towering Andringitra Massif

• Located on the RN7, this park is easily combined with other RN7 national parks and reserves. 

The towering Andringitra Mountains sit within the vast grassy highlands between Tana and Isalo. There are impressive summits, scenic day-hikes, and expansive views for those who prefer to soak it all in rather than sweat it out. Many roadtrippers plan a stopover here as it’s only a slight dirt-road deviation from the well-travelled asphalt of the RN7. 

Camp Catta, located within the Tsaranoro Reserve, is the best place to base yourself for any kind of adventure in the mountain range. From here, you can swim in their pool, experience one of the most scenic campsites in Madagascar, watch ring-tail lemurs play on their thatched hotel room roofs, and embark on numerous hikes, including the Chameleon Loop and Grand Tour. 

6. Search for white sifaka amid the natural pools of Isalo National Park

• Isalo National Park is easy to pair with Andringitra Reserve, Ranomafana National Park, and other parks on the RN7 route.

Isalo isn’t just about epic landscapes (but don’t worry, it has those too)—it’s also one of the best places to spot the stunning Verreaux’s sifaka, aka the “dancing” white lemur. 

These guys are total show-stealers, leaping from rock to rock with their arms out like tiny ballet dancers in the desert. Their snow-white fur and curious stares make them look almost unreal against the rusty canyons and scrubby trees. This is the only national park where you’re likely to spot them. 

For those who don’t get lucky, Isalo National Park feels like stepping into another planet, think wild sandstone canyons, windswept plateaus, and hidden palm-lined oases. It’s Madagascar’s version of a desert-meets-jungle adventure, and the landscapes are seriously jaw-dropping. One minute you’re scrambling over rock formations straight out of a sci-fi movie, the next you’re swimming in a natural pool surrounded by tropical greenery. It’s wild, surreal, and hands-down one of the most unforgettable hikes I’ve done on the island.

7. Drive the “road” from Manja to Morondava

• This is the best way to connect the RN7 attractions with Tsingy de Bemaraha in one epic trip on the Grand Circuit. 

If you’ve got time to spare in Madagascar, one of the most adventurous roads on the island (while still totally safe for travellers) is the hard-packed path from Manja to Morondava. This road connects the southern end of the RN7 with the gateway to Baobab’s, Kirindy, and Tsingy de Bemaraha. By travelling this route, you can circumnavigate the south of the country and hit most of the attractions on this list. 

Why exactly does a dirt track make the list of the best things to do in Madagascar? Because this path lets you see how nearly 60% of Madagascar’s population lives. In remote, rural villages with scant connection to the outside world. You’ll sink into muddy water-crossings, bounce along pot-holed paths, and shop at bustling village markets along the way. 

Between Tulear and Morondava, we advise hiring a pisteur if you do not have a driver-guide. You can read more about a pisteur here. 

8. Dine at the Mad Zebu for a taste of exceptional Malagasy cuisine

• Mad Zebu is located along the road to Tsingy de Bemaraha on the Grand Circuit. 

Malagasy cuisine is one you don’t hear enough about—simple at first glance, but packed with depth once you dig in. Picture endless rice (seriously, everything comes with rice), tender zebu meat or pork simmered in leafy cassava, and just enough chili-laced condiments to keep things interesting. While you’ll have the opportunity to dine at loads of roadside restaurants with dishes like Ravitoto (beef and leafy greens) or grab some Mofo Anana – Deep-fried fritters made with chopped greens (like anamamy or sweet potato leaves) and spices, this is the only fine-dining-like restaurant you’re likely to encounter in Madagascar. 

The starched white tablecloths and stainless steel kitchen of Mad Zebu feel disorienting steps away from the dirt streets and rickety ferry crossings outside. But the meal is divine. And it should be. The Malagasy-chef/owner of Mad Zebu trained for years at a 3-Michelin-star kitchen in Paris before returning to his hometown to serve up platters of buttery river prawns, velvety sauces, and perfectly grilled zebu. 

9. Have dinner with the sneaky fossa of Kirindy Reserve

• Kirindy Reserve sits just past the famous Baobab Avenue along the Grand Circuit on the way to Tsingy de Bemaraha. 

Have you heard of a fossa? This lesser-known endemic species of Madagascar is part jungle cat, part otter, and part ferret. Well, not literally, but it looks that way. Slinking through the underbrush of the jungle in Kirindy Reserve, this lemur-hunting feline creeps into the park's campsites in the low light of dusk and dawn. Overnight visitors will quite easily spot them and can hope for sportive lemur, dwarf fat-tailed lemur, and mouse lemur sightings on the popular night walking safari. 

10. Climb the spires of the Grand Tsingy in Tsingy de Bemaraha

• Tsingy de Bemaraha adds at least four days to any itinerary and is easy to pair with the Avenue de Baobab and Kirindy Reserve on the Grand Circuit.

Clip in and ascend 100 meters via ferrata to the tips of the tortuous karst massif, a sea of endless black spires shaped by eons of sea erosion. The unique “Tsingy” landscape can only be found on the island of Madagascar. While there are three tsingy to choose from, the Tsingy de Bemaraha is by far the most dramatic and usually the most convenient to add to your road trip route. 

But keep in mind that due to the remote location and difficult road conditions, adding the Tsingy to your itinerary requires a minimum of 4 days, and you should check out the driving times before committing. 

The Grand Tsingy trek in Tsingy de Bemaraha is only a short 5-6 km, but thanks to its canyons, caves, and cliffside clinging trails, it’s best done in the early morning hours before the sweltering heat makes the trek unmanageable. 

11. Search the treetops for the Rare & Nocturnal Aye-Aye

• You’ll need to tack on the tropical extension of the East Coast to spot the Aye Aye. 

If spotting the elusive aye-aye is on your Madagascar bucket list, Aye-Aye Island (Nosy Antafana / Kianjavato Forest) is the best place. Conservationists relocated aye-ayes here to protect them from threats like hunting, and now it’s one of the best places to see them. This is probably the most convenient location for most roadtrippers as it’s located only a day's drive from the popular Andasibe National Park. 

12. Relax on the white sands of Nosy Be 

• The Northern Route covers Nosy Be and other tropical rainforest parks filled with lemurs. 

Madagascar has incredible beaches. You just probably haven’t heard of them yet. 

If you're chasing that laid-back island vibe with a serious side of underwater magic, Nosy Be is where it’s at. The beaches here are straight postcard material—powdery white sand, warm turquoise water, and palm trees that look like they were placed just for your hammock shot. But the real magic kicks in once you throw on a snorkel. The reefs around Nosy Be and nearby islands like Nosy Tanikely are bursting with color—corals, sea turtles, and more fish than I could name. It’s the kind of place where you spend the day barefoot, salt-crusted, and smiling, wondering why you ever thought you could “just stay for two days.”

Nosy Be is a popular resort destination and the perfect relaxing end to your Madagascar road trip. 

13. See Humpback Whales at Île Sainte-Marie in season 

• The tropical extension terminates in Île Sainte-Marie. 

Whale-watching in Madagascar is a seasonal attraction, so only add this to your itinerary if you’re travelling from June to September.

Whale watching in Madagascar is straight-up surreal, in the best way. Humpbacks roll into the warm waters off the island’s east coast, specifically around Île Sainte-Marie, each year. One minute you're chilling on a boat, the next there's a 40-ton whale launching itself out of the ocean right in front of you. It's wild, humbling, and honestly one of the most epic natural encounters you can have in Madagascar, just you, the sea, and some seriously massive mammals doing their thing.

14. Dive into Malagasy culture and history 

• These attractions are perfect to add to any itinerary as they are all located in the capital city of Tana. 

If you're looking to dive deep into Malagasy culture and history, visiting these spots in the bustling capital city is a must. Forget about driving yourself in Tana, the traffic is super hectic and full of one way streets. The best way to explore Tana is by taking a taxi. 

Start with the Rova of Antananarivo, the iconic Queen’s Palace that stands proudly over the capital—it's a powerful symbol of the 19th-century Merina Kingdom. Nearby, the Andafiavaratra Palace offers a closer look at royal life, with artifacts and relics that bring Madagascar’s monarchy to life. 

For something even more sacred, head to Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tombs and ruins where Malagasy identity runs deep. Finally, take a visual journey through the island’s past, the Musée de la Photographie in Tana is packed with rare images capturing everything from colonial days to pre-independence life.

15. Camping beneath the ICONIC Baobab Avenue

I know I said “things to do in Madagascar OTHER than Spot Baobab Trees,” but I couldn’t help myself. The Baobabs are impressive. The bulbous trunks of the Avenue de Baobab have been around for 800+ years (and counting); other standalone trees in Madagascar could be closer to 2,000 years old. Travellers who rent a rooftop tent and 4x4 from Roadtrip Africa for their Madagascar itinerary can camp at the Avenue de Baobab for a chance at some impressive Milky Way photography and the opportunity to behold the iconic trees without the crowds. 

Check out Beyond the Bucketlist for a full list of the best campsites in Madagascar. 

You’ll likely see Baobabs all across the country on your Madagascar road trip, so you should prioritise the other attractions and destinations on this list that strike your fancy. 

Whether you’re interested in the island's whimsical wildlife, spectacular landscapes, diverse cultural attractions, unique geologic formations, incredible hikes, or simply in need of a beachy getaway, these are the 15 best things to do in Madagascar. Be sure to check out all our Madagascar road trip itineraries to determine which route is best for you… or even create your own!