Stretching for more than 450km along Madagascar’s southwest coast, the Great Reef is the fifth-largest coral reef system in the world and one of the country’s premier destinations for snorkelling, diving and whale watching. Its turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral gardens and rich...
We escaped the crowds and headed to Anakao, a tranquil and remote Vezo fishing village on Madagascar’s southwest coast. Known for its white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and exceptional diving and snorkelling—especially around the nearby Nosy Ve islet—it’s also a low-key spot for...
We heard about a wild gold-mining site around 29 kilometres outside Ilakaka, so we decided to check it out. The journey took us along a rough dirt road, crossing rivers and stretches of deep sand, with several checkpoints along the way (Municipal fee: 2,000 MGA). On the way, we picked up...
Our journey also took us through Ilakaka, a town whose name has become synonymous with sapphires. Once a quiet rural hamlet, Ilakaka was transformed almost overnight after major sapphire discoveries in 1998, rapidly evolving into what is now widely known as the “sapphire capital of the...
Isalo began early for us at the national park office in Ranohira (🎟️ 65,000 MGA, tax 5,000 MGA), where we were assigned a mandatory guide for our 3-hour hike. This expense felt steep (160,000 MGA), especially since even a short visit requires paying for a full day. Established in 1962...
The drive from Ambalavao to Ranohira on the RN7 was a roughly 4.5-hour (~224 km) journey, transitioning from the lush, rocky highlands to arid, savanna-like landscapes. The road is generally paved and in decent condition, featuring scenic, winding, and straight stretches that pass through...
Nestled in Catta Camp in Tsaranoro Valley in southern Madagascar, we spent an unforgettable day exploring one of the island’s most breathtaking landscapes. Our adventure began with a five-hour morning hike through the valley (🎟️20,000 MGA, guide 100,000 MGA), winding past lush scenery and...
After visiting Anja Reserve, we continued our adventure to the remote Tsaranoro Valley. The road was really bad and required a tough 4WD vehicle to access the valley via a rough, sandy dirt road branching about 30 km off the main RN7 south of Ambalavao. The approximately three-hour drive...
Our next one-hour stop was Anja Community Reserve (Anja Miray), a remarkable 30-hectare community-managed forest reserve established in 1999. Located about 13 kilometres south of Ambalavao along the RN7, this highly successful conservation project has become one of Madagascar’s leading...
We made a brief stop at the zebu market in Ambalavao, Madagascar’s largest cattle market, held every Wednesday on a large, dusty hill at the southern edge of town along Route Nationale 7 (RN7). It serves as a bustling hub where thousands of zebus are traded, reflecting their crucial...