Akanin’ny nofy: The name Akanin’ny Nofy means “the nest of dreams”. The name describes this little paradise perfectly. However, the reserve is better known under its second name “Palmarium” or formerly “La Palmarie”. Location: The Akanin’ny nofy reserve is located on a peninsula in eastern Madagascar, about 60 km south of the city of Toamasina (Tamatave). From Toamasina you drive …

Preparation at home To enjoy your travel, you should visit a competent travel medicine clinic or institute for tropical diseases beforehand. They can advise you individually in details the best way. Medication e.g. for malaria prophylaxis are only available by prescription, and some can have undesirable side effects. So please do not try your medication in Madagascar for the first …

The two islands St. Marie (in Malagasy Nosy Boraha) and Nosy Nato are located at the East coast of Madagascar and belong to the province of Toamasina. Especially Nosy Boraha is, besides Nosy Be, one of the most visited islands of Madagascar and has a good infrastructure. St. Marie is relatively large, around 50 km long, above two to seven …

If you take the RN7 from Antananarivo towards Antsirabe, you will reach the small town of Ambatolampy after about 80 km and almost two hours. The name means “city of rocks”. The city belongs to the Vakinankaratra region. With all surrounding hut villages Ambatolampy has estimated over 25,000 inhabitants. They live mainly from rice cultivation, but now also grow vegetables …

For the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic situation in Madagascar, see this article. Is it safe to travel Madagascar? Large cities such as Ambilobe, Antananarivo, or Ambanja, in particular, have to contend with increased crime due to a great deal of poverty and a high population density. This is not a new development but has been the case for …

Airlines to Madagascar The following airlines fly from Europe to Madagascar: Air Austral, Air Seychelles, Air Madagascar, Air France, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Turkish Airways, Air Mauritius and Corse Air. Direct flights from the largest Paris airport (Charles de Gaulles) to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, are offered only by Air France, Air Kenya and Air Madagascar. Air Corse …

Tsiribinha is a quiet river that flows from northeastern Madagascar across the country until it flows south of Morondava into the Mozambique Canal. Its red colour comes from the sand of the same colour, which is carried by the current. From Miandrivazo, a small town about 200 km west of Antsirabe, you can do very nice dugout tours to Antsiraraka …

Canal des Pangalanes is a river of about 645 km length. The channel runs parallel to Madagascar’s east coast, sometimes only few hundred meters away from the Indian ocean. Already at the times of the Merina kings and queens in 16th century, waterways were built to link regions isolated from each other. The overland route was weary during these times, …

Ambalavao is a town about 50 km away from Fianarantsoa on the edge of the southern highlands. It is located directly on the RN7 and has about 35,000 inhabitants. A landmark of the city is the Zebu (humpback cattle), which can be traced back to Madagascar’s largest cattle market. People from all regions of the country bring their zebus here …

Ambositra in the Amoron’i Mania region is a larger city with around 30,000 inhabitants. It is located about 180 km south of the capital Antananarivo in the highlands, directly on the RN7, and is very easy to reach from Antananarivo. The city is famous for its many woodcarving workshops, many of which can be visited and watched over the artists’ …