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This post is somewhat of a tease.
Because I’ve actually already written it. Just not here. We spent three weeks traveling around the Southern portion of Madagascar in a 4×4 rental from Road Trip Africa, had an incredible time, and then wrote about the most unmissable parts on their website.
You can find the entire list here: 15 Unique Things to Do in Madagascar
This blog post details not *just* the things we did and loved, but the attractions and destinations that we found out about later and wish we had added to our itinerary. While doing everything on this list would take over a month and a lot of planning, this is a great starting point for your trip.
Whether you choose to road-trip or not, this is an excellent way to decide on the “must-see” destinations for YOU.
Just so this post isn’t completely pointless, here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find outlined in more detail on Road Trip Africa’s website.
15 Unique Madagascar Attractions You Should Add to Your Bucketlist
- Sleep in the Shadow of the Towering Andringitra Massif
- Climb the Spires of the Grand Tsingy in Tsingy de Bemaraha
- Dine at the Mad Zebu for a Taste of Exceptional Malagasy Cuisine
- Search the Treetops for the Rare & Nocturnal Aye-Aye
- Photograph the Lush Rice Terraces and Traditional Villages Along the RN7
- Search for White Sifaka Amid the Natural Pools of Isalo National Park
- Drive the “road” from Manja to Morondava
- Witness the Pink-Lipped Cries of the Indri in Andasibe National Park
- Dive Into Malagasy Culture and History
- Stand in a Sea of Ring Tails at Anja Community Reserve
- Relax on the White Sands of Nosy Be
- Have Dinner with the Sneaky Fossa of Kirindy Reserve
- Take a Trip on a Traditional Pirogue
- Soak in the Hot Springs of Ranomafana National Park
- See Humpback Whales at Île Sainte-Marie in Season
- Camping Beneath the ICONIC Baobab Avenue
Non-Road Trip Attractions in Madagascar That Could be Worth Doing
While we loved our road trip adventure through Madagascar, there are a few boat-related attractions that you could add into your itinerary if you felt so inclined. Both *could* concievably be added on to a road trip (with slight inconvienece) but are usually done by people traveling with a guide.
1. Take a Tsiribihina River Safari
- Very difficult to add to a Madagascar road trip. It takes multiple (slow) days to float from Miandrivazo to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. You *could* drive the RN7 and then take this slow boat on the way to Tsingy without the car.
- This is good for: Travelers who really want to slow travel in a local way and experience a river cruise unlike anywhere else. Do not expect luxury.
If you’re up for an adventure that’s equal parts chill and completely wild, floating the Tsiribihina River in a traditional boat is a Madagascar must. The trip usually starts near Miandrivazo and takes 2–3 days by pirogue—either a traditional dugout canoe or a simple wooden barge—and ends near Belo-sur-Tsiribihina (where Mad Zebu is located along the long road to Tsingy).
This can be an excellent add-on if you drive the RN7 and then still want to see the Western region with Baobabs, Tsingy, and Fossa. Be warned, this is only for those with ample time to explore Madagascar– 3 weeks minimum.
Along the way, you’ll camp on sandy riverbanks, swim beneath hidden waterfalls, visit remote villages, and spot lemurs, chameleons, and tons of birdlife. It’s one of the most immersive ways to experience Sakalava culture and explore a part of the country that’s totally unreachable by road. The best time to go is during the dry season (May to October) when the river is calm and the weather is just right.
If you’re hooked on the pirogue vibe (or short on time), you can also try shorter paddles in Île Sainte-Marie for mellow lagoon rides or the Manambolo River near the Tsingy for epic limestone gorges and caves. Trust me, this is Madagascar at its most unplugged and unforgettable.
2. Head to Aye Aye Island
- Possible to add into a Madagascar road trip. Nosy Mangabe is not accessible by road. It’s an island. But you could add this adventure onto a RN5 road trip by hiring a guide for a few days while the cars stays on land in a secure location. Worth it to see the Aye-Ayes in there natural habitat in my opinion.
- This is good for: Animal obsessed travelers like myself.
Nosy Mangabe Reserve – This tiny island near Maroantsetra is the place for a shot at seeing aye-ayes in the wild. It’s part of Masoala National Park and only reachable by boat, which adds to the adventure. Night walks here are legit—dark, remote, and totally wild—but sightings still take a bit of luck.
Bonus: the island’s crawling with other Madagascar weirdos like leaf-tailed geckos and rare frogs. This option is great for people exploring the challenging, but rewarding, RN5.
This is not the only place to spot the Aye Aye, but it’s my personal favorite of the options. Admittedly, we didn’t get to this on this trip to Madagascar so we’re hoping to next time! Check out the full list of things to do in Madagascar with practical tips on how to add it to your itinerary over at Road Trip Africa.
Explore My Madagascar Road Trip Guides
Before You Hit The Road: Madagascar Road Trip Tips
Budget-Friendly Madagascar Road Trip: 11 Days on the RN7
Madagascar Road Trip: Ultimate 3-Week Itinerary for Wildlife (Self-Drive)
Save This Post Packed With Things to Do in Madagascar For Later!
