Our Senior Travel Expert Karen Dewhurst recently ventured to Madagascar to experience firsthand this incredible destination we’re excited to offer our guests. Here, Karen shares her personal journey into the eighth continent’s extraordinary wildlife during her 10-day exploration.
I’ve just returned from one of the most remarkable adventures I’ve ever experienced – ten days exploring Madagascar, and I’m still pinching myself. This island nation, sitting like a forgotten jewel off Africa’s eastern coast, truly deserves its nickname as the “eighth continent.” After decades in the travel industry, I thought I’d seen it all, but Madagascar? It completely rewrote my understanding of what makes a destination extraordinary.
The Journey Begins: Antananarivo
Our adventure started in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s bustling capital. I’ll be honest – the city can feel overwhelming at first. The traffic is absolutely chaotic, poverty is visible, and the begging can be confronting for new travelers. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of travel: sometimes the most challenging places offer the most rewarding experiences.
We stayed at La Varangue, a delightfully quirky hotel with comfortable rooms and absolutely fantastic food. The highlight of our city transit? A stop at a local chocolate shop where we discovered the most delicious Madagascan chocolate. Trust me when I say Madagascar’s chocolate rivals anything you’ll find in Belgium or Switzerland.
Pro tip: If you’re planning a visit, consider staying closer to the airport at Nosy Be to ease the transition into this vibrant, intense country.
Into the Wild: Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
The real magic began with our journey east to Andasibe. The drive was long and winding – typical Madagascar roads with plenty of trucks – but the countryside views were absolutely breathtaking. We stopped to watch locals working the rice fields, and these moments of cultural connection always remind me why I fell in love with travel in the first place.
Our base for three nights was Mantadia Lodge, where spacious rooms and lovely views set the perfect tone for our wildlife encounters. The food was decent, but honestly, when you’re about to experience some of the world’s most unique wildlife, creature comforts take a backseat to creature encounters!
The Wildlife That Changed Everything
Now, let me tell you about the wildlife – because this is where Madagascar truly shines. Our first walk in Mitsinjo Forest was like stepping into a living documentary. We spotted Common Brown lemurs and heard the haunting calls of Indri Indri lemurs – a sound that literally gave me goosebumps. These calls can carry for miles through the forest, and hearing them in person is absolutely magical.
But the lemurs were just the beginning. We discovered Madagascar bee-eaters, the peculiar Chabert’s Vanga, and an incredible array of chameleons – from tiny baby Parson’s chameleons to the mesmerizing mossy leaf-tailed geckos that look like they’re crafted from the forest floor itself.
The night walks were particularly spectacular. Armed with headlamps, we ventured into the VOI Local Community Reserve where we found Goodman’s mouse lemurs – these tiny, wide-eyed creatures that seem almost mythical. The highlight? Spotting the famous Satanic leaf-tailed gecko, whose camouflage is so perfect it’s almost impossible to see until your guide points it out.
A Naturalist’s Dream Come True
Each day brought new discoveries. In Analamazaotra National Park, we encountered the magnificent Diademed Sifaka – lemurs that move through trees with an almost ballet-like grace. The diversity of bird life was staggering: red-fronted couas, lesser vassa parrots, and the striking Madagascar paradise flycatcher in both its black and white forms.
What fascinated me most were the smaller creatures that make Madagascar so unique. The giraffe-necked weevil looks like something from a fairy tale, and the various frogs – from the golden mantella to the bright-eyed tree frogs – showcase nature’s incredible artistry in miniature.
A Hidden Gem: Masoala Lodge
After our mainland adventures, we flew north and took a scenic 1.5-hour boat ride to Masoala Lodge. This was a completely different side of Madagascar – tropical, lush, and beautifully remote. The lodge itself is charming and rustic, with food that would suit a 5-star resort and a lovely team who made us feel completely at home!
Our activities here were diverse and engaging: sunset sailing that painted the sky in impossible shades of orange and pink, kayaking through pristine waters, snorkeling among colorful corals and tropical fish (a surprising find, since we were bordering a rainforest!), forest hikes that revealed yet more endemic species, and a village visit that offered genuine cultural insight. These experiences reminded me why I always encourage travelers to venture beyond typical tourist routes.
Why Madagascar Should Be on Your List
Madagascar isn’t just about wildlife – though that alone would justify the journey. It’s about experiencing a place that exists nowhere else on Earth. After the supercontinent broke apart 160 million years ago, Madagascar went its own evolutionary way, creating a living laboratory of endemic species found nowhere else.
What struck me most was how every single day brought creatures I’d never seen before. In Kenya or Botswana, you might hope to spot the Big Five. In Madagascar, you’re guaranteed to see species that exist only here – from 100+ lemur species to chameleons, geckos, and birds that seem designed by an imaginative artist.
Practical Thoughts for Future Travelers
Madagascar requires patience and flexibility. The roads are challenging, infrastructure varies, and you need to embrace a slower pace. But for travelers seeking authentic encounters with nature and culture, it’s absolutely worth it. The poverty is real and confronting, but the warmth of the Malagasy people and the incredible conservation efforts happening here make this a journey with genuine meaning.
For families with older children or adults seeking something completely different from typical African safaris, Madagascar offers an adventure that’s both educational and deeply moving. Just be prepared for long travel days and bring a sense of wonder – you’ll need it for all the incredible discoveries ahead.
The Sikeleli Promise
As always, our commitment at Sikeleli is to craft journeys that go beyond sightseeing to create genuine understanding and connection. Madagascar exemplifies this perfectly – it’s a destination where every encounter teaches you something new about our planet’s incredible diversity.
If you’re ready to step off the beaten path and experience one of the world’s most unique destinations, Madagascar is calling. And trust me, once you hear those Indri calls echoing through the forest, you’ll understand why this island has captured the hearts of naturalists, adventurers, and dreamers for generations.
Ready to plan your Madagascar adventure? Contact us at Sikeleli Travel – we’d love to help you discover this extraordinary corner of our world.
