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Madagascar

Antananarivo image

Madagascar

  • Capital City: Antananarivo
  • Language: Malagasy (official), French
  • Currency: Malagasy Ariary
  • Best Time To Travel: April to October
  • Country Dialing Code: +261
  • Population: 30.33 million

About Madagascar

  • Clothing: Light, breathable clothing is recommended due to Madagascar's warm climate. If you plan to visit the highlands, where temperatures are cooler, consider packing warmer clothing.

  • Cuisine: Malagasy cuisine features rice as a staple, accompanied by various meats, seafood, and vegetables. Dishes such as ravitoto (pork cooked with cassava leaves), romazava (beef stew), and zebu steak are popular. Fresh fruit, including mangoes, pineapples, and lychees, is abundant.

  • Culture: Madagascar's culture is a blend of African, Asian, and European influences, with a strong emphasis on ancestral traditions and beliefs. Music and dance, such as the energetic salegy and graceful hira gasy, are important cultural expressions.

Travel Attractions

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

A hanging bridge

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the unique "tsingy" rock formations, which are razor-sharp limestone pinnacles that tower up to 300 meters high. Visitors can explore the tsingy on foot, by boat, or even by rappelling.

Avenue of the Baobabs

A number of baobab trees

This iconic landmark is a row of baobab trees that line a dirt road between Morondava and Belon'l Tsiribihina. The trees are estimated to be up to 800 years old, and they make for a truly unforgettable sight.

Nosy Tanikely

Nosy Tanikely Island

This small island is home to a beautiful marine reserve, which is perfect for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can also see lemurs and other wildlife on the island.