Find The Rare And Beautiful In Madagascar

Manja, Madagascar. Photo by Ban Yido on Unsplash

Madagascar is an island off the coast of East Africa, famous for everything from vanilla to the lemur, an animal that can only be found on the island. With its beautiful views and traditions, it makes for a wonderful place to relax but also gain a lot of knowledge. At the moment, Madagascar doesn’t see many visitors each year, but that’s sure to change in the coming years with more and more people wanting to travel. So before it gets too crowded, get over to Madagascar!

What To Do

Madagascar’s capital city of Antananarivo has so much to offer in terms of history, art, and culture. One of the most famous museums in the city is the Andafiavaratra Palace. The building itself was the former home of a 19th-century prime minister and is stunning as it’s designed in the grand Baroque style. The collections inside are centered around the history of the island and city and is a great place to start your journey.

If you’re looking to explore the art scene in Antananarivo, go to the Malagasy Cultural Center. This is a free center that has all type of art, including historical art, modern art, and all sorts of cultural performances including traditional operas. The best part is that admittance is free, so there’s no excuse not to go.

Beaches And Nature

Obviously, since Madagascar is an island, the beaches are too beautiful to describe. Probably the best beach to visit is actually on another island just about 30 minutes away from the mainland by a boat called Nosy Be. There’s a water taxi that runs for most of the day to the island and costs less than $0.50 per person to go.

If you’re there anytime between July and September, you have to visit Sainte-Marie island. Although it is a bit far from the mainland, what you will find there is an abundance of humpback whales! Females come to have their babies because of the warm weather and is really a once in a lifetime experience.

On the mainland, there are plenty of places where you can see the famous lemurs that live on the island. Ranomafana National Park is one of the places where you can find a number of endangered species of lemurs amongst the misty rainforest. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is another great place to go to see and hear the lemurs, and it’s only 150 kilometers east of the capital.

What To Eat

Madagascar’s food is highly influenced by the people have settled in the country for the last several centuries. One prime example is the sambo, which is just like the Indian samosa. A sambo is a savory pastry filled with just about anything you can think of, although the most traditional filling is minced meat, onions, and chives. You can find these on just about every street, in coffee shops, and in restaurants. They are crispy and so delicious, you’ll be having a lot during your stay without a doubt.

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Koba cake is another Malagasy traditional food that you can find on the streets but is also something that is served on nice occasions. This cake is made up of rice flour and peanuts and is completely delicious. Make sure you get a slice and run by a store to pick up one to take home to friends and family!