Central Madagascar Holidays

From Tsingy De Bemaraha in the west, through the highland cities of Antananarivo and Antsirabe, to Andasibe in the east, Central Madagascar has plenty to offer every visitor. Visit museums and galleries, browse markets, and sample delicious dishes in cosmopolitan restaurants in the capital of Antananarivo. Discover palaces on hills and lively marketplaces among bustling streets. Wander wide colonial boulevards past Parisian mansions in the thermal spa town of Antsirabe.

Spend relaxing days walking or riding around volcanic lakes. Or dig deeper into the national parks for nature and wildlife experiences to be found nowhere but in Madagascar. Hike among towering limestone pinnacles in Tsingy de Bemaraha, search for indri lemurs in Andasibe, or journey a little further north to spot red owls and serpent eagles among the rainforest canopies of Zahamena.

Four hours east of Antananarivo, Andasibe National Park is one of the only places in the world to see the indri, the largest lemur living in the wild today. Thanks to this, it’s become one of the most popular parks in Madagascar. Indri spotters are advised to rise early for the best experience as these lemurs are at their most active, and loudest, around dawn.

Guided treks take you into close proximity with the park's resident groups while passing several other primate species, chameleons, and birds from the Madagascar blue pigeon to the Madagascar long-eared owl. Wildlife spotting in Andasibe, also known as the Perinet Reserve, isn’t restricted to daylight hours. While the park itself closes at night, moonlight walks along the road at its edge unveil creatures which only come out after dark.

A resort town on a high plateau in the centre of the country, Antsirabe is famous for its thermal spas and makes a great stop just a few hours south of Antananarivo. The colourful Notre Dame de la Salette Cathedral, elegant old train station, and fading white mansions combine with wide boulevards to showcase the town’s colonial roots while bright “pousse-pousse” rickshaws and tiny craft workshops give a flavour of the modern industries which keep it thriving today.

Naturally heated thermal baths leave visitors feeling relaxed and refreshed while surrounding highland villages and three beautiful volcanic lakes, each with its own charm, legend, and resident wildlife, are perfect for exploring on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Entertainment is easy to find in Antsirabe with brewery tours in the town and canyoning, rafting, or even golfing on its outskirts.

Madagascar’s capital city, called simply Tana by the locals, sits on a nest of hills at the heart of the country. Founded in 1625, it was already a seat of royalty for the Kingdom of Imerina when French colonists arrived in 1895 and added great stone buildings to the wooden settlement. Visitors today can enjoy the blended architecture and cultures of both civilisations.

Gardens and terraces sit around the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the central space of Andohalo while palaces and homes stretch out over the surrounding hills. Taxi-brousses mingle with zebra carts on the busy roads and vibrant energy can be felt on every corner. See the Rova and Andafiavaratra palaces on the city’s highest hills. Wander museums of history, music, art, and archaeology, grab souvenirs at La Digue Market, or soak up local life among the stalls of Analakely.

Between the west coast, the east, and the highlands between, Central Madagascar experiences significantly different climates. The best time to stay will depend on where you intend to visit. May to November provides dry season temperatures between 20°C and 30°C in the western area of Tsingy De Bemaraha.

The high-altitude towns of Antananarivo and Antsirabe can drop close to 0°C between June and August. Rains, though usually light from May onwards, fall much more often on the eastern beaches and in Andasibe National Park, so visiting these areas from September to November is often recommended for the best conditions.