Routes · Africa

Toronto to Madagascar: Antananarivo, Andasibe and the Morondava baobabs

Toronto → Antananarivo → Andasibe → Morondava

Madagascar lemurs & baobabs Best season (general guide): May–Oct

Madagascar is an island of wildlife found nowhere else, and this short route covers a rainforest and the famous baobab avenue. It spends one night in the capital, two in Andasibe and three in Morondava. From Toronto you'll need at least two connections, often through Paris, Addis Ababa or Nairobi.

Antananarivo is a hilly city, and after the long journey a quiet night there helps. The next day, drive east to Andasibe, a few hours away on a winding road. A night walk with a local guide looks for chameleons, frogs and small lemurs.

In the morning, walk through the park in search of the indri, the largest living lemur. Its loud, haunting call carries across the forest. Guides know where family groups are feeding.

Fly west to Morondava, on the Mozambique Channel. At sunset, the Avenue of the Baobabs turns red and gold, and the giant trees stand against the sky. A day trip north to the Kirindy forest gives a chance to see the fossa, Madagascar's largest predator, and other dry-forest wildlife. The Tsingy de Bemaraha, further north, needs a much longer 4x4 trip.

The dry season runs from about May to October; cyclones can strike from January to March. Roads are slow, so allow extra time.

Pacing: domestic flights in Madagascar are often delayed or rescheduled, so keep a spare day before your international flight home. Hire a driver for the Andasibe road, and carry cash, as cards are not widely accepted outside the capital.

Malagasy food is simple and filling, based on rice with stews of zebu, chicken or fish. Coastal Morondava serves good seafood. Vanilla, grown in the north-east, appears in sauces and desserts.

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