Antananarivo 

Located on a hill in the city, it gives you both historical insight and scenic city views.

• The museum inside shows royal artifacts and the architecture is a mix of Malagasy and colonial influences.

• Good for a morning visit before moving on to markets or other parts of town.

Analakely is the major downtown open-air market where you’ll find everything from fruits and vegetables to handicrafts. Andravoahangy is a bit less touristy, giving a more local flavour of city life. 

• Great place to browse souvenirs: wood carvings, woven items, and textiles.

 Lemurs’ Park

A small reserve ~22 km from the city where lemurs roam semi-freely in a botanical setting. Ideal for a half-day excursion if you’d like a wildlife dose without travelling far.

Tsimbazaza Zoo & Botanical Garden

Located within the city, this venue shows many of Madagascar’s unique animal and plant species. Good option if you prefer a spot where you can stay in town rather than travelling out.

Lac Anosy: A heart-of-the-city lake framed by jacaranda trees and the iconic war memorial island.

Independence Avenue: The main thoroughfare with colonial-era facades, mingle of shops, cafés and local life.

Andohalo Cathedral: Historic Gothic-style cathedral worth a quick stop.

Tips & Practicalities

• Traffic in Tana can be heavy; allow extra time for transfers.

• Some attractions are up hills or on steep streets — comfortable shoes help.

• Consider hiring a local guide or joining a walking tour to get richer context, especially for the historic and market areas.

• While much of Madagascar is about wilderness and remote travel, Tana gives a nice urban contrast, making it a good “base” to start or end your trip.

• Safety: Standard urban precautions apply (especially around markets at dusk/light), check local advice for current conditions.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Top Activities

1. Lemur Trekking & Wildlife Spotting

• The park is famous for the Indri indri, the largest living lemur species: you’ll often hear their haunting calls echo through the forest in the early morning. 

• Other lemur species (e.g., brown lemurs, woolly lemurs) also inhabit the area. 

• Guided walks into the rainforest trails give you the best chance of spotting them. 

2. Hiking Through Rainforest Trails

• Trails range from short, gentle walks to more strenuous hikes (especially in the Mantadia sector) through primary rainforest. 

• Along the way you’ll see lush vegetation: tall hardwoods, ferns, orchids, mosses. The park is also home to some 120 endemic orchid species. 

3. Birdwatching, Reptiles & Amphibians

• It’s a hotspot for bird-watchers: over 100 bird species have been recorded. 

• Also rich in reptiles and amphibians: chameleons (including the impressive Parson’s chameleon), frogs, geckos. 

4. Night Walks

• A night walk along the roads/forest edge is a thrilling option. After dusk you’ll find nocturnal creatures: mouse lemurs, chameleons, frogs, insects. 

5. Visit of Nearby Reserves

• While in the area, you might also visit the Vakona Private Reserve or the Peyrieras Reptile Reserve for up-close wildlife experiences (lemurs on Lemur Island, reptiles etc.).

📍 Practical Tips

• Guide required: You’ll need a local guide to visit the trails. This not only helps wildlife spotting but supports conservation and local livelihoods. 

• Best time to go early: Early morning hikes are ideal for hearing indri calls and avoiding midday heat.

• Terrain & comfort: Some trails are easy/flat; others in Mantadia can be tougher with roots, mud, streams. Good hiking shoes help.

• Night gear: For night walks bring a good torch/flashlight, insect repellent, and perhaps a light jacket (forest gets cool).

• Stay overnight: Staying one night (or more) near Andasibe gives you time for both day and night activities.

• Respect wildlife: As one traveler noted: “Your guide will probably offer to play indri calls … you can decide for yourself, but I wasn’t comfortable with it…” 

Here are some great things to do around Morondava on Madagascar’s west coast — a mix of wildlife, dramatic landscapes, beach time and cultural stops.

Top Activities & Highlights

1. Avenue of the Baobabs
   This iconic stretch of giant baobab trees near Morondava is a must-see — especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the trees beautifully. 

2. Kirindy Forest / Dry Forest Wildlife
   A short drive from Morondava, Kirindy offers dry forest habitat where you can spot lemurs (including nocturnal species), fossas and other endemic wildlife. 

3. Beach & Coastal Relaxing
   Morondava itself is a laid-back beach town, perfect for slowing down after more intense sightseeing. Enjoy coast walks, a seaside dinner, or a dip in the Indian Ocean.

4. Day Trips Out to Nearby Reserves & Villages

   • Head further to places like Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (though more remote) for dramatic limestone formations. 

   • Visit local fishing villages (e.g., where the Vezo people live) to see traditional life by the sea. 

5. Photography & Nature Appreciation
   Whether it’s the baobabs silhouetted at dusk, the dry forest wildlife, or the coast at golden hour, Morondava is a brilliant place for capturing memorable images and embracing nature.

Practical Tips

• Roads to some of the reserves (especially the more remote ones) can be rough or less accessible in rainy season — plan accordingly. 

• Sunset at the baobabs is popular — arrive in good time for a spot and bring camera/tripod if you like.

• A stay of 2-3 nights in Morondava gives you time to do the baobabs + forest + beach without feeling rushed.

• Respect local culture and environment — small coastal towns often have relaxed rhythms and local norms.

Kirindy Reserve (also called Kirindy Forest)

What to Do

1. Guided Day Walks

   • Walk the trails with a local guide through the dry deciduous forest. Good chance to spot diurnal lemurs like the Verreaux’s sifaka. 

   • Also many reptiles, amphibians and birds unique to this ecosystem. 

   • The forest is characterised by a drier climate and different vegetation (versus the rainforests in the east of the island). 

2. Night Walks / Nocturnal Wildlife

   • At night or dusk you can see nocturnal species: mouse-lemurs, chameleons, other night-active creatures. 

   • The predator Fossa (Madagascar’s largest carnivorous mammal) is one of the big draws. 

3. Wildlife Highlights

   • Lemurs: several species including red-fronted brown lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, nocturnal ones. 

   • Reptiles/Amphibians: Many endemic chameleons, geckos, frogs in the region. 

   • Some very special and rare species: e.g., the tiny mouse-lemur species (the world’s smallest primate) is known here. 

4. Explore the Unique Ecosystem

   • The forest is part of Madagascar’s dry deciduous forests (a threatened habitat) and features species of baobabs, spiny plants etc. 

   • The changing vegetation and terrain (dry forest, baobab trees, etc) are themselves interesting for nature-lovers and photographers.

5. Combine with Surrounding Attractions

   • Since Kirindy is not far from Avenue of the Baobabs (one of Madagascar’s iconic landscapes) you can combine a visit to both. 

   • Ideal as part of a 1- or 2-night stay in the Morondava region to explore west Madagascar.

Practical Tips

• Getting There: Kirindy is roughly ~50 km from the town of Morondava in western Madagascar. 

• Guide Required: Always go with a local guide—especially for night walks and wildlife spotting.

• Best Time to Visit: The dry season (April–November) is more comfortable and access is easier. 

• Stay Overnight: If you can, stay in a lodge or campsite near the reserve so you can do early morning or night walks when wildlife is most active.

• Dress & Gear: Good walking shoes (terrain may be uneven), bring water, insect repellent, torch/flashlight for night outings.

• Respect the Wildlife: Keep distance, avoid feeding animals, stick to trails, use guides for best and ethical viewing. A review noted that some visitors saw lemurs being fed (which is discouraged). 

Why It Stands Out

• Kirindy offers species and habitats that are different from the rainforest-parks in Madagascar’s east. The dry forest has unique fauna and flora.

• The chance to see the fossa (though not guaranteed) is a major draw — few other places offer that predator.

• It feels less “touristed” (though still visited) compared to some of the major parks, so it can feel more off-the-beaten-track.