Sights in Madagascar
(Selection)
Source: Wikipedia, Visit Madagascar
National Parks in Uganda
-
Baobab AlleeListenelement 1One of the highlights in Madagascar is the world-famous avenue of the distinctive baobab trees. Up to 50 baobabs, up to 30 meters high and up to 800 years old, are lined up in an avenue near Morondava.
-
Kirindy-ReserveThis 125 km² protected area is home to rare animal species such as the Madagascar iguana, the rare laughing-back turtle, red-fronted lemurs, the votsotsa (Madagascan giant rat) and the fossa, the island's largest predator, and seven species of lemurs.
-
Tsingy de BemarahaThe Tsingy are a unique and impressive landscape of needle-sharp limestone formations that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The approximately 15,200 hectare Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in western Madagascar is home to the impressive Tsingy, which translates as "walking on tiptoes", as well as a fascinating and unique flora and fauna. The countless stone peaks of the Tsingy were formed over thousands of years by water, wind and rain into razor-sharp peaks up to 50m high. Originally there was a coral reef underwater at this point, but when the Mozambique Channel retreated, this was exposed. In many places you can still clearly see the structures of the corals and discover several fossils in the rock.
-
Ranomafana National ParkRanomafana National Park is a national park in Madagascar in the province of Fianarantsoa. The national park is known for its waterfalls and thermal baths as well as for the variety of lemurs and bird species. It was declared a national park in 1991. Together with other national parks in Madagascar (Marojejy, Masoala, Zahamena, Andringitra, Andohahela, etc.), it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The national park is densely covered with rainforest and has an area of approximately 41,000 hectares. Thanks to the evergreen rainforest, a wide variety of plants such as orchids, tree ferns and mosses thrive here. The park is home to a total of twelve lemur and 118 bird species, 68 of which are threatened with extinction in Madagascar.
-
Isalo NationalparkThe Isalo National Park (French: Parc national de l'Isalo) is located in the southern highlands and is a 815.40 km² national park in Madagascar. It was designated in 1962 by decree no. 65-371 and is located in the Ihorombe region. The nearest town is Ranohira. The Isalo National Park is home to a spectacular mountain landscape of rugged gorges and rocks shimmering in all colors. The park consists mainly of Jurassic sandstone, which occurs here in very thick layers and is crossed by deep canyons. Numerous endemic aloes, euphorbias, pachypodiums and many other species can be found here. In total, there are around 400 different plants in the park, including several endemic species, such as the Pachypodium rosulatum or the medicinal plant Catharantus ovalis. About 80 different species of birds are native to the Isalo Massif, almost 40 species of reptiles and 14 species of primates, including 7 species of lemurs, such as the well-known ring-tailed lemurs.
-
Andasibe-Mantadia-NationalparkAndasibe-Mantadia National Park is a 155-square-kilometer protected area located about 150 km east of Antananarivo, consisting mainly of primary forest in the Alaotra-Mangoro region of eastern Madagascar. The park lies at an altitude of 800 to 1260 meters and has a humid climate. Average annual rainfall is 1700 mm, with rain 210 days a year. The rainforest is home to enormous biodiversity, including many rare endemic species and endangered species, including 11 species of lemur. The two parts of the park are Mantadia National Park and Analamazoatra Reserve, which is best known for its population of Madagascar's largest lemur, the indri.
-
Nationalpark Montagne d’AmbreThe Montagne d'Ambre National Park is located in the far northwest, near Diego Suarez (Antsiranana). It is the oldest national park and was founded in 1958. The French name "montagne d'ambre" means "mountain of amber". The park got its name from the numerous trees that grow in the mountains and have amber-colored flowers, so that the mountain glows amber in the sun from afar. The park is located in a volcanic area and includes five crater lakes and three waterfalls. In the park you can choose from various hiking trails of different lengths - between 2 hours and a whole day, there is something suitable for everyone. The national park is also home to the smallest chameleons in the world, only about 2 cm long.
-
Ankarana National ParkThe park is located in the north of Madagascar, very close to the Montagne d'Ambre National Park. The nearest town is Diego Suarez (Antsiranana). The Ankarana National Park was founded in 1956. Translated, Ankarana means "the people of the rocks", which refers to the Tsingys. The park includes the largest cave system in Africa with numerous grottos and gorges, some of which can be visited. Some grottos are considered cathedrals by the population and are visited as sacred sites to pray to the ancestors.
-
Red TsingysThe red Tsingy are located in the north of the island, about 50 km from Diego Suarez. You can reach the Tsingy in an hour via a sandy track. In comparison to the Tsingy de Bemaraha in the west, the red Tsingy are made of sandstone rather than limestone and are therefore much more sensitive. This formation of hundreds of peaks gets its reddish color from the red laterite soil that is so typical of Madagascar. The Tsingy rouge are located in a gorge in which more and more Tsingy are appearing due to erosion, but also in which Tsingy are constantly disappearing due to wind and water erosion. This formation is constantly changing and makes it particularly interesting. The peaks of the Tsingy rouge are up to 10 meters high and shine in a variety of shades of red. You can view the Tsingy from above - from the edge of the gorge - or you can climb down into the gorge and see the sandstone peaks up close. It is fascinating to see how the different layers of sand are colored and revealed by erosion. The Tsingy rouge were only exposed by landslides in the mid-20th century.
-
Diego SuarezDiego Suarez, or Antsirana, is the northernmost town in Madagascar and is located on the second largest bay in the world - 250 km². The explorer Diego Suarez landed here in the 16th century. In the middle of the bay lies the third largest port in Madagascar, which some cruise ships now also visit. The city is colorful and quite cozy with around 100,000 inhabitants. The natural harbor and the trade it enables make Antsiranana one of the richer cities. There are numerous excursions you can take from Antsiranana, so a longer stay in the city is recommended. The Emerald Sea, numerous plantations, the red Tsingy, the Montagne d'Ambre National Park and the Ankarana National Park can be reached on day trips. Boat trips to small islands are also possible, for example to the islands of Nosy Diego or Antaly Be.
-
Nosy Be IslandNosy Be, formerly also called Assada or Nosy Manitra, is an island off the coast of Madagascar. Its name means "big island" in Malagasy. Beautiful and breathtaking underwater world, as well as tropical dream beaches. This is often the beautiful end to a trip to Madagascar.