Madagascar Sights: Baobabs, Tsingy and Rova

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: Madagascar has been governed by a transitional authority since October 2025, with elections not expected before 2027. The US State Department’s Level 2 rating means exercise increased caution, and six named areas are at Level 3, reconsider travel. They include the RN34 between Miandrivazo and Malaimbandy and the Menabe region south of Morondava, so fly to Morondava rather than driving from Tana. The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel, but it warns of armed road robbery at night, attacks on isolated beaches and demonstrations that can turn violent, and it advises against taxi-brousse. Kidnappings have been reported in and around Antananarivo, so tour the capital by day with a driver or guide. See FCDO advice and the US advisory , and check entry rules before flying, especially via Nairobi.

Madagascar’s headline sights are spread across the island. Two sit within reach of the capital, and two need a flight to the west. This page lists what each one involves, with fees in ariary (Ar).

Avenue of the Baobabs

A 260 m stretch of dirt road on the RN8, about 20 km north of Morondava and 30 to 45 minutes by car, runs between about 20 to 25 Grandidier’s baobabs, some up to about 30 m tall. About 25 more stand in the nearby paddies. Walking is free, and vehicles pay a small parking fee, reported at 5,000 Ar. The avenue holds one baobab species. The twisted Baobab Amoureux, two intertwined trees of another species, is a short drive away. Sunrise and sunset give the best light, and the area is protected. The Fanamby organisation has run an ecotourism project here since 2014. Fly into Morondava, about 1 hour 10 minutes from Tana.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

This UNESCO World Heritage site, inscribed in 1990, covers 157,710 ha of limestone pinnacles known as a stone forest. The southern 72,340 ha is the national park, and its flagship species is Decken’s sifaka. Foreign adults pay 55,000 Ar a day, reported to double from 1 November 2026. The park is reachable roughly May to October, and access stops in the rains. From Morondava it is about 200 km, 8 to 12 hours by 4x4 with two ferry crossings, so it is a multi-day commitment. MNP lists circuits from the 2 km Andadoany walk, a test for vertigo, to a difficult circuit with a suspension bridge. Helmets and harness hire cost extra. Climbs here are not strolls, and the US advisory notes that equipment checks are rare. Details are on the MNP Tsingy page .

Rova of Antananarivo

The Rova is a royal palace and tomb complex on the Analamanga hill. A fire gutted it in 1995, and it reopened in June 2023. It is open Wednesday to Monday, 9:00 to 17:00, and closed Tuesdays. The foreign fee is reported at 40,000 Ar. A guide is strongly advised, though it is not confirmed that one is included. Allow about 2 hours. Dress respectfully, because the tombs are sacred to many Malagasy.

Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

About 24 km north-east of Tana, this UNESCO World Heritage site has been listed since 2001. It is one of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina, with 14 stone gateways and the compound of King Andrianampoinimerina, including his house and the royal tombs. Visitors enter the house right foot first and leave backwards, and photographs are not allowed in the buildings. Expect to be there about an hour. Hours are reported as about 9:00 to 17:00 daily, so confirm locally. The foreign fee is an old, unconfirmed figure of about 10,000 Ar.

Scenery stops: Isalo and Andasibe

Isalo’s sandstone canyons and Andasibe’s rainforest double as scenery as well as wildlife stops. Both require a guide, and Andasibe is 3.5 to 5 hours from Tana on the paved RN2.

Tips

Tickets and guides are paid in cash ariary. Cards are rarely accepted and dollars are not widely taken. Compare guided options on Madagascar sightseeing tours .