Southern Madagascar is consistently the hottest and driest part of the country, with surreal landscapes to fulfil any photographer’s dreams. Exotic flora, spiny forests and giant baobabs conspire to make the visitor feel they have arrived on another planet.
The far southeast is difficult to access by road so most travelers fly into Fort Dauphin, where two oceans meet and tales of shipwrecked sailors and ruthless pirates abound. Stay at a luxury camp surrounded by forest on the banks of the Mandrare River where you can experience Madagascan tribal traditions and explore the beautiful natural surroundings which are home to ring-tailed lemurs and Verraux’s sifaka along with nocturnal species. Venture north to the coast at Manafiafy (formerly Sainte Luce) to experience life in a traditional fishing village, explore coastal rainforest and mangroves with lemur spotting & seasonal whale watching on offer best from July to September.
To the south west, you can reach the stunning Parc National d’Isalo via the coastal town of Tulear. Isalo is one of Madagascar’s most visited and most beautiful national parks where, after a morning clambering up escarpments and along canyons, walkers can enjoy a well-earned dip in one of the natural rock pools.
Mandrare River Camp
Ifotaka Community Forest, Southern Madagascar, Madagascar
