1. In Madagascar, only the crabs are fresh among the seafood; other fish and shrimp are cooked after they are dead.
2. The Nosy Be lagoon beach and turtles are worth seeing, but if you’ve been to the lagoon beaches in Indonesia, the Philippines, or Zanzibar, I suggest skipping it.
3. If you can’t get an inland flight to the southernmost part, Nosy Be, or Morondava, traveling by car is very painful.
Besides the guaranteed 24-48 hours of travel time, the roads are bumpy and uncomfortable. (Inland flights are all operated by Air Madagascar, and tickets can be purchased on Tongcheng, Fliggy, or the official Air Madagascar website.)
4. Security checks at small inland airports are done manually, with luggage being opened and checked by hand.
5. Madagascar does not encourage bringing drones, but at the capital’s airport, inspections are random. Whether you get caught or not depends on luck. But honestly, baobab trees can be well-photographed with a camera and tripod, so whether you use a drone or not doesn’t matter much.
6. The twin baobab trees are several kilometers away from the Avenue of Baobabs, and it takes 40 minutes round trip by car from the entrance to the twin trees.
There are many children at the location of the twin trees, and their purpose is to ask for money.
7. Madagascar is the African country where I have seen the most people asking for money and things, hands down. On Sunday evenings, locals come out to drink on the streets. For those who are timid or traveling alone, it’s not recommended to go out after 7 PM (this applies to all of Africa).
8. The most famous restaurant in Morondava on Dianping has crabs that can make people vomit and have diarrhea. Don’t try them unless you have a strong stomach. The portions are large, but that doesn’t mean the prices are cheap.
9. Whether it’s chameleons or lemurs, animals in private parks can be touched (with a tip) and are within arm’s reach.
However, in national forest parks, the animals are at a distance, and some may even require a 600mm lens to see clearly. They are also not easy to photograph because lemurs love to climb trees, making it hard to focus.
10. There are really a lot of mosquitoes and biting flies on the Avenue of Baobabs.
The juice from baobab seeds tastes similar to kiwi and cassava (a sweetened version).
11. The cheapest place to buy handicrafts in the capital is the Machre Communal Pochard, which is a wholesale center. The most overpriced are the roadside handicraft shops in Morondava, with prices so outrageous they need no explanation.
12. In the fishing village of Morondava, you can just take a boat without going ashore. The various groups surrounding you on the island have already set prices for dancing and drumming to ask for tips; they are not there to be friendly.
13. The Ankaratra volcanic lake isn’t much to look at, and under no circumstances should you stay at Couleur Cafe, as there are no mosquito nets, and you will be bitten all night long and unable to sleep.
**Short Trip Recommendation:**
Start your adventure in the vibrant capital before heading to the enchanting Butterfly Valley, where a kaleidoscope of colors awaits. Next, visit Lemur’s Park for an up-close encounter with these fascinating creatures. In Morondava, don’t miss the breathtaking Avenue of Baobabs, perfect for both sunrise and sunset views.
For more lemur fun, choose between Kimony Private Lemur Park, home to playful ring-tailed lemurs, or the Zazamalala Wildlife Reserve, offering a more natural, distant viewing experience. Finally, make your way back to the capital, filled with memories and amazing photos.
**Long Trip Recommendation:**
Begin your journey in the bustling capital, then venture to Andasibe National Park for a day of lemur watching, followed by a thrilling night tour to discover the park’s nocturnal inhabitants. Continue to the mesmerizing Butterfly Valley, where nature’s beauty is on full display.
In Morondava, visit Kimony for more lemur encounters, and be sure to catch the stunning sunrises and sunsets at the iconic Avenue of Baobabs. Return to the capital, and from there, take a relaxing day trip to Nosy Be, where you can soak up the sun on the lagoon’s pristine beaches. Conclude your unforgettable journey by departing from the capital, with a heart full of incredible experiences.
