Best places to go hiking in Madagascar

Many travelers head for Madagascar in search of its intriguing wildlife and unusual landscapes. What better way to experience these highlights than by exploring on foot? Madagascar is known as the ‘Eighth Continent’ because of its size and unique combination of ecosystems resulting from its millennia of isolation from other land masses. The world’s fourth largest island has a broad range of terrain perfect for hiking, and by touring the island step by step you have an unrivalled opportunity to get up close to all that incredible wildlife. These are the best trails and spots for hiking in Madagascar.

There are several different habitat zones on the island of Madagascar each with its own ecosystem supporting a particular combination of flora and fauna, much of which is endemic to the island. Hiking trails thread through the many protected areas and national parks, allowing you to choose from leisurely day hikes right through to longer, multi-day treks. With the help of our local experts, we’ve put together this collection of the best places to go hiking in Madagascar.

Madagaskar hiking: the best places to go

Andringitra National Park

Over 300 square kilometers of the Andringitra Mountains is protected as a National Park containing three separate ecosystems. There is rainforest at the lower elevations, montane forest on the higher slopes and high-altitude vegetation on and around the peaks. A number of trails wind through the park, the most popular of which leads to the granite dome known locally as Pic Imarivolanitra – also called Peak Boby – which reaches 2,658 meters altitude.

This is quite a tough trail requiring a decent level of fitness to manage the long steady ascent and the ‘stairway.’ You will need three days to complete the walk and there are no provisions so consider a porter. The Diavolana Trail is a shorter route taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in the park: waterfalls; forests; viewpoints and a good chance of spotting ring tailed lemurs.

Masoala National Park

Madagascar’s largest protected area includes nearly 2,300 square kilometers of mangroves, coastal rainforest, marsh and flooded forests, as well as 100 square kilometers of protected marine reserves set up to safeguard the aquatic plants, extensive coral and over 3,000 species of fish.

The Masoala National Park protects an entire peninsula covered with rainforest and mangroves stuffed with hundreds of exotic species of frogs, chameleons and geckos, not to mention ten different species of lemur and a dazzling variety of insects.

The hiking possibilities in the National Park are fantastic – numerous scenic day walks are possible to see some of the amazing wildlife, plus there are longer, multi-day trails which crisscross the peninsular. The coastal path between Alhoatrozana and Antalavia takes in some of the most exquisite beaches in the park, along with pristine rainforest and mangrove ecosystems.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

The Tsingy are karst limestone formations that sit above cliffs in the west of Madagascar. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the sea bed which rose up to become a plateau now knowns as the Tsingy. It eroded over millennia, resulting in the current needle-shaped formations. These pointed rocks bristle across 100 kilometers of protected landscape, largely inaccessible to humans and consequently bursting with wildlife. Hiking trails do exist in the Tsingy, mainly shorter day walks which involve hanging bridges and some tricky sections which require a head for heights.

There are possibilities to connect some of the day walks into a longer walk, the Anjohimanintsy trail, with an overnight camp. Expect to see lots of the contorted limestone Tsingy formations, and there are many endemic species to look out for in the park including 11 species of lemur and over 100 species of birds, the majority endemic to Madagascar.

Marojejy National Park

Around 600 square kilometers of mountainous landscapes are protected by the Marojejy National Park, and 90% of the territory is pristine primary forest. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2007, this is a wild and untamed corner of the island which doesn’t see visitors in large numbers. The swathes of untrammeled forest are home to all sorts of wildlife, and most of the hikes in the park are undertaken in order to spot some of the unique flora and fauna. Botanists should keep their eyes open for the 275 different species of ferns and the 50 different types of palm.

Within the forest, more than 100 species of birds as well as 45 mammal species including 11 varieties of lemur have been recorded. As with most of Madagascar, many of the species in Marojejy National Park are endemic. Hiking infrastructure is basic, but there are camps set up for overnights if you prefer to take part in a multi-day trek. Wildlife walks in the forest are particularly rewarding at night, when wildlife is active, but daytime hikes also reveal many of the exotic species that live here.

Isalo National Park

Located in central southern Madagascar, Isalo National Park is a stunning location for hiking. Characterized by high grasslands, a towering sandstone massif and rock formations, wide canyons and pristine river pools, the terrain here is beautifully varied. There is also plenty of wildlife to spot and some fascinating flora. Lemurs forage amongst deciduous trees in the upper reaches of the canyons while lower down there are fern and moss-fringed pools offering respite from the heat of the open grasslands. 

Hiking here is wonderfully varied and engaging and there’s something for everyone. The Rats Canyons Walk is a gentle, mostly flat hike of around three hours with gorgeous scenery of ivy-clad sandstone canyon walls dotted with tumbling waterfalls. For outstanding views, you can’t beat the route up the Isalo Massif. The return leg takes in the stunning Black and Blue pools and the Waterfall of the Nymphs. This is a longer and more challenging full-day route. The park has several basic camps where you can stay for multi-day hiking. 

Ranomafana National Park

This rainforest reserve in eastern Madagascar is full of wildlife, most famously the golden bamboo lemur. It’s not the only star of the show, though, as the dense forest is home to a myriad of bird, plant and animal species, making it an exciting hiking destination. Options for walks and hikes are numerous and all require a guide. Choose from half-day walking tours, night walks in search of nocturnal wildlife, or multi-day hiking staying at remote forest camps.

The most popular option is to arrange a day hike. For these, you can choose a guided loop to suit your group. Various flat routes take in the flora and fauna of the park as well as some beautiful waterfalls. These routes range from 4-6 hours of walking at a gentle pace, with stops for wildlife watching and swimming, to more challenging full-day hikes. The Soarano Circuit is the longest and toughest of the established routes, taking three days to comfortably complete, hiking through pristine primary forest and past local tribal settlements.

When is best for hiking in Madagascar

Madagascar is a huge island, so the climate differs from region to region. Generally speaking, though, it has a tropical climate with a dry season from around April to September and a rainy season from approximately October to March. The best months for hiking are from May to October when it’s mostly dry and warm (rather than hot). Earlier in the season the landscape will be lush and green and the whole season is great for wildlife spotting as you hike. 

Make it happen

You have to see Madagascar’s unusual scenery and incredible wildlife to believe it. Contact our specialist local operators, tell them what kind of holiday you are looking for and they will get to work.