Category Generality

Volunteering in Madagascar

If you're looking for a different travel experience, you're in the right place! Madagascar offers many opportunities for those who want to get involved in humanitarian missions. If you're interested in combining travel with volunteering while contributing to social, educational, and environmental development projects, Madagascar is the perfect place for you. Here's an overview of the main humanitarian missions available on the island:

Is Madagascar Safe for Travelers, Especially for Women Traveling Alone or with Family ?

Absolutely! Madagascar can be a perfectly safe destination for women traveling alone or with family, as long as a few simple precautions are taken to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. In general, the local population is warm and welcoming to tourists, and the risks of serious crimes are relatively low. However, petty thefts like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur, especially in urban areas and tourist markets like Antananarivo. While violent assaults are rare, it's best to avoid traveling alone at night, especially in isolated areas.

Noctourism: Another Side of Traveling in Madagascar

Noctourism, or nighttime tourism, is a growing trend that transforms travel into captivating and lively experiences after dark. It highlights activities such as stargazing, nighttime city walks, and the discovery of natural phenomena like bioluminescent beaches and nocturnal wildlife. This approach offers an alternative to often overcrowded daytime visits while allowing travelers to enjoy more pleasant temperatures and a more intimate atmosphere.

The Antambahoaka and the Twin Taboo!

The Antambahoaka, an ethnic group from southeastern Madagascar, are known for their deep attachment to ancestral taboos (fady). Among these prohibitions, one of the most controversial remains the rejection of twins. In their tradition, giving birth to twins is seen as a curse. In the past, these newborns were condemned to certain death, either abandoned or killed shortly after birth. This belief, still present today, continues to evoke horror and incomprehension.

Saint-Augustin and Sarodrano: The Wild Coast South of Tuléar

Looking for a timeless escape along Madagascar’s wild coast? Head to Saint-Augustin and Sarodrano, two hidden gems located just 30 km south of Tuléar. The journey itself is an adventure, with access via the RN7 for 12 km, followed by an 18 km dirt track. A single bush taxi makes the trip daily, leaving Tuléar at 2:30 PM and returning the next morning, making an overnight stay unavoidable. Renting a taxi for the day is a more flexible option, but for the more adventurous, a 4x4 via the Anakao ferry and the coastal track towards Fort-Dauphin promises an even more thrilling experience.

Where to Dive in Sainte-Marie ?

Sainte-Marie, though less famous than Nosy Be for diving, offers exceptional sites accessible to all levels, particularly around Île aux Nattes. Several dive clubs operate here, but not all guarantee the same level of professionalism. Here are our favourite spots for an unforgettable underwater experience.

Rabesandratana Museum : A Journey into the Heart of Madagascar’s Maritime Treasures

During your stopover in Toliara, be sure not to miss a visit to the Rabesandratana Museum, an essential spot for marine life and flora enthusiasts. Located on Avenue de France, near the port, this maritime museum, founded by Professor Rabesandratana in the 1960s, offers a different perspective on your journey by immersing you in the underwater world of the Mozambique Channel. With its whale skeleton in the courtyard, the museum itself might appear a bit outdated. However, the explanations about the maritime heritage of the region, from Fort Dauphin to Morombe, can be fascinating if you happen to meet the right guide.