What to see, eat and do in Madagascar

Sleep
Stay at Vakôna Forest Lodge, comprising bungalows in a forested valley. It’s situated close to a national park that’s home to the indri (below), the world’s largest lemur species.

SEE ALSO: What it’s like to watch dancing lemurs in Madagascar

Nosh
Check out Restaurant Chez Loulou Andilana on the island of Nosy Be, a one-and-a-half hour flight from Antananarivo. It offers a seafood-focused lunch buffet popular with locals.

Buy
Browse handicrafts market Andravoahangy (Antananarivo) for products crafted from natural materials, such as handmade paper and wooden masks.

Experience
Discover crater lakes, waterfalls and abundant wildlife in the rainforest of Amber Mountain National Park, an oasis of 40m-tall trees and orchids in an otherwise parched landscape.

Sleep
Book yourself into Madagascar’s chicest new island resort, Miavana. The collection of sustainably constructed beachfront villas is located on the island of Nosy Ankao, which is accessible by private helicopter.

SEE ALSO: 10 reasons to make Madagascar your next travel destination

Nosh
People-watch at Le Carré, a trendy restaurant and bar known for its sizeable burgers, sushi and panoramic terrace.

Buy
Get a one-of-a-kind painting or sculpture by a local artist at Is’art Galerie, said to be the only contemporary art gallery on the island.

Experience
For priceless encounters with marine wildlife such as zebra sharks (below), go on a dive with Akio Diving, which operates from Tsarabanjina, an island off the north-west coast of Madagascar.

Sleep
Put up at Le Louvre Hotel & Spa. Situated a stone’s throw from the presidential palace and other historic sights, it has a lobby filled with artworks and handicrafts by local artists, which are for sale.

Nosh
Savour gourmet French-Madagascan cuisine in a colonial-style dining room at Restaurant La Varangue.

Buy
Elevate your bookshelf with tomes that lend insight into the history and architecture of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, from Librairie Mixte (Victoria Plaza).

Experience
Pay Andafiavaratra Palace (Antananarivo) a visit; it houses artefacts saved from the 1995 fire that destroyed the now-restored Rova of Antananarivo, a royal complex dating back to the 16th century.

– TEXT BY ADRIAN MOURBY
PHOTOS: 123RF.COM, LE LOUVRE HOTEL & SPA, AKIO DIVING, IS’ ART GALERIE, LE CARRE, RESTAURANT CHEZ LOULOU
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.