Eastern Madagascar

Tropical rainforest on the eastern slope of the highlands and the Indian Ocean coast: the indri of Andasibe, whale watching at Sainte Marie, and the Pangalanes Canal.

This region is defined by administrative region and includes Alaotra-Mangoro, home to Andasibe; Atsinanana, home to Toamasina; Analanjirofo, home to Sainte Marie Island; and Ambatosoa, split off from it in 2023 (toward Maroantsetra and Masoala).

Highlights: Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, where at dawn you can hear the song of the indri, Madagascar's largest lemur, and take night walks to see chameleons and mouse lemurs; Lake Alaotra (Madagascar's largest lake) and its bamboo lemurs; Toamasina, the largest port on the east coast, and the Pangalanes Canal; Sainte Marie Island (Nosy Boraha), with its pirate cemetery, white-sand beaches and humpback whales from Jul to Sep; and, further north, Masoala Peninsula National Park (World Heritage rainforest).

Classic itineraries: Antananarivo–Andasibe in 2–3 days is the most popular short trip; 3–5 days of island relaxation on Sainte Marie; Masoala requires a boat from Maroantsetra and suits deeper expeditions.

Getting there: it is about 4 hours by road from Antananarivo to Andasibe; Sainte Marie has domestic flights or boats from Soanierana Ivongo. Note: the east is rainy all year, so bring rain gear and insect repellent.

Destinations

Itineraries