Traveling to Madagascar for a unique travel photography trip had been on my list for a while. Not many people visit Madagascar as its remote, underdeveloped and not as well known as other countries in Africa. What makes Madagascar so unique is the fact that it has unique wildlife that can be found nowhere else on the planet. In particular the lemurs, a primate family that is unique to Madagascar. Every since I was a little kid I was fascinated by lemurs, so I was really looking forward to seeing them in the wild. And lemurs I saw!
I started my trip with a visit to the iconic Baobab Avenue. Located near the town Morondava, lies this dirt road that is surrounded by massive baobab trees, some over 800 years old. I visited this place at sunset and the colors of the sky against the dry branches of the baobab trees gave this place such an amazing feel. As a travel photographer, this is one of the must go to places in Madagascar.
Next on the list was the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its limestone rocks. The word “tsingy” translates to “where one cannot walk barefoot,” which makes sense when you look at the sharp rocks. Tsingy is a labyrinth of stone peaks and a photographers dream. The shadows change constantly and theres also quite some unique wildlife that call this park home as they have adapted to the harsh landscape. It’s close to Tsingy where I actually got to see a Fossa, a giant cat like mammal that the locals are terrified of.
After already seeing a lof of beauty, it was time to visit the star of my trip to Madagascar, the lemurs. At the Anja Community Reserve multiple groups of ring-tailed lemur families call home. As I entered the reserve early in the morning, I got very close to the lemurs as they were enjoying the sunlight. As I went during the right time, there were tons of mothers with little babies, curious to see what the fuss was all about. I liked this place so much that I just had to dedicate a separate post about my favorite animal.
Another highlight in Madagascar include the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, known for its population of the largest lemur species, the indri. Their loud calls echo through the rainforest, creating a magical vibe. Photographers should also visit Ranomafana National Park, where an abundance of endemic species can be in the lush rainforests with beautiful waterfalls.
To sum it all up, Madagascar is a true heaven for travel photographers. The lanscapes are truly unique and out of this world, but it’s the animals that really steal the show in Madagascar. So don’t let the basic infrastructure of this beautiful island scare you off and go explore this unique African country! The locals will welcome you with open arms as they did with me and I know it won’t be the last time I will be back to photograph more of Madagascar!
Travel photography Madagascar
