Southern Madagascar

Beach Holidays in the Dry South of Madagascar

Imagine beaches so quiet that all you hear are the laps of the waves hitting the sand. Southern Madagascar provides the perfect escape for rest and relaxation. The south-west of Madagascar is very dry compared to the central highlands and the east coast. As you travel south, the lush green mountains give way to dry savanna plains. You start to see cactus, euphorbias, even baobabs in the surreal ‘spiny forest’, unique to Madagascar.

However, Southern Madagascar also has some stunning beaches for the perfect end to a Madagascar safari. Choose between Ifaty or Ankao. Ifaty and Ankao are considered two of the best beaches in southern Madagascar for both relaxation and reef exploration. 

The easiest way to get there is to fly to either Toliara, for Ifaty or Ankao. Or take a scenic road trip over several days down the central spine of the country. See our Rainforests, Mountains and Beaches of Southern Madagascar trip.

• Ifaty lies close to Tulear on the South-west coast. It’s the ideal place to relax after your wildlife safari. Situated on the largest lagoon of Madagascar, a coral reef protects Ifaty and also offers good diving and snorkelling.
• Ankao is accessible only by boat, so it's a more remote alternative to Ifaty. Situated on a beach with emerald seas, it is one of the best spots for diving, kite surfing and water-sports in Madagascar.

Spiny Forest of the Dry South

Alternatively, you can fly to Fort Dauphin and head to Mandrare River Camp deep in the spiny forest. Here you get a true sense of rural Madagascar life. You’ll visit remote tribal communities that have not been exposed to modern day pressures. These small villages, surrounded by ancient baobab trees, have a complex network of taboos and traditions which rule every area of their lives.