9-Nights Madagascar Explorer — CALL

An important center of the Sakalava people in Madagascar, Morondava is a good base for visiting their decorated tombs. Unfortunately, many of the sculptures associated with the tombs have been stolen, so the tombs are considerably less impressive than they once were. Anyone wishing to visit the tombs must be accompanied by a guide.

Morondava, 230 mi/370 km southwest of Antananarivo, is also known for its beaches (Nosy Kely has the best sunsets), and for the much-photographed Avenue of Baobabs, which lies about 10 mi/15 km north of town. It is particularly spectacular at sunrise or sunset. Some 40 mi/65 km northeast of Morondova, the dry forest of Kirindy is the best place in Madagascar to see the fossa, the island's largest predator; it has retractable claws and looks like a cross between a cat and a weasel. Nosy Kely beach offers some modest hotels with small cabins on the sand facing the sea.

The Masoala Peninsula, 300 mi/480 km northeast of Antananarivo, boasts some of the last areas of intact rain forest in Madagascar, most of which are now protected in Masoala National Park. Several lemur species are present, including the very localized red ruffed lemur, and bird-watchers know it as the place to see helmet vanga, scaly ground roller, Madagascar red owl, Madagascar serpent eagle and various other rarities.

An organized hiking tour is advised for those wishing to visit the region. Organize your trip through the park offices in Maroantsetra—you will need to be physically fit and well-equipped.

Being located in a wet area of Madagascar, the best chances of a dry visit are September-December.

Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital city, sits at 4,500 ft/1,370 m in a twisting valley near the center of the island. Tana, as the city is often called, has unusual French- and Asian-inspired architecture, and winding cobblestoned streets and staircases that create a medieval impression. Attractions include the Rova of Antananarivo, The Law Court of Ambatondrafandrana, the Prime Minister's Palace, the colorful daily flower market on the edge of Lake Anosy, and the botanical and zoological gardens, where you can see the egg and 10-ft-/3-m-tall skeleton of the extinct elephant bird.

Antananarivo's original name was Analamanga (the blue forest). In 1610, the revered King Andrianjaka stationed 1,000 soldiers on the blue hill to defend it and renamed the city Antananarivo, meaning "City of a Thousand Warriors." The king also built a royal palace there. Sadly, the Rova (Queen's Palace) burned to the ground in 1996. Though virtually nothing remains at the site, there are nice views of the city from the hill where the palace once stood.

From Antananarivo, it's possible to make a one- or two-night excursion to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Day trips can also be made to the "Blue Hill" of Ambohimanga (14 mi/23 km away), where you can see an 18th-century royal palace and enjoy beautiful views overlooking terraced rice paddies; to Ambatolampy (a small, attractive town southwest of the capital—get a visitor's permit in Tana); and to Antsirabe. Plan about three nights in Antananarivo.