What to Do in Madagascar: Places to Stay, Lemurs to See, Things to Do

If you enjoyed the movie "Madagascar," starring Ben Stiller, you might be a good candidate for a Madagascar vacation.

But how would you know what to look for in a hotel that's halfway across the world? After all, the most you have to go by are the pretty pictures on the website and a few user reviews.

And what in the world do you do on the fourth largest island in the world? Do you just sit around on the beach all day?

Here are some fabulous ideas for what to do and where to stay in Madagascar that keep that island luxury feel flowing through your veins.

Where to Stay: Princesse Bora

You want privacy? You'll get privacy at the Princesse Bora villa accommodations. You know those cute little thatched-roof villas you see in movies and on computer wallpapers? You can actually stay in one of those in Madagascar.

But they're not as primitive as you might expect. These come equipped with private bathrooms, air conditioning, hammocks and private terraces.

The resort features an on-site spa and a restaurant that serves up all the fresh seafood you can handle. But you'll pay dearly - the cost of the most inexpensive villa begins around $1000 per night.

Safaris

It's not every day that you get to witness a humpback whale jump out of the water. But that's just the sort of thing visitors do when they travel to Madagascar.

But if whale watching isn't your thing, and you're not short on funds, go on an adventure and explore the habitats of lemurs, stay in a two-story villa at Anjajavy resort and enjoy plenty of food, mountain biking, snorkeling, and various other water sports. All this can be yours from anywhere between 2000 and 5000 Euros with places like World Primate Safaris.

Scuba Diving

Madagascar is known for some of the largest coral reefs in the world. And since it's located in the Indian Ocean, the water isn't as cold as in other places, so you'll have a more enjoyable time checking out the underwater colors.

Visit the Capital City

If you're not an "exploring the outdoors" kind of person, check out the bustling capital city of Antananarivo. With busy marketplaces, ancient cathedrals and plenty of things to see and experience, you won't spend a bored minute in Antananarivo.

Visit a National Park

Masoala and Ranomafana are two of the most popular national parks in Madagascar. Unlike some of the ho-hum national parks in the United States, these parks are home to more exotic animals and foliage that you don't see every day and therefore might appreciate a little more. Ranomafana is located at a high altitude, so you might actually travel through clouds during part of your journey.