Our final day in Madagascar was a rather packed one. Before heading to the airport, we still had a short city tour of Antananarivo.

We started by making our way to the Upper Town, the historic heart of the city, spread across a series of hills. Our first stop was a viewpoint offering a panorama across the stadium, the rooftops and hills of the capital. From there, we continued to the Rova of Antananarivo, the former royal palace complex. Perched on the highest hill, it was once the seat of the Merina kings and later the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar. The complex includes the royal palace, tombs and other historic buildings. We had a guided tour of the museum, which provided some insights into the country’s royal history. From the grounds there were further opportunities to enjoy the views across town.

Next stop was the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Andohalo. Built in the late 19th century in neo-Gothic style, it is one of the landmarks of the Upper Town. Unfortunately, a wedding was in progress when we arrived, so there was no opportunity to have a look inside.

Our final stop was the Carrefour supermarket, where we picked up a few last-minute souvenirs: Madagascan sweets, chocolate, coffee and, of course, vanilla pods – a few souvenirs and edible reminders of the trip to take home.

From there, it was straight to the airport. Check-in and security were remarkably relaxed. The flight itself, however, was a less comfortable affair. But that’s just the reality of flying in economy class in 2026.

And with that, our Madagascar adventure came to an end.

So, was it worth it? Absolutely.

Madagascar turned out to be exactly the kind of destination I had been looking for: an active adventure, plenty of opportunities to explore and discover, and a remarkable diversity of landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife. The hikes were great, the food considerably better than I had expected, and the group itself added a lot to the overall experience. There was always something new around the next corner – sometimes quite literally.

The one thing I had underestimated was the time needed to get around. Some of the driving days were substantial – and a few perhaps a little too substantial. But that’s part of traveling in Madagascar, and something worth keeping in mind when planning a trip.

All in all, a very good choice. Madagascar really is a continent on an island – a world of its own. And one I’m glad I finally got to explore.