The north of Madagascar seems to have conspired to bring a microcosm of its myriad travel experiences into one place: here you will find the isolated Sava Sava region with its wild coast and vanilla-scented air, the relatively sophisticated city of Diego Suarez, and the main beach destination, Nosy Be. Travelers will delight in the region's various national parks, while lovers of sea activities will be spoiled for choice, from scuba diving to kitesurfing. At Nosy Be you will find more sea activities than you ever imagined.

Eastern Madagascar is how travel used to be. Nature has a primordial charm, from the misty mountains of Masoala, along the enormous coast with its rough sea and overhanging palms, to the lush waterways of the Pangalanes Canal lakes. This part of the country is largely isolated from the rest, and from itself, by a degraded transport network. Traveling here requires a combination of plane, car, 4×4, motorbike, scooter, pirogue, ferry, cargo ship, local taxis and speedboat. This inaccessibility translates into isolated communities and, for the traveler, a constant feeling of encountering unknown places.

Split in two, with no roads connecting south and north, the western region of Madagascar is full of adventurous possibilities and it is here that so many iconic images of Madagascar originate. There are incredible highlights, from the limestone peaks of Tsingy de Bemaraha to the carnivorous fossa in Kirindy Reserve to the fabulous birdwatching of Ankarafantsika National Park. Add the Avenue of the Baobabs, world-class resorts and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and you have a region that showcases everything memorable about this extraordinary country.

The central-south of Madagascar is an open adventure between some of the most dramatic forms of nature. The desert canyons of Isalo National Park rival those of Arizona. The west coast offers splendid coastal settlements that serve as gateways to the fifth largest coral reef in the world. And the immense Mikea spiny forest contains some of the strangest and most formidable plants on earth. The two major cities of Toliara and Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) serve as hubs. The question is how to visit a region of this size. For many, a hostel in Isalo and a piece of isolated beach are enough. But for others, the south is the perfect recipe for 4x4 exploration.

The Central Highlands of Madagascar offer a completely different experience from the coastal regions. Here you will find rolling hills, terraced rice fields, and the cultural heart of the country. The highlands are home to the capital Antananarivo, the royal city of Ambohimanga, and the woodcarving capital of Ambositra. The climate is cooler, with crisp mornings and misty evenings. From the bustling markets of Antananarivo to the quiet, misty valleys of the Zafimaniry region, the highlands offer a journey through the soul of Madagascar.