Eyes on Madagascar
See more.
October 2025
Madagascar from the inside – Introduction x5
Antsirabe city center, Madagascar - foto Frank Janssens ©
In recent days, Madagascar has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Maybe you scrolled past it. Or maybe you paused. Because Madagascar rarely makes the headlines, I decided to use this moment to share some insight from within. Many people don’t really have an image of this extraordinary country. Curious? I’d love to take you along. And who knows: maybe one day you’ll visit.
PS. Since I know next to nothing about writing for the web, I figured I’d use plenty of images. And yes, it’s a bit rough around the edges, but sharing felt more important than being perfect 😉
Tourism here is still in its infancy
and that has both its charm and its beautiful rough edges.
And with that, something truly beautiful. The potential is enormous. The fact that it’s still in its early stages means there’s still time to think about how to shape it well. At the same time, every visitor creates hundreds of jobs, directly and indirectly.
Tourism is a serious sector for Madagascar to grow into. I dare say that the number of kids here dreaming of becoming a guide one day (and showing their country to others) is among the highest in the world.
©
©
©
Rainforest, mountains, canyons, desert, and pure white beaches
all within a stretch of 400 kilometers.
There is no country like Madagascar. Millions of years of isolation. Millions of years of sun, rain, wind, and volcanic eruptions have shaped the landscape as it is today.
You feel a kind of deep, primal power here. Realising that in our human lifetime, we’re just a tiny dot in time. And that makes the island all the more impressive. Almost awe-inspiring.
©
Proud, humble, and kind Malagasy people
who brighten your day, several times a day.
The situation many Malagasy live in is, from a Western perspective, far from easy. Across the country lies a thick, deep layer of poverty that few ever escape. Selling cigarettes one by one, working hard in the fields, breaking stones with a chisel, or sadly not being able to work at all, it’s more the rule than the exception. There are too many people and too few jobs. Finishing primary or secondary school is a luxury. Being able to read and write as an adult is not a given.
And yet, always that smile and greeting. A genuine one. Open faces. Kind eyes. And always so helpful. Solidarity is very important here. Maybe it’s because it’s an island. In any case, it’s something deep.
©
©
©
©
Plants and animals on a Galápagos level
Even though I’m far from being a biologist, I find the uniqueness of it all deeply moving.
Realizing that something has evolved completely differently for millions of years gives a sense of humility.
The word bizarre comes up often when you’re confronted with it. Bizarre animals or plants. And the pride of the local people about them, rightly so.
©
Madagascar is adventure
in a controlled way.
Or not, if you really want to push the limits.
Crossing a river in a 4x4. Driving on the beach. Camping under the stars beside a river while lemurs play around you. Or staying in a stunning lodge with a lovely pool after three days of hiking through a national park. Even waking up by the sea feels like an adventure, watching the fishermen sail out in their pirogues in the morning and return at sunset with their catch. Let alone when you get to taste it...
©
©
©
And of course: Madagascar also has its less beautiful sides.
It’s made international headlines more than four times in the past two weeks. The people are rightfully angry. The country is nowhere near reaching its potential. The reasons are extremely complex (maybe more on that some other time). But with so much centralized power, it’s always the government and president who get the blame, even when dialogue is at the core.
As I write this, President Rajoelina is giving a speech (reportedly from France) after allegedly fleeing the country last weekend. His position has become untenable. The frustration that has built up and persisted over the past ten years is justified. This isn’t about mortgage deductions, polarization, or pension schemes. It’s about access to basic needs. About not losing power for hours every day. About not having the water cut off for days at a time. The best that could happen now is for elections to be announced quickly, bringing back stability and a chance to rebuild.
In the meantime, I invite you to keep an eye on this remarkable place in the world. And… when the time is right (and this is already), to hopefully visit it one day. It’s one of the best things you can do for the country. And of course, to spread the word, but that happens naturally. Just ask anyone who’s been here. Though there still aren’t that many…
Tsy misy manana ny ampy fa sambatra izay mifanampy
- No one has everything, but happiness will be found in helping each other.