ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF

What are you looking for?

ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin)

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

View Photos

Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin)

Team Member Headshot

By Andre Van Kets

Co-founder, Discover Africa

Safari Enquiry

At the southern end of Madagascar’s spectacular eastern rainforests, Taolagnaro (formerly and still commonly known as Fort Dauphin) has the charm and je ne sais quoi of a French port town turned holiday destination without any of the tourist trappings.

Situated on a thin outcrop peninsula, the little town is almost entirely circled by gorgeous beaches. Behind it, a hefty shoulder of mountains and classic Madagascan spiny forest give it a sense of complete isolation.

In fact, it’s more than just ‘a sense’ – this former French outpost has incredibly poor road access. Along its shores, pirogue boats bob in the ebbing tide, and locals move languidly between the clutches of colonial buildings and straw rondavel huts.

enter image description here

Surfers wait for perfect breaks, and lobster nets are only checked now and again. Time comes to an almost complete stop here, which makes it the ideal beach destination for a holiday in Madagascar that feels like it could last a lifetime.

Hit the Beaches

Blessed with a seemingly endless coastline, Taolagnaro is home to some superb swimming beaches (Libanona Beach is considered the best), tidal pools, and even a handful of shallow reefs worth exploring.

enter image description here

There are also a handful of world-famous surf spots that include sites for relative newbies, such as Ankoba Beach, and more advanced breaks, such as Monseigner Bay.

Visit Berenty Reserve

Probably Madagascar’s best-known reserve, Berenty, is about three hours west of Taolagnaro but undoubtedly worth a visit for the more adventurous traveler. It’s unusually verdant for this part of Madagascar, thanks to its position on the Mandrare River.

While most reserves and national parks in Madagascar require that you take a guide, Berenty is unique in that guests can walk the trails unguided and explore the riverine and baobab-scattered forest in search of lemurs.

Five species are common here, the most famous being Verraux’s sifaka, known for its comical poses, which make the lemur look like it’s dancing.

Tour the Forts

Toalagnaro is home to the oldest building in Madagascar, a fort whose origins remain somewhat of a mystery. Some claim it was built by shipwrecked Portuguese sailors in 1504 while others maintain it was a Swahili structure erected centuries prior.

Worth a visit too is the Flacourt Fort, built more than a century later. Both forts offer a fascinating glimpse in to the history of this part of the island.

Practical Information
  • Effectively cut off from the rest of the island due to its deplorable access roads, you’ll want to make your holiday in Taolagnaro a fly-in and fly-out affair. There are local flights from Antananarivo daily; the alternative is hours of bumpy and unreliable public transport.
  • Although very safe, it’s generally a good idea to keep valuables out of sight and to avoid walking alone along the beaches at night
  • Swim and surf only at designated beaches – Madagascar’s southeast coast has areas with powerful currents, and swimming can be dangerous outside indicated areas.

How it Works

2

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

3

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
24/7 Support
Flexible
Authentic
Personalized

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their Africa trips with Discover Africa Safaris
Adelle Bell was most helpful
Discover Africa, especially Susan, designed a perfect dream vacation that was 100%...

11 Day South Africa Safari Review

Jennifer, United States
19 Jul 2023
Left us with lasting memories and a bucketload of amazing pictures.
Takes care of all the details!

Wonderful Safari Experience Review

Jeff, United States
26 Aug 2021
Karl from DA certainly hit the nail on the head with our...

Tanzanian Great Migration Safari Review

Lorraine Mckay, New Zealand
01 Jul 2019
Megan was amazing with all our travel planning.

An Amazing Safari in Africa Review

Charles Brownlee, South Africa
01 Mar 2013

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Lana Goodwin, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

HELP ME PLAN
Copyright © Discover Africa Safaris | Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) | Last Updated: 29 September 2023