The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Destinations
Photography: Michael Büchi on Unsplash
Madagascar
Location: Off the southeast coast of Africa
Coordinates: 18.7669° S, 46.8691° E
Main gateway: Ivato International Airport (TNR), Antananarivo
Direct flights from: Johannesburg, Nairobi, Paris, and Addis Ababa
Best for: Wildlife encounters, rainforests, beaches, and baobabs
Ideal time to go: April to November (dry season)
Languages spoken: Malagasy, French (widely spoken),
English (limited but growing)
The hauntingly beautiful Avenue of The Baobabs at sunrise, Madagascar. Photography: Malagasya Travel.
Madagascar – unpolished, unpredictable and unforgettable
By Josh Chandler
Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is commonly referred to as the ‘Eighth continent’ due to its extraordinary biodiversity and ecological distinctiveness. Madagascar's long isolation from other continents (starting about 160 million years ago when it split from Africa), has allowed its unique flora and fauna to evolve without the influence of other species. As a result, the island boasts flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, with approximately 90% of its wildlife being endemic.
Madagascar is a destination for solo travellers who like their adventures a bit raw. It’s not ‘luxe safari land’ – it’s wild and messy, but deeply authentic. And for travellers who care about conservation, Madagascar offers opportunities to support locally led ecotourism that protects its fragile ecosystems.
For solo travellers chasing inspiration from experiencing the unfamiliar, Madagascar offers something rare – the feeling of stepping into a living dream. It's a place where the trees look upside down, and the rhythm of life hums to its own ancient tune. Unpolished, unpredictable and utterly unforgettable, Madagascar isn’t for the ‘checklist traveller’. It’s for the curious, the courageous, and those who thrive on connection – to nature, to locals, and to their own sense of wonder.
Sailing at sunset, Madagascar. Photography: Malagasya Travel.
Madagascar’s biodiversity is jaw-dropping – think of ring-tailed lemurs leaping across rocky plateaus, chameleons that shift colour like they’re playing dress-up, and forests that whisper rather than roar. Solo hikers and nature-lovers can explore the hauntingly beautiful Avenue of the Baobabs, or lose themselves (metaphorically, ideally!) in the spiny forests and lush rainforests of national parks like Andasibe-Mantadia or Isalo.
Palmarium Reserve in Madagascar is one of the best places to see, among many of the island’s captivating inhabitants, the black-and-white ruffed lemur. Photography: Malagasya Travel.
A chameleon at Peyrieras Nature Reserve, Madagascar. Photography: Malagasya Travel.
Madagascar’s culture is an intricate blend of African, Austronesian, and French influences, shaped by centuries of seafaring and migration. Travelling solo here often means you’re invited to linger – to share a bowl of romazava (beef and greens stew), to hear local stories of ancestors and spirits, or to stumble upon a village hiragasy (traditional performance) that fills the air with song and theatre. There's something deeply human about the hospitality – proud, warm, and curious right back at you.
Getting around Madagascar isn’t always easy, but that’s part of its charm. Roads are rough, public transport is improvised, and plans bend with the weather. But for the solo traveller, that unpredictability becomes a gift. You slow down. You take notice. You exchange glances with strangers who become friends and discover moments that were never in the guidebook.
Josh Chandler is a writer based in the United Kingdom.
Kellie Paxian – solo travelling with an open heart, mind, and soul
Kellie Paxian, the Founder of Adventurelust, is “… a sucker for a sunrise! I cannot miss a sunrise, and I always snag a window seat! I’m from Canada (Vancouver, BC) and followed my soul to my spirit city, Cape Town, South Africa, where I now live. I’ve been to over 55 countries and six continents. I believe travel, especially solo travel, is the best thing you can do for yourself. I never say ‘No’ to adventure, and I never settle for anything less than epic.”
Kellie during her trek to see Uganda's mountain gorillas – an experience that can only be described a once-in-a-lifetime. Photography: Adventurelust.
“I’ve trekked with gorillas, camped beside an active volcano, bathed in a mud volcano, jumped off the world’s highest bungee bridge, cage dived with great white sharks and scuba dived with manta rays, braved the Amazon, salsa danced in Havana, drank limoncello in Positano, fallen in love in Paris, eaten some questionable local delicacies, and encountered some incredible wildlife.”
Kellie’s first solo adventure was “… a six-month trip around the world, and my first stops were Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar, and Cape Town! I named the trip #peaceplaypassion for the different themes as I journeyed across Africa, Australia, and Europe. It changed my life! Having travelled to over 57 countries, I am a seasoned solo traveller, and I love meeting new travel friends. I now organise group adventures around the world, including Madagascar in September 2025!”
“I know what it’s like to travel solo and love bringing others together on adventures that would be a little difficult or not as rewarding to travel solo – especially adventures that involve Africa and wildlife! My top three tips for solo travelling success are to be open to what the Universe has in store; you will find the greatest rewards outside of your comfort zone; and come join me in Madagascar this September – you won’t regret it!”
If Madagascar wasn’t on your ‘Bucket List’, it probably is now! In September 2025, you can join Adventurelust Founder, Kellie Paxian, whose carefully and expertly crafted itinerary, in partnership with local experts, offers an immersive and accessible way to experience this dream destination.
