From Baobabs to beaches and the biggest Lemurs on earth to stunning landscapes – enjoy the best of this exotic island
Antananarivo – Andasibe – Antsirabe – Miandrivazo – Kirindy – Bekopaka – Tsingy of Bemaraha – Morondava Avenue of Baobabs – Ranomafana & Rainforest – Ranohira -Ranohira – Toliara – Ifaty – Reniala Forest – Ifaty – Toliara – Antananarivo
Discover the eastern, western and southern parts of the island with the opportunity to explore the Analamazaotra reserve, sheltering the biggest lemurs on earth – the ‘Indri Indri’; the Kirindy reserve with its famous ‘Fosa’ mammals; the marvelous Tsingy of Bemaraha; the amazing Avenue of baobabs; the Ranomafana National Park with its bamboo lemurs and the Isalo national park with its oasis, plus the marvelous Catta lemurs of Anja private park. Finally, end your tour at the beautiful beachside of Ifaty for some well-earned relaxation.
This is just an idea – there’s just so much to see and so many ways to fit your budget in Madagascar – its best to talk to us to tailor make your tour.
On your arrival, you’ll be welcomed at IVATO international airport and then transferred to your hotel; followed by a briefing of what to expect on your tour.
Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar, in the island’s Central Highlands
After breakfast, depart for Andasibe. On the way, you’ll visit of an exotic location where reptiles, batrachians and mammals live.
Next you’ll continue to Andasibe, where in the evening you’ll enjoy a night walk to discover the nocturnal animals that inhabit the area.
Andasibe-is home to a 155 square kilometre protected area, located about 150 km east of Antananarivo, consisting mainly of primary growth forest in eastern Madagascar.
Early morning departure for the Analamazaotra special reserve. You’ll spend the day exploring the Malagasy fauna and flora.
This rainforest habitat is home to a vast species biodiversity, including numerous endemic, rare and endangered species, including 11 lemur species.
Indri Indris, the largest lemurs on earth are in their natural environment here. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a private reserve and lemur’s island.
After breakfast, you’ll leave depart for Antsirabe. On the way, you will make a stop at the aluminum foundry in Ambatolampy.
After lunch you’ll continue your journey to arrive in the city of water in the afternoon.
Antsirabe, capital city of the Vakinankaratra region, lies in the central highlands of Madagascar. A popular spa town, it’s known for its thermal springs and many colorful rickshaws.
French colonial buildings present their grand facades, whilst stalls at the souk-like Sabotsy Market sell clothing and local produce. The large Lake Andraikiba lies just west of the city.
Today you’ll drive to Miandrivazo. Along the way, you’ll visit Andraikiba Lake and its sellers of precious and semi-precious stones.
Afterwards continue to the village of Betafo and other fascinating villages reflecting Malagasy way of life.
This area is best known for its outdoor pursuits and natural scenery.
After breakfast depart for Kirindy, a privately managed forest where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the ‘Fossa’ wild cat and the mighty Baobabs.
The Kirindy Forest is a private nature reserve, home to the Fossa = a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal endemic to Madagascar and the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. It’s often compared with a small cougar, as it has many cat-like features.
After settling in at your hotel, you’ll enjoy a nocturnal stroll in the area.
Today, you’ll visit and explore the endemic fauna and flora of this private forest. Afterwards you’ll return to your hotel before driving to Bekopaka, where you’ll find the amazing Tsingys of Bemaraha.
Even though, the road is not in the best condition, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along the way.
Explore the Tsingys of Bemaraha – classified as a World Heritage site since 1990 by UNESCO.
The Tsingy are rare and remarkable geological phenomena of exceptional beauty. The impressive landscape with its karst structure developed on a highly dissected limestone massif crossed by a deep gorge
Its sharpened peaks which form the calcareous massif reach up to 30 metres but at the same time you’ll be immersed in the broad diversity of its flora and fauna.
After breakfast, return to Morondava via the Alley of Baobabs. These baobab trees are specific to the area and Madagascar boasts six species out of the eight existing worldwide.
Stretching for 22 miles, the world’s longest tree-lined avenue frames the dirt road linking Morondava and Belo Tsiribihina. These giant, dry season-deciduous trees, many more than 800 years old with trunks that are over 150 feet around create a setting so beautiful and unique that it should become the country’s primary natural monument.
After enjoying the beautiful sunset here you’ll continue to Morondava.
After your few days of discovery in the western part of the island, you’ll now move on to Antsirabe, passing through Mahabo, an ancient Sakalava royal village, remembered for its notoriously cruel king.
After passing through several villages, you’ll reach Antsirabe for the night.
After breakfast, you’ll transfer on rickshaw to a workshop that transforms zebu horn into decorative objects. Afterwards, you again take national road No.7 for Ranomafana, where you’ll make a stop in Ambositra to admire the outstanding skills of its craftsmen.
Many Malagasy crafts are made here, including marquetry and woodcarving. Next continue to Ranomafana for your overnight stay.
Ranomafana National Park is rich in fauna and flora, sheltering different species of endemic lemurs and interesting vegetation.
Ranomafana National Park was established as Madagascar’s fourth national park following the rediscovery of the Greater Bamboo Lemur and the Golden Bamboo Lemur. The park covers more than 160 square miles of tropical rainforest and is also home to several rare species of plants and animals
Early this morning, you’ll take a three-hour walk through the forest, followed in the afternoon by a visit to Tanàla village.
After the visit you can go swimming in the thermal pool if you wish.
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Ranohira. On the way, you’ll stop in Anja Private Park, managed by the village community.
The story of ‘three brothers’ will be explained by the local tour guide as Catta lemurs accompany it with their joyful welcome.
Ring-tailed or Catta lemurs are the most recognisable of the Lemur species with their tails ringed with 13 alternating black and white bands.
Unlike most other lemurs, ringtails spend 40 percent of their time on the ground and the wild population is now listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Habitat destruction, local hunting and the exotic pet trade have all taken their toll.
You’ll next move on to Ranohira.
The village of Ranohira is the gateway to all visits of Isalo national park, a huge massif eroded during the Jurassic era.
This wild landscape features deep canyons, palm-lined oases and grasslands formed by erosion of the Jurassic sandstone plateau. The park now protects a unique variety of endemic species, including 14 species of nocturnal lemurs.
You’ll hike in the park through the Baras tombs and botanical gardens, ending by the the calm waters of the natural swimming pool.
After your visit, you’ll return to your hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll head to Toliara, passing by Isalo National Park and going through Ilakaka, a small market town of sapphire diggers. Baobabs and multicolored Mahafaly tombs will accompany you along the way.
You’ll visit a private botanical reserve called ‘Arboretum d’Antsokay’ before continuing to Ifaty.
Approximately 900 plant species can be found in the Arboretum, 90% of these endemic to Madagascar, with about 80% of them considered to give medicinal value – many of whch are now threatened with extinction
In the morning, you’ll visit the Reniala Reserve, literally ‘mother forest’.
During the visit, you’ll have the opportunity to observe many species living in the Madagascar bush including birds, turtles, insects and lemurs.
Along the trails you will find some of the most spectacular and oldest baobabs in Madagascar. The bird sanctuary is also home to mammals including grey mouse lemurs and other rare endemic reptiles such as the beautiful spider and radiated tortoises, as well as some of Madagascar’s most elusive endemic birds, including the red-capped coua and blue vanga. Early morning visits should be rewarded with sightings of the long-tailed roller and subdesert mesite.
The rest of your day is free at leisure.
These days are your own to relax, or to take advantage of the beautiful beach of Ifaty.
There are many optional activities in Ifaty, such as snorkeling in the Ankarajelita reserve, scuba diving, fishing and visiting the tortoise village.
Ifaty is delightfully laidback, with the two small fishing villages of Mangily and Madio Rano.
It’s an ideal beach destination to unwind after your recent more active trekking and wildlife exploits, or simply to watch the traditional ‘pirogue’ fishing boats sailing on the calm waters. It’s also possible to spot passing migrating whales throughout July and August.
After these relaxing few days you’ll return towards Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
According to your domestic flight schedule, you’ll transfer to Toliara airport to fly to Ivato international airport.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
You’re not finished yet!
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a city tour to discover its old architecture and distinctive administrative buildings.
Next you’ll go to Ambohimanga, the cradle of the Merina monarchy for an intimate insight into the history of Madagascar.
The Rova of Antananarivo palace was the centre of the Merina kingdom from the 17th century and features wooden houses and royal tombs.
If you’ve time, see the pink baroque Andafiavaratra Palace sitting in the Haute Ville neighborhood. In the city centre itself, the heart-shaped Lake Anosy is surrounded by jacaranda trees.
Afterwards, you’ll return to your hotel.
If time allows, you’ll have the opportunity to go shopping at the craft markets to buy some last-minute souvenirs.
Then, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
