Madagascar Highlights

Begin your journey in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner.

Stay overnight at the Hotel Belvedere or similar.

(B)

In the morning, go on a walking tour of Antananarivo. The city features bustling markets, places of religious significance, and friendly locals. You will then drive to Andasibe, which involves travelling through dense vegetation and forests with a noticeably humid climate. Upon arriving at Andasibe, at around 4pm, enjoy free leisure in the afternoon. Then take part in a nocturnal walking tour near the Andasibe Nature Reserve, keeping an eye out for nocturnal lemurs.

Spend 2 nights at the Hotel Feon’ny Ala or similar.

(B)

Visit the Andasibe National Park and go on a 4-hour wildlife walk. The park is home to the indri, the largest of all lemur species, which has a distinct black and white color palette. They are monogamous and tend to live in small family groups. If you’re lucky, you may get a close-up view of these majestic animals.

In the afternoon, head to the Vondron’olona Miaro Mitia Ala Reserve. The reserve is run by the local community and has several species of birds and lemurs. There are also more indris, along with diademed sifakas, which live in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. If you love reptiles and amphibians, the reserve also has a wide array of frogs and chameleons.

(B)

Head back to Antananarivo, and then drive south to Antsirabe. The drive will take you across the beautiful rice fields. The city of Antsirabe is famous for its local beer produce, to the point where you can even smell the fumes pouring out of the local Star Brewery. It has a distinct European feel, with a temperate climate that is perfect for growing fresh fruit and vegetables.

Stay overnight at the Les Chambers du Voyageur or similar.

(B)

After breakfast, make your way to Ambositra, a town that is well known for its forest resources. For this reason, many of the residential and commercial buildings are made from wooden components. Further on, drive past a wide array of different landscapes, from rice fields to pine forests, before reaching the Ranomafana National Park.

Spend 2 nights at the Centrest Hotel or similar.

(B)

Enjoy a full day of activities at the Ranomafana National Park, one of the most frequently visited parks in Madagascar.

Spend about 5 hours on a walking tour. The park is home to many rare species of vegetation and wildlife. These include 43 mammal species, 12 chameleon species, 10 lizard species, 115 bird species, and 90 butterfly species. You’ll also be guided by a local tour guide, who’ll show you the best scenery and wildlife viewing spots. .

(B)

In the early morning, leave Ranomafana National Park and drive to the small town of Ranohira. The journey will take about 9 hours and include frequent meals and rest breaks. En route you will stop by the Anja National Park, where ring-tailed lemurs can be found amongst the vegetation.

Spend 2 nights at the Orchidee de l’Isalo or similar.

(B)

Make an early start to explore the Isalo National Park, one of the most popular nature destinations in Madagascar. Established in 1962, the park protects around 190,000 acres of land and features massive sandstone formations, which have been naturally eroded by weather and time.

You will also walk in the breathtaking Canyon ds Makis, in search of more ring-tailed lemurs. There is then the Piscine Naturelle (Natural Swimming Pool), which is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a splash, and marvel at the scenery.

(B)

After breakfast, proceed to Tulear. You will be introduced to new scenery, in the form of spiny deserts and lush forests, both facing south and west respectively. You will also visit the Zombitse National Park en route, home to one of the most rare, endemic species, the Appert’s greenbul. Various species of lemur can be spotted here, as well.

Stay overnight at the Hotel Victory or similar.

(B)

In the morning, transfer by boat to Anakao. The fishing village, located in the southwest coast of Madagascar, has luxurious beaches and many optional activities, such as diving, snorkeling, and swimming.

Spend 3 nights at the Hotel Lalandaka or similar.

(B)

In the early morning, transfer by 4×4 to the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, Enjoy a full day of activities, going on walking tours and game tours, marveling at the rare endemic bird and mammal species. Return to Anakao in the afternoon.

(B)

Go on a boat excursion to the island of Nosy Ve. The island is home to red-tailred tropic birds, which hunt for food offshore and plunge into the ocean to retrieve flying flish. You’ll stroll around the shoreline, including the white sandy beaches. Return to Aanakao by lunch, and then enjoy free leisure in the afternoon.

(B)

Transfer to Tulear airport and fly to Antananarivo. There may be time for free leisure in the afternoon depending on the flight schedule.

Stay overnight at the Belvedere Hotel or similar.

(B)

In the morning, visit Ambohimanga. Also known as the Blue Hills, the village is notable for its royal origins and ensemble of sacred places. For over 500 years, the region has retained its strong national identity, and is a popular place of worship.

The journey officially ends at Ambohimanga at around 2:30pm. Please do not book return flights before 2:30pm.

(B)