The complete exploration of Madagascar

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Embark on a 22-day adventure through Madagascar, exploring its breathtaking landscapes, from the iconic Tsingy de Bemaraha to serene river descents and pristine beaches. Immerse yourself in diverse cultures, rich wildlife, and unforgettable natural wonders.

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Explore Madagascar for 22 days on a tour that balances culture, nature and relaxation. Discover the Central Highlands, float down the Tsiribihina River, explore the rock formations of the Tsingy de Bemaraha, and immerse yourself in the life of coastal villages like Belo-sur-Mer. Enjoy the thermal springs at Antsirabe, the beaches at Ankasy, and the forests at Ranomafana. Don’t miss the Isalo National Park with its swimming pools.
Travel possible from June to October

DAY	ITINERARY	HOTELS	ACTIVITIES
1	ARRIVAL TANA	Sakamanga	Transfer at hotel
2	TANA – ANTSIRABE	Chambre du Voyageur	Aluminium visit
3	ANTSIRABE – MIANDRIVAZO	Soalia
4	MIANDRIVAZO – TSIRIBIHINA RIVER	Camping
5	TSIRIBIHINA RIVER	Camping
6	TSIRIBIHINA RIVER – BEKOPAKA	Orchidée of Bemaraha	Transfer by boat
7	BEKOPAKA	Orchidee of Bemaraha	Pirogue trip on the Manambolo gorge / Visit Great Tsingy
8	BEKOPAKA – MORONDAVA	Renala Sable d’or	Baobab Avenue
9	MORONDAVA	Renala Sable d’or
10	MORONDAVA – BELO SUR MER	Ecolodge du Menabe
11	BELO SUR MER	Ecolodge du Menabe
12	BELO SUR MER – ANDAVADOAKA	Laguna Beach
13	ANDAVADOAKA – AMBATOMILO	Olo Be Lodge
14	AMBATOMILO	Olo Be Lodge	Whale excursion
15	AMBATOMILO – TULEAR	Moringa
16	TULEAR – RANOHIRA	Isalo Ranch
17	RANOHIRA	Isalo Ranch	Isalo National Park
18	RANOHIRA – AMBALAVAO	Tsienimparihy	Anjà Park
19	AMBALAVAO – RANOMAFANA	Ny Tanana	Night visit in Ranomafana NP
20	RANOMAFANA	Ny Tanana	Ranomafana NP
21	RANOMAFANA – AMBOSITRA	Artisan
22	AMBOSITRA – TANA	Sakamanga

Day 1

Arrival in Tana

Welcome to Antananarivo. As soon as you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel. Take time to relax and recuperate from the flight. Time permitting, you can also explore the Malagasy capital on foot, which is an ideal way to start your immersion in Madagascar.

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 2

Tana – Antsirabe

You start your journey south towards Antsirabe, crossing the central Highlands and discovering rural Malagasy life among rice paddies and crops. Traditional red adobe houses perched on the hills punctuate your journey with bright colors.3

A stopover in Ambatolampy, a village at the foot of the Ankaratra mountain range, allows you to visit an artisan workshop where aluminum cooking utensils are made. Back on the road, you’ll get to know the atmosphere of the Hautes Terres, between colonial buildings, beautiful Merina houses and an old spa dating from the turn of the century, located on the shores of Lake Ranomafana. Antsirabe, now Madagascar’s third-largest city, stands out for its tranquility, cleanliness and undeniable charm, testimony to its past splendor.

Distance: 170km – approx. 4h30 drive

Overnight stay and breakfast at hotel

Day 3

Antsirabe – Miandrivazo

Spend the morning visiting local artisans: a confectioner, a tailor specializing in zebu horn and a miniature maker. Then it’s back on the road to Miandrivazo. This peaceful town, one of the hottest in the country, borders the Mahajilo River, a tributary of the Tsiribihina. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and don’t miss the opportunity to admire the sunset over the river.

Distance: 247 km – 6 hours’ drive

Overnight stay and breakfast at hotel

Day 4

Miandrivazo – Masiankampy – Descent of the Tsiribihina River

Today, you’ll board a barge, a flat-bottomed boat, to sail down the Tsiribihina River. To reach the jetty at Masiakampy, you’ll travel around 30 km along a track, requiring around two hours’ driving.

Lunch is served on board the boat, giving you the chance to discover a wide variety of wildlife. The riverbanks are lined with endemic plants such as pachypodiums, aloes, kalanchoes and baobabs. If you keep a sharp eye out, you can spot many species of birds, crocodiles and lemurs. You’ll also explore the lives of local people as you pass by riverside villages.

Distance: 27 km – 1 hour

Full board on board the barge

Night in tent

Day 5

Descent of the Tsiribihina River

After breakfast, you resume your trip down the Tsiribihina by barge. At midday, you stop for an excursion on foot to a magnificent waterfall. After a hike through the forest, you arrive at a superb natural pool where you can take a dip.

Back on the boat, you can enjoy birdwatching with herons, teal, humpback ducks and fishermen. Lunch is served on board before taking a break to visit the village of Berevo. In the evening, you’ll be treated to traditional entertainment featuring Sakalava and Cabosse songs performed by the villagers.

Full board aboard the barge

Night in tent

Day 6

Descent of the Tsiribihina River – Belo sur Tsiribihina – Bekopaka

After breakfast in the village, you climb back aboard your boat. Around midday, as you approach your final destination, the village of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, you notice the riverbed widening and becoming sandier, with a flatter relief. You’ll notice an increase in river activity. After a picnic lunch on board, you continue your journey by 4×4, crossing a wild track for four to five hours. At the end of the journey, you reach Bekopaka, the gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.

Distance: 100km

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 7

Bekopaka

The famous MANAMBOLO GORGES & the Great Tsingys

On your first day in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, you start by exploring the Manambolo gorges by traditional pirogue, followed by a visit to the caves carved into the cliffs, which were once necropolises for the “Vazimba” tribe, Madagascar’s first inhabitants. In the middle of the day, you’ll explore the Great Tsingy. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional character, the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is home to impressive limestone peaks, the highest of which can reach up to thirty meters!

You drive to Andamozavaky, 17 kilometers from the park entrance, to begin your hike. Winding paths, narrow tunnels and a suspension bridge lead you gradually to the summit. Lookouts do the route, offering exceptional panoramic views of the park. You’ll return to your hotel in the late afternoon, having had a wonderful day.

Distance: 34 KM round trip

Overnight stay and breakfast at your hotel

Day 8

Bekopaka – Kirindy

The day is dedicated to the journey on the road to Morondava, the capital of the Menabe region. Although the road is long, it offers a variety of landscapes, including the shrub savannah typical of western Madagascar and a magnificent baobab-lined avenue. You cross the river by ferry at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, passing Sakalava tombs as you approach your destination. On arrival in Kirindy, visit the hotel’s private park to meet the famous fosa.

Route: 200km track

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 9

Kirindy – Morondava

Before reaching Morondava, a short visit to Kirindy Park. Morondava, capital of the Sakalava country of Menabe, is a popular destination for travellers. This town of sandy streets is lively and rich in cultural discoveries. To round off the day in style, you can watch the sun set over the famous Baobab Alley.

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 10

Morondava – Belo sur Mer

You leave Morondava early in the morning for Belo-sur-Mer, passing through bush adapted to the local dry climate. On the way, you pass through salt pans and cross a wide ford, before arriving in this charming Vezo fishing village. In Belo-sur-Mer, famous for its dhows, you’ll discover one of the busiest shipyards on the country’s west coast.

Route: 93 km track – 4 hrs drive

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 11

Belo sur Mer

Today you have a free day in Belo-sur-Mer to relax and explore this beautiful fishing village on Madagascar’s west coast. Enjoy a variety of breathtaking seascapes, including lagoons, dunes and islets. Your lodge offers a full range of activities, both on water and on land, to suit your preferences.

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 12

Belo sur Mer – Andavadoaka

After breakfast, you’re back on the road to Manja. In the 19th century, Manja, whose name means both “blackish” and “pretty” in Malagasy, was the capital of a small kingdom. The women of this region can be recognized by their traditional hairstyle braided into several small buns called “Dokodoko”. Enjoy a free lunch on site before continuing your journey on a long laterite track through savannah and baobab trees. After several hours on the road, you’ll reach the banks of the Mangoky River, which you’ll cross by ferry before continuing on an old road towards Morombe. Less than an hour later, you’ll reach Andavadaoka, another charming fishing village.

Route: 312 km of dirt road – 10 h of driving

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 13

Andavadoaka – Ambatomilo

This morning, take time to enjoy the beach and lagoon. With its white sand and turquoise waters, you’re in a veritable little paradise! Lunch is at your leisure before heading back to Ambatomilo. The route takes you through dunes, picturesque fishing villages and xerophytic forests, with the blue horizon of the sea always close by. No matter when you arrive in Ambatomilo, the panorama is always spectacular! Its white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoon invite you to settle in for eternity.

Distance: 47km track – 3h drive

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 14

Ambatomilo

A day of dreams and relaxation awaits you in the exceptional setting of one of Madagascar’s most beautiful beaches. Dive into the emerald and turquoise lagoon and relax on the soft white sand. Time seems to stand still as you savor this little paradise! Only the breeze and the tides mark the rhythm of the day. Take time to explore the charming local village and meet its inhabitants. Fishing is the main economic activity here.

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 15

Ambatomilo – Ankasy – Tuléar

After breakfast, you set sail for Tuléar, also known as Toliara. This seaside resort is renowned for its proximity to the Grand Reef, one of the world’s largest coral reefs. North of the Tropic of Capricorn, the road passes through vast herds of zebu cattle, as well as aloes, euphorbias and baobabs. The many villages and towns scattered along this route were founded by researchers of sapphires, a precious stone often extracted from this grassy red soil before reaching this destination. Along the way, you’ll come across some imposing viewpoints.

Route: 396 km track – 8h drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 16

Tuléar – Ranohira

After breakfast, you set off for Ranohira. This rural commune is located in the Isalo massif, nicknamed the Malagasy Colorado. In the early afternoon, enjoy the sunset from the famous Isalo window.

Distance: 240 km – 5h asphalt drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 17

Ranohira

Today begins your exploration of Isalo National Park, a fascinating geological massif dating from the Jurassic period, sculpted by erosion and characterized by its singular colors. You are transferred by vehicle early in the morning to begin your exploration on foot, accessible to all levels. In the heart of this spectacular landscape, you’ll discover flora and fauna endemic to Madagascar.

The first stop of the day is a superb natural swimming pool, a veritable oasis in the middle of this arid landscape, fed by a cascade of warm water. During your walk, you’ll come across burial sites of the Bara and Sakalava peoples, enriching your cultural experience with strange and fascinating nuances.

To reach the Namaza forest, you can choose between walking or returning by vehicle. Cross a magnificent valley and a ridge offering breathtaking views of the canyon. In the forest, be on the lookout for lemurs! You might even spot the famous Sifaka. The highlight of the day is the Cascade des Nymphes!

Picnic lunch included

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 18

Ranohira – Ambalavao

The next two days’ drive will take you through the arid Horombe plateau to Ranomafana. Crossing the mythical “Gateway to the South”, you enter the great southern region of Madagascar. The landscape changes completely! Highland vineyards and rice paddies replace savannah.

Stop off at the Anja community reserve to observe ring-tailed lemurs and friendly makis. This reserve was created to welcome travelers while preserving the local fauna and contributing to the local inhabitants’ income.

You then continue on to Ambalavao. The end of the day is free, and your hotel offers a wide range of activities.

Distance: 215km – 4h30 asphalt drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 19

Ambalavao – Ranomafana

After breakfast, visit Ambalavao, famous for its livestock market on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and its vineyards producing some of Madagascar’s finest wines. You’ll also discover an artisanal Antaimoro paper factory, renowned for its robustness thanks to its historic plant fibers.

En route to Ranomafana, you stop off at Fianarantsoa, where the upper town and its well-preserved historic quarté offer spectacular views of the surrounding rice paddies. On arrival in Ranomafana in the afternoon, a local guide will show you around the village and its famous thermal spring.

Distance: 115km – 3h30 asphalt drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 20

Ranomafana – Ambositra

The dense low- and medium-altitude rainforest of the World Heritage-listed Ranomafana National Park is home to a rich botanical diversity, with precious tree species such as ferns and orchids, as well as endemic species of lemurs, amphibians and reptiles. In the morning, you explore this natural sanctuary. In the afternoon, you head for Ambositra to spend the night.

Distance: 140 km – 3h30 asphalt drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 21

Ambositra – Tana

After breakfast, explore the charming town of Ambositra, famous for its workshops and stores where the ancestral art of Zafimaniry woodcarving flourishes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have the opportunity to explore one of these workshops and talk to the talented craftsmen. After this enriching immersion, you begin your return to Antananarivo. Although the journey is drawing to a close, you’ll still marvel at the varied landscapes that unfold before your eyes. Crossing the majestic Ankaratra mountain range, you enjoy spectacular views of the green hills. Thatch-roofed houses with red earth walls blend harmoniously with terraced rice paddies, providing an enchanting backdrop characteristic of the highlands until dusk. The day ends with you settling comfortably into your hotel in Antananarivo.

Distance: 260 km – 8 hours asphalt drive

Night and breakfast at hotel

Day 22

Tana

A car is made available to you so that you can make the most of your last day in Antananarivo, exploring its handicraft market on the dike or making other discoveries. If your flight is scheduled for the end of the day, you’ll have a hotel room close to the airport to relax and refresh for a few hours before departure. A transfer service will be provided to take you to the airport at your leisure.

Wenn Sie sich auf diese außergewöhnliche Reise durch Madagaskar begeben, ist eine Vorbereitung unerlässlich, um die vielfältigen Erlebnisse und Landschaften, denen Sie begegnen werden, in vollen Zügen genießen zu können. Hier sind einige unverzichtbare Reisetipps, um ein reibungsloses und unvergessliches Abenteuer zu gewährleisten:

Bereiten Sie sich mit Bedacht vor: Das Klima Madagaskars ist sehr unterschiedlich und reicht vom kühleren Hochland bis zu den tropischen Küsten. Bringen Sie daher mehrschichtige Kleidung mit, um den unterschiedlichen Temperaturen gerecht zu werden. Festes, bequemes Schuhwerk ist für das abwechslungsreiche Gelände von entscheidender Bedeutung, insbesondere für Wanderungen im Isalo-Nationalpark und die Erkundung des Tsingy de Bemaraha. Vergessen Sie nicht einen Hut, eine Sonnenbrille und Sonnencreme, um sich vor der intensiven Sonne zu schützen, insbesondere bei Flussfahrten und Küstenaufenthalten.

Bleiben Sie gesund: Stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihre Impfungen auf dem neuesten Stand sind, und erwägen Sie eine prophylaktische Behandlung gegen Malaria, da einige Gebiete anfällig für Malaria sind. Bringen Sie Insektenschutzmittel sowie Ihre persönlichen Medikamente mit, einschließlich eines einfachen Erste-Hilfe-Sets. Zum Trinken wird Wasser in Flaschen empfohlen und es ist ratsam, auf langen Reisen zwischen Zielen ein paar Snacks zur Hand zu haben.

Respektieren Sie lokale Bräuche: Madagaskar ist reich an Kultur und tief verwurzelten Traditionen. Wenn Sie Dörfer besuchen, kleiden Sie sich angemessen und fragen Sie um Erlaubnis, bevor Sie Fotos von Menschen oder heiligen Stätten machen. Das Erlernen einiger Wörter auf Madagassisch, wie „Manao ahoana“ (Hallo) und „Misaotra“ (Danke), kann viel dazu beitragen, eine Verbindung zu den Einheimischen aufzubauen.

Bereiten Sie sich auf die Straßenverhältnisse vor: Viele Straßen in Madagaskar sind unbefestigt und können insbesondere während der Regenzeit schwierig sein. Seien Sie geduldig und nehmen Sie die Reise in Angriff, denn wechselnde Landschaften und lokale Begegnungen machen lange Fahrten lohnenswert. Denken Sie darüber nach, Medikamente gegen Reisekrankheit mitzubringen, wenn Sie anfällig für Reisekrankheit sind.

Tierwelt und Naturetikette: Madagaskars Ökosysteme sind fragil und einzigartig. Befolgen Sie stets die Anweisungen Ihres Reiseführers, bleiben Sie auf den ausgewiesenen Wegen und vermeiden Sie die Störung der Tierwelt. Befolgen Sie beim Besuch von Schutzgebieten die Grundsätze „Hinterlasse keine Spuren“, um dazu beizutragen, die natürliche Schönheit für zukünftige Generationen zu bewahren.

Mit diesen Tipps im Hinterkopf sind Sie bereit, in die Wunder Madagaskars einzutauchen und dabei unvergessliche Erinnerungen zu schaffen.

Tour highlights

3 Wochen, um Madagaskar aus allen Blickwinkeln zu entdecken
Navigieren Sie auf dem Tsiribihina-Fluss und bewundern Sie seine Flora und Fauna
Erleben Sie die majestätischen Tsingy de Bemaraha
Machen Sie eine paradiesische Pause an den Stränden von Ankasy

Budget : 2125€ /person

The final rate may vary according to the number of passengers, the vehicle category chosen and the season you wish to travel in.

Included

Abholungen und Landtransfers gemäß dem Programm
Mietwagen für die Strecken Antananarivo – Ankasy – Antananarivo
Service eines englischsprachigen chauffeurs
Treibstoff für die gesamte Strecke
Unterkunft im Hotel
Frühstück, Mittagessen oder Abendessen, wie im Programm angegeben
Miete einer privaten Barke während der Mini-Kreuzfahrt auf dem Tsiribihina-Fluss
Eintrittsgebühren und verpflichtende Gebühren für lokale Führer in den Nationalparks Bemaraha, Isalo und Ranomafana
Besichtigungen und Ausflüge, wie angegeben
Aufenthaltstaxenaufkleber in den Hotels
Unterstützung 7 Tage die Woche während Ihrer Reise in Madagaskar
Fährüberfahrten und Mautgebühren

Excluded

VISA: etwa 35 € pro Person für einen Aufenthalt von weniger als einem Monat in Madagaskar
Internationale Flüge nach Madagaskar und entsprechende Flughafengebühren
Getränke, Tipps und persönliche Ausgaben
Vorgeschlagene Landexcursionen oder Wassersportaktivitäten
Reiseversicherung

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