Madagascar: Wild Landscapes of the West and South

Madagascar

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Explore the lesser-known corners of Madagascar

Off the southeast coast of Africa lies the vast and unexplored island of Madagascar. Draped in mystique, Madagascar is just waiting for great travelers looking for an edge-of-the-world adventure.

The allure of Madagascar lies in its rare flora and fauna – with opportunities to walk amidst canyons of lemurs and alleyways of signature baobab trees. Equally treasured is the deep culture to be found in the island’s villages and small cities, where you’ll discover a resourceful way of life worlds apart from your own.

Suggested Length: 12 days/11 nights
Starts from: $8,000 per person

"My first safari experience was supposed to help me unplug, but in fact it plugged me into what is most important. Being immersed in the wild was life-changing, awe-inspiring, funny, beautiful, touching and scary all at once. I felt entirely at one with the animals and the elements and connected as I never had been before."

Virena Hermann
Kenya

Highlights

Support the Honko Mangrove Project, a non-profit organization working with coastal communities to improve livelihoods and protect the environment.
Hike through the unique landscapes of Isalo National Park to visit the Canyon of Lemurs and swim in a natural pool.
Enjoy a relaxing stay in a coastal town with beautiful beaches with the opportunity to visit the fishing village of Belo sur Mer.
See the conservation efforts in Madagascar's dry deciduous forests by visiting Kirindy Forest, home to unique species such as lemurs.
Visit the iconic baobab alleys and observe these magnificent trees at sunset.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG AND OVERNIGHT

Today you will arrive into Johannesburg and relax after your long flights. Enjoy a spa treatment while you unwind.

Overnight The Residence, Johannesburg

Day 2

FLIGHT FROM JOHANNESBURG TO MADAGASCAR

Today you will take an afternoon flight from Johannesburg to Madagascar. Your English-speaking driver will be awaiting you at the airport and will then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free, with a vehicle and driver at your disposal until 6pm. Dinner is on your own to explore Tana’s dining options (recommended: Restaurant of La Varangue).

Overnight Sakamanga Hotel

Day 3

FLIGHT FROM TANA TO TULEAR, VILLAGE VISIT

According to the flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for the domestic flight to Tuléar. If time allows, visit the Honko Mangrove Conservation & Education Project. Honko is a Belgian registered non-profit working in partnership with the coastal communities of southwest Madagascar to improve local livelihoods and quality of life by working with this fragile and amazing environment instead of against it.

Discover daily village life and learn about the customs and traditions of a local community at the mangrove’s edge. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Overnight Auberge de la Table

Day 4

DRIVE TULEAR TO ISALO

After breakfast, you will go drive about three hours to Isalo, passing through a lush and unique landscape.

Arrive this afternoon and check in to Relais de la Reine, where you check with the hotel for fun afternoon activity ideas such as horseback riding or birdwatching, or just relax and enjoy the amenities of this beautiful lodge and its surroundings on your own.

Overnight Relais de la Reine

Day 5

ISALO NATIONAL PARK

Today is dedicated to discover the national park of Isalo, our Malagasy Colorado. A unique combination of sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons, bush plains and rare endemic plants make this park particularly rewarding. Covering an area of 81,540 hectares, Isalo National Park comprises the entire stretch of the Isalo Massif, a very spectacular mountain chain made up of eroded sandstone. This strikingly beautiful reserve is filled with golden plains punctuated by craggy pinnacles of terracotta rock, valleys, canyons and waterfalls.

Enjoy two half-day hikes in this surreal environment. In the morning we will walk to the Canyon of Lemurs and in the afternoon to a natural swimming pool in an oasis-like setting, punctuated by a picnic lunch in between. Return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation at the hotel.

Overnight Relais de la Reine

Day 6

DRIVE ISALO TO RANOMAFANA

Head toward Ranomafana with stop in Ambalavao to visit the private reserve “Anja”, an interesting park for the close encounters with the ring tailed lemurs and Betsileo traditional tombs (entrance ticket and local guide are included – circuit for 2h). After the visit, you will continue to Setam Lodge to settle in. Relax and night at your hotel.

Overnight Setam Lodge

Day 7

RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK

Today is dedicated to explore the natural reserve of Ranomafana. We recommend waking up early for the morning walk in Ranomafana as it is the best time for animal viewing. Ranomafana National Park is full of originality and variety.

Botany, ornithology, herpetology, cultures are fascinating attractions which captivate you in this tropical rainforest. Flora and fauna are among the most varied in the region. Head back to the hotel after your visit for relaxation and dinner.

Overnight Setam Lodge

Day 8

DRIVE RANOMAFANA TO ANTSIRABE

In the morning, you will visit the thermal source of Ranomafana. Then, you will drive to Antsirabe, a beautiful city of the highlands of Madagascar. Antsirabe is the result of mixed cultures that built the city for two centuries. The city reflects the warmth of its people and the authenticity of its traditions still alive in the surrounding countryside. Famed for its “pousse pousse”, gemstones and handicrafts, the wide tree-lined avenues invite you to discover its workshops where people work on transforming natural materials like zebu horn (for cutlery) or wheat straw (for hats). On spot, you can organize a city tour by car or by rickshaw.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Overnight Couleur Care

Day 9

DRIVE ANTSRIABE TO MORONDAVA

After an earlier breakfast, you will go to Morondava (approximately 9 hours driving). Morondava is a coastal town in the West of Madagascar. It is an ideal place for a relaxing stay. The beaches are good and extend far to the north side of town.

Morondava can also be used a base for trips to the fishing village of Belo sur Mer by pirogue (small boat) or to the wildlife park at Kirindy. Arrival late in the afternoon, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight Chez Maggie Hotel

Day 10

KIRINDY FOREST

Early morning, drive to Kirindy Forest through the baobab alleys. Kirindy is a privately managed forest in one of Madagascar’s most threatened ecosystems: its dry deciduous forests. It is famous for the giant jumping rat, but is also home to seven species of lemur and a number of endemic reptiles. The flora is equally unusual. A number of unique species are found at Kirindy.

After the visit, go back to Morondava with a stop at “allée des Baobab” to observe the baobabs at sunset. Return to Chez Maggie for dinner.