Madagascar boasts an incredible botanical heritage, serving as a true concentration of biological diversity!
Aloe, Didierace, Euphorbiaceae, Kalanchoe... 95% of succulent species are endemic. They are very present in the Great South of Madagascar, as well as in the Highlands, along the West coast up to Cap d'Ambre.
Madagascar is highly relevant for the diversity of its flora, with the largest inventories of Madagascar's flora initiated in 1865 by Alfred Grandidier, who authored 30 volumes about Madagascar.
Madagascar is divided into 4 bioclimatic regions:
-The Wet Zone - on the eastern side
-The Highlands and mountainous region
-The dry region in the North and Northwest
-The dry regions in the South
During this journey, we will mainly focus on the Highlands, mountains, and the dry South.
Madagascar hosts an outstanding range of habitats, from lush rainforests on the East coast to dry central highlands and low-lying spiny deserts in the Southwest. Over 80% of life here is endemic, including around 9,600 plant species. This includes 7 of the world's 9 baobab tree species, 40 endemic Aloe species, and stunning 850 endemic orchid species! During our first botanical holiday, we will explore these unique flora, studying the thick baobab trees and twisted Didiereaceae of the spiny deserts of Ifaty, and enjoying Madagascar's wonderful scenery and other unique animal species, including an abundance of lemurs, birds, chameleons, geckos, and insects!
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate hikes
On our botanical trips, you can experience some of these natural treasures yourself.
Accompanied by a specialist in Madagascan botany, we set out to discover this exceptional and amazing flora.
We recommend this tour from mid-September to late October, but it can be conducted throughout the year.
Highlights of the tour:
-The rocky slopes of Mount Ibity
-The Ambatofinandrahana Massif
-The Isalo National Park
-The Antsokay Botanical Garden
-The thorn forests at Ifaty
Duration: 13 days
Participants: 2 to 10 people
Guide: Madagascan botanist
Accommodation: All in hotels (12 nights)
Transport: 4x4 vehicle
Service: Bed & Breakfast
Period: Mid-September to late October
Our Day Includes:
A botanical guide throughout the entire journey;
A vehicle and driver throughout the entire journey;
Accommodation as specified in the program;
Meals as specified in the program;
Entrance fees to the specified parks and locations;
Local guides in the parks;
All transfers.
Our Day Does Not Include:
International and domestic flights;
Meals not specified in the program;
Tips and drinks;
Your personal insurances.
Visa fee: +/- 20 €.
Day 1 - From Antananarivo to AntsirabeEmbark on a journey southwards from Antananarivo. As we leave the capital, the landscape transforms into picturesque rice fields and quaint villages typical of the highlands. Arrive in Antsirabe in the afternoon and take some time to explore the city. Duration: +/- 4 hours Distance: 170 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Antsirabe. Hotel Chambres du Voyageur. |
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Day 2: The Flora of Mount IbityEnjoy breakfast before heading to Mount Ibity, culminating at 2555 meters above sea level. The stunning flora is the primary attraction of this vast quartzite massif. In fact, 70% of the vegetation at this site is endemic. This mountain is very rich in succulents, with the most typical being the Pachypodiums and their Kalanchoe. There are also several species of orchids. Botanical Information: Aloe (Capitata, Laeta, Trachyticola), Euphorbia quartziticola, Kalanchoe integrifolia, Pachypodium brevica. Duration: Full Day Meals: Picnic lunch included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Same as the previous day |
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Day 3: Antsirabe to AmbatofinandrahanaStart your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading south. Along the way, we will make a stop at the Tapia forest, home to small trees from the Euphorbiaceae family (Uapaca bojeri), which form a sparse forest where we can find Aloe ibitiensis. If you wish, we can take a leisurely stroll through Ambositra, although time might be limited for this activity. After 20km, we will turn west and head towards Ambatofinandrahana, where we will arrive by the end of the day. Botanical information: Aloe conifera, Aloe ibitiensis, Kalanchoe tomentosa, Pachypodium densiflorum, and a few orchids, including Angraecum sororium. Duration: +/- 4 hours Distance: 185 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your hotel: Ambatofinandrahana. Hotel des Marbres (very basic standard). |
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Day 4: AmbatofinandrahanaExplore the quartzite and cipolin massif of Ambatofinandrahana. This beautiful mountainous region with the Itremo Massif in the background, ranging in height from 1300 to 2200 m, is a true botanical garden in the open air, where we discover a new plant curiosity with every step! This protected area is home to 16 species of aloe, euphorbias, kalanchoe, and orchids. During our hike, we pass through many villages, engaging in moments of exchange with the always welcoming local population. Botanical information: Aloe (A.capitata var.cipolinicola, A.droseroides A.inexpectata, and A.calcairophylla, A.parallelifolia), Euphorbias (E.stenoclada ssp.ambatofinandra, E.alluaudii, and E.enterophora ssp.crassa), Kalanchoe tomentosa, Orchids (Jumellea, Oeceoclades, Eulophia). Duration: Full day Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your hotel: Same as the previous day (very basic standard). |
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Day 5: Ambatofinandrahana to AmbalavaoEnjoy breakfast at the hotel before hitting the road back to RN7, as we continue our journey southward. Arriving in Fianarantsoa, we enter the land of the Betsileo ethnic group, who occupy the southern part of the Highlands. Upon reaching Ambalavao, we check into the hotel for some much-needed rest and relaxation after the long drive. Duration: +/- 6 hours Distance: 270 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Betsileo Country Lodge. |
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Day 6: Ambalavao to IsaloAfter breakfast, we drive back on the RN7. We make a stop to visit the small village reserve of Anja. Our walk begins in a dry forest with huge rock formations, where we are sure to encounter our lemur friends, the Makis (Lemurs catta). The site is quite rich in succulents and offers a beautiful panorama of the Betsileo country. We continue our journey towards the Isalo Massif with a stop in Zazafotsy to see the famous rock that houses typical plants. We drive along the Horombe Massif and make a few stops along the way to discover Euphorbias, Sequoias, and Pachypodiums. We arrive at the hotel by the end of the afternoon. Botanical information in Anja: Kalanchoe (K. orgyalis, K. beharensis, K. synsepala), Euphorbias (E. leucodendron, E. enterophora, E. fianarantsoe, E .didieroides, and E.duranii), Aloes (A. macroclada, A. deltoidonta, A. accutissima), Senecio decaryi, and Pachypodium densiflorum. Botanical information about Zazafotsy: Pachypodium densiflorum, Kalanchoe (K. tubiflora), Aloe (A. capitata, A. deltoideodonta), Stapelianthus, Ficus megapode, Myrothammus. On the Horombe plateau: Pachypodium horombense, Catharanthus longiflorus. Duration: +/- 5 hours Distance: 240 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your hotel: Isalo Rock Lodge **** |
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Day 7: Visit to Isalo National ParkEmbark on a leisurely hike along the park's many trails. With plenty of water in hand, we will explore stunning landscapes filled with canyons, water pools, and rock formations with enchanting erosions. The park is a unique ecosystem, boasting a rocky vegetation filled with numerous endemic succulents such as Aloe, Euphorbia, Pachypodium, and Kalanchoe. Keep an eye out for Madagascar's famous periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) and the majestic Bismarck palm trees (Bismarkia nobilis) that dot the vast savannah plains. Isalo National Park is also home to many lemurs, including the ring-tailed lemur (Catta Lemur), the mouse lemur, and the sportive lemur. Botanical Information: Aloe (Aloe isaloensis Bismarkia, A.imalotensis), Euphorbia (E.subapoda and E. isaloensis), Kalanchoe, Pachypodium rosulatum var.gracilis, Adenia isaloensis, Ceropegia dimorpha, Asteropeia micraster. Duration: 2 to 6 hours of hiking, depending on your preferences! Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Same as the previous day. |
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Day 8: Ranohira to SarondranoWe continue our march towards the southwest and the coast. We set off to discover the Antsokay Arboretum, which houses a collection of over 900 plant species from southwestern Madagascar, 90% of which are endemic to the region. Among them are many succulent species, some of which are endangered. This visit allows us to appreciate the diversity of a flora that is unique worldwide, adapted to the harsh climate of the country in sometimes extraordinary ways. Then onwards to Sarondrano. Botanical Information: Euphorbia kamponi, Aloe vaombe, Aloe viguieri, Pachypodium geayi, Kalanchoe grandidieri... Duration: +/- 6 hours Distance: 280 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Hotel Residence Eden Lodge |
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Day 9 - Sarondrano and SurroundingsWe continue our day by heading towards the bay of St. Augustin. Here we are in the land of the Vezo fishermen, and the road winds through a typical southern bush landscape. The route offers magnificent views of the lagoon and the bay. The village of Sarondrano, where there are many caves and small underground lakes, offers us some specimens of Moringa in a xerophilic thicket. On the peninsula of the same name, you can take a walk in the mangroves and meet the local fishermen. Botanical info-St. Augustin Bay: Kalanchoe linearifolia (climbing), Kalanchoe grandidieri, Euphorbia tulearensis, Aloes antandroi. Some species of succulents and xerophytes are found only in this location and nowhere else: Aloe descoingsii (the smallest Aloe in Madagascar), Operculicarya pachypus, Delonix pumilla, Poupartia minor, Megistostegium nodulosum. Duration: Full day Distance: 20 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your hotel: Same as the previous day |
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Day 10: Explore IfatyAfter breakfast, we will travel to Ifaty via Tulear. Once we arrive, you will have a free day to relax on the beach, go snorkeling/diving, take a boat trip, or even try your hand at kite-surfing, which is popular in this area. If you prefer to explore the inland attractions, you can visit the renowned Reniala Reserve to learn about the flora and fauna of the south, or the Village des Tortues to see a fascinating conservation program for rare rays and spider tortoises. The local cuisine is seafood-focused, so seafood lovers will be in for a treat. Duration: Full day Distance: 50 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Belladonna |
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Days 11 and 12 - Ifaty Thorn ForestExperience an incredible variety of baobab trees, euphorbias, succulents, and a diverse range of local endemic wildlife in the Ifaty Thorn Forest. For the best experience, we recommend visiting either early in the morning or in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Botanical Information: Adansonia Rubrostipa, Euphorbias, Crassulaceae Duration: Half Day Distance: 2 km Meals: Lunch not included / Dinner not included Your Hotel: Belladonna |
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Day 13 - Flight from Tulear to AntananarivoAfter breakfast, we say goodbye and drive back to Tulear to the airport. There, we board a plane and fly one hour up to Antananarivo, the capital where the journey began. If the flight arrives in the morning, we have the opportunity to explore Antananarivo and the surrounding area. If the flight arrives late, pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Dinner there or at a special restaurant. Overnight at the "Villa Sibylle" hotel. |
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Day 14 Antananarivo and SurroundingsToday, you have the freedom to design your day according to your personal preferences. Explore the city or take a trip to the outskirts of Antananarivo, where a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown on large plantations. We also highly recommend a visit to Lemurs Park, where you can get up close and personal with the lemurs. In the evening, make sure to indulge in the culinary delights of the island one last time. We are happy to provide recommendations and suggest appropriate addresses for your dining experience. |
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Day 15 Return FlightIn the evening, we will take you to the airport. The return flight is usually after midnight, so you will appreciate the opportunity for a "Dayuse" at the hotel where you can prepare everything in peace before your flight. Enjoy a day use at the guesthouse of "Villa Sibylle". |
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Explore the botanical wonders of Madagascar with our 13-day tour, “Botanical Travels – Succulents, Kalanchoe, Aloes, Dideraceae, and Euphorbias.” Discover endemic flora in lush rainforests and spiny deserts, study baobabs, aloes, and more. Easy to moderate hikes, perfect for 2-10 people. Accommodations provided. Expert Madagascan botanist guides. Available year-round, recommended from mid-September to late October.
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