Foggy mountain forests – Madagascar’s East Coast – Nosy Be

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

Your first day of the 20-day nature tour may seem uneventful at first: Upon arrival in Madagascar, you will land at Ivato Airport in Antananarivo where we will be waiting for you.

We will take care of the transfer and bring you directly to the guesthouse Villa Sibylle, where you will be staying.

If you have any special requests for food or drinks upon your arrival, feel free to contact us in advance.

Day 2: From Antananarivo to Antsirabe

Our driver will take you on the National Road No. 7 to Behenjy.

Along the way, you will already get a first impression of the spectacular scale of the upcoming journey: National Road No. 7 is one of the most famous roads in Madagascar, stretching almost 1,000 kilometers.

It leads from our starting point in Antananarivo all the way down to the southern tip of Madagascar, the city of Tulear, located as a port city on the Mozambique Channel.

Our journey will first take you through the various suburbs of Antananarivo and into the highlands that follow.

If you wish, you can visit one of the adventurous-looking aluminum foundries in Ambatolampy.

The workers there have made it their mission to source aluminum from various sources. They simply melt down and process cooking pots, engine parts, and other utensils.

After the stop in Ambatolampy, we will continue on to Antsirabe, which is 170 kilometers away.

Antsirabe is an important economic center in Madagascar, originally founded by Norwegian immigrants. The city is known for its healing springs and former gemstone deposits.

Your overnight stay in Antsirabe is planned at the hotel "Les chambres du voyageur", where a delicious dinner awaits you.

Day 3: Exploring Antsirabe and Surroundings

On the third Day, ample time is scheduled for you to explore the city of Antsirabe and its surrounding areas.

After breakfast, the first stop is Betafo.

Here, you will embark on a small hike to enjoy the impressive mountain panorama.

The Antafofo waterfall is a key highlight of this hike, and if you wish, you can take a refreshing dip there.

Upon returning to Antsirabe, you have various options to spend the rest of the day.

City tours will be suggested spontaneously based on the guests' interests.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner once again at the "Chambres du Voyageur" hotel with overnight accommodation.

Day 4: Journey to Ambositra and Ranomafana

On the fourth day of the trip, you will leave Antsirabe directly after breakfast and continue your journey southward.

If desired, you can also visit a citrus tree reforestation project, where you can witness firsthand the intensive efforts of various environmental conservation projects working to preserve Madagascar's original vegetation.

Next, the city of Ambositra awaits you, known for its unique cultural heritage.

The Zafimaniry people, who still live there, practice an impressive form of wood carving that will leave you in awe.

This art has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage due to its significance.

Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tana Masoandro restaurant to fuel up for the rest of the journey.

Continue your drive to the rainforest of Ranomafana.

Day 5: From Irondro to Manakara

On the fifth day of your journey, you will encounter many different stops and exciting experiences.

After a hearty breakfast, head east towards Irondro, near Ifanadiana where you can observe very large chameleons.

Now is the perfect time to take photos that will remind you of this eventful vacation in Madagascar for eternity.

Next, you can admire the impressive hilly landscape near Irondro from the comfort of your car before heading directly to Manakara on the Indian Ocean.

The hotel La Vanille welcomes you in Manakara and spoils you with an excellent dinner.

Day 6: Stay in Manakara with a Visit to the Pangalan Kanals

On the sixth day of your Madagascar trip, you will first head a bit outside of Manakara by car.

The Pangalan Kanal is the destination for the morning.

The private reserve Eden Sidi awaits you on a peninsula here.

Many lemurs live in Eden Sidi, accustomed to humans and therefore not shy around you.

They gladly accept bananas and other treats from you.

Right after, you will take a boat ride along the 600-kilometer long canal, although you will not cover the entire distance.

The journey along the canal includes a brief stop where you will meet local farmers who grow exotic fruits and spices on the canal banks and can take you on a short hike if you wish.

Manakara is famous for producing various colonial goods.

In earlier times, the city had a seaport and was an important hub for spices, essential oils, and the world-renowned vanilla, which grows best in Madagascar.

To learn more about this world of flavors, you will visit different plantations and gain a comprehensive insight.

Afterwards, you will return to Manakara and the hotel La Vanille will be available for your overnight stay once again.

Day 7: From Manakara to Ranomafana

On the seventh day, you say goodbye to Manakara and drive back along the route to Ranomafana.

Your first stop of the day is the town of Ranomafana.

Upon arrival at the "Thermal" hotel, you will have the opportunity to check in and settle into your accommodation. Afterward, you can enjoy a relaxing excursion to a nearby thermal bath.

The hot springs at the thermal bath will provide you with much-needed relaxation after the exciting experiences of the past few days.

If you wish, you can also meet your guide for the tour of the Ranomafana National Park on this day and discuss the excursion for the next day. Afterwards, you will spend the night at the Thermal hotel.

Day 8: Exploring Ranomafana National Park

Start your eighth day of the trip bright and early, before breakfast, as you venture into the lush landscapes of Ranomafana National Park.

You will begin by driving up winding roads to the park entrance.

It is important to set off early in the morning, as this is when the elusive lemurs, who reside in the park, are most active and easier to spot.

The rest of the day's itinerary will depend on your preferences and fitness level, with different tours suggested by your guide.

A particularly interesting, albeit somewhat strenuous, option is to hike back to Ranomafana on foot.

This trail descends steeply and is recommended only for those with good physical condition, but the views along the way are truly unforgettable.

Alternatively, shorter walks within the park are possible with a return trip by car.

In the evening, you will return to Hotel Thermal for another night's stay.

Day 9: From Ranomafana back to Antsirabe

On the ninth day, you will head back to Antsirabe, where several attractions are still waiting for you.

For example, you will now visit the famous volcanic lakes and the so-called City of Stones, where a diverse program awaits you.

Mainly, the activities that were missed on the way there due to the schedule will now be tackled.

At the hotel "Chambres du voyageur", which you are already familiar with from the journey there, you will once again find accommodation for the night and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 10: On the Way to Andasibe National Park

Day ten is a real spectacle for all fans of the famous lemurs.

From Antananarivo, we first head to Moramanga and then to Andasibe.

This town is located in a complex of protected areas with several nature reserves.

This complex is also known as Analamazoatra.

For your accommodation, we have chosen a special place: The hotel is called Eulophiella Lodge.

The Indri-Indri lemurs are the main attraction of the area, this very special species of lemurs, which is now only found in a few places in Madagascar, feels right at home in Andasibe.

The nighttime sounds of the rainforest near the hotel will lull you to sleep with their gentle melodies after a good dinner.

Days 11 and 12: Visit to Andasibe National Park

During these two days, you will explore Andasibe National Park, also known as the mountain rainforest.

You will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will lead you on a tour through the park, providing you with many interesting insights about the flora and fauna.

The tour is designed for you to spend most of your time in the so-called primary forest.

Here, you can experience the Madagascan rainforest in its original form and catch a glimpse of the diverse life forms within.

One of the highlights of the park is the Indri lemurs, which are among the largest of their kind and can only be found in a few places on the island where they can find the food sources they need to survive.

In addition to the Indri lemurs, there are many other endemic animal species to discover in the lush rainforest of Andasibe, such as the bamboo lemur, pygmy chameleons, snakes, birds, and frogs.

Depending on your comfort level in the jungle and your physical condition, the guided hike through the park can last up to five hours.

Afterwards, you will return to the "Eulophiella Lodge" hotel.

Day 13: From Andasibe National Park back to Antananarivo

For those who simply can't get enough of the playful lemurs, Day 13 starts with a visit to the Vakona Zoo.

Here, you can have up-close encounters with many extremely rare lemur species. Most of the lemurs living there have been rescued from captivity and are therefore accustomed to humans.

They are happy to come closer to you and may even ask for a treat or two along the way.

Afterwards, you will head back to Antananarivo where the guesthouse "Villa Sibylle" is already waiting for you.

Day 14: From the Capital of Madagascar to Nosy Be

After a hearty breakfast, you will be driven to the Antananarivo Ivato Airport. From there, a domestic flight is scheduled to take you to the island of Nosy Be.

This island is also known as the Perfume Island, as it is home to the cultivation of Ylang-Ylang, a plant with a captivating scent commonly used in the perfume industry.

Upon arrival at the Nosy Be Facenne Airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel.

You can look forward to a cozy night's stay along with a delicious dinner.

Day 15-17: Individual Stay on Nosy Be

For the next three days, you have the freedom to explore Nosy Be at your own pace.

You will be staying at the beautiful Vanila Hotel *** and can choose to spend your days relaxing on the stunning sandy beaches or embark on exploration trips.

Our team is here to assist you in planning your individual stay on Nosy Be.

Highly recommended, but not included in the base price, are the following activities:

- Visit to the neighboring island of Nosy Komba
- Sailing trip to the surrounding islands
- Visit to the Lokobé Reserve with towering jungle giants up to 40m high
- Visit to Mt. Passot, an extinct volcano offering amazing panoramic views

Day 18: Back to Antananarivo

After a relaxing stay on Nosy Be, on Day 18 it's time to head back to the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo.

This time, you will be flying in the opposite direction from Facenne Airport on Nosy Be to Ivato Airport.

Of course, transportation will be taken care of for you.

Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will once again be welcomed at the guesthouse Villa Sibylle, which you may remember from your first arrival in Antananarivo.

Day 19: Exploring Antananarivo and Surroundings

Your last day on your journey through Madagascar is dedicated to the impressive capital city of Antananarivo.

On this day, you have the freedom to choose where you want to go.

We recommend visiting Lemurs Park, where you can get up close and personal with these adorable little animals once again.

Alternatively, we also suggest a trip to Ambohimanga-Rova, the former royal palace of Madagascar.

The Merina people, a tribe in Madagascar, still consider this place their spiritual center, and the impressive fortress is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For dinner, you will return to the familiar guesthouse Villa Sibylle, where your personal belongings will be securely stored throughout the day.

After dinner, you will head back to the airport for your flight back to Europe, departing around midnight.

Day 20: Return Flight to Europe

Spend the last day of this trip completely relaxed on the flight that will take you back to Europe.

Here you can unwind and reminisce about the impressive experiences you had in Madagascar.