Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo
On the first day, your journey begins with your arrival in Madagascar. We will pick you up from Ivato Airport in the capital city of Antananarivo and take you to your accommodation at Villa Sibylle. If you have any special requests for meals or drinks upon your arrival, please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements for you. |
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Day 2: Drive from Antananarivo to Antsirabe
On the second day of your 14-day journey through Madagascar, you will travel from the capital Antananarivo to Antsirabe. The drive takes you through the lively suburbs of the capital, then through Behenjy and Ambatolampy. You will stop for lunch in one of these two places and enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants. After that, you will continue to Antsirabe, an important economic hub in Madagascar. The journey from Antananarivo to Antsirabe is approximately 170 kilometers and is lined with exciting landscapes. Antsirabe itself impresses with its attractive colonial villas and European look. You will be staying at the Chambres du Voyageur hotel, where you may be able to spot numerous chameleons and even radiated tortoises in the garden. |
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Day 3: Discovering Antsirabe and its Surroundings
As mentioned before, Antsirabe is one of the prosperous cities and was also known as a spa town in the past. In the surroundings of this city, there are numerous extraordinary places to explore: The Antafofo waterfall, the breathtaking mountain panorama, and the fertile fields of the area, all of which you will discover on a short hike. Afterwards, there is also an engaging city tour planned, where you should definitely take a look at the traditional market and the impressive Hotel des Thermes. Then, it's back to the Hotel Chambres du Voyageur, where you can rest from today's activities and gather new energy for the next exciting day on your journey through Madagascar. |
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Day 4: Journey from Antsirabe to Ranomafana via Ambositra
On the fourth day of the trip, you will have the opportunity to visit an exciting reforestation project where orange trees are cultivated for reforestation purposes. Afterwards, we will drive directly to the nearby town of Ambositra, known for its artistic wood carvings made from precious woods. After lunch, we head to Ranomafana National Park. During the drive, you will once again witness breathtaking landscapes and increasingly lush vegetation. In the evening, you can enjoy a relaxing bath in a thermal swimming pool and spend the night at the Hotel des Thermes. |
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Day 5: Visit to Ranomafana National Park
On the fifth day of your Madagascar journey, the Ranomafana National Park is your destination. Covering over 40,000 hectares and situated at around 1,300 meters above sea level, this park is home to a variety of lemurs, insects, birds, frogs, and reptiles in the mountain rainforest. With a bit of luck, you may encounter some particularly spectacular specimens to capture with your camera. The specific activities in Ranomafana National Park will be tailored to your individual preferences and physical condition. You will spend the night back at the Hotel des Thermes, where you can relax after the day's extraordinary adventures. |
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Day 6: From Ranomafana to Manakara
After an eventful day in Ranomafana National Park, on the sixth day you can first relax a bit during the drive to Manakara, a coastal town located directly on the Indian Ocean. Take a look at the wooden huts resting on stilts, typical of this area, and listen to the roaring of the seemingly endless ocean. In Manakara, you will also visit a typical market known for its variety of spices. Cloves, turmeric, pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, and many other aromatic goods welcome you at the market and can be purchased for a very affordable price. In the evening, retreat to the cozy beds of La Vanille-Trou du Commissaire hotel and relax. |
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Day 7: From Manakara to the Canal des Pangalanes
On the seventh day of your journey through Madagascar, you will start in Manakara with a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, you will visit a small private reserve called Eden Sidi, where you can encounter numerous lemurs who are always excited to meet new visitors and enjoy their treats. Next, you will head to the impressive Canal des Pangalanes, a massive waterway that you will navigate by boat. Along the shores, you can admire the breathtaking landscape of Madagascar and catch glimpses of some adorable animals. After a few hours cruising on the impressive canal, you will return to Manakara by car and check back into the La Vanille-Trou du Commissaire hotel. |
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Day 8: Journey from Fianarantsoa to Ambalavao
After the exciting explorations of Ranomafana National Park, the journey through Madagascar continues on the eighth day of the trip. Passing through many small villages, where you can get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Malagasy people, and through extraordinary landscapes that change rapidly. In Fianarantsoa, we take a break, where you can explore the city and, if you wish, observe an internationally renowned photographer at work. Then we head southward. As you look out the window during this stretch, you will discover massive granite rocks, blood-red laterite soils, and increasingly sparse grass – a sure sign that the southern part of Madagascar is getting closer. Upon arrival in Ambalavao, you have various options. Visiting a nearby village where a project for a drinking water well has been implemented by us for over ten years is one possible stop, as well as the local Zebu market, which is always a real spectacle. Accommodation for the evening will be at the Betsileo Country Lodge. |
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Day 9: Exploring Ambalavao and its Surroundings
On the ninth day of your journey, you can customize your experience in Ambalavao and the nearby areas to suit your preferences. The Andringitra National Park and the surrounding mountains and slopes offer opportunities for exploration, including paragliding to admire the spectacular landscape from above. Ambalavao itself is known for its silk production craftsmanship and the bustling Zebu market that takes place every Wednesday, providing plenty of entertainment. If you need assistance in planning and organizing this day, we are here to offer tips and support with logistical aspects. You will return to the Betsileo Country Lodge, where you spent the previous night, in the evening. |
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Day 10: From Ambalavao to Ranohira to Isalo National Park
Day ten kicks off with a hike in a private reserve called Anja Park. This three-hectare reserve is home to many lemurs eagerly awaiting your visit with their lively antics. In addition to lemurs, you can also discover various reptiles, burial caves, and spiritual gathering places of the Betsileo tribe at Anja Park. Afterwards, we'll continue our journey by car heading south. By afternoon, we'll arrive in Ranohira, where we'll stay overnight before exploring the Isalo National Park the following day. Enjoy a comfortable stay at the 4-star Isalo Rock Lodge before our adventure continues. |
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Day 11: Exploring Isalo National Park
On this day, you will visit one of the most famous national parks in Madagascar, Isalo National Park. This park is home to a vast mountain range where granite and sandstone sculptures alternate with waterfalls and tropical nature. Covering over 80,000 hectares of land, the park offers a maximum of landscape diversity. The difficulty level and length of the tour through the park will be tailored to your personal preferences and physical abilities. After an exciting day trip, you will spend the night at the Isalo Rock Lodge (4****). |
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Day 12: Drive from Ranohira to Sarondrano via Ilakaka
On the twelfth day of your Madagascar adventure, bid farewell to Ranohira and continue your journey southward by car. Along the way, there are various excursion opportunities: the sapphire mines of Ilakaka, the Zombitse Vohibasia National Park, or the massive Baobab trees are just three possibilities. You will leave Tulear behind and head straight to Sarondrano. Here, a breathtaking peninsula extends into the sea with beautiful dream beaches awaiting you. Your overnight stay will be at the Résidence Eden Lodge, an excellent guesthouse that is still considered a hidden gem on the island. |
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Day 13 to 15: Stay in Sarondrano and the Surrounding Area
These days on your Madagascar journey are all about various day trips and individual activities. During these three days, you will exclusively stay in Sarondrano and the nearby area, spending the nights at the wonderful Résidence Eden Lodge. You can customize your daily itinerary, and we are here to assist you in any way we can: Relaxing hours on the dream beach, sailing excursions, diving trips, or a boat ride to see the humpback whales are all possibilities. Simply reach out to us, and we will tailor a program package that meets your individual desires. |
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Day 16: Flight from Tulear to Antananarivo
Day sixteen is filled with a sense of excitement: After relaxing days in Sarondrano, it's time to head back to Tulear and then take a flight directly to the capital city of Antananarivo. Depending on the time of day, you can explore the surrounding area, or head straight to the Villa Sybille hotel or an exceptional restaurant offering excellent dining options. |
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Day 17: Stay in Antananarivo and Surroundings
On the second to last day of your exciting journey through Madagascar, the capital city of the island nation is on the agenda: In Antananarivo, you have numerous opportunities to go on a discovery tour. One example of a real attraction is the Lemurs Park, where many of these adorable animals can be closely observed. For this day, we have planned a Day Use at the Villa Sybille so that you can store your luggage there and freshen up in the evening, if needed, before we take you to the airport. |
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Day 18: The Return Flight to Europe
The last day of your 18-day vacation in Madagascar is all about the journey back home. You will spend this day on the airplane to Europe, likely dreaming about the various experiences and impressions from your trip through Madagascar. |
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