14 Days / 13 Nights, including 12 Days on the Motorcycle
Total Distance: 950 Miles (1,530 km)
Very Challenging Tour
Due to Madagascar's low road density, an extraordinary network of tracks has emerged. With an area as large as France and Belgium combined, every city and village in Madagascar is connected to a vast network of tracks spanning several hundred kilometers.
What may frustrate European drivers is a paradise-like challenge for bikers: the terrain changes from smooth laterite to sand, asphalt, and nearly impassable mud holes.
Embark on the wildest off-road adventure in Madagascar with the Chameleon Hard Tour. Explore the island from the highland marshes to the wind-swept beaches of the Indian Ocean on paths only accessible by motorcycles.
Your skill and caution will be tested to overcome the obstacles on the route.
Experience the unforgettable variety of vibrant green rice fields, large lakes, bushy savannas, dense rainforests, and solitary paths between high mountain ranges, vanilla, sugarcane, and cashew plantations, all the way to the colorful coves and beaches of Diego Suarez - with the Chameleon Hard Tour, you will discover the heart of Northern Madagascar and never forget it!
Attention: This tour passes through absolutely untouched and sometimes very inaccessible areas, the comfort during overnight stays can be quite rustic.
A KTM 350 EXCF 2017 rental enduro, equipped and prepared,
An experienced tour guide.
Land transfers as described in the program including transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, a 4*4 support vehicle with driver for luggage and tool transportation.
Liability insurance
Accommodation in a hotel (double room, equipment or star category of your choice)
Full board (breakfast and dinner at the hotel, picnic basket for lunch)
Day 1: Arrival in AntananarivoOur team will greet you directly upon your arrival at Ivato International Airport and transport you to your hotel. Villa Sibylle is a private guesthouse located near the airport, surrounded by a tropical garden. Relax after your flight and enjoy your first dinner in Madagascar with an overnight stay. |
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Day 2: Antananarivo - Ambohimanga - AntananarivoRoute Length: 74 miles (120 km) on laterite and asphalt In the morning, you will meet your tour guide and take a first look at your enduro bike. During the first ride, you will leave the busy streets of "Tana" (as Antananarivo is called by the locals) for a ride off the main road on laterite terrain. You will cross the red and green hills of the island and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ambohimanga, the ancient capital of the Merina Kingdom. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 3: Antananarivo – AnjozorobeDistance: 62 miles (100 km) on Laterite On the second day of the Highland Tour, you will pass through rice fields and forests with traditional villages and typical local architecture. You will journey through fascinating landscapes with the Tampoketsa mountain range in the background as you make your way to Anjozorobe. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 4: Anjozorobe – AndilamenaDistance: 124 miles (200 km) on Laterite roads Leave the hills and forests of the Highlands in the morning and head towards the wetlands surrounding Lake Alaotra, the largest inland lake in Madagascar. This area is known as the "rice bowl" of the island, as it is the largest rice-growing region. Overnight stay at a hotel. |
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Day 5: Andilamena – MandritsaraThis will be a challenging and solitary day: you will drive alone through the undergrowth and vast savannas. Even the participants of the Camel Trophy had to turn back in 1987 because there were no bridges in sight. Your entire experience will be put to the test. Take good care of yourself. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 6: Mandritsara – AntsakabaryDistance: 99 miles (160 km) on Laterite and Asphalt roads After a few kilometers on asphalt, the track leads onto Laterite roads along the river, surrounded by rice fields and mountain peaks. Crossing several rivers along the way, you will reach the destination of Antsakabary, where you will be warmly welcomed by the local population. Accommodation with the locals. |
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Day 7: Antsakabary – AndapaDistance: 86 miles (140 kilometers) on Laterite After breakfast, you will face one of the most intense and impressive sections of the route. You will cross rivers and eventually reach the pristine rainforest of Anjanaharibe. Please respect the rules of the nature reserve and do not disturb the balance of the fauna and flora. At the end of the day, you will arrive in Andapa and return to civilization. Overnight stay at a hotel. |
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Day 8: Andapa – VohemarDistance: 118 miles (190 km) on sand, laterite, and asphalt roads Today's road stage takes you from the mountain ranges to the beaches of the Vanilla Coast. After visiting Sambava, the "Vanilla Capital," you will reach the seaport of Vohemar. The town was founded by Islamic seafarers from Arabia. Take a trip from here to the "Green Lake," named for its algae population. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 9: Vohemar – AntsaravibeDistance: 118 miles (190 km) on sand and laterite roads In the morning, you will drive on a beautiful route through the savannah from east to west. Next, a short stretch on sandy roads through sugarcane and cashew nut plantations. Ahead lies the 400 million-year-old Ankarana Massif with deep canyons and forests. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 10: Antsaravibe - Diego SuarezDistance: 80 miles (130 km) on laterite and asphalt After a hearty breakfast, depart Antsaravibe and head towards the Ankarana mountain range. Drive through winding, hilly roads, passing by sugarcane and mango plantations while enjoying spectacular views. Before arriving in Diego, visit the sacred crocodiles in Lake Anivorano, believed to house the souls of ancestors. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 11: Diego Suarez – La Montagne des FrançaisDistance: 31 miles (50 km) on sand and asphalt Experience a short but impressive day: Discover the "Sugarloaf" of Diego Suarez, a small island in the middle of the bay. After driving along the dunes, you will pass through the small fishing village of Ramena and reach the "three bays" of Diego with white beaches and crystal-clear water. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 12: Diego Suarez – Cap d’AmbreDistance: 99 miles (160 km) on sand, asphalt, and laterite Let's head to the northern tip of Madagascar! You will leave Diego Suarez and drive on a narrow rocky path to reach the Cap d’Ambre lighthouse. On the way back, you will visit the marine reserve in the Bay du Courrier with a unique variety of fauna and flora, including sea turtles and fish eagles. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 13: Diego Suarez – Joffre-Ville and Amber Mountain ForestDistance: 37 miles (60 km) on asphalt and laterite roads On the last day of your journey, you will visit the Amber Mountain National Park. Established in 1958, it covers an area of 185km². The massif rises to nearly 1,500 meters from the dry region. The mountain rainforest spans over 18,200 hectares. Immerse yourself in the biodiversity of the park with lush vegetation, waterfalls, and volcanic lakes. The cool air will refresh you after the heat in the lowlands. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Day 14: Diego Suarez – Antananarivo (Transfer)A taxi will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport. Our service on this very challenging day ends at the Diego Suarez (Antsiranana) airport. Of course, we can take care of you upon arrival in Antananarivo and either use the time until your final flight to explore Antananarivo and its surroundings or relax in the tropical ambiance of Villa Sibylle. The price of the entire tour will be calculated individually for each offer. |
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Day ChecklistPlease keep your luggage under 45 lbs weight (equivalent to 20 kg) Bags: An ideal choice is a duffel bag, a hiking backpack is also suitable (without steel rod). You can secure your bag with a padlock. Please remember to label your bag with your address and the address of your vacation in Madagascar. A small backpack with a 20-liter capacity is suitable for daily essentials, such as a camera and sunscreen. A mattress will be provided at the accommodations. If you desire more comfort, please bring an additional foam mattress. Beds, mattresses, and blankets are available on-site. Additional comfort items such as pillows are up to each traveler.Clothing and Personal Equipment:Two lightweight pants, four shirts (including long-sleeve for sun protection), a swimsuit, sweater or jacket for cold nights, sunglasses, hat, lightweight sports shoes, flip-flops, flashlight with batteriesSpecial Motorcycle Gear:Motorcycle boots or waterproof hiking shoes are highly recommended, lightweight leather or synthetic motorcycle jacket, rain gear, gloves, helmet |
“Embark on a 14-day Motorcycle Adventure. The Enduro Chamäleon Hard Tour takes you across 950 miles of challenging terrain in Madagascar. Traverse through vibrant green rice fields, bushy savannas, dense rainforests, and along the untouched, remote beaches of Diego Suarez. This extraordinary expedition involves 12 days of intense motorcycling across diverse terrains, promising an unforgettable experience. Be prepared as overnight comfort can be rustic.”