Included Services:
Accompaniment by an English-speaking experienced driver & tour guide
Logistics
Four-wheel drive vehicle with driver and diesel
All specified accommodations in hotels on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Not Included Services:
Lunch and dinner
Entrance fees to the National Park + boat ride
Tips
Beverages
Optional sightseeing, excursions, and guides
Day 1 - Arrival in AntananarivoLemurs, baobab trees, rainforests, deserts, hiking, and diving: Madagascar is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts - half the fun is reaching all these incredible attractions. Once the visa formalities are done, you will meet one of my staff holding a sign and the journey can begin. The first stop is always Villa Sibylle, a beautiful property where we can discuss the trip together and tailor the itinerary to the guests' wishes and expectations. Dinner and overnight stay at Villa Sibylle. |
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Day 2: From the Malagasy capital to AntsirabeKick off the morning of your extraordinary journey through Madagascar with a drive south from the capital. Your first stop is Behenjy, where you can indulge in some culinary delights. Behenjy is home to one of the most renowned restaurants in all of Madagascar, offering a variety of dishes featuring duck liver. Next, we'll head towards our destination for the day, Antsirabe, with a planned pit stop in Ambatolampy along the way. Here, you can visit an aluminum foundry where the famous aluminum pots, known throughout Madagascar, are crafted under challenging conditions. As evening approaches, we'll arrive in Antsirabe, often referred to as the industrial heart of the highlands. You'll be welcomed at Chambres du voyageur in Antsirabe, where you'll be treated to a gala dinner before retiring for the night. |
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Day 3: From Miandrivazo to MorondavaMiandrivazo is the next major stop on your itinerary and also one of the hottest places in all of Madagascar. It is essential to ensure that you always have enough drinking water with you. The journey to Miandrivazo is very diverse, heading westward and passing through the Bongolava Mountains. The road to the capital of the Menabe region, Morondava, is well-maintained. We arrive early enough at the famous Baobab Alley, then continue on to the hotel. |
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Day 4: Heading to BekopakaLeaving Morondava behind, you will be picked up again by the off-road vehicle and taken to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina for the ferry. You will first dine at the restaurant named Mad Zebu. This place is no longer a hidden gem, but rather renowned throughout Madagascar for its delicious cuisine. Then, you will continue northward, with the track your car drives on being a bit bumpy. You will reach Bekopaka, the entrance to the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, by evening and stay at the Olympe d‘Bemaraha Hotel. |
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Day 5: Exploring the Small Tsingy and a Boat Ride on the Manombolo RiverBefore heading to the grand Tsingy of Bemaraha, you'll have the opportunity to explore the small Tsingy. The trek through the small, fascinating limestone needles that protrude from the ground is like walking through a labyrinth and is truly captivating. Among the needles, you'll find rare pachypodiums and various euphorbia plants. Various animals may also make an appearance during this two to three-hour tour. You can choose to spend as much time as you want here, as we tailor the tour to your preferences. However, after a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant, another highlight awaits: a boat ride upstream on the Manombolo River. Here, you'll discover numerous sacred tombs of the legendary Vazimba, the indigenous people of Madagascar. You'll then return to rest at Olympe d’Bemaraha. |
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Day 6: The Great Tsingy of BemarahaTo make the most of your day in the world-famous National Park Tsingy de Bemaraha, start your day early at 5 am. The hike into the park begins at 6 am, after a briefing on how to use the climbing gear. After about an hour of walking, you'll understand the importance of this gear as you navigate through narrow caves and steep cliffs, leading to a well-maintained via ferrata with stairs, suspension bridges, guide ropes, and more, taking you to the most breathtaking viewpoints in the park. You'll witness views like never before in your life. The exact route through the park will depend on your fitness level, with five different paths to explore. At the end of the day, you can relax at Olympe d’Bemaraha for the night. |
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Day 7: Heading back to MorondavaAfter the eventful days exploring the large and small Tsingy, the tour is coming to an end. Early in the morning, you will drive back south and cross the river in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina after lunch. The journey continues by car, leaving the dry forest of the west coast behind. You should usually arrive at the Baobab Avenue just in time for sunset. Here, the huge baobab trees cast fascinating shadows in the setting sun, bathed in beautiful red light. After this spectacle, you will continue on to Morondava, where you will stay overnight in an attractive bungalow by the sea. |
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Day 8: From Morondava to Belo sur MerAfter breakfast, we leave Morondava heading south and drive on sandy tracks through a landscape dominated by baobabs, dry forest, and agricultural land. An off-road vehicle is essential here, providing the necessary comfort for all the challenges of the track. By midday, we reach the vast lagoon of Belo-sur-Mer, where salt is traditionally harvested. Driving on an elevated dam, we enter the town of Belo, which is isolated in the middle of the vast lagoon and directly on the sea. Only accessible by car during the appropriate moon phase, Belo-sur-Mer is also a hub for shipbuilding, with numerous shipyards constructing the famous coastal sailboats called "Boutres". Accommodation is at the beachfront "Ecolodge du Menabé". |
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Day 9: Belo-sur-Mer to ManjaIn the morning, we depart Belo-sur-Mer heading south. The landscape changes, becoming drier with rocky terrain, and the track often requires slow driving. You may see some of the most impressive Baobabs in all of Madagascar along the way. Eventually, we reach Manja, a remote town dominated by livestock farming and still very authentic. Despite its remote location, it is a bustling market town with its own charm. Accommodation at the simple "Kanto Hotel", the only lodging in town. |
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Day 10: Explore MorombeEmbark on a challenging journey through a quiet, karst landscape, transitioning from rocky to sandy terrain. As you pass through green, wooded areas and quaint villages, you'll eventually reach the wide riverbed of the Mangoky River. Here, an authentic ferry will take you across the river, which transforms from a narrow stream during the dry season to a mighty river during the rainy season. Arriving in Ambahikily, a bustling market town, you'll feel the presence of civilization once again. Follow a well-maintained road to Morombe, a town that was once a popular beach destination but now caters to a limited number of tourists. Accommodations are scarce, but you'll find a cozy stay at the beachfront hotel "Chez Katia." Improve your SEO performance by adding relevant keywords such as "Morombe exploration," "Mangoky River adventure," and "beachfront accommodations in Morombe." |
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Day 11: From Morombe to SalaryWe leave Morombe heading south, driving on a track parallel to the coastline through a jungle-like dry forest. Andavadoaka, a hidden gem for those seeking seclusion and a paradise for divers, is our next stop. Situated on a wide bay, the town with its haphazardly stacked houses feels remote and picturesque. After a break at one of the waterfront restaurants, we continue south, following the coast through a stunning dune landscape. Passing through small villages of Vezo fishermen and driving slowly on the bumpy track, we finally arrive in the afternoon at the bay of Salary, another "hidden gem" for Madagascar travelers. Huge sand dunes surround the shimmering blue bay, with kilometers of sandy beaches offering unparalleled "postcard-worthy" views. We stay at "Salary Bay," a bungalow complex built directly on the dunes, which operates a noteworthy project in harmony with the local Mikea people. The Mikea are the smallest ethnic group in Madagascar, with a very ancient culture based on fishing, trading flamingo feathers, and collecting honey. Despite the Mikea's tendency to isolate themselves and preserve their cultural traditions, you can get insights into the musical tradition of these people here. In the evening, Mme Claire hosts a typical Mikea band performance, providing a unique experience of dance, song, and music to end the day on a high note. |
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Day 12: Explore the Hidden Gem of Salary BayLocated in a secluded area off the beaten path, Salary Bay is not just a stopover, it's a destination. Perfect for travelers looking to unwind in a beautiful setting where time stands still, with a long stretch of white sandy beach and a turquoise lagoon on the southwest coast of the Big Island. Don't miss the chance to recharge and relax in this hidden gem! |
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Day 13 - From Salary to IfatyAfter breakfast, we continue our journey south. The route can either follow the coastline or go inland for many kilometers, as the path through the thorn forest changes after each rainy season. We make a short stop in Manombo to refresh ourselves with cold drinks at the only store in this remote village, before heading further south. In the late afternoon, we finally arrive at Ifaty/Mangily, the ultimate beach paradise, and check into the comfortable Hotel Belladonna right by the sea. Water sports are a big deal here, and you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy them over the next two days. |
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Days 14 and 15 - IfatyDay 14 and 15 in Ifaty offer the perfect opportunity to relax after the journey on the beach, go snorkeling/diving, take a boat trip, or even try your hand at kite-surfing, which is particularly popular in this area. The inland also has a lot to offer with diverse attractions. The renowned Reniala Reserve provides insights into the flora and fauna of the south, while the Village des Tortues showcases an interesting breeding and protection program for rare rays and spider tortoises. The cuisine here is naturally focused on seafood, so fish and seafood lovers will be in for a treat. Enjoy the maritime flavors of Ifaty! |
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Day 16 - From Ifaty to IsaloAfter breakfast in Tulear, we continue our journey northwards, passing through savannah and desert landscapes from Tulear, a coastal city that experiences only a few rainy days per year. We are located almost directly below the Tropic of Capricorn. The southern regions (from Tulear to Fort Dauphin) are known for their unique vegetation, attracting visitors and botanists alike (dwarf baobabs, euphorbias, aloes, etc.). You have the option to visit the Zombitse National Park, a nature reserve that is particularly interesting for ornithologists and entomology enthusiasts. In the middle of the desert lies a huge oasis, the Zombitse National Park, which alone houses 47% of Madagascar's native bird species. |
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Day 17 Isalo and SurroundingsExperience the wonders of the Isalo Massif on this day of exploration, marveling at its unique granite and sandstone sculptures as well as its unparalleled flora and fauna. The Isalo National Park covers a large portion of the Massif to the north of the RN7. Made up of continental sandstone from the Jurassic period, the park showcases a variety of shapes, colors, and natural sculptures in different areas. Isalo spans nearly 82,000 hectares with an average elevation of 1000 meters. Within the barren and mineral-rich landscape, you'll discover stunning natural pools and waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The duration and difficulty of the day hike will be tailored to the participants' abilities. If desired, this somewhat pricey park can be replaced with a visit to the private area of the Isalo Rock Lodge after hiking in Andringitra, offering the same serene landscape to enjoy at leisure. Stay overnight at Hotel Isalo Rock Lodge ****. |
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Day 18-Isalo-Anja Park-AmbalavaoContinue north, the landscape becomes green and pleasant as we quickly leave the savannah behind, thanks to the well-maintained road. Before reaching Ambalavao, you have the opportunity to go on hikes in a reserve managed by the local community, known as the "Association Anja Miray" or Anja Park. This approximately 3-hectare reserve is home to hundreds of ring-tailed lemurs, as well as rare reptiles like the Brookesia pygmy chameleon. The park also features several burial caves and spiritual meeting places for the local Betsileo people, making a 2 to 4-hour visit well worth it. Spend the night at the Tsienimparihy Lodge. |
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Day 19 - Ambalavao to RanomafanaLeaving behind the peaceful town of Ambalavao, we continue our journey northward on a well-paved road. Massive granite rocks, increasingly barren red laterite soil, and sparse grass can be seen as the landscape dramatically changes when reaching the pass with its beautiful viewpoint. From there, you can overlook the valley of Ambalavao, nestled peacefully between high mountains. Driving through many small villages, where the colors range from red earth tones to vibrant red against a green backdrop, we witness a lush green landscape with rice fields forming a mosaic of various shades of green reflecting in countless ponds. The region of Fianarantsoa is intensively used for agriculture, especially for tea, wine, and rice production. In Fianarantsoa, you will visit the photo studio of the world-famous photographer, Pierrot Men. About 40 km after Fianarantsoa, the landscape changes dramatically once again, becoming significantly greener with denser and taller trees. Almost without a clear transition, we find ourselves in the montane rainforest where it rains an average of 250 days a year. Overnight stay at the Thermal Hotel. |
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Day 20 - Ranomafana National ParkEarly in the morning, the drive takes us up numerous switchbacks to the park entrance: In the morning hours, the various lemur species are most active and the montane rainforest reveals its full charm. Depending on your fitness level and interests, different hiking trails can be taken, and for those with adventurous spirits, the option to walk back to Ranomafana on foot is available, offering a slightly strenuous but unforgettable hike along the Namorona River. Overnight stay at "Thermal". |
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Day 21 - Ranomafana to AntsirabeEarly in the morning, the drive takes us up numerous switchbacks and past the park entrance. Then we head back to the highlands, with the town of Ambositra known for its craftsmen specializing in carving and veneer work with precious woods (especially ebony and rosewood). On the way to Antsirabe, there is a quite unique reforestation project with orange trees that can be visited upon request. In the afternoon, we arrive in the highest city in the country, a former spa town located at approximately 1600m above sea level. Overnight at the "Chambres du Voyageur" hotel. |
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Day 22- From Antsirabe to AntananarivoYou will return to Antananarivo where you can wrap up your journey in style. The city offers you the opportunity to visit museums and explore one of the numerous markets to purchase traditional fabrics and handmade wooden and clay artworks to take back home as souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the city and dive into the diverse cultures of the African island nation. We are more than happy to advise you extensively and individually on your options. You will stay overnight again at Villa Sybille. |
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Day 23 - Antananarivo and SurroundingsToday is yours to explore as you wish. Visit the city or take a trip to the outskirts of Antananarivo, where vast plantations grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables. We highly recommend a visit to the Lemurs Park, where you can get up close to these quirky primates. In the evening, don't miss out on the culinary delights of the island. We are happy to advise you and provide you with suitable addresses. |
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“Explore the enchanting Western Madagascar with our Tsingy of Bemaraha, West Coast and RN7 tour. Experience a unique blend of adventure and nature as you encounter lemurs and marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage site – the striking Tsingy of Bemaraha. Enjoy personalized itineraries tailored to your preferences and journey without domestic flights or buffer days for an authentic Madagascar experience.”
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