Day 1- Arrival in Antananarivo
Lemurs, baobab trees, rainforests, deserts, hiking, and diving: Madagascar is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts - half the fun is experiencing all these incredible attractions. Once visa formalities are completed, you will be greeted by one of my team members 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 fine-tune the itinerary to tailor it specifically to the guests' wishes and expectations. Dinner and overnight stay at Villa Sibylle. |
|
Day 2: From the Malagasy capital to Antsirabe
Kick off the morning of your extraordinary journey through Madagascar with a drive south from the capital. Your first stop will be in Behenjy, where you can indulge in culinary delights. Behenjy is home to one of the most renowned restaurants in all of Madagascar, offering a variety of duck liver specialties. Next, head towards your destination of the day, Antsirabe, with a planned stop in Ambatolampy. Here, you can visit an aluminum foundry where the famous aluminum pots, known throughout Madagascar, are crafted under challenging conditions. By evening, you'll arrive in Antsirabe, often referred to as the industrial heart of the Highlands. You'll be welcomed at Chambres du voyageur where you'll be treated to a Gala Dinner before retiring for the night. |
|
Day 3: From Miandrivazo to Morondava
Miandrivazo is the next major stop on your itinerary and also one of the hottest places in all of Madagascar. It is important to make sure you always have enough drinking water with you. The drive to Miandrivazo is very varied, heading west and passing through the Bongolava Mountains. The road to the region's capital, Morondava, is well-maintained. We arrive early enough at the famous Baobab Alley, then continue on to the hotel. |
|
Day 4: Heading to Bekopaka
Leave Morondava behind and be picked up again by the off-road vehicle to be taken to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina for the ferry. Start by dining at the restaurant named Mad Zebu. This place is no longer a hidden gem, but renowned throughout Madagascar for its delicious dishes. Afterwards, continue northwards, with the track your car drives on being a bit bumpy. Reach Bekopaka, the entrance to the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, in the evening and spend the night at Hotel Olympe d'Bemaraha. |
|
Day 5: Exploring the Small Tsingy and a Boat Ride on the Manombolo River
Before heading to the magnificent Big Tsingy of Bemaraha, you will have the opportunity to explore the Small Tsingy. The trek through these small, fascinating rock formations that tower out of the ground like a labyrinth is truly captivating. You will encounter rare pachypodium plants and various euphorbia species among the needles, and may even spot some wildlife during this two to three-hour excursion. You can decide how long you want to stay here, as we tailor the tour to your preferences. After a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant, another highlight awaits: a boat ride up the Manombolo River. Here, you will discover numerous sacred burial sites of the legendary Vazimba, the indigenous people of Madagascar. Your day will end back at the Olympe d’Bemaraha for a restful night. |
|
Day 6: The Grand Tsingy of Bemaraha
To make the most of your day at the world-renowned National Park of Tsingy de Bemaraha, you will start your journey as early as 5 am. The hike into the park begins around 6 am, after receiving instructions on how to properly use the climbing gear. Within just an hour of hiking, you will understand the importance of this gear as you navigate through narrow caves and steep cliffs, leading you to a well-designed via ferrata trail. This trail is equipped with stairs, suspension bridges, guide ropes, and more, guiding you to the most fascinating viewpoints in the park. You will be treated to a truly breathtaking panorama like never before.
The exact route through the park will depend on your individual fitness level, with five different paths to explore. As the day comes to an end, the Olympe d’Bemaraha will be ready for your overnight stay. |
|
Day 7: Back to Morondava
After 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 after lunch in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. The journey continues by car, leaving the dry forest of the west coast behind. You should usually reach the Baobab Alley in time for sunset. Here, the giant baobab trees cast fascinating shadows in the setting sun, bathed in beautiful red light. After this spectacle, you will head on to Morondava, where you will stay overnight in an attractive bungalow by the sea. |
|
Day 8: From Morondava to Belo sur Mer
After breakfast, we depart Morondava heading south and drive on sandy tracks through a landscape dominated by baobabs, dry forests, and agricultural land. An off-road vehicle is essential here, providing the necessary comfort for 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 causeway, we enter the town of Belo, which is isolated on an island in the middle of the lagoon and directly by the sea. Accessible by car only during the right moon phase, Belo-sur-Mer is also a hub for shipbuilding, with numerous shipyards constructing the famous coastal sailboats known as "Boutres". Accommodation at the beachfront "Ecolodge du Menabé". |
|
Day 9: Belo sur Mer-Manja
In the morning, we depart Belo-sur-Mer heading south. The landscape changes as it becomes drier, with rocky terrain and rough roads that often require a slow pace. You may catch a glimpse of the most impressive Baobabs in all of Madagascar. Eventually, we reach Manja, a town in the middle of nowhere dominated by livestock farming and still very traditional. Despite its remote location, it is a bustling market town with its own charm. Accommodation is at the simple "Kanto Hotel", the only lodging in town. |
|
Day 10: Journey to Morombe
Embark on a challenging journey through a silent, karstic hill landscape, transitioning from rocky terrain to sandy tracks. As the surroundings become greener and more wooded, small villages line the path. Eventually, we reach the wide riverbed of the Mangoky River, where a primitive ferry takes us across. During the dry season, the river is a narrow stream amidst a vast expanse of sand, but swells into a mighty river during the rainy season.
Our next stop is Ambahikily, a bustling market town that hints at civilization. From there, a well-developed road leads us to Morombe, a once-thriving beach destination now in the shadows of tourism. Accommodations and dining options are limited, but we settle in at the beachfront Hotel "Chez Katia" for the night. Enjoy the tranquility of this coastal town as we rest and recharge for the next leg of our adventure. |
|
Day 11 From Morombe to Salary
We leave Morombe heading south and drive on a track parallel to the coastline through a jungle-like dry forest. Andavadoaka, a hidden gem for escapists and a paradise for divers, is our next stop. Situated on a wide bay, the town with its clustered houses seems remote and picturesque. After a break at one of the restaurants by the shore, we continue south, always along the coast through a sublime dune landscape. Passing 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 endless sandy beaches offering unparalleled "postcard-worthy" views. We stay at "Salary Bay," where they have built a bungalow complex directly on the dunes and operate a remarkable project in harmony with the indigenous Mikea people living here. This ethnic group is the smallest in Madagascar and has a very archaic culture based on fishing, trading with flamingo feathers, and honey collecting. Although the Mikea mostly seclude themselves and aim to preserve their cultural traditions, here you can get insights into the musical tradition of these people as Mme Claire hosts a typical Mikea band in the evening, ending the night with a unique performance of dance, song, and music. |
|
Day 12 at Salary Bay
The location of the hotel is quite secluded, not on the usual tourist routes. Salary Bay is a destination, not a passage. It is perfect for travelers looking to recharge at a beautiful place where time stands still, with a long white sandy beach and a turquoise lagoon on the southwest coast of the Great Island. |
|
Day 13 - From Salary to Ifaty
After breakfast, we continue our journey southward. The route may vary depending on the changes in the tracks through the thorn forest after each rainy season, either running directly along the coast or several kilometers inland. We make a brief stop in Manombo to refresh ourselves with cool drinks at the only store in this remote village before heading further south. In the late afternoon, we finally reach Ifaty/Mangily, the ultimate beach paradise, and settle into our accommodations at the comfortable Hotel Belladonna right by the sea. Water sports are a big deal here, and over the next two days, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy them. |
|
Days 14 and 15 - Ifaty
Take the opportunity to relax from the drive on the beach, go snorkeling/diving, take a boat trip, or even try your hand at kite-surfing, which is especially popular here. The inland area also has a variety of attractions to offer: the renowned "Reniala Reserve" provides insights into the flora and fauna of the south, at the "Village des Tortues" you can see an interesting breeding and protection program for rare rays and spider tortoises. The cuisine here is naturally focused on seafood, so seafood lovers will be in paradise. |
|
Day 16- Domestic Flight to Antananarivo
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Mozambique Channel and head back to Tuléar to catch a one-hour flight to Antananarivo, the capital city where our journey began. If the flight arrives in the morning, we will have the opportunity to explore Antananarivo and its surroundings. If the flight arrives late, we will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the hotel for dinner, either at the hotel or in a special restaurant. Overnight stay at Villa Sibylle. |
|
Day 17 Antananarivo and Surroundings
Today, you can tailor your day according to your personal wishes. Explore the city or take a trip to the outskirts of Antananarivo, where all kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown on large plantations. We highly recommend a visit to the Lemurs Park, where you can get up close with the quirky primates. In the evening, be sure to indulge in the culinary delights of the island. We are happy to advise you and provide you with suitable addresses. |
|
Day 18-Return Flight or Connecting Tour
In the afternoon, 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 to relax and prepare everything before your flight. |
|