Day 01
Arrival in Antananarivo and City Exploration
- Arrive in Antananarivo.
- Explore the city and visit the Queen's Palace, Andafiavaratra Palace, and the Rova of Antananarivo.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
Madagascar · National Parks
11-Day South Madagascar Tour with National Parks and Anakao
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 Explore Antananarivo's historic landmarks, including the Queen's Palace, Andafiavaratra Palace, and the Rova of Antananarivo
- 02 Travel the scenic route from Antananarivo to Antsirabe through rice fields, Merina tombs, and traditional villages
- 03 Explore Ranomafana National Park, home to 12 lemur species, 118 bird species, and endemic orchids
- 04 See ring-tailed lemurs at Anja Community Reserve on the way to Isalo National Park
- 05 Hike through Isalo National Park to natural pools, canyons, and striking rock formations
- 06 Discover the decorated tombs of the Mahafaly and Antandroy tribes, which tell the stories of people's lives
- 07 Cross by speedboat from Tuléar to Anakao and enjoy leisure time in a picturesque coastal village
Discover Madagascar from Antananarivo to the south, Tuléar, on an 11-day journey across the island. This tour gives you the opportunity to cross the country and learn about the traditions and culture of the Malagasy people while spotting lemurs and other famous species in Madagascar's unique biodiversity. From city visits and national parks to coastal time in Anakao, the trip showcases why Madagascar is considered a treasure island.
Explore the city and visit the Queen's Palace, Andafiavaratra Palace, and the Rova of Antananarivo.
From the itinerary
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
11 Days
Tour type
Private
Activity level
Easy
Accommodation
Included · Standard
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
No
Cities
Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Toliara, Isalo National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Ambalavao, Ifaty, Anakao, Ambatolampy
Languages
English, French, Italian
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Drive from Antananarivo to Antsirabe via Ambatolampy
- Start the tour from Antananarivo to Antsirabe with your driver. The ride takes about 4 hours on a twisting road.
- En route, enjoy the beautiful landscape of rice fields, as well as Merina's typical tombs and villages.
- Stop at Ambatolampy to visit a local aluminium cooking-pot forge and metalwork workshop. This is the largest town between Antananarivo and Antsirabe and an excellent place to have lunch.
- Arrive in Antsirabe. You can relax or walk on your own, as it is a safe town.
Overnight at Hotel Le Voyageur.
Day 03
Journey to Ranomafana and Night Walk
- Drive to Ranomafana (approximately 6 hours).
- Enjoy a night walk along RN 27 in Ranomafana.
Overnight in Ranomafana.
Day 04
Ranomafana National Park and Hot Springs
- Explore Ranomafana National Park, home to 12 lemur species, 118 bird species, and many varieties of endemic orchids in the primary forest. Free lunch is included.
- Visit the hot springs.
Overnight at Centrest Hotel.
Day 05
Drive to Fianarantsoa and Explore the Old Town
- Have breakfast, then drive to Fianarantsoa (approximately 2-3 hours). Explore the old town and visit the Fianarantsoa Cathedral and local markets.
Overnight at Bougainvilliers.
Day 06
Transfer to Isalo via Anja Community Reserve
- Drive to Isalo National Park (approximately 7 hours).
- En route, stop at Anja Community Reserve to see ring-tailed lemurs.
Overnight near Isalo National Park.
Day 07
Full-Day Exploration of Isalo National Park
- Spend a full day exploring Isalo National Park.
- Hike to natural pools, canyons, and rock formations.
Overnight near Isalo National Park.
Day 08
Transfer from Isalo to Ifaty
- Transfer to Ifaty during the day. On the way, you can see some traditional tombs of the Mahafaly and Antandroy tribes. Each grave is decorated to tell the story of the person's life with drawings and often animal heads.
- En route, see an impoverished village and a few baobab trees.
Overnight at Moringa Hotel.
Day 09
Speedboat Transfer from Tuléar to Anakao
- The transfer from Tuléar to Anakao takes place early in the morning aboard a fast and safe speedboat.
- Stay at leisure in Anakao.
Overnight at Lalandaka Hotel.
Day 10
Leisure Day
- Stay at leisure in Ifaty.
Overnight at Lalandaka Hotel.
Day 11
Return to Toliara and Flight to Tana
- Have breakfast and prepare for departure. Transfer first to Toliara, then to the airport for your flight to Tana.
Where this trip takes you
Ranomafana National Park rainforest, Isalo National Park canyons and natural pools, Anakao coastal village, Rova of Antananarivo
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
Airport transfer
Hotels on a full-board basis
4WD vehicle, fuel, and driver
All park entrance fees for the clients
Domestic flights
Hotel taxes
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Any insurance
- Anything not mentioned above
- Personal expenses, such as drinks and usual tips for guides and drivers
What to bring
- On the clothing side, you have to adapt to the climate of Madagascar. So take light clothes, ideally cotton, and some long sleeves to protect against mosquitoes. Also, don't forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, which are essential to withstand the heat. Remember to take good shoes and warmer clothes for your hikes on the Hauts-Plateaux and for the cool nights.
- In your pharmacy kit, be sure to take sunscreen with a high protection factor, a tropical-type mosquito repellent (with DEET, dosed at 25-50%), anti-malarial tablets, anti-diarrhoea tablets, aspirin, bandages, disinfectant, tablets against travel sickness, a soothing lotion for insect bites, and a balm for sunburn, of the Biafine® type. Also, take tampons or sanitary napkins, which are difficult to find locally.
- Finally, don't forget your camera to take home fantastic memories. A travel diary will also allow you to write them down.
Know before you go
- Madagascar is a country that isn't very touristic. This makes it a great country to visit for more experienced and/or adventurous travellers. I've visited over 60 countries and I'm always looking for new countries to explore. To me, it didn't feel like a big deal to travel to Madagascar, but now that I've been there, I wish I had prepared myself a bit better for this trip. So, to help you out, I've made this list with 10 things you need to know before your trip to Madagascar. With these tips, you'll be better prepared than I was, and I'm sure you'll have a great time on this beautiful African island.
- Visa
- A visa is required for all travellers visiting Madagascar, even if it's only for a short period of time. You can buy your visa at the airport or arrange it beforehand in your home country. Arranging it beforehand at the embassy is quite expensive, but it will give you peace of mind to know that you're allowed into the country. Buying your visa to Madagascar at the airport is also possible. You'll have to queue, and officially you could be denied entry, but I don't think that's very likely for tourists.
For both options, you'll need a return ticket, a passport that's valid for at least another 6 months, and a passport photo.
- A visa is required for all travellers visiting Madagascar, even if it's only for a short period of time. You can buy your visa at the airport or arrange it beforehand in your home country. Arranging it beforehand at the embassy is quite expensive, but it will give you peace of mind to know that you're allowed into the country. Buying your visa to Madagascar at the airport is also possible. You'll have to queue, and officially you could be denied entry, but I don't think that's very likely for tourists.
- Money
- The local currency in Madagascar is the Ariary. When I was there, the exchange rate was 4600 Ariary for 1 Euro. It's important to know that you can't pay with your bank card or debit card everywhere in Madagascar. Some bigger hotels and restaurants accept credit card payments, but there are not many ATMs where you can get money with your bank card. A credit card is a must in Madagascar. Most banks only accept Visa, but the IBN bank (white with green logo) accepts Mastercard as well. You can find an IBN bank in the bigger cities. Always make sure you have enough cash on you, as you'd be surprised at how few places you can pay with card.
- Some big hotels or rental car agencies might accept Euros as well.
- At the airport, there are 2 ATMs in the arrival hall, one where you can get money with Visa and one for Mastercard.
- Transportation
- The roads in Madagascar are very bad. There's one main highway, the RN7, that goes from the capital city Antananarivo to Tulear in the south-west. But even that one is often in bad shape. If you're short on time (say 10 to 16 days), I'd advise you to stick to the RN7 highway. It'll give you a chance to see quite a lot of what the country has to offer in a reasonable amount of time.
- The best way to do it is to rent a car, and we did this as well. Most car-rental agencies will only rent a car including a driver. Although it felt weird for me in the beginning, in retrospect I'm very happy that we did this. We rented our car with Europcar and paid for it in cash in Euros. We arranged it online beforehand so we knew we had to bring enough. The advantages of a driver are that he knows the way, he knows the good hotels, he knows local guides that he can call beforehand to guide you in national parks, it's less tiring if you don't have to drive yourself, and it gives you a safe feeling.
- Are you more adventurous? You can also take the local buses, 'bouse bouse'. Don't expect too much from them, though. They're small vans made to seat about 10 people but are often used by 20 at the same time. You'll often see them on the road, packed with people inside and hanging out, and packed with luggage, food, and even live animals on the roof. The buses break down frequently and, as you can imagine, are not very comfortable.
- Keep in mind that Madagascar is a very big island (it's the size of France and Belgium combined), so calculate enough time for driving from one place to another. Also add about 25% to the time that Google Maps will tell you, and don't plan your schedule too tightly. There are always things that can happen, like car trouble, animals on the road, or not being able to bypass a slow truck.
- Anakao is a picturesque fishing village located on the southwestern coast of Madagascar, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, and traditional Vezo fishing culture. Here are some key highlights: Natural Beauty
- Beaches: Anakao boasts pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the serene coastal environment.
- Marine Life: The waters around Anakao are teeming with marine life, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving. The coral reefs are home to a variety of colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
- Activities
- Snorkeling and Diving: The vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life make snorkeling and diving popular activities. You can explore the underwater world and witness the diverse marine ecosystem.
- Whale Watching: From June to September, humpback whales migrate to the waters around Anakao. Whale-watching tours offer a chance to see these majestic creatures up close.
- Fishing: As a traditional fishing village, Anakao offers opportunities to learn about the Vezo fishing methods. You can join local fishermen on their boats and experience traditional fishing techniques.
- Culture
- Vezo People: The Vezo are a semi-nomadic fishing community known for their deep connection to the sea. Interacting with the Vezo people provides insight into their unique way of life, traditions, and customs.
- Local Cuisine: Fresh seafood is a staple in Anakao. You can enjoy delicious dishes prepared with locally caught fish, crabs, and lobsters, often cooked in traditional Malagasy styles.
- Nearby Attractions
- Nosy Ve: A small island located just off the coast of Anakao, Nosy Ve is famous for its birdlife, particularly the red-tailed tropicbirds. It's a great spot for bird watching and enjoying a secluded beach experience.
- Tsimanampetsotsa National Park: A bit further inland, this park is known for its unique limestone formations, baobab trees, and diverse wildlife, including flamingos and other bird species.
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Lot 43 BAI Amoronakona Ambohimangakely
Tour start
Tananarive, Madagascar
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey
Your 11 days finish where they began, in Tananarive.
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Starting from
EUR
1,650
/person
Book This Tour
Starting from
Estimated room rates
Single Room
€1,650.00 — €2,099.00
Double Sharing
€1,650.00 — €2,099.00
When
Travellers
Rooms
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