Madagascar · National Parks

16-Day Madagascar Tour from Antananarivo with Tsingy and Tsiribihina

16 Days Round trip from N52 Hard pace
Madagascar Tourism
Bemaraha Tsingy
Animal Spotting

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the thermal town of Antsirabe, including craft workshops and recycled miniature-making
  • 02 Enjoy a three-day Tsiribihina River journey with camping, birdwatching, swimming, and village walks
  • 03 Discover the UNESCO-listed Great Tsingy, a unique limestone formation in Bemaraha National Park
  • 04 Witness the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset near Morondava
  • 05 Look for lemurs and other wildlife in Ranomafana National Park and Anja Community Reserve
  • 06 Trek through the scenic landscapes of Tsaranoro Valley, including Chameleon Mountain
  • 07 Gain insight into Malagasy craftsmanship through aluminium and Zafimaniry woodcarving workshops

Explore Antananarivo's historic sites and the thermal town of Antsirabe on this 16-day journey through Madagascar. Discover the beauty of the Tsiribihina River with camping and village visits, marvel at the UNESCO-listed Great Tsingy in Bemaraha National Park, and witness the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset near Morondava. Encounter lemurs in Ranomafana, trek through the dramatic landscapes of Tsaranoro Valley, and delve into Zafimaniry culture in Ambositra and along the route. The tour concludes in Antananarivo with time for cultural insights before departure.

Discover the beauty of the Tsiribihina River with camping and village visits, marvel at the UNESCO-listed Great Tsingy in Bemaraha National Park, and witness the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset near Morondava.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 16 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Morondava, Beloni Tsiribihina, Miandrivazo, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Ranomafana National Park, Bekopaka, Ambalavao, Ambositra, Ambatolampy
Languages English, French, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival and City Tour in Antananarivo

  • Meet and greet at Ivato International Airport.
  • Transfer to the hotel.
  • Sightseeing and city tour in Antananarivo.

Overnight at a hotel.

2
Day 02

From Antananarivo to Antsirabe via Ambatolampy

  • Depart after breakfast for Antsirabe.
  • Stop in Ambatolampy to visit an aluminium manufacturing workshop.
  • Explore Antsirabe, known as the "Town of Water".
  • Visit a workshop crafting miniatures from recycled materials.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

3
Day 03

Antsirabe Markets and Drive to Miandrivazo

  • Explore Antsirabe's market and local craft workshops.
  • Drive to Miandrivazo through picturesque highland scenery.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

4
Day 04

Tsiribihina River Journey to Bekopaka

  • Transfer to the pier for a boat journey on the Tsiribihina River.
  • Camp on the riverbanks, with time for birdwatching and swimming.
  • Walk through villages and explore Bemaraha Gorge.
  • Continue by 4x4 to Bekopaka, near Bemaraha Tsingy.

Camping for 3 days/2 nights on a full-board basis.

5
Day 05

Explore the Great Tsingy in Bemaraha National Park

  • Take a canoe trip and then track and hike to explore the Great Tsingy. It is a unique limestone formation. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 and is also a National Park.
  • Enjoy an optional visit to the Small Tsingy for non-hikers.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

6
Day 06

Return to Morondava via the Avenue of the Baobabs

  • Return to Morondava via the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset.
  • Cross the Tsiribihina River by ferry.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

7
Day 07

Drive from Morondava to Antsirabe

  • Drive back to Antsirabe.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

8
Day 08

Scenic Highlands to Ranomafana via Ambositra

  • Drive through scenic highlands to Ranomafana.
  • Stop in Ambositra to visit the Zafimaniry woodcarving workshop.
  • Enjoy an evening walk in Ranomafana National Park if time permits.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

9
Day 09

Wildlife Viewing in Ranomafana and Onward to Ambalavao

  • Visit Ranomafana National Park early for wildlife viewing.
  • Drive to Ambalavao in the afternoon, a town known for its woodcarving and vineyards.
  • Visit Anja Community Reserve en route.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

10
Day 10

Anja Reserve and Scenic Drive to Tsaranoro Valley

  • Visit Anja Reserve and look for lemurs and reptiles.
  • Drive to Tsaranoro Valley for scenic views.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

11
Day 11

Trek to Chameleon Mountain

  • Start a morning trek to Chameleon Mountain for panoramic views.
  • Descend for leisure activities.

Overnight at a camp.

12
Day 12

Trek Through Tsaranoro Valley to Ambositra

  • Trek through the landscapes of Tsaranoro Valley.
  • Visit Morarano village and cross rivers.
  • Drive to Ambositra for cultural experiences.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

13
Day 13

Zafimaniry Craft Heritage and Return to Antananarivo

  • Visit the Zafimaniry woodcarving workshop.
  • Drive back to Antananarivo via Ambatolampy.
  • Spend the evening at leisure.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

14
Day 14

Departure from Ivato International Airport

  • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
  • Transfer to Ivato International Airport for departure.
Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset, Tsiribihina River camping, Great Tsingy, Ranomafana National Park rainforest

Where this trip takes you

Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset, Tsiribihina River camping, Great Tsingy, Ranomafana National Park rainforest

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from N52 11 cities · 16 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Accommodation on a board basis for days 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
  • Breakfast and dinner for days 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
  • Lunches for days 4, 5, 12, and 13.
  • Camping during the river crossing on a full-board basis from day 4 to day 5.
  • All ferry boats.
  • All transfers mentioned in the program.
  • One private English-speaking guide throughout the trip.
  • Private coach or mini-bus with air-conditioning, and an off-road car for dirt roads (Morondava-Tsingy and Ambalavao-Andringitra).
  • Fuel and driver indemnification during all land transportation.
  • All visits and excursions mentioned in the program.
  • Entrance fees and local guide services in all parks and reserves mentioned in the program.
  • Tourist taxes.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare to and from the destination.
  • Lunches for days 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
  • Visa fees, when applicable.
  • All visits not indicated in the itinerary.
  • Items of a personal nature, tips, and souvenirs.
  • Any changes made on the spot.
  • Insurance cancellation or any other travel insurance.
  • Drinks.

What to bring

  • Casual clothes, as it is generally hot. Light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip. However, it will be a little cooler on the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings and in the rainforest areas, so you should bring some warm clothes (fleece and waterproof).
  • Strong sun cream.
  • Torch.
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunhat.
  • Anti-bacterial gel.
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Comfortable shoes for hiking and walking.
  • A swimming costume will be well used.
  • Warm sweater or fleece jacket, as nights can be chilly.
  • A first aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own first aid kit with diarrhea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets, plasters, and a blister treatment kit.
  • Long trousers and socks for walking in the national parks are advised in case of leeches if there has been heavy rain.

Know before you go

  • Accommodation
    • Hotels & lodges.
    • We use tourist-class hotels throughout the trip. The hotels are simple 2-3 star properties, with lovely lodges in the middle of nature, but they are very comfortable. Most of the hotels have mosquito nets in the rooms. Please note that although all of the hotels are said to have a reliable electricity and water supply, there may be instances in which you experience some gaps in supply. This is more a reflection of life in Madagascar than the standard of the hotel. Please be aware that some hotels do not have 24-hour electricity, and hot water is not always available in some. There is Wi-Fi in most hotels, but this is often only in the communal areas and not in the rooms.
    • Single accommodation is available for a supplement on this trip.
  • Food and transport
    • Eating and drinking
      • The food in Madagascar is generally of good quality, particularly by the coast, where the seafood is excellent. A one-course lunch or dinner should cost EUR 6-8, while a three-course lunch or dinner should cost EUR 12-18. Please allow approximately EUR 150 for meals not included, plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and easily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced, but it is not to everyone's taste. It is sometimes possible to get French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavored rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced.
        Please note that if you eat neither fish nor meat, your food options will be rather limited (i.e. omelet, cheese, pasta, vegetables, and rice) on this trip. Breakfast is usually simple: eggs, jam, and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (e.g. spread, peanut butter, etc.).
    • Transportation
      • We use a private coach or mini-bus, which will be quite comfortable during the tour, usually with air-conditioning.
      • 4x4 off-road: The coach will accompany tourists most of the time, except on the trip to the Tsingy, which requires a very good 4x4. The coach will not be with the group for the 3 days of dirt road travel to the Tsingy.
  • Weather information
    • Madagascar has a tropical climate with two seasons - rainy and dry.
    • The driest season extends from April to October. It is often cold on the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings and in the rainforest areas, so you should bring warm clothes (fleece and waterproof).
    • There is considerable regional variation, but coastal areas are usually hot and dry. Expect daytime in the
  • Joining instructions
    • Travelling land only: starting and ending in Antananarivo.
    • Please note that security conditions at the airport in Antananarivo do not allow the leader to access the airport building. The leader will wait directly outside the building to meet you on arrival.
    • The cost of a taxi is likely to be about EUR 15 should you decide to make your way independently.
    • Location start: Antananarivo.
    • Location end: Antananarivo.
  • Practical information
    • Passport and Visa (Madagascar)
    • All nationalities require a full passport valid for six months beyond the intended stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your visa, if necessary, according to the regulations of the country you are to visit. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
    • Visas are required for entry to Madagascar. Thirty-day tourist visas may be obtained at the airport upon arrival. If obtaining a visa at the airport, you should ensure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport. The visa fee is in US dollars or Euros (US$37/35 euro).
    • Visa regulations can change without notice, so please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
  • Vaccination
    • There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential. We suggest you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, so the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend that you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
    • Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way in helping you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
    • The above information can change at short notice. As we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health, we strongly recommend that you contact your medical professional or a travel health clinic at least eight weeks before departure for up-to-date information.
  • Bilharzia occurs in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary. Therefore, we advise you all to seek advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
  • Local time
    • Madagascar's time zone: Indian/Antananarivo EAT (GMT+03:00).
  • Electricity
    • Madagascar's electricity: 127 & 220 volts. Plug types C, D, E, J, & K. Establishments often take two round-pin plugs.
    • Madagascar uses the standard European non-grounded electric two-prong power plug, type C or E.
  • Money
    • The national currency of Madagascar is the Ariary (MGA), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (June 2024) of approximately 4650 to the EUR.
  • ATM availability
    • ATMs are only available at the airport and in the town of Antananarivo.
  • Extra expenses and spending money
    • A Visa card (not Mastercard) can be used to obtain a local currency cash advance at some banks, but note that we advise you to bring your spending money in GBP, Euros, or US dollars cash, as these are easiest to change into local currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into the country, provided it is declared on arrival.
    • Please note that you cannot rely on credit cards for payment, as they are rarely accepted.
    • All money should be exchanged at the airport on arrival.
    • Any unused Ariary must be exchanged before checking in for departures; only US dollars and Euros are accepted.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Ivato International Airport
Tour start
N52, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 16 days finish where they began, in N52.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room €2,700.00 — €3,200.00
Double Sharing €2,700.00 — €3,200.00

When

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