Madagascar · Geological Wonders

9-Day Madagascar Tsingy of Bemaraha Tour with Tsiribihina River Descent

9 Days Round trip from Antsirabé Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore vibrant Antsirabe and visit local craft workshops
02 Descend the Tsiribihina River by barge through gorges and Sakalava villages
03 Swim at a huge waterfall with a natural pool and enjoy birdwatching
04 Discover the sharp limestone formations of the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha
05 Watch the sunset among the famous baobabs on the way to Morondava

Explore Madagascar on this captivating 9-day journey from Antananarivo through the scenic highlands to Antsirabe, where local craft traditions and workshops offer a glimpse into Malagasy artistry. Travel west to Miandrivazo before descending the Tsiribihina River by barge, passing Sakalava villages, waterfalls, and rich birdlife. Continue to Bekopaka to discover the sharp limestone formations of the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha, then head to Morondava for a sunset stop at the famous Avenue of the Baobabs. The tour ends with the overland return through Antsirabe to Antananarivo.

Continue to Bekopaka to discover the sharp limestone formations of the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha, then head to Morondava for a sunset stop at the famous Avenue of the Baobabs.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Morondava, Beloni Tsiribihina, Miandrivazo, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Bekopaka, Ambatolampy

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

From Antananarivo to Antsirabe via Ambatolampy

Leave Tana in the morning with your guide and travel to Antsirabe via RN 7, passing small villages with typical highland houses, red soil, and rice terraces.
Stop in the small town of Ambatolampy to visit a craft workshop and foundry.
After lunch, continue driving to Antsirabe, Madagascar's Vichy spa town and a center of Malagasy handicrafts, with the opportunity to visit a stone embroidery workshop.

Proposed Hotel: "Hotel H1" or similar.

Day 02

Antsirabe to Miandrivazo through the Bongolava region

In the morning, you can visit a zebu horn processing plant and a traditional confectionery.
Also visit Lake Andraikiba. After lunch, drive west through the mountainous Bongolava region, where the landscape gradually transforms into a dry one.
Arrive in Miandrivazo late in the afternoon.

Proposed Hotel: "Princess Tsiribihina"

Day 03

To Masiakampy Pier and the Tsiribihina River descent

Transfer to Masiakampy Pier.
Begin the descent on a barge along the Tsiribihina River.
Enjoy the landscape of Menabe, with mango trees, tobacco plantations, and Sakalava villages.
Enter the gorge and set up a bivouac on a large sandbar.

Day 04

Waterfalls, birdwatching, and riverside camping

Continue the descent and stop at a huge waterfall with a natural pool for swimming.
Proceed along the river and enjoy birdwatching, with the chance to spot teal, herons, kingfishers, ducks, and more.
Set up camp and enjoy the possibility of evening entertainment with Sakalava village songs and dances.

Day 05

Finish the river descent and drive to Bekopaka

Complete the descent around noon. Your 4x4 vehicles will be waiting in Belo Tsiribihina.
From there, continue with about a 5-hour drive on rough tracks to reach the village of Bekopaka, the starting point for excursions to the Tsingy Bemaraha.

Proposed Hotel: "Orchidée de Bemaraha"

Day 06

Explore the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha

Discover the Grand Tsingy Bemaraha, about an hour's drive from Bekopaka.
This unique site offers a walk through the sharp and spectacular formations of the Tsingy.
Return to the village in the late afternoon.

Proposed Hotel: "Orchidée de Bemaraha"

Day 07

Bekopaka to Morondava via Baobab Alley

It takes about 8 hours of driving on rough tracks to reach Morondava by evening.
On the way, pass by the famous Baobab Alley and stop to see the baobabs at sunset.
Then continue on to Morondava.

Proposed Hotel: "Trecycogne" or similar.

Day 08

Long overland journey from Morondava to Antsirabe

Start early and aim to leave by 6:00 AM to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the journey.
Arrival in Antsirabe is estimated at 6:00 PM.

Distance: Approximately 220 km (137 miles)

Travel Time: 11-12 hours

Road Condition: Generally good until Miandrivazo, but there can be rough patches afterwards.

Proposed Hotel: H1 or similar

Day 09

Return from Antsirabe to Antananarivo

On the last day, travel to Antananarivo. As you approach the capital, the scenery gradually shifts to a more urban setting.
The city, perched on hills, comes into view with its vibrant rooftops and historical buildings.
The bustling streets, filled with the sounds and colours of everyday Malagasy life, contrast with the serene landscapes left behind.
The trip lasts about 4 hours, followed by check-in at your hotel.

Where this trip takes you

Tsingy de Bemaraha sharp limestone formations, Tsiribihina River descent, Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Antsirabé 8 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation during the trip: 8 nights (2 nights camping and 6 nights in a good hotel)
Full-board catering (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
An English-speaking driver/guide and 4x4 vehicle(s)
Fuel with the driver for the whole trip from Tana-Antsirabe to Morondava
The motorboat for the Tsiribihina River trip - full board
Camping equipment and food (bring a sleeping bag)
Guide-cook assistance during the Tsiribihina River trip
Car ferry crossings over 2 rivers to Tsingy National Park and the same for the return to Morondava
Entrance fees for the national parks
Guides in the parks

What's Not Included

International and domestic flights
Tips and drinks
Cancellation and/or repatriation insurance

What to bring

Light, breathable cotton clothes
Long sleeves to protect against mosquitoes
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun
Good hiking shoes for rugged terrain
Warm layers for cool nights on the Hauts-Plateaux
High SPF sunscreen
Tropical mosquito repellent (DEET 25-50%)
Anti-malarial tablets
Anti-diarrhea tablets
Aspirin and bandages
Disinfectant
Travel sickness tablets
Soothing lotion for insect bites (e.g., Biafine®)
Balm for sunburn
Tampons or sanitary napkins
Camera for capturing memories
Travel diary for jotting down experiences

Know before you go

Madagascar is not a very touristy country. It is a great destination for more experienced and/or adventurous travellers. I've visited over 60 countries and always look for new ones to explore. It did not 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. To help you out, I have made this list with ten 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 will have a great time on this beautiful African island.
A visa is required for all travellers visiting Madagascar, even if it is only for a short period. You can buy your visa at the airport or arrange it in your home country beforehand. Arranging it beforehand at the embassy is quite expensive, but it will give you peace of mind knowing you are allowed into the country. Buying your visa to Madagascar at the airport is also possible. You will have to queue, and officially you could be denied entry, but I do not think that is very likely for tourists. For both options, you will need a return ticket, a valid passport for at least another six months, and a passport photo.
The local currency in Madagascar is the Ariary. The exchange rate was 4600 Ariary for 1 Euro when I was there. It is important to know that you cannot pay with your bank card or debit card everywhere in Madagascar. Some bigger hotels and restaurants accept credit card payments, but there are few 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 BNI bank (white with green logo) also accepts Mastercard. You can find a BNI bank in the bigger cities. Always make sure you have enough cash, as you would be surprised at how few places accept card payments. 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 a Visa and one for a Mastercard.
Please remember the following information:
The roads in Madagascar are in poor condition. One main highway, the RN7, goes from Antananarivo to Tulear in the southwest, but it is often in bad shape. If you are short on time (10 to 16 days), I recommend using the RN7 highway because it will allow you to see much of what the country offers in a reasonable amount of time. The best way to do this trip is to rent a car. Most car rental agencies will only rent a car with a driver. Although it felt strange at first, I am very happy that we did this. We rented our car with Europcar and paid for it in cash euros. We arranged it online beforehand, so we knew we had to bring enough cash. The advantages of having a driver are that he knows the way, knows good hotels, knows local guides he can call beforehand to guide you in national parks, it is less tiring if you do not have to drive yourself, and it gives you a safe feeling.
For the more adventurous, you can also take the local bus called "bouse bouse". However, do not expect too much from them; they are small vans made to seat about ten people but are often used by 20 at the same time. The buses often break down and are uncomfortable.
Remember that Madagascar is a very large island, about the size of France and Belgium combined, so allow enough time to drive from one place to another. Also, add about 25% to the time that Google Maps tells you, and do not plan your schedule too tightly. Unexpected events can occur, such as car trouble, animals on the road, or being unable to overtake a slow truck.

Logistics