Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival and Wildlife Discovery at Marozevo

   • Arrival at Ivato International Airport. The staff will welcome the group.
   • Once you have cleared customs formalities, our Guide will smooth through the rest of the arrival process – currency exchange, setting up the tour leader’s phone with a new local SIM card, and anything else you need.
   • Andre Pereyras.
   • We take directly a scenic drive to Marozevo, where we visit the famous exotic animal breeding center owned by naturalist Andre Pereyras, where we see almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar – as well as butterflies, leaf-tailed geckos, lemurs, and other interesting animals.
   • To the east, on national road number 2, we enjoy panoramic views of the stepped rice fields.
   • Once in Andasibe.
   • We see various mountains and then continue to the east through the green and luxuriant vegetation, with stops along the scenic rainforest route in world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park, where we see primary forests.
   • On arrival, after check-in at the hotel around 6:30 PM, you end this day with a guided night visit which will take 1 hour and a half, and then drive back to the hotel.

2. Day 2: Lemur Encounters in Andasibe-Perinet National Park

   • Today, you start with a guided visit at Analamazaotra National Park.
   • It is better to leave the hotel early (about 7:30AM) to meet easily the Indri-Indri and the Diademed Sifaka in their forest home.
   • The visit takes about 3 hours.
   • Analamazaotra.
   • Within a mile of the park, you can hear the peculiar call of the indri very early in the morning until noon and again in the late afternoon.
   • Indris (called Babakoto in Malagasy) are the largest living lemurs at all, reaching up to 1 meter.
   • Andasibe is the best place to observe the Indris given that there are a couple of families habituated to humans.
   • It lives in small groups and cannot survive in captivity.
   • There are several legends trying to explain its origins since it is considered a sacred animal in the whole Madagascar.
   • Apart from the Indri, another 13 lemur species inhabit these forests, such as the woody lemur, grey bamboo lemur, diademed sifaka, brown lemur, red mouse-lemur, red-bellied lemur, black and white ruffed lemur, and even aye-aye.
   • Before leaving Andasibe.
   • You will enjoy an amazing up-close and personal experience with lemurs on the private Lemurs Island and then on to view many other species in the Vakona Reserve Zoo, where you will see many crocodiles in the river enclosure, native birds, and other wildlife in well-kept surroundings.
   • After the visit, we will leave Andasibe by driving directly back up to Antananarivo (Capital).

3. Day 3: Flight to Morondava and Night Expedition in Kirindy Reserve

   • After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight TNR (Departure at 11:00 am) to the west coast of the island, destination to Morondava MOQ (Arrival at 12:00 pm).
   • On your arrival, drive directly to the North, about 42 km following the secondary road which is a bit winding, to reach the famous Kirindy Park.
   • Check-in at your hotel (Relais du Kirindy).
   • Once in Kirindy.
   • Around 6:30 PM, beginning of the Guided night walks at Kirindy Reserve.
   • Kirindy is the best place in the whole island to observe fosa.
   • Other nocturnal species include: the rare Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur and pygmy mouse-lemur, fork-crowned lemur, grey mouse lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, and red-tailed sportive lemur.
   • Several bats, tenrecs, mongoose, and rodents complete the mammal population.

4. Day 4: Exploring Kirindy Reserve and Journey to Bekopaka

   • The adventure begins. Around 7:00 AM, beginning of the guided day visits at Kirindy Reserve.
   • Kirindy Reserve is home to seven species of lemur. The most common are the common brown lemurs and the Verreaux’s sifakas. These long-legged, seven-pound lemurs, white with dark patches, leap among tree trunks high in the canopy, propelled by their powerful hind legs but continually maintaining an upright posture.
   • Additionally, 40 bird, 50 reptile, and 15 amphibian species are also found in this magnificent forest.
   • After the visit, back to the road and continue by a ferry crossing to reach the small village of Belo sur Tsiribihina, where we stop for lunch.
   • Then, continue to the North through a landscape of rice fields and small villages, to arrive at the end of the afternoon at Bekopaka.

5. Day 5: Adventure in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

   • The adventure in Tsingy starts today. Guided visit to the Bemaraha National Park (Grand Tsingy). You can choose whichever tour you want to do on this day, in consultation with your local guide and your driver, depending on your energy levels and enthusiasm on the day. There are circuits for all levels of fitness here at this World Heritage park. Here nature seems to be in perfect harmony with this wild and sharp limestone mountain.
   • The flora consists of a dry western deciduous forest, plants typical of these dry limestone areas, such as species of Aloe and baobab Andasonia, the red-flowered flamboyant tree, Madagascar’s native banana Musa perrier. You can also see typical plants growing in the rocky area such as pachypodium, orchids.
   • Concerning the fauna, we can see the stump-tailed chameleon Brookesia perarmata, 53 bird species, and 7 lemur species including Decken’s sifaka Propithecus verreauxi deckeni.
   • For your lunch, you will have a picnic organized by the guide.
   • After lunch, you will continue your visit to the Small Tsingy.

6. Day 6: Return to Morondava and Sunset at Baobab Avenue

   • Just after breakfast, back to Morondava.
   • Lunch at Belo sur Tsiribihina. Then, continue up to Morondava with two special stops, the first one in Baobab Amoureux and the second one in the famous Streets of Baobabs to appreciate a beautiful sunset.
   • Arrival at Morondava in the early evening, transfer to the hotel.

7. Day 7: Drive to Antsirabe through the Highlands

   • Today, you will have a very long drive, so it is better to leave early from Morondava (7:00 AM).
   • After breakfast, drive directly to Antsirabe while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Menabe area, through the spectacular red hills. Some stops could be done on the road for pictures and breaks if necessary.
   • Lunch in Miandrivazo, and then continue to Antsirabe. Our destination is the highland town of Antsirabe, with its wide colonial streets, volcanic lakes, and colorful rickshaws.
   • Known as "The Place of Salt," Antsirabe is the center of beer making in Madagascar and is renowned for its handicrafts.
   • Founded by Norwegian missionaries in 1856, it is the only place that truly feels and looks like a European city, with its elegant spa and railway station.
   • Antsirabe has a temperate climate, allowing fruits and vegetables from cooler parts of the world to thrive here.
   • Check-in at the hotel.

8. Day 8: Cultural Explorations in Antsirabe and Ambositra

   • After breakfast, we will do a small city tour by rickshaws, visiting the railway station, the Independence Avenue, and the famous Hotel des Thermes.
   • We will also visit a number of the town’s famed craftspeople to watch them working on the precious and semi-precious stones that Antsirabe is famous for.
   • Today, we continue to wind our way through the Highlands’ scenic landscapes, where the houses are made with ornately-carved wooden balconies and shutters with bright colors.
   • Further on, we pass the “le col de tapia,” a type of tree resistant to bush fires. The landscape is still dominated by very photogenic rice fields, pine forests, eucalyptus trees, and rocky hills.
   • At the Malagasy arts and crafts capital, Ambositra, we stroll through the city visiting workshops of Zafimaniry artisans – skilled sculptors working on marquetry rosewood and ebony.

9. Day 9: Rainforest Trekking in Ranomafana National Park

   • This morning, we search Ranomafana National Park‘s rainforest for lemurs, accompanied by our local naturalist guide. This is a high-altitude rainforest reserve where the Golden Bamboo Lemur was discovered in 1986. The forest is home to 11 other lemur species, endemic chameleons, Leaf-tailed Geckos, Mantella Frogs, and a myriad of birds.
   • We embark on a quest to see the fabled “Hapalemur aureus” – the Golden Bamboo Lemur – which is only found in Ranomafana. We will also see many different species of birds, such as Ground Rollers. The park is particularly rich in flora and features many plant varieties unknown elsewhere, including different types of orchids and ferns. The approximately 40,000 ha of Parc National de Ranomafana, with its rain forest-covered hills and abundant wildlife, has long been considered one of Madagascar’s highlights. Altitudes in the park range from 800 to 1,200 meters above sea level.
   • In addition to its densely-forested hills, Ranomafana’s terrain is characterized by numerous small streams which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. This day includes strenuous walks in the rainforest.
   • After 4 hours visit, we will get back to the hotel for lunch and rest a little bit before starting the guided night walk in the area around our hotel to try and spot the Rufous Mouse Lemur, the Greater Dwarf Lemur, and some of the other nocturnal wildlife. After the visit, back to the hotel.

10. Day 10: Journey to Isalo National Park and Desert Landscapes

    • Early departure to drive via Fianarantsoa, the cultural capital of the Central Highlands, to the pleasant rural town of Ambalavao. This is the site of one of the largest livestock markets in the South (Wednesday mornings only).
    • We visit a local winery and a workshop making the unique Antemoro paper, which is hand-made from the bark of a local tree using a method inherited from Arab culture.
    • In Ambalavao, we also visit a silk factory and learn about the local way of making fabric from silk thread and the process of dyeing it with natural dyes.
    • We then continue to Anjar Community Reserve for a short walk, during which we have the chance to see Madagascar’s iconic animal – ring-tailed lemurs (Lemurian Catta). In the past, visitors fed the lemurs, so the majority of the animals are unafraid to come near us to pose for photographs.
    • We continue to Ihosy, capital of the Bara tribes, who are herders of Zebu cattle. Further on, we pass the volcanic peaks of the Andringitra massif, which serves as a transition between the green Highlands with its very spectacular granite rock formations and the dry south.
    • Our journey south takes us through a landscape of rock formations typical of the dry Grand South, some of which are sacred. We pass through the legendary ‘Porte du Sud’ and cross the desolate expanse of the Plateau de Horombe with its deep red soil, arriving late afternoon in Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park.

11. Day 11: Hiking in Isalo National Park and Sunset Spectacle

    • Today, we explore the stunning desert plains, deep canyons, sandstone formations, grasslands, and palm-lined oases of Isalo National Park.
    • We hope to encounter the 3 lemur species that are found here – Red-fronted Brown Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs, and the loping, bipedal Verreaux’s Sifaka.
    • Additionally, we will see vegetation such as Uapaca bojeri, Pachypodium rosulatum or ‘elephant’s foot’, and Aloe isaloensis, a native species of aloe endemic to Isalo.
    • The eroded mountains also served as a place where the Bara people kept their dead before they could bury them in their actual tombs. This day includes strenuous walks and a picnic lunch in the park.
    • In the evening, drive back to the hotel with one stop at the famous window of Isalo to appreciate a breathtaking and spectacular sunset.

12. Day 12: Return to Antananarivo via Tulear and Departure

    • Today, we need to leave the hotel as early as possible to reach the flight departure time. This part of our journey continues down the paved RN7 to its end in Tulear on the Southwest coast, introducing us to new scenery among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south.
    • On the road, we pass through the sapphire mining boom town of Ilakaka, a frontier town vaguely reminiscent of the Wild West. En-route today, we see the locations of different ornate hillside ‘Mahafaly Tombs‘, which were built for chiefs and kings and are covered in stones, sculptures, and horns. The more important the deceased, the more horns and statues there are.
    • One of the largest tombs has over 700 horns of zebu cattle! As this is a sacred site, we will just be passing by. Photography is not permitted. We also pass the area of the ‘Antandroy Tombs‘. This is the driest part of the country – called the “Deep South” – where the landscape is dominated by cactus-like, spiny forests of different euphorbias. In this area, giant baobab trees, which can be hundreds of years old, grow.
    • For most of the year, these hardy trees have no leaves, so their bare branches look like roots – giving them the name “upside-down trees.” This is an area of dry and sandy soil where the local people battle to find drinking water.
    • Once in Tulear (also known as “Toliara“), transfer to Tulear’s airport and fly back to Antananarivo (TLE Departure: 09:30 am) (TNR Arrival: 11:10 am). You will be picked up by our driver, then drive to the craft market for shopping and purchase some souvenirs. Lastly, transfer directly to the airport for your external flight.