18-Day Best of Madagascar's Forests, Beaches and Wildlife

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival at Antananarivo

When you arrive at the airport, we will be there waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. After picking you up at the airport, we will drive to our hotel in Antananarivo and give you a special briefing about our upcoming journey and answer any questions you may have about our upcoming adventure.

Overnight in Antananarivo at Chalet des Roses Hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Chalet des Roses

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Antananarivo to Antsirabe

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit The Rova of Antananarivo (the Queen’s palace) to hear about the monarchy of Madagascar. From there, we will visit the market, where you will see colorful products and better understand the Malagasy lifestyle in general. After the visit, we will drive towards Antsirabe. On the way, we will have a quick stop at Ambatolampy, the capital of Madagascar, to see a terracotta pot factory. Late afternoon, we will arrive at Antsirabe, where we will embark on a city tour in a rickshaw taxi. You can decide to have dinner at the hotel or be taken to a restaurant in town.

Overnight in Antsirabe at Vatolahy Hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Vatolahy Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Antsirabe to Morondava

After breakfast, we will continue further southwest on Route Nationale 34 (RN34), which links Antsirabe to Morondava. On the way, we will have several stops so that you can take nice photos of the amazing landscape with mountains and zebus, gold mining activities, and villagers walking about.

Overnight in Morondava at Vezo Beach hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Morondava (Town)

Accommodation:

Le Vezo Beach Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Morondava (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Morondava to Kirindy Forest

After breakfast, we will drive to Kirindy Forest, where you will see different species of lemurs, birds, reptiles, and the largest carnivore of Madagascar, the fossa (a small cougar-type animal with many cat-like features). On the way, we will drive through the Valley of the Baobabs. We will have a few quick stops here for you to get a feeling of this paradise and then continue our journey.

Overnight in Kirindy at Relais Du Kirindy hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Kirindy Forest

Best Time To Visit October and November (Fossa mating season)

High Season July and August (Some of the trails get busy)

Best Weather May to September

Wildlife in Kirindy Forest

Fossa Common

Verreaux's sifaka Common

Giant
jumping rat Common

Northern
bokiboky

Common

Grey
mouse lemur Common

Show more

Red-fronted
brown lemur Common

Red-tailed
sportive lemur Common

Berthe's
mouse lemur Occasional

Oustalet's
chameleon Occasional

Pale
fork-marked lemur Occasional

Fat-tailed
dwarf lemur Occasional

Coquerel's giant
mouse lemur Rare

Common tenrec Rare

Madagascar
ground boa Rare

Accommodation:

Relais Du Kirindy

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Kirindy Forest

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Kirindy Forest to Bekopaka

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the Kirindy Forest to see different species of lemurs, birds, reptiles, and the largest carnivore of Madagascar, the fossa. The visit will last about 2 hours, and when we finish, we will continue our way to Bekopaka. This village is the gateway forming the southern boundary of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. After the visit, we will drive through the forest, see several villages, and cross two different rivers on ferry boats. After the first ferry, we will stop to have lunch in a town called Belo sur Tsiribihina. After lunch, we will continue our way further to Bekopaka, and a few kilometers before Bekopaka, we will cross another river called the Manambolo River. After the ferry, we will drive about half an hour to our accommodation.

Overnight in Bekopaka at Orchidée Du Bemaraha hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Bekopaka (Town)

Accommodation:

Orchidee du Bemaraha

• Budget hotel located in Bekopaka (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

On day six, we will spend the day in nature, discovering the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the biggest protected area by the Malagasy State. At Tsingy, we will see the cathedral, the viewpoint, the hanging bridge, and many indigenous animals that live here, such as the sifaka lemur and the common brown lemur. We will also see wild birds and the biggest carnivore in Madagascar called fossa. We will also see different indigenous plants, such as the palissandre (rosewood). After lunch, we will continue our excursion into the smaller section of Tsingy.
Overnight in Bekopaka at Orchidée Du Bemaraha hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Bemaraha National Park

Best Time To Visit May to October (Cooler and less rainfall)

High Season July to August (Some of the trails get busy)

Best Weather July and August

Wildlife in Bemaraha NP

Decken's sifaka Common

Peter's
mouse lemur Common

Western red
forest rat

Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Bemaraha
sportive lemur Common

Show more

Madagascar
straw-colored
fruit bat Common

Bemaraha
woolly lemur

Occasional

Rufous
brown lemur Occasional

Fat-tailed
dwarf lemur Occasional

Stump-tailed
chameleon Occasional

Ring-tailed
mongoose Rare

Madagascar
ground boa Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Aye-aye Very Rare

Accommodation:

Orchidee du Bemaraha

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bemaraha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Bekopaka to Morondava

On day seven, after breakfast, we will travel south to the city of Morondava. On our way to Morondava, we see the Boababs in Love, a unique scene of two large baobab trees that have grown together intertwined. This tree symbolizes the union of two lovers, and many couples come here to renew their vows. From here, we will continue our drive to admire the most popular sunset in all of Madagascar—the sunset at the Alley of the Baobabs. The baobabs in this region have been around for eight hundred years and are one of the most popular attractions in Madagascar. After our sunset experience at the Alley of the Baobabs, we will continue our drive to our final destination for the day, Morondava. Upon arrival at Morondava, we will check into our hotel and settle in for the evening.
Overnight in Morondava at Vezo Beach hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Morondava (Town)

Accommodation:

Le Vezo Beach Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Morondava (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Morondava to Antsirabe

After an early breakfast, we will head back to Antsirabe. On the way, we will enjoy visiting many villages, including schools, and enjoying the half-desert landscape. Once more, you can enjoy the amazing landscape and relax in our car.
Overnight in Antsirabe at Vatolahy hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Vatolahy Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Antsirabe to Andasibe

After our breakfast, we will head to Andasibe. En route, we will visit a reptile park, where we are going see different species of chameleons, geckos, snakes, crocodiles, frogs, and one of the largest butterflies in Madagascar as well as two different species of lemurs. This visit will take us about 2 hours, and once we are done, we will drive further to have lunch. Once we arrive in Andasibe, we will check into our hotel and get ready for a night walk to see the lemurs, frogs, and chameleons that are active at night.
Overnight in Andasibe at Andasibe Lemurs Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Best Time To Visit August to November (Less rainfall)

High Season July to August and December (The park is busy)

Best Weather April, May, October and November

Wildlife in Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Indri Common

Common
brown lemur Common

Other
chameleons Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Diademed sifaka Occasional

Show more

Red-bellied
lemur Occasional

Grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

Mouse lemurs Occasional

Sportive lemurs Occasional

Parson's
chameleon Occasional

Painted mantella Occasional

Black-and-white
ruffed lemur Rare

Madagascar tree boa Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Andasibe Lemurs Lodge

• Mid-range bungalow located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Andasibe-Analamazaotra National Park

Today enjoy a full day on Madagascar wildlife safari with a visit of Andasibe analamazaotra national park. The primary forests which contains a dense humid forest. It is covered with leans, moss, fern tress and more than hundred orchids’ species. And many species of lemurs, indri-indri the largest of all, diademed sifaka, common brown lemur, bamboo lemur and the sportive lemurs too. Other common plants growing here are pandanus, ravinala palm-tree, tambourissa, bamboos and some precious wood, like palisander and ebony. The extraordinary animal diversity is completed with another 15-mammal species, more than 100 of birds (many of them endemic, like the Madagascar yellow brow. In the afternoon we will head to the Vakona reserve to play with the lemurs and see many crocodiles as well as whistling ducks; king fisher and other species of birds.
Overnight in Andasibe at Andasibe Lemurs Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Analamazaotra National Park

Accommodation:

Andasibe Lemurs Lodge

• Mid-range bungalow located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Andasibe-Palmarium Reserve

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we continue driving on the RN2 toward Palmarium Reserve. When we arrive in Manambato, we will take a boat and sail on the Canel des Pangalanes until we arrive at the Palmarium Reserve. We will be going on a night safari to see the endemic wildlife of Madagascar, like the aye-aye (a long-fingered lemur with rodent-like teeth).
Overnight in Palm Beach Resort & Spa or similar.

Main Destination:

Palmarium Reserve

Best Time To Go August to January (Less rainfall)

High Season July, August and December (The reserve gets very busy)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Palm Beach Resort & Spa

• Luxury hotel located on Nosy Be

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Palmarium Reserve

Today we are going to visit the Palmarium Reserve and see its rich fauna and flora. You are going to see a lot of lemurs, birds, and plant species. In the afternoon you can decide to go to visit the fishermen's village nearby or simply relax.
Overnight in Palm Beach Resort & Spa or similar.

Main Destination:

Palmarium Reserve

Accommodation:

Palm Beach Resort & Spa

• Luxury hotel located on Nosy Be

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Palmarium Reserve to Mahambo

After your breakfast we will embark to a boat along the Pangalanes canal heading to Tamatave then continue to Mahambo as the final destination of the day. The boat will take us approximately 3 hour. On arrival in Tamatave we have lunch
before continuing to Mahambo.
Overnight in Mahambo at La Pirogue hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Mahambo (Town)

Accommodation:

La Pirogue Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Mahambo (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Mahambo to Sainte Marie

Today after breakfast we will be driving to the embarking place and board a boat heading to Sainte Marie the boarding place is located few minutes drive from you hotel. The ride is gonna take us about 3 hours, when we reach Sainte Marie you will be transferred to your hotel and relax for the evening.
Overnight in Sainte Marie is at Résidence Monique or similar.

Main Destination:

Nosy Boraha

Accommodation:

The Residence Monique

• Mid-range lodge located on Nosy Boraha

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Sainte Marie

We will have two days of free time in which we can either continue to explore the beautiful island of Sainte-Marie or relax by the ocean and enjoy the beauty of the Indian Ocean in Sainte Marie.
Overnight in Sainte Marie at Résidence Monique or similar.

Main Destination:

Nosy Boraha

Accommodation:

The Residence Monique

• Mid-range lodge located on Nosy Boraha

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Tour île aux Nattes Island

Today you have a full day to explore and enjoy Ile aux Nattes. You can tour Ile aux Nattes on a speed boat during this time. At the same time, you can go snorkeling and swimming or relax by the beach. After the tour, you can visit the villages of Ile aux Nattes, interact with local people, and visit the White House, where you can see the entire island when you reach the top and have a fresh drink.
Overnight in Sainte Marie at Résidence Monique or similar.

Main Destination:

Nosy Boraha

Accommodation:

The Residence Monique

• Mid-range lodge located on Nosy Boraha

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Sainte Marie to Antananarivo

After breakfast, we will take a 45-minute flight from Sainte Marie to Antananarivo. After we arrive in Antananarivo, we will check into our hotel and take some time to get settled. In the afternoon, we will take a moment to go and explore historical places in Antananarivo, including the Manjakamiadana Palace and the Andafiavaratra Museum, in which we will learn about the history of the Malagasy Kingdom.
Overnight in Antananarivo at Chalet des Roses or similar.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Chalet des Roses

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Ivato International Airport

On day 18 of our journey, which is also our last day together, we will have a free morning to shop for souvenirs to bring back home. During our shopping trip, we will look at Malagasy craftwork, local spices, vanilla, and much more. After shopping, we will prepare for our departure to Ivato International Airport. We will arrive at the airport two hours before your departure time.

Main Destination:

Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.