There are many different choices for Madagascar travel, such as a combination journey with Kenya or South Africa. Many organized adventure holidays to Madagascar are on offer, as well as cruise itineraries that offer destinations like Mauritius and the Seychelles in the cruise itinerary! We are fully ABTA bonded and ATOL protected, so click here to contact us.
Adventure tours in Madagascar
Cruising around Madagascar
Trekking in Madagascar
Clients travelling Land Only (i.e. not on our group flights) should make their own way to the joining point in Antananarivo (day one of the itinerary). You will receive full details of exactly where to meet your Group Leader on the Joining Instructions which will be sent to you 2-3 weeks before your trip starts. For information on when the trip ends please refer to the itinerary as described below.
Day 1/2: Overnight flight from Paris to Antananarivo (Tana)
Following the arrival of the group we travel to Andasibe. The town is at an altitude of 1500m and so has a cooler climate. The warm springs and thermal baths here were a real draw in the 19th century. A stroll around the streets will bring you in contact with some fantastic little shops selling Malagasy artefacts and handicrafts and as Antsirabe is also home to precious and semi precious stone vendors you might get the opportunity to see the stones being cut and polished. Hotel – 2 nights.
Day 3: Perinet and Mantadia National Park
Today you spend a full day in the parks. The parks are home to the teddy bear-like Indri, the largest of Madagascar’s lemur species, as well as other forms of flora and fauna and a wide array of bird life. Listening to the piercing yet melancholy cry of the Indri in the morning is an evocative experience and for those who are prepared to follow them through the thick rainforest, the reward is often a close-up view of these beautiful creatures. A group of five Diademed sifaka have recently been re-introduced to Perinet from Mantadia, and if you are lucky, you may spot one of these beautiful creatures. In the evening, take a twilight/nocturnal walk, looking out for the nocturnal species of lemur by catching their eyes in the torchlight.(B)
Day 4: Antsirabe
Today you travel to Antsirabe. On the way we visit the Peyeiras centre in Mandraka which houses an outstanding collection of butterflies, chameleons and frogs. Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 5: Fianarantsoa
This morning we take a city tour of Antsirabe. There should be time to visit some artisanal workshops before we visit one of the local lakes. In the hills west of Antsirabe lie Lac Andraikiba and Lac Tritriva which are both volcanic in origin. The deep blue lake of Lac Tritriva is impressively surrounded by sheer cliff. We then travel to Fianarantsoa where we spend the night. Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 6: Ranohira
Explore Fianarantsoa, the academic, intellectual and Catholic centre of Madagascar. Lying in the heart of Madagascar’s agricultural centre, the city is well known for its tea and wine and has the superb backdrop of Mt Kianjasoa (1374m). In the afternoon the scenery changes dramatically as we head to the small town of Ranohira, our base for exploring Isalo National Park. Hotel – 2 nights (B)
Day 7: Isalo National Park
Spend the day exploring Isalo National Park. Isalo is a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. During your time you will go walking in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux Sifaka. You’ll also visit the ‘Piscine Naturelle’ (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape, where we can swim and relax. Perhaps the magic is just to soak up the sheer beauty of the park, the combination of coloured eroded rock forms, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. (Please bear in mind that Isalo is a big national park and there will be a certain amount of driving involved today. Driving to the Canyon des Makis takes around 1h 30-2 hours). (B)
Day 8: West coast
You leave early in the morning for the west coast On arrival there is time to visit the bustling coastal town of Tulear. Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 9: Morondava
You have a relaxing start to the day before catching a flight north to the coastal town of Morondava known for having one of the finest climates in Madagascar. The beaches here are great and stretch for miles, and a common sight is that of local pirogues (flat-bottomed fishing boats) returning to shore at sunset. Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 10: 4WD to Bekopaka
Today is a long driving day as you head north of Morondava towards your next destination – the wonderful Tsingy. Travel past baobab forests, desert and cross the Tsiribhina river by local ferry boat. The western landscape is arid but has a beauty all of its own. Your destination is the village of Bekopaka, your base for discovering the amazing Grands and Petits Tsingy. Hotel – 3 nights (B)
Day 11/12: Vazimba tombs and the Petits and Grands Tsingy
A UNESCO world heritage site since 1990, the area has unique geography, well preserved mangrove forests and some amazing bird and lemur species. The Grands Tsingy is famed for its pinnacles, a forest of limestone pillars and limestone plateaux. Some of its needles are several hundred metres high! You will trek throughout the reserve – one day will be devoted to the Grands Tsingy and the following to the Petits Tsingy. The karst landscape and deciduous forest are a refuge for rare and endangered species and in the park there are over 11 species of lemur, 90 species of bird and 50 types of reptile, some of which we might be lucky to spot on your hike. Following the trek around the Petits Tsingy head to Manambolo gorge, home to many interesting rock formations, and to the Tombs of the Vazimba tribe. These ancient people were the original inhabitants of Madagascar and grew no more than one metre tall.
Day 13: 4WD to Morondava and Alley of Baobabs
After breakfast head back south by 4WD. You will travel through the small town of Bel-sur-Tsiribihina and pass the Sakalava tribe tombs. These tombs are specially known for the very unusual paintings and carvings that decorate the outside of each tomb. Just prior to sunset you will arrive at the famous ‘Alley of Baobabs’ where the plan is to spend sunset. This is the best time to see these amazing trees as the colours at this time of day are spectacular, making for a perfect photo opportunity. After sunset return to Morondava where you spend the night. Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 14/15: Antananarivo
Enjoy some well-earned free time this morning in Morondava before catching your internal flight back to the capital, Antananarivo.
The following morning you will have a half day city tour of Madagascar’s capital, known as simply ‘Tana’ to the locals. Built around Anosy Lake, the capital offers much of interest, with a backdrop of terracing and outstanding views from the Queen’s Palace. You’ll also visit the village of Pere Pedro, an Argentinian who has done great work helping hundreds of thousands of Malagasy people build a better life. In the afternoon there will be some free time for individual sightseeing and shopping for last-minute souvenirs. Hotel 2 nights (B)
Day 16/17: Overnight flight to London
For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon/evening and will arrive in the UK the following day. (B)
Sample Cruise Itinerary to Madagascar:
Day 1Port Louis (Mauritius) – -
Day 2Port Louis (Mauritius) – -
Day 3Port Louis (Mauritius) – 13:00
Day 4…cruising… – -
Day 5Mahe (Seychelles)15:00 –
Day 6Mahe (Seychelles) – -
Day 7Mahe (Seychelles) – 14:00
Day 8…cruising… – -
Day 9Nosy Be (Madagascar)08:00 – 18:00
Day 10Diego Suarez (Madagascar)08:00 – 18:00
Day 11…cruising… – -
Day 12Tamatave (Madagascar)07:00 – 15:00
Day 13…cruising… – -
Day 14St. Denis (Réunion)07:00 – 17:00
Day 15Port Louis (Mauritius)02:30 –
TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR
17 days from GBP2,199 to GBP2,599 including flights
An exciting itinerary that allows us to experience the incredible diversity of Madagascar, predominantly on foot. The Zafimaniry People are renowned for their wood carvings; we begin our trip by visiting their villages, where even the houses are works of art. We then spend three days trekking in Andringitra National Park, one of the most beautiful and biodiverse parks on the island. While there, we climb Peak Boby, which at 2658 metres high is the second highest and the most accessible peak in Madagascar. We continue our journey with two days in Isalo National Park, where the unique landscape is reminiscent of Mars. Our adventure finishes with some time on the coast, where we can snorkel, swim or just enjoy some well-earned rest. Throughout the trip, the unique wildlife of this island will enchant and amaze.
ITINERARY
Flight Inclusive itinerary from £2599
Day 1
Depart London.
Day 2
Arrive Antananarivo; overnight.
Day 3
Transfer to Ambositra.
Day 4
Full day trek to Antoetra visiting local villages.
Day 5
Transfer to Ambalavao.
Day 6
To Andringitra N.P.; afternoon visit to Riandahy and Raimbavy Waterfalls.
Day 7 – 9
Three day trek to climb Madagascar’s second highest peak, Peak Boby (2658m).
Day 10
To Isalo N.P.
Day 11 – 12
Two day trek in Isalo N.P.
Day 13
To Tulear.
Day 14
Ifaty Beach; free day for optional activities.
Day 15
Fly to Antananarivo; overnight.
Day 16
Depart Antananarivo.
Day 17
Arrive London.
