Madagascar

MADAGASCAR CIRCUIT

About Madagascar
Located in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar became the island about 88 million years ago when was separated from the mainland. This separation forced the separate evolution of fauna and flora on the island, leading to unique forms of plants and animals, species that meet only here. The island's culture is also unique, a mix between the Borneo sailors and the Bantu Africans that gave birth to a strange Malagasy culture.

What we will see:
In this tour we’ll explore the south and center of Madagascar, crossing the seaside landscape in Tsingy de Bemaraha parks and Isalo National Park, and up to the purest and most luxurious tropical rain forest of Ranomafana and Andasibe-Mantadia. Here we meet the famous and sympathetic Lemurs.
After the jungle adventure, at the end of the trip, we’ll have a few good days on the beach in Ifaty, a beautiful and quiet area, perfect for rest and relaxation.

Detailed route:

Day 1: - Antananarivo
Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Antananarivo - Andasibe
After the breakfast, we’ll take a tour of the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, and then drive by car to Andasibe. The road takes about 3-4 hours and is always accompanied by the lush vegetation.
On the way we will visit a chameleon reservation. Upon arrival in Andasibe, we will first meet the lemurs. In the evening we explore the jungle to see the night creatures. Accommodation in bungalow or lodge.

Day 3: Andasibe - Antananarivo
In the morning we will take a walk through the jungle accompanied by the local expert guide and we will look for the largest species of lemur. If we are lucky, they will jump in our arms and delight us with their sympathetic presence.
After strolling in the jungle, we get into the cars and head back to Antananrivo. ( 3-4h walk)
Hotel accommodation.

Day 4: Antananarivo Flight - Morondava
In the morning we would fly to Morondava. We’ll cross the island and reach the coastal city of Morondava, an exotic city with a picturesque atmosphere due to countless cultures. Depending on the flight timetable, we will have time to relax at the pool
Hotel accommodation.

Day 5: Morondava - Bekopaka
Early in the morning we’ll drive to Bekopaka. The road is long, about 9-11h but we will have the rare opportunity to discover Madagascar's real rural culture. We will also cross Baobab forests and visit Kirindy Reserve, the best place to watch the famous Fossa (zibeta) cats from Madagascar cartoon. On our way we will cross two rivers, Tsiribihina and Manambolo, by the boat,.
In the evening we’ll get to Bekopaka. Hotel accomodation.

Day 6: National Tsingy Bemaraha Park Visit.
We will spend the day exploring Tsingy Park of Bemaraha, a World Heritage Site.
Tsingy in Malgashy means The place where you can’t walk bare foot.
A perfect name. Here is a bizarre mixture of limestone sharp like knives or blades. We will walk along the paths built above canyons and valleys. We will enjoy a myriad of species of lemurs and birds.
Evening at the hotel.

Day 7: Relaxation day
Today you can choose, to do another tour of the Tsingy de Bemaraha park, or just relax at the hotel pool.

Day 8: Bekopaka - Morondava
Returning to Morondava (9-11h)
On the way back, we will cross the famous Baobab Boulevard, the iconic image of Madagascar, where the road is flanked by baobabs up to 800 years old. So we can make an idea of ​​the greatness of the forests that once covered these places.
In the evening, accommodation at the hotel.

Day 9: Monrondava - Antsirabe
After breakfast we’ll drive to Miandrivazo  about 12-14h. On the way, we’ll see the transition of various types of landscapes and the transition from the dry climate to the reddish and fertile soil in the Miandrivazo area. We take a Miandrivazo lunch and then continue to Antsirabe where we’ll arrive in the evening.
Together with the change of landscape, we will notice a slight change of culture, in this area the Asian heritage being more prominent.
Accommodation in hotel in Antsirabe.


Day 10: Antisabe - Ambositra - Ranomafana
In the morning we’ll hit the road again towards south, and in about 4 hours we’ll reach Ambositra, the native area of the tribe Zafimaniry.
We take lunch and then we’ll head to Ranomafana National Park, where we’ll arrive after another 4-5 hours of travel.
Accommodation at hotel or lodge.

Day 11: Ranomafana National Park
We spend the morning exploring the tropical forest, looking for lemurs, reptiles and birds. After lunch, relaxation and leisure, then in the evening we try to discover the nocturnal creatures of the jungle.
Overnight at the hotel or lodge

Day 12: Ranomafana - Anja - Isalo Park
We leave Ranomafana going to Isalo.
The first stop will be after about 4 hours drive to Anja Park, a reserve located in a superb landscape. We have lunch and then go to Isalo where we arrive in the evening after another 5-6h.
Accommodation in lodges.

Day 13: Isalo National Park
We spend the whole day in Isalo's lunar landscape. We will find a perfect natural swimming pool, ideal for a bath, and, in the evening we will enjoy a wonderful sunset over this fascinating landscape.

Day 14: Isalo - Ifaty
We start our way to Tulear (about 6h). As we cross the land of Mahafaly, we will stop to observe the traditional tombs of this population.
After Tulear, we head to Ifaty, (about 1h). The Ifaty area is extremely dry and dominated by spiny plants, specific to arid regions. We are staying near the beach, in an idyllic location, one of the most beautiful areas of Madagascar. From here we will admire sunset over the Indian Ocean and fishing boats that coming back from the sea.
Accommodation hotel or lodge.

Day 15: Ifaty
Leisure day for exploring the area or relaxing at the beach.
You can choose between snorkeling among corals, or visiting Mangily and the Vezo fisherman's village, or on July or August, to see the whales migration.
You can also book at the hotel, various local tours.

Day 16: Ifaty - Antananarivo
We’ll drive by car about 2h to Tulear from where we take the plane to the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo.
Accommodation at hotel or lodge in Antananarivo.

Day 17: End of the trip
Drop off to the airport.

FINAL NOTES AND OTHER TIPS:
- In some areas, electricity is missing or intermittent. So take torches with you.
- Lunch and dinner costs, according to your taste and place, between 15 and 25 USD per day
- Madagascar is a beautiful country, safe but poor, and the tour is like an expedition. If you imagine that will be like in Maldives, then this tour is not for you.