Great Tour of Madagascar

🕐 24 Days 👥 From 2 ⛰ Moderate 📅 May to November

Overview

This 24-day Madagascar circuit begins in Antananarivo, heads west via the Tsiribihina River descent to the Tsingy de Bemaraha, then continues south along the west coast to Belo‑sur‑Mer and Tsiandamba, turns inland and up from Toliara via RN7 through Isalo, proceeds east to Ranomafana, then to Andasibe, and returns to Antananarivo — a continuous journey linking river, karst, coastal and rainforest highlights.

Highlights

✓ Tsiribihina River multi-day barge descent with riverside camping
✓ Tsingy de Bemaraha Grand Tsingy limestone formations and panoramic hikes
✓ Avenue of the Baobabs sunset photography
✓ Remote west coast beaches at Belo‑sur‑Mer and Tsiandamba
✓ Traditional dhow building and coastal village life
✓ Isalo National Park canyons, natural pools, and Isalo Window sunset
✓ Ranomafana rainforest with multiple lemur species including golden bamboo lemur
✓ Andasibe‑Mantadia forest and the Indri Indri calls
✓ Anja Community Reserve and habituated ring‑tailed lemurs
✓ Ambatolampy aluminum foundry and Antaimoro paper workshop cultural visits
✓ Ambositra Zafimaniry woodcarving and local artisan markets
✓ Wildlife and birdwatching across diverse ecosystems (spiny forest, mangroves, wetlands)

Itinerary

Day 1

Antananarivo

Arrival at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo and transfer to the city center. Settle into your accommodation, ready to begin your grand Malagasy adventure. Havana Resort Hotel or similar.

Day 2

Antananarivo → Antsirabe

Departure south toward Antsirabe via National Road 7. Stop in Ambatolampy to visit a traditional aluminum foundry. Admire Highland landscapes. In Antsirabe, enjoy a city tour by rickshaw visiting silk workshops, precious stone cutters, and zebu horn sculptors. Royal Palace Hotel or similar.

Day 3

Antsirabe → Miandrivazo → Masiakampy

Visit volcanic lakes Andraikiba and Tritriva, then continue to Miandrivazo as landscapes become arid. Arrival in Masiakampy around 3 PM. Free afternoon to relax by the pool or walk through the village, preparing for your river journey. Eden de la Tsiribihina Hotel or similar.

Day 4

Masiakampy / Tsiribihina River Descent (Day 1)

Morning departure aboard a traditional barge to begin the Tsiribihina River descent (approx. 150 km). Scenic views of tropical plants, rice fields, tobacco plantations and abundant birdlife. Full-board camping in nature. Includes a refreshing swim in a natural pool.

Day 5

Tsiribihina River Descent (Day 2)

Continuation of the tranquil river descent with further wildlife and landscape viewing, camping in nature under the stars. Continued full-board camping along the river.

Day 6

Tsiribihina River → Belo-sur-Tsiribihina → Bekopaka

End river journey. Continue by 4x4 to Bekopaka through arid plains, marshlands, baobab forests, and remote villages. Cross the Manambolo River by ferry. Olympe de Bemaraha Hotel or similar.

Day 7

Bekopaka — Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

Full day exploring the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (UNESCO). Discover the limestone labyrinth and its diverse fauna. Embark on a thrilling 5-hour hike in the Grand Tsingy. Olympe de Bemaraha Hotel or similar.

Day 8

Bekopaka → Morondava

Drive to Morondava with a stop for lunch in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. Culminate the day at the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset. Laguna Beach Hotel or similar.

Day 9

Morondava → Belo-sur-Mer

Journey south along the west coast to Belo-sur-Mer, known for traditional dhow building. Scenic changes to spiny forests, baobabs, rice fields, and coastal villages. Free afternoon at the beach. Belo Beach Hotel or similar.

Day 10

Belo-sur-Mer / Kirindy Mitea National Park

Visit Kirindy Mitea National Park to explore dunes, rich birdlife, mangroves, and baobabs in an approx. 3-hour visit. Belo Beach Hotel or similar.

Day 11

Belo-sur-Mer → Morombe

Long scenic travel day via Manja, crossing remote landscapes and the Mangoky River by hand-pulled ferry. Paletuvier Hotel or similar.

Day 12

Morombe → Tsiandamba (Day 1)

Coastal drive passing the sacred millennial baobab and the Enchanted Baobab Forest toward Tsiandamba, an isolated fishing village with paradisiacal beaches. Manga Bay Lodge or similar.

Day 13

Tsiandamba — Beach and Local Life

Full day in Tsiandamba to relax on the beach, explore the village, and immerse in local fishing-community life. Manga Bay Lodge or similar.

Day 14

Tsiandamba — Leisure and Exploration

Another day for beach activities, optional village walks, boat trips or relaxation in this remote coastal setting. Manga Bay Lodge or similar.

Day 15

Tsiandamba → Ranohira (Isalo)

Drive inland via RN9 then RN7 toward Isalo. Conclude with a spectacular sunset at the Isalo Window. H1 Isalo Hotel or similar.

Day 16

Ranohira / Isalo National Park

Full-day guided hike (~6 hours) exploring Isalo National Park's canyons, cliffs, and natural pools, discovering endemic flora and dramatic formations. H1 Isalo Hotel or similar.

Day 17

Ranohira → Ranomafana (via Anja Community Reserve)

Drive east with a visit to Anja Community Reserve to see habituated ring‑tailed lemurs, then stop in Ambalavao to visit the Antaimoro paper workshop. Arrival at Ranomafana. Setam Lodge or similar.

Day 18

Ranomafana → Ambositra

Morning exploration of Ranomafana National Park (approx. 3-hour guided walk) to seek its lemurs including the golden bamboo lemur. Later drive to Ambositra, heart of Zafimaniry woodcraft. Ivato River Lodge or similar.

Day 19

Ambositra → Antananarivo

Visit Ambositra's woodcraft workshops and Zafimaniry artisans before returning toward the capital. Ikopa Hotel or similar.

Day 20

Antananarivo → Andasibe

Head east to Andasibe. Visit Mitsinjo Private Reserve and enjoy an evening walk in VOIMMA Reserve to spot nocturnal lemurs and wildlife. Feony Ala Hotel or similar.

Day 21

Andasibe / Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Full day in Andasibe‑Mantadia National Park (approx. 4-hour forest walk) to see 14 lemur species including the Indri Indri. Later visit Vakona Reserve and its lemur island. Feony Ala Hotel or similar.

Day 22

Andasibe → Antananarivo

Return to Antananarivo with a significant stop at the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga (UNESCO) to explore this culturally important site. Chat’o Park Hotel or similar.

Day 23

Antananarivo — Leisure / Final Activities

Free day in Antananarivo for last-minute shopping, city visits, museums, or optional excursions ahead of departure. Chat’o Park Hotel or similar.

Day 24

Antananarivo / Departure

Transfer to Ivato International Airport for your departure. End of services after 24 days of exploration across Madagascar.

Tour Map

Hotels & Accommodation

Havana Resort, Antananarivo
Royal Palace Hotel, Antsirabe
Eden de la Tsiribihina Hotel, Masiakampy
Camping (Tsiribihina River), Tsiribihina River
Olympe de Bemaraha, Bekopaka
Laguna Beach Hotel, Morondava
Belo Beach Hotel, Belo‑sur‑Mer
Paletuvier Hotel, Morombe
Manga Bay Lodge, Tsiandamba
H1 Isalo Hotel, Ranohira
Setam Lodge, Ranomafana
Ivato River Lodge, Ambositra
Ikopa Hotel, Antananarivo
Feony Ala Hotel, Andasibe
Chat’o Park Hotel, Antananarivo

Activities

Arrival transfer & city orientation, Antananarivo
Ambatolampy foundry visit & rickshaw city tour, Antsirabe
Visit Lakes Andraikiba & Tritriva; village walk, Masiakampy
Begin Tsiribihina river descent: boating, birdwatching, riverside camping
Tsingy de Bemaraha Grand Tsingy hike & limestone viewpoints, Bekopaka
Sunset at Avenue of the Baobabs & coastal stroll, Morondava
Dhow building visit & beach relaxation, Belo‑sur‑Mer
Mangoky River crossing & scenic coastal drive, Morombe
Beach time, village immersion, and boat trips, Tsiandamba
Isalo National Park canyon hike & Isalo Window sunset, Ranohira
Ranomafana National Park guided rainforest walk & lemur spotting, Ranomafana
Ambositra woodcraft workshops & Zafimaniry artisan visits, Ambositra
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga visit & Antananarivo market time, Antananarivo
Mitsinjo/VOIMMA night walk and Vakona lemur island visit, Andasibe
Departure transfer to Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo