This Madagascar Vacation takes you on an unusual adventure in one of the most exotic places on the planet.
Our 14-day Madagascar Tour travels from the bustling city of Antananarivo to the southwest coast of this remote island for some tropical beach time. Then travel through central Madagascar to explore Spiny Forests, unique rainforests and the highlands of Madagascar and see all kinds of exotic animals and plants, including endemic lemurs and rare orchids. Journey through incredible wild landscapes and visit a colourful town steeped in colonial history. Soak in thermal springs, swim in natural pools, hike incredible landscapes and take a night walk to meet exotic nocturnal creatures.
Our budget-friendly Madagascar Vacation kicks off in the vibrant capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo. Arrive in Antananarivo at your leisure and explore the city or rest after your journey. Gather in the evening to meet your Madagascar tour guide and fellow travellers. Your tour guide will give you a briefing about the adventures ahead.
Should you arrive in Antananarivo a day before the Madagascar Tour departs you may want to book a three-hour walking tour of the city. It's important to book this the evening before as the walking tour begins at 08:00 am. Sights on the Antananarivo tour include the cathedral and the Queen's Palace as well as a visit to the vibrant local market.
Guests usually have dinner together on the evening of day one.
This morning we head to the airport for a 2-hour flight west to the coast. Flight times will vary depending on your month of travel. Sometimes, you will need to rise very early at sunrise, while other times, your departure time will be a little later.
On arrival in the town of Tulear, a private vehicle will collect you for a one-hour transfer to the beautiful coastal town of Ifaty boasting magnificent beaches bordering the Mozambique Channel. Here we relax for the next couple of days. Spend a free afternoon getting to know the area. Seek out local spots for lunch and dinner while soaking up the sun and epic coastal views.
The next two days of our budget Madagascar Tour are dedicated to taking it easy. There are many activities to enjoy or just chill on the beach, soaking up the sunshine, swimming, napping, or reading a book. Whatever you choose, Ifaty - comprised of two small fishing villages called Mangily and Madio Rano - is the ideal place for some respite.
Options include going snorkelling or scuba diving on the reefs, quad biking or paddling a dugout canoe. You may opt to visit the Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve and experience the last pieces of this unique ecosystem. Learn more about the plants and animals of this extraordinary place and visit the largest baobab tree in Ifaty.
On day 5, our Madagascar Vacation takes us over the vast savannah alongside impressive mountain ranges, through the heart of the Sapphire region. Experts believe that this is one of the few places on earth still rich in an array of precious stones. The route will take us past the sacred burial sites of the Mahafaly tribes. The tombs are covered in stones, horns and sculptures, and the more elaborate the design, the more important the person buried in it. As the tombs are sacred to the local tribes, photography is not permitted. Admire the impressive scenery on the 9-hour drive to Ranohira.
In the evening, we will visit a tree-planting project initiated by the local organisation, Soa Zara. The project aims to protect the environment around the town of Ranohira through tree planting, conservation education, sanitation projects, and other initiatives. You'll learn about the problem of deforestation in Madagascar, how it threatens to wipe out the country's unique biodiversity, and what we can do to stop it. Get hands-on as you plant indigenous trees with the rest of the group.
Today we spend the whole day trekking in the beautiful Isalo National Park, the second oldest national park in Madagascar. Here, erosion has carved fantastic figures in the sandstone, from sharp needles standing up in the sky to rocky blocs that appear unstable at their bases.
There is a choice of a shorter or a longer trail depending on your ability. We will discover the massif of Isalo, its canyons and endemic flora such as Pachypodium and aloes, together with its fauna including lemurs and birds. If we are lucky we will see sifaka, ring-tailed lemurs or brown lemurs. We visit the stunning 'cascades' waterfalls and will even have the chance to go for a refreshing swim in the natural swimming pool. Seemingly dry, the Isalo National Park is a land endowed with a network of streams feeding the tributaries of the river Mangoky. It is a sacred land, as it also shelters the Bara ancestors' cemeteries, dug on the cliff sides to prevent pillaging.
Speak to your guide about arranging a picnic lunch to take with you into the park.
This morning our Madagascar Vacation heads further inland to rural Ambalavao. En route, we stop at the Anja Community Reserve for a walk. The reserve is known for its groups of ring-tailed lemurs. Enjoy encounters with these creatures and take in the sweeping views over the surrounding rice paddies.
Ambalavao is famous for its production of "Papier Antemoro", a papyrus-type paper impregnated with dried flowers and sold throughout the island. We visit the paper factory for an insight into how this unique paper is produced and perhaps purchase some to take home. If time allows, you may opt to visit a silk factory to learn how locals make fabric or clothing from silk, and how the natural process for dyeing the fabric works.
Day 8 of our Madagascar Tour sees us continue inland to the village of Ranomafana, named after the hot springs in the nearby valley and fondly known as 'misty land'. Here your time is free to spend as you wish. Explore the village or take a luxurious soak in the hot springs near the Namorona River. You may opt for a massage for extra relaxation. The nearby Parc National de Ranomafana is one of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar, where you may enjoy a rainforest walk – there is a 2-hour and a 4-hour trail available. The park is covered with mid-altitude rainforest with an impressive diversity of flora and fauna.
We head north to Antsirabe on day 9 of our Madagascar Vacation. Along the way to Antsirabe, leave the rainforest behind, passing a landscape dotted with rice paddies towards the Antsirabe highlands. The drive will take most of the day, but we make a stop in the quaint town of Ambositra, known for its woodcrafts, to stretch our legs, explore and find some lunch.
Antsirabe means ‘where there is much salt' and is one of Madagascar's major trading centres for semiprecious stones and minerals. It's also well-known as a spa town due to its volcanic lakes and thermal waters and features a mix of Malagasy and French colonial architecture.
Day 10 of your Madagascar Tour is spent exploring the Antsirabe highlands. The group will set off on a walk between Antsirabe and Anjazafotsy. There is a long (9km) and short (7km with 500m uphill) trail option to choose from. The route is relatively easy. Visit local villages along the trail, watching the hustle and bustle of local life and keeping a lookout for the fauna and flora. Stop for a traditional Madagascar meal for lunch.
Those taking the shorter path will have time to attend a cooking class after lunch, where you will learn how to prepare the popular dish, Koba, a peanut pate dessert. Sample the finished product once you are done! Arrive back at your Antsirabe hotel in the early evening.
Day 11 sees a long drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, stopping at scenic spots en route to stretch legs. The next two nights of your Madagascar Vacation will be spent in a quiet area near Andasibe, which makes a perfect base for exploring the reserves. On arrival at the hotel, there will be an opportunity to take an easy guided night walk in the surrounding area for a chance to encounter the fascinating nocturnal creatures of the Andasibe like lemurs, frogs and chameleons.
Day 12 of your Madagascar Safari is free to spend as you wish. There will be a guided morning walk to explore Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, the most visited park in Madagascar and home to Madagascar’s largest lemur, the Indri, known for its unforgettable cry that carries for up to 3km in the forest. There is much to explore in the rainforest with another eleven species of lemur as well as, gecko, chameleon, an array of birdlife, and beautiful orchids adorning the canopy. One of the most bizarre creatures is the giraffe-necked weevil.
You may opt to walk to the little town of Andasibe or simply enjoy the relaxing tranquillity of the surrounding forest. You may wish to take a walk through the Vondron'olona Ifotony Reserve, managed by the local community to preserve native plants and animals. You may also opt to return to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (often referred to as Andasibe National Park) for a guided afternoon walk, or experience the rainforest of Mitsinjo Park and take a canopy tour, ziplining along the top of the tree canopies. (note this would need to be booked in advance)
Bid the Andasibe rainforest farewell and head back to Antananarivo in your tour vehicle, watching the landscape change as you head back into the city. On arrival at the hotel, the rest of your day is free to relax or explore the city. Your guide will be able to advise on your options.
You could visit the Tsarasaotra Bird Park or head up the hill to the Andafiavaratra Palace, the residency of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony who governed the kingdom in the late 19th century. The site is now a museum with artefacts providing an insight into Malagasy history and culture. You could also visit the ruins of the Queen's Palace which was destroyed by a fire in 1995.
Tonight you may celebrate your unforgettable adventure in Madagascar, dining out on the town with the group for one last time, and perhaps exploring the city's nightlife.
Today signals the end of our adventure-filled Highlights of Madagascar Vacation. Depending on your travel plans you may be able to explore Antananarivo and take a local tour before you leave today.
You may wish to fly in the day before and fly out the day after this Madagascar Vacation ends in Antananarivo to allow for delays and changes. Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre- and/or post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
Accommodation on this Madagascar Vacation package is in simple, good-quality hotels, lodges and a beach resort.
This Madagascar Tour includes 1 traditional Malagasy lunch. When meals are not included, your hotel will have a restaurant or you will be advised of a good local establishment. There is the opportunity to try local cuisine which we encourage. Generally, food is not expensive and the group tends to eat together in order to try a variety of dishes. However, there is no obligation to do this. You may opt to explore local restaurants on your own or with your travel companion(s).
This Madagascar Vacation includes one domestic flight from Antananarivo Ivato International Airport – Tulear. There are limited options on internal flights - we are at the mercy of the national flight schedule (which often is only released 5 months at a time). This itinerary is based on past and current flight departure times. Please note that due to the unpredictability of local flights, flight times may change and this may result in a slight adjustment to the itinerary.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
This tour accepts travellers of 12 and older, however, travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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