14 Days
This tour is the most preferred among all others, offering an extraordinary journey that feels like visiting several countries in one trip. This is also among the best trips for Bird watchers. From lush rainforests and vast savannas to diverse landscapes and the unique dry spiny forest; this adventure showcases Madagascar’s incredible natural variety. The trip begins with visits to several remarkable parks and concludes with relaxation on pristine beaches. Along the way, guests immerse themselves in the rich cultures of various tribes encountered along the iconic National Road 7.
Drive East to Andasibe through the landscapes of the central highlands, where you may spot wildlife such as Kingfishers, Egrets, and Hamerkops. After lunch, visit a local villagers’ managed park for a first encounter with the mid-altitude rainforest of Andasibe, home to the Indri—the largest lemur—and the beautiful Diademed Sifaka. An evening walk before dinner offers a chance to see nocturnal wildlife like mouse Lemurs, Chameleons, Leaf-tailed Geckos, and Frogs.
After breakfast, drive to Mantadia primary rainforest, which shelters Indri, Diademed Sifakas, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs, endemic Birds, Butterflies, and the colorful Baron’s Mantella frog. During the proper season, many orchid species bloom here. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the lodge.
After breakfast, take a forest walk in the Analamazaotra Special Reserve, where there is a high chance of encountering Indri and hearing its melodious territorial calls up close. Also look for the Diademed Sifaka, the second largest living lemur, as well as Grey Bamboo Lemurs and Common Brown Lemurs. The afternoon is free for rest or a stroll through Andasibe village. Another evening walk before dinner offers opportunities to see reptiles and nocturnal lemurs.
After breakfast, drive back to Antananarivo, then southward to Antsirabe with lunch en route. The landscape here is typical Merina countryside, featuring mixed rice paddies and vegetable crops. Stop at Ambatolampy to visit an aluminum handicraft workshop. Check in at your hotel and have dinner. Additional workshop visits can be arranged in Antsirabe.
After breakfast, continue southward, passing typical mid-altitude vegetation of the western slope: the Tapia forest. At Ambositra, visit a woodcarving and marquetry workshop before lunch. Then drive to Ranomafana National Park and check in early evening. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
After breakfast, enter Ranomafana National Park for a morning forest walk to spot local wildlife, including several lemur species and many endemic birds. Lunch is at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Ranomafana arboretum to see native tree species and the Giant Parson’s Chameleon. A short early evening walk offers chances to see Mouse Lemurs, Frogs, and Chameleons.
After breakfast, drive South through scenic terraced rice paddies and grapevine plantations. Visit Anja Park, a community-managed forest where guests can meet “His Majesty King Julian,” the wild Ring-tailed Lemur. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue driving to Isalo. Check in at the lodge in the early evening.
Enjoy a beautiful hike in Isalo National Park, a spectacular sandstone massif featuring unique vegetation such as elephant foot plants. The park is also a great place to spot different lemur species, often visible during picnic lunch breaks. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Early breakfast, then drive to Zombitse National Park, passing your first baobabs along the way. Take an easy forest walk in Zombitse to spot endemic Birds, Bemurs, and majestic Baobabs. After a picnic lunch, drive to Toliara, then continue to Ifaty.
Begin with an early morning visit to the spiny forest to observe endemic birds, reptiles, and the various shapes of baobabs. Return for breakfast, then enjoy leisure time at the lodge. Optional activities include snorkelling, diving, zebu cart tours, and bike riding.
After breakfast, drive back to Toliara and board an outboard boat for transfer to Anakao. On the way, stop at Nosy Ve island to see the red-tailed tropicbird. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Anakao. Check in, dinner, and overnight at the lodge. In the evening, watch for mouse lemurs in the garden trees.
After an early breakfast, take a 1.5-hour drive to Efoetse, the gateway to Tsimanampetsotse National Park. Start with a visit to Mitaho Cave to see the endemic blind fish, then hike the Mahafaly plateau, where drought-adapted plants abound, some baobab-like. Wildlife may include Ring-tailed Lemurs, Radiated Tortoises, and endemic Birds. Greater Flamingos can be seen at Tsimanampetsotse Lake. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Anakao for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast then transfer back to Toliara.
