Madagascar national parks

Duration : 20 days
Type of service : Hotel with breakfast + Camping (full board)
Accommodation: Luxury or average hotel
Type of vehicle: 4×4 or minibus
Spoken language of the driver / guide: French, English, Malagasy
Period: from May to October
Price: from 850€ per person

Tour Highlights

Morondava, Kirindy, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Antsirabe, Ambositra, Ranomafana, Ambalavao, Andringitra, Isalo, Tuléar, Ifaty, Andasibe

Tour planning

Itineraries

D+1

Antananarivo

Arriving at Ivato international airport in Antananarivo, meet Ortour representative, and then transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight in hotel du Louvre (Top) or Chalet des Roses or Hotel Tripolitsa (high-midrange), in BB.

D+2

Morondava – Kirindy

Take a flight to get to the western part of Madagascar. Morondava is the capital of the tribe of ‘Sakalavan’i Menabe’. Visit the famous ‘Baobab Alley’. The trip in the west coast precisely in Morondava is best known for its Baobab species that the nation itself possesses a large number of 7 out of 8 species worldwide, and Adansonia grandidieri is the most majestic species reaching 30m in height. We continue driving to Kirindy Reserve, a privately managed forest by a Swiss company. Night walk in the forest in search of endemic animals. Kirindy is the best place in the whole island to observe the rare Coquereli’s giant mouse, lemur and pygmy mouse-lemur, fork-crowned lemur, Gray mouse lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur and the red-tailed sportive lemur; with 50 species of reptiles, several bats, tenrecs, mongooses, the jumping rat, etc… completing the mammal population. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy (high-midrange) or at Kirindy Lodge in BB.

D+3

Kirindy – Tsingy of Bemaraha

Morning visit at Kirindy reserve. The Fosa makes its home in this reserve and can be found in the forest in hunt for its prey. Also, there are 40 species of birds, 8 species of lemurs including the brown lemurs and the dancing sifakas. These long-legged, white with dark patches, leap among tree trunks high in the canopy, propelled by their powerful hind legs but continually maintaining an upright posture. After the morning visit, leave Kirindy and drive to Tsingy of Bemaraha. Overnight at hotel Soleil du Tsingy in BB the hotel Orchidée de Bemaraha, Le Grand Hotel (high-midrange Hotel option)

D+4

Tsingy

Full day visit at both the Great and Little Tsingy. Scientists estimate that the park endemism rate reaches 86, 7%. There are 11 species of lemurs recorded, with five families of Bats, 103 species of bird species. The index of the reptiles and amphibians is as large as Bemaraha possessing 34 species. During the hike in the park, there is a broad canyon crossed by a swinging suspension bridge. Harness has to be put on and avoid skirts for females or flip flops. Amid all this grey pinnacles sprout the green plants, pachypodiums and other succulent plants. Expect to see the Giant Coua, the long eared owls perched on tree branch.
Overnight at the hotel Soleil du Tsingy in BB (top), hotel Orchidée de Bemaraha, Le Grand Hotel or (high-midrange Hotel option).

D+5

Tsingy – Morondava

Drive back to Morondava. Stop en route including the Amorous Baobab, the Baobab Alley; about 15 km north of Morondava is the famous Baobab Avenue and the Twin Baobab. The best times to visit are at sunset, when the colours of the trees change, a good opportunity to take a photo during the sunset. Overnight at the hotel Baobab Café or Palissandre de l’Ouest (top) in HB. (Top) Hotel option: Chez Maggie or Renala Sable d’Or in BB (high-midrange).

D+6

Morondava – Antsirabe

We depart after breakfast going to Antsirabe. We stop in Miandrivazo for lunch. Other stops would be necessary since magnificent landscape, amazing viewpoint, including stop to interact and learn local cultures. We settle in your hotel when arriving in Antsirabe for overnight at Top Hotel: Plumeria, in BB or at the Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageurs or in Couleur Café, (high-midrange) in BB.

D+7

Antsirabe – Ambositra – Ranomafana

Depart to Ranomafana through the national road Number 7. Stop at Ambositra, a famous town, gaining international reputation and heritage where the local Zafimaniry tribe is undeniably keen on wood work for carving, producing sculptures and marquetry. We shop around and visit some workshops, trying to find carved wood or a piece of marquetry box minutely done. We stroll around in town and then head to Ranomafana. We are in the heart of Betsileo tribe area. We are on the highest part of Madagascar Highlands and the road is more and more winding. We turn off to the east and arrive in the rainforest in late afternoon. Overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.

D+8

Ranomafana visit – Ambalavao

Morning to explore the Park, Ranomafana is a very dense forest with green lush vegetation, a mountainous area reaching 1300 m of altitude, certainly possessing a great deal amount of flora and fauna unique in the world with wide varieties of orchids, carnivorous plants, harboring at least 12 species of lemurs including the golden bamboo, greater bamboo, Milne Edward’s sifaka; Also, there are 118 species of birds and 8 species of bats, as well as many rodents, reptiles, batrachians, spiders and butterflies. After the visit, drive to Ambalavao passing by Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe. Ambalavao is the well-known for its zebu market and a place where we will visit the paper factory of the Antemoro. This secular process to make this paper with bark of the mulberry tree Avoha (Bosqueia danguyana) was introduced in Madagascar in the XVth century by the first Arabic migrants to retranscribe the Koran. Overnight at high midrange hotel: Hotel Tsienimparihy or Betsileo Country Lodge, in BB

D+9

Ambalavao – Andringitra

Leave Ambalavao and then drive to Andringitra National Park of Andringitra located in the South East of Ambalavao. Upon arrival, it is the start of our trekking following various trails including the Diavolana circuit,
.Full-day hikes, steep ups and downs requiring a high level of fitness. Activities include extended treks of 7 or more hours a day at altitude and over steep terrain. A good chance to behold the beautiful waterfalls (Rian-dahy&Riam-bavy) The Diavolana hike shows the real beauty of Andringitra National Park; also, it is called the moon landscape due to its view on rock formation and landscape..Camping and night in a tent, in FB.

D+10

Andringitra (Pic Bobby ascent)

Trekking further high reaching the ‘Pic Bobby’. Leave in the morning around 8 a.m. The ascent to the Pic Bobby might take 2 to 3 hours hike depending of you pace. This offers a nice overview of Isalo Park and panorama on smooth granite blocks and the rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. ‘Pic Bobby’ is the second highest peak in the island reaching Imarivolanitra, literally means close to the sky offering a superb view and a breathtaking panorama on smooth granite blocks dominated by nice landscape of terraced rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. Then, spend some time up there and take lunch at spot .Overnight in a tent, in FB.

D+11

Andringitra (Tsaranoro)

So you have one another days trek to explore the valley of Tsaranoro, The massif of Tsaranoro is not any more reserved for the world elite in climbing. There are actually about thirty open routes with a difficulty level varying from 3 to 8 . From beginners who will have the opportunity to take their first steps to high skilled climbers, the Massif of Tsaranoro is for you. Rock climbing a few minutes away from the Camp,
in the heart of the Tsaranoro sacred forest, following the guide or setting off in search of adventure, to win new rocks. So if you need other activity; the hotel Camp Catta can arrange it for you. Overnight in Camp catta in BB.

D+12

Tsaranoro – Isalo

After breakfast, we leave Tsaranoro and we continue our road trip toward south leaving behind the highlands of Madagascar while contemplating magnificent southern landscapes dominated by savanna, dry bush and semi desert land of southern Madagascar. We shall reach Ranohira village and settle in our hotel overnight in : Top Hotel: Isalo Rock Lodge or Relais de la Reine, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Isalo Ranch or Hotel Orchidée, in BB.

D+13

Isalo visit

We will have a full day hike in Isalo National Park along the Namaza trail. First, stop in ‘Piscine Naturelle’ where you can spend few moments swimming. Don’t forget your gear! Then, another 4 km is necessary leading to the camping site. After lunch, extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘Piscine Bleue and Noire’ called the cascade trails. Isalo, covered with 82 000 ha, created in 1962, is the home of the endemic bird known as Benson’s Rock thrush; actually, there are 77 species of birds, 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 98 species of amphibians and reptiles. Overnight at: Top Hotel: Isalo Rock Lodge or Relais de la Reine, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Isalo Ranch or Hotel Orchidée, in BB.

D+14

Isalo – Tuléar – Ifaty

Long drive toward the south-western capital of the Vezo fishing people. The famous Mahafaly tombs abound all along the way between Sakaraha and Tulear, having particular rather than peculiar cultural traits of this typical southern tribe, whose tombs displays various images representing the daily life or dreams of the deceased. Arrive in Tuléar, take lunch; and then continue to Ifaty along the sandy path.
Overnight at: High Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue or Ifaty Beach in BB or at the hotel Paradisier (top) in BB.

D+15 – 16

Ifaty

Full day at leisure during your whole stay in Ifaty. However, some activities can be arranged by your hotel, on your charge. Ifaty grants you a relaxing place by the beach where you can go diving, snorkeling, take a dugout canoe ride with the Vezo fishermen. Besides, Ifaty spiny forest abounded by extraordinary vegetation of euphorbia, didieracea, aloes is another important place to see the giant baobabs, the nocturnal southern sportive lemurs, some endemic birds like the sub-desert mesite found nowhere else, the running coua and so on. Overnight at: High Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue or Ifaty Beach in BB or at the hotel Paradisier (top) in BB.

D+17

Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Drive to Tuléar for transfer to the airport to catch a flight heading back to Tana overnight at hotel du Louvre (Top) or at the hotel Chalet des Roses or at the Hotel Tripolitsa (high-midrange), in BB.

D+18

Antananarivo – Andasibe

We start our journey towards the Eastern part of the island. When reaching Andasibe National Park, we will explore the famous Vakona island for close up experiences bringing home lots of photo opportunities, a reserve where four species of lemurs make home in this so-called lemurs island. By the end of the day and we do our first visit of the park that same evening to discover some nocturnal animals. Overnight at the Top Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge (Top) in BB or at Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.

D+19

Andasibe visit

After breakfast, we will explore the Analamazoatra reserve in search of the biggest lemurs called Indri indri, the panda like lemurs, whose eerie calls can be heard miles away from your hotel. Mild walk in the forest would surely grant you a great deal of windows of opportunity to spot not only the indri but also other lemurs such as the golden sifakas, the eastern woolly lemurs, without forgetting endemic birds and reptiles like the Parson chameleon, the tiny nose-horned chameleons, and so forth. Overnight at the Top Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge (Top) in BB or at Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.

D+20

Andasibe – Antananarivo – Fly home

We leave Andasibe and drive to Antananarivo to catch a flight taking you back home. End of our service.

Additional Information

Rates and conditions

Participants	Price per person for top option	Price per person for midrange option
1 Pax	4950€	4150€
2 Pax	2800€	2300€
4 Pax	2250€	1680€
6 Pax	2050€	1550€
8 Pax	1980€	1500€
10 Pax	1900€	1450€

Included

A car with a driver who speaks English or a Tour guide and a driver
Fuel
Driver and his accommodation
Hotel in BB for Midrange
Half board in Isalo / Ranomafana and Morondava for Top Option
Picnic lunch during the visit at the Tsingy
Camping in full board
Park entrance fees
Local guide

Excluded

Tips
All lunches/dinners which are not mentioned
Drinks
Internal flight (www.tsaradia.com)
Other activities which are not mentioned