Madagascar Ultimate Adventure

After arriving in Antananarivo (or Tana, as it is known by the locals), you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight – Hotel

After breakfast you will meet your guide and we will set out by car to Antsirabe.

Once out of Tana the journey takes approx. 4+ hours on a relatively good, windy road, and along the way you can choose to stop off and visit Ambatolampy (the biggest town between Tana and Antisirabe) where we may get the chance to see craftsmen building aluminium pots amongst other things. This afternoon we will have the chance to explore Antsirabe.

Overnight – Hotel

Today we will head by car to Anraikiba Lake.  This reservoir provides the drinking water for Antsirabe.  We will visit the lake and see the rice fields, fruit and vegetable plantations.    We then head on, as we reach the village of Belazoo we will be able to see Mount Tritriva and we continue on to reach another, more spectacular lake – Lake Tritriva.

This Crater Lake with its volcanic landscape was formed following the collapse of the now extinct volcano. Nestled at an altitude of about 1880m to the hollow of a small mountain, Tritriva Lake is a very sacred lake with much history.  We will learn about some of this history whilst we visit this area and local market.  After a picnic lunch we will start our cycle – back to Antsirabe through multiple small villages and rice fields as we get to experience authentic Malagasy life.

Overnight – Hotel

This morning we will set off for a full day drive to Ranomafana National Park.  This evening we will set out on a night walk with the hope of seeing some of the parks nocturnal creatures including mouse lemurs and chameleons.

Overnight – Hotel.

We will head out on a forest trail today and have lunch in the park, so we should get a chance to see much of the wildlife first hand throughout the day.

Ranomafana is particularly rich and beautiful, a mountainous subtropical park which contains lowland moist forest, cloud forest and high plateau forest and is the home to a large number of lemur species (13 in total), as well as 118 birds and more than 70 amphibians and reptiles so is really a great place to see some of the unique species living in Madagascar. Lemurs include the brown lemur, golden bamboo lemur and the exceptionally rare greater bamboo lemur which is relatively easy to see in Ranomafana. 

Later this afternoon we should have the chance of visiting the community reforestation project in Ranomafana that Pioneer support.  This was set up during covid time by a number of guides including our lovely Heri.

Overnight – Hotel

This morning we will spend a couple of hours kayaking on the Namorana River inside the National Park.  This is a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and see the locals go about their daily business from the couples panning for gold, to the illegal bootleggers!  It is also a perfect opportunity to see many of the water birds who inhabit on or around the river.

We then head to Ambalavao

Overnight hotel

This morning, we visit the wonderful community-managed Anja Reserve, just a short drive from Ambalavao. Home to over 400 ring-tailed lemurs, this beautiful reserve is an inspiring example of successful community-led conservation, offering fantastic opportunities to observe these charismatic animals in their natural habitat.

We then continue to the spectacular Tsaranoro Valley, surrounded by dramatic granite cliffs and breathtaking scenery. This afternoon, you can enjoy a short trek to explore the valley or simply relax and soak up the surroundings. Our accommodation is in traditional bungalows nestled at the foot of Tsaranoro’s towering cliffs.

Overnight Bungalow

Today we explore this stunning area on foot and meet all of the locals.

Overnight Bungalow

Today we journey towards the spectacular Isalo National Park, travelling through some of Madagascar’s most striking and ever-changing landscapes. Leaving the dramatic granite mountains of the Tsaranoro Valley behind, we pass through vast open plains, traditional villages and sweeping savannah, with the scenery becoming increasingly dry and rugged as we head west. Eventually, the distinctive sandstone formations and dramatic canyons of Isalo come into view, offering a glimpse of the extraordinary landscapes we’ll explore tomorrow.

Overnight Luxury Tented Camp

Today we explore the spectacular landscapes of Isalo National Park, one of Madagascar’s most breathtaking natural wonders. With its dramatic sandstone formations, deep canyons, sweeping grasslands and hidden oases, Isalo offers a wonderful variety of walking trails to suit different abilities and interests.

We can trek through the beautiful Namaza Canyon, with its lush vegetation and natural pools, explore the dramatic Canyon des Singes (Monkey Canyon), or enjoy a shorter walk to the famous Piscine Naturelle, a stunning natural swimming pool surrounded by sandstone cliffs and pandanus palms.

Along the way, keep an eye out for ring-tailed lemurs and the striking Verreaux’s sifakas, known for their extraordinary sideways dancing leaps across the ground. These beautiful white lemurs are a real highlight of the park, alongside its fascinating endemic plants and birdlife.

There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in one of Isalo’s natural pools – the perfect way to cool off after exploring this extraordinary landscape.

Today we journey southwest towards Ifaty and the beautiful beaches of the Mozambique Channel. Our route takes us through increasingly dry landscapes, passing traditional villages, sapphire mining towns, open savannah and the distinctive vegetation of Madagascar’s arid southwest.

En route, we stop at Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, a wonderful area of dry deciduous forest and an important refuge for endemic wildlife. Here, we’ll enjoy a guided walk in search of lemurs, colourful birds and other fascinating species.

The journey is an adventure in itself, with some particularly rough and potholed stretches of road making for slow  bumpy travelling. However, the changing scenery offers a fascinating insight into this lesser-visited region of Madagascar.

We continue towards the coast and Ifaty, where the turquoise waters of the Mozambique Channel and a more relaxed pace await.

Overnight: Beachside Bungalows

This morning, we explore the extraordinary Spiny Forest, one of Madagascar’s most unusual and fascinating habitats. Home to bizarre, thorny plants, towering baobabs and an incredible variety of endemic wildlife, this otherworldly landscape is unlike anywhere else on the island.

The afternoon is yours to relax on the beautiful beaches of Ifaty, swim in the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel or simply unwind beneath the palms.

For those wishing to enjoy more time by the sea, your stay can easily be extended with additional nights on the coast.

You will have a transfer to Tulear Airport, where you will catch the Air Madagascar flight from Tulear to Tana. We will meet you again at Tana airport and depending on your time of arrival, you can visit the handicraft market, before transferring to your hotel.

Transfer to airport in time for flight home.