24 Days Madagascar In depth Tours
Take an in-depth journey into Madagascar and learn what makes this island nation so incredible. Madagascar’s wildlife has developed in isolation for millions of years, and the vast majority is endemic to the island as a result. There are 33 species of lemur and you’ll have an opportunity to meet them as you travel the country visiting remote national parks, pristine beaches, winding rivers and towns and cities with a culture all their own.
Why you’ll love this trip
Wander around 800-year-old trees along the Avenue of the Baobabs.
Cross the Big Tsingy via suspended bridge.
Float down the meandering Manambolo River on a morning canoe trip.
Stay in a cottage deep within the Ranomafana National Park, surrounded by lush rainforest and countless species of flora and fauna.
See how many species of lemur you can spot in Isalo, Andasibe and Ranomafana national parks (there are 33 different types!).
Chill out at laidback Ifaty – this Malagasy seaside village will provide you with plenty of options to explore, adventure or relax as you wish.
Is this trip right for you?
A good level of fitness is required for this trip, there are treks and camping and long journey it is a long trip so we recommend being in good physical condition to get the most out of your trip.
There are two nights of river camping on this tour. There are no bathroom facilities and it will not be possible to shower for three days, though water is available for washing.
It takes a while to see all this trip has to offer, and some of the places we visit are remote, so you need to be able to manage long travel days and bumpy roads.
Some accommodation inside the national parks is basic and may not have the creature comforts of hotels in bigger towns and cities. Be prepared for no wifi or air conditioning, but also for charming, tucked away locations you won’t quite believe are real.
The visible vertical drop at the Big Tsingy can be quite intimidating especially for those with vertigo.
This itinerary includes a canoe ride along the Manambolo River.
Day 1: Antananarivo
Tonga soa! Bienvenue! Welcome to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s crowded but charming capital. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you decide to arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the city. With cobbled streets, wooden houses and impressive churches, ‘Tana’ has a distinctly romantic air. Perhaps wander the streets of Haute-Ville or visit the permanent Analakely street market. After your welcome meeting this evening, you might like to head out with your new friends for dinner in one of Antananarivo high-quality restaurants.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Day 2: Antananarivo
Be prepared for a long drive as you begin the journey west this morning. Maybe kick back with a book or get to know your fellow travellers during the 12-hour drive (with stops) to Miandrivazo, a small city that will act as the starting point for your adventure down the Tsiribihina River. On arrival, check in to the hotel and listen to a briefing on essential information for your two-day cruise. Head out to pick any extra supplies you may need or desire for the next few days, then get some rest in preparation for tomorrow.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
There will be no access to banks or cash points from Miandrivazo to Morondava. Meals on your river excursion are included, however drinks and gratuities for your river crew are not. Meals in Bekopaka are at your own expense. We would suggest 160 -180 Euro for meals and services not included in your tour price for this section of the trip. Please ask your Tour Leader for further advice.
We would suggest carrying a sleeping bag (basic blanket is provided) or sleep sheet for your river camping experience, a towel and a waterproof jacket. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat are highly recommended. Please refer to our recommended packing list in the ‘Essential trip information’ for more details.
Day 3: Tsiribihina River
Rise and shine for the 35-kilometre drive (approx 1.5hrs) to Masiakampy, where you will find a traditional barge waiting to escort you along the Tsiribihina River. These flat bottom boats were once used to transport tobacco, but without that precious cargo they make a comfortable way to cruise along the water and access the remote reaches of western Madagascar. For the next few days, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife on the banks and in the water, enjoy easy walks to hidden waterfalls and stop off in rural villages. Climb aboard and meet the crew, then settle in and enjoy some lunch as you travel through flat farming plains and enter the dramatic gorges of the Tsiribihina, stopping in the afternoon to trek to a waterfall before returning to a large sandbank to set up camp.
Included Activities
Miandrivazo – Tsiribihina River Trip
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special Information
River camping is a simple wild camping experience. Sleeping mats and a single blanket will be provided. As recommended in our packing list in the Essential Trip Information, you may wish to carry a sleeping bag or sleeping sheet. These items are not available for hire. There are no bathroom facilities and there will be limited fresh water on the boat for washing. A bush toilet is the only option for the next three days.
Due to some zebu robberies in local villages in 2018, local authorities have decided to deploy military personal in some remote areas. Because of this, you may be accompanied by a military escort for part of or the entire trip. Your safety is of upmost importance, and we are confident that should your trip have these escorts that they will not affect your journey or enjoyment.
We are privileged to visit this is fragile ecosystem. Please act responsibly in relation to personal hygiene waste disposal. Depending on the water level, our departure point may vary.
Day 4: Tsiribihina River
Enjoy a full day gliding along the water today, travelling into the heart of the river and waving to the locals on the banks and barges as you pass. In the absence of roads, nature flourishes along the river in this part of Madagascar – watch out for herds of zebus crossing the river, and flashes of colour as you look for bee-eaters, herons, and egrets in this bird lovers’ paradise. Stop occasionally for a village walk or a short trek for some lemur spotting before setting up camp at a village along the shore. This evening, light a campfire and enjoy some traditional Malagasy music and dancing with the locals.
Included Activities
Miandrivazo – Tsiribihina River Trip
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5: Bekopaka
Enjoy one last morning along the Tsiribihina river before disembarking the boat and bidding farewell to the crew. Make a quick stop at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, a small village nestled in the marshes and mangroves of the Delta, to check out the market and grab some lunch before beginning the 4 hour drive to Bekopaka. Arrive, check in to your hotel and settle in for the afternoon. Perhaps enjoy a swim or a refreshing shower and rest your weary limbs. Tomorrow you’ll be taking on the Small Tsingy.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
During your road journey in the region you may be accompanied by a military escort for part of or the entire trip as part of a convoy. The convoy will depart from Belo-sur-Tsiribihina at 2 pm and make limited stops. Your safety is of upmost importance and we are confident that should your trip have these escorts that they will not affect the journey or the enjoyment.
Day 6: Bekopaka (The Small Tsingy)
Rise early, pick a comfortable outfit and pack some snacks, as today you’ll spend up to five hours trekking through the Small Tsingy, located in Bemaraha National Park. Scramble and navigate through a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest made of rock. Stop at two lookout points along the way for photo opportunities and a chance to take in the impressive surrounds. In the afternoon, unwind with a float down the Manambolo River on a pirogue (wooden dugout canoe) under the shadow of these towering rock cliffs. Enjoy an easy afternoon cave stroll, taking the sight of stalactites, stalagmites and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba – said to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar.
Included Activities
Bemaraha National Park – Small Tsingy walking circuit
Bemaraha National Park – Manombolo River Canoe Ride
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7: Bekopaka (The Great Tsingy)
Embrace another early start this morning and prepare for another action-packed trip to the Great Tsingy. Getting up early again might be a struggle, but it’s the best way to beat the heat and more intense crowds. Largely unexplored until the 1990s (the name Tsingy is very roughly translated as ‘place where one cannot walk barefoot’ in Malagasy), the area is now easier to navigate due to a series of bridges, semi-permanent climbing plugs and other equipment. Feel your heart stop as you pass over a sheer drop via a suspended bridge, a truly breathtaking experience that those with vertigo may wish to skip. Animal lovers should keep an eye out for 11 species of lemurs, 100 species of birds and 45 endemic reptiles and amphibians, including the Madagascar iguana and Antsingy leaf chameleon.
Included Activities
Bemaraha National Park – Big Tsingy Trek
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8: Morondava
There is another long day of travel ahead (10hr drive plus stops), so grab that book or download a podcast and prepare to keep yourself occupied as you cross the Manambolo River and the Tsiribihina River by ferry, arriving in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava in time for a spectacular sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs. These cartoonish, towering trees are native to Madagascar, and the variety you’ll see lit from behind this evening are adansonia grandidieri, the tallest of them all. Watch the sky turn pink and yellow and finally cast these trees – many of which are up to 800 years old – in shadow. Spend the night in Morondava and take a well-deserved rest.
Included Activities
Morondava – Sunset at Baobab Alley
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 9: Miandrivazo
Take some time this morning to enjoy free time in Morondava. You may choose to relax on the beach or visit the local markets. This afternoon we will make our way to Miandrivazo, approximately 6 hours away.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 10: Antsirabe
Depart this morning for Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. Along the way, enjoy an easy trek in the countryside and discover the beauty of the local lakes, including the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest. Hike through the lakes district and sit down for a picnic-style lunch. Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and French-inspired facades. Located in the highlands, it’s a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as ‘pousse-pousse’ are a popular form of transport.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 11: Antananarivo
Enjoy breakfast and then hit the surrounding region on a soft trek, a good way to limber up after a few long days of driving. Discover the beauty of the local lakes, including the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest. Hike through the lakes district, sitting down for a picnic-style lunch along the way. Later, continue to Antananarivo.
As this is a combination trip, there may be members of your group departing today and new travellers joining. You’re already a seasoned traveller in Madagascar, so why not take them out for some local food and a drink and get excited about the next leg of the journey.
Optional Activities
Antananarivo – Ambohimanga Rova Tour (per person; maximum 4) (including entry, guiding & camera) – MGA 10000 – MGA15600
Antananarivo – Lemur’s Park (Per Person) – MGA80000
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Day 12: Ifaty
After breakfast this morning, you’ll enjoy a heritage walking tour of the old city where you’ll learn a little more about the country’s history, marvel at the interesting architecture of the highland traditional houses and watch on as finely dressed locals pop in and out of Sunday church services. With fewer cars on the road and the streets bustling with friendly church goers, a Sunday is the perfect time to wander about this city. Your walking tour will conclude at Musée de la Photographie, a small museum showcasing the history of Madagascar between 1850 and 1870 through a series of old photographs that have been assembled into short videos. After exploring Antananarivo, we’ll board a flight to Tulear and onward to your hotel in Ifaty for the evening. The night is yours to sit back and relax or go out and explore the town – you’ll be delighted by your accommodation with a swimming pool, snack bar and restaurant so you may choose to stay in, rest up and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s flight time is approximately 2 hours. Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour.
Day 13: Ifaty
Today is free for you to explore, adventure or relax as you wish. You might like to visit Reniala Private Park, the name means ‘mother of the forest’, this private nature reserve was opened in 2001 as a botanical garden, ornithological park, and incredible baobab forest. Perhaps, you’d like to visit the Village des Tortues, a turtle breeding and conservation project or drop in to the Honko Project and see the protected mangrove area that’s been set up to help reverse degradation of the ecosystems here. Up for something a little more active? Take a traditional dugout (speedboat) out to the nearby reef and snorkel the day away on a guided excursion. As if this wasn’t already enough to choose from, if you’re visiting from July to August, you can also join a humpback whale watching excursion in the lagoon. With plenty to see and do for nature-lovers like you, your choices for today are endless – go out and enjoy it!
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 14: Isalo National Park
Leave Ifaty in the early morning and head to Tulear, where you will enjoy a city tour led by your Tour leader. And then, drive to the Antsokay Arboretum for a visit. The Antsokay Arboretum is a botanical garden with over 900 species of plants from southwestern Madagascar, 90% of which are endemic to the region and 80% of which are medicinal. Among these, many succulents are considered endangered. You can also see creatures that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world; Chameleons, boas, tenrex and birds but also other endemic species.
In the afternoon continue on to Isalo National Park.
Included Activities
Tulear – Leader-led City Tour
Tulear – Antsokay Arboretum
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Day 4 total driving time is approximately 7 hours.
Day 15: Isalo National Park
After breakfast today, you’ll make tracks to Isalo National Park, for a full day of exploration within the park with your leader. Isalo is known for its variety of landscapes, from rainforests and rolling plains teeming with life to strange geological formations and deep-cut canyons. And of course, there are a variety of lemur species roaming around the place because – well, this is Madagascar. You’re lucky to be spending a couple of days exploring the park, which is home to over 80 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and 14 species of mammals including three lemur species – ring- tailed, red-fronted and Verreaux’s sifakas lemur.
Included Activities
Isalo National Park – guided walk
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 16: Fianarantsoa
Today, you’ll kiss Isalo National Park goodbye as you hit the road for Fianarantsoa – a colourful town known for its heritage site. It is a must-see, with its long, paved roads, labyrinths of small paths and old houses with flower-studded balconies and tiled roofs. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Anja Community Reserve – a great spot to observe lemurs and learn a little more about the local culture. The forest in Anja was designated a protected area reserve by the Government of Madagascar in 1999. The reserve extends over 30 hectares and is enriched with all kinds of flora and fauna species, most notable for its dense population of semi-tame ring-tailed lemurs. Anja has become a vital example of how community management of natural resources can both effectively protect the area and benefit the community. Based on their individual skillsets some locals work as guides, others work as porters while some perform administrative and management tasks associated with the reserve. The local villagers will be your local expert guides as you explore the reserve, and your leader will be able to translate all the knowledge they can pass on to you.
Included Activities
Ambalavao – Anja Community Reserve
Ambalavao – Antemoro Paper Factory visit
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 8 hours.
Day 17: Ranomafana
Today you’ll visit the historical old city of Fianarantsoa on foot. Then, visit a typical Malagasy village for an insight into how most of the island’s population live, then take a local walk to explore the surrounding countryside, which is dotted with rice paddies and vineyards that produce Fianarantsoa’s famous wine. You’ll get a chance to sample local cuisine with a lunch stop in the villages. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Ranomafana National Park, located in the southeastern part of Madagascar. Ranomafana means ‘hot water’ in the Malagasy language and the area is haven for small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, as well as palms, bamboo, orchids and carnivorous plants. This park is home to several rare species with 13 species of lemur, including the famous golden bamboo lemur, which was first reported in the area in 1985 – its presence is one of the main reasons why the government decided to protect this forest. You may want to consider taking an optional night walk once the sun goes down. Your accommodation tonight is a small cottage located within the park’s boundaries.
With a little free time, you might consider visiting the thermal springs which the town is named after – located across the Namorona River. The outdoor swimming pool fed by the springs is also a popular spot to take a dip.
Included Activities
Fianarantsoa – Betsileo: village visit and walk
Ranomafana NP – Night Walk
Optional Activities
Ranomafana – Station Thermale – MGA5000 – MGA5000
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 2 hours.
The Betsileo Village visit, includes a walk through the local countryside, the duration of the walk is usually 2.5 hours, whilst not a difficult walk parts of the walk are in full sun and we recommend a hat, sunscreen and of course carrying drinking water. Please discuss any concerns with your Leader.
Day 18: Ranomafana
Today, you’ll get another chance to continue exploring Ranomafana, this time on a guided walk. Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs, striped civets, mongooses, goshawks, geckos, frogs and butterflies. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an incredible net-casting spider or the world’s smallest chameleon. Relax into the day, and once again spend the night within the park.
Included Activities
Ranomafana National Park – Rainforest walk
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Your activities in the National Park include two guided walks, please discuss duration and walking conditions with your Leader.
Day 19: Ambositra
After breakfast, head to Valbio Research and Conservation centre; an international research station on the edge of Madagascar’s beautiful and abundant Ranomafana National Park. Under the direction of renowned primatologist Patricia C. Wright, the centre works to protect Madagascar’s unique and biologically diverse ecosystems through conservation projects that directly benefit local communities. You’ll get a chance to tour the centre with a researcher and sit down for an informal session to learn about the work they do. After lunch make the journey to Ambositra, home to the third-largest ethnic group in Madagascar – the Betsileo people. Ambositra is known as the arts, craft and wood carving capital of Madagascar. You’ll get the opportunity to stop by a workshop and learn more about this local art.
Included Activities
Ambositra – Woodcarving workshop visit
Ranomafana – Conservation Lecture & Lunch
Ranomafana – Valbio Research & Conservation Centre
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 5 hours.
Day 20: Antsirabe
This morning you’ll visit the nearby Sandrandahy villages and explore the process of silk production, which is an important part of Malagasy culture. When a Malagasy is buried, their body is wrapped in a large, silk sheet known as a ‘lambamena’ and, after a few years, the family traditionally return to the tomb to exchange the sheet for a new one. This custom is known as famadihana, and each village specialises in one step of the production. You’ll be lucky enough to visit the Firaisankina silk weavers cooperative – whose name means “solidarity” in Malagasy – an association of more than 100 women based in the village of Soatanana. For generations mothers have passed down to their daughters the craft of making silk shawls, called lambas. You’ll learn about the formation of the co-operative and how collaboration with NGO’s has allowed the women to share the labour across the wider community. A holistic approach to community development—economic, environmental, and medical—with traditional silk weaving as its hub.
After learning more about this wonderful initiative, we’ll drive to Antsirabe. Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch with all the tranquillity of a small European town, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and Colonial-style facades. Located in the highlands, it’s a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as ‘pousse-pousse’ are a popular form of transport. This evening, you’ll enjoy a group dinner in the Gazebo within the grounds of the Guest House.
Included Activities
Ambositra – Village Visit
Ambositra – Sandrandahy Village Lunch
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 6.5hrs
Day 21: Andasibe National Park
Today is a long travel day as we make our way to Andasibe – but trust us, once you arrive, you’ll see why this place is worth the drive. Andasibe is the most visited park in Madagascar and famous for the 11 species of lemur that call it home. Aside from lemurs, you’ll find endemic birds including the long-eared owl and the rufous-headed ground roller, as well as the smallest living chameleon – brookesia minima – and countless types of reptiles, insects and frogs.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 10 hours.
Day 22: Andasibe National Park
Wake up with excitement as you’ll have the opportunity to discover all the unique wildlife during a guided walk through Andasibe the national park today. Then, this evening, you’ll take a night walk through the forest at Mitsinjo – a privately-owned neighbouring reserve, where you’ll encounter nocturnal species including endemic butterflies and lemurs. This forest was formed in 1999 by residents of the village of Andasibe in east-central Madagascar. Today, the organization is composed of more than 50 members from the local community who focus on conservation, research and sustainable development initiatives. However, in total, the reserve positively impacts more than 400 households in the Andasibe area.
Included Activities
Andasibe National Park – guided walk
Optional Activities
Andasibe National Park – Mitsinjo night walk – EUR6
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 23: Antananarivo
You’ll kiss Andasibe goodbye after breakfast this morning for our final stop in Antananarivo. Once you arrive back in Antananarivo, you’ll take part in a hands-on Madagascan Chocolate workshop led by a local chocolate maker. You’ll learn about the ingredients used in chocolate-making, the refinement process, and some of the secrets as to why malagasy chocolate is so unique and delicious. After preparing your own take-home chocolate creations (yum!), malagasy pastries will be served with a selection of local teas, coffees, and for the most courageous ones – rhum arrangés (flavored rum). This evening, why not enjoy a final dinner with your new travel companions – perhaps toast to your Madagascar adventure with a local beer or two.
Included Activities
Antananarivo – Madagascan Chocolate Workshop
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 5 hours.
Day 24: Antananarivo – Departure Day
With no activities planned for today, your adventure ends today after breakfast and you’re free to leave at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out policy. Departure transfers are available for pre-booking with Intrepid Travel or your booking agent.
Meals Included
Breakfast
(approx. 17h00)..
Price per Person = 5915 USD
Included
- Meals
- 23 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Transport
- Private Vehicles, Boat, Plane, Ferry
- Accommodation
- Hotel (14 nights) Lodge (3 nights) Camping (2 nights) Eco-lodge (2 nights) Guesthouse (2 nights)dge (2 nights) Camping (2 nights)
Excluded
- Scheduled flights
- Purchases of a personal nature
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (cash bar only)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Any activity not specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities
- Visa fees if required
