Limas Baobabs and Sunsets in Madagascar.

We will all meet at the airport and board our flight to Madagascar.

Upon arrival we will take our private transfer to our hotel in Antananarivo, the capital city and beating heart of Madagascar. The “City of a Thousand Cities” is the country’s largest economic, political, historical and cultural hub.

We can check in straight away after our long travels to rest.

In the afternoon we will take a guided city tour  to  visit The Manjakamiadana Rova (also named Queen’s Palace) which is the landmark of Antananarivo. 

Situated at the top of Analamanga Hill, the rova clearly stands out in the skyline of Tana and can be seen from afar From the 17th century to the 19th century, the rova served as a residence for the kings and queens of the Merina kingdom, other stops include the Andafiavaratra Palace, and  the lively Analakely Market.

Accommodation; 4* Radisson City Centre Hotel.

Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms in 3* and 4* hotels and lodges but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 14 nights the supplement will be £595. The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.      

After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Andasibe and visit the Mandraka Butterfly Farm en-route. Here we’ll encounter an impressive selection of chameleons (over 10 different species), geckos, lizards and butterflies. 

Arrival and check in to our hotel where we will be staying for 2 nights. 

The Vakona Forest Lodge is situated on a picturesque hillside that slopes down to a lake. Surrounded by lush vegetation and filled with fresh mountain air, only the sounds of frogs and other wildlife will  disturb you here.

Our accommodation is in bungalows scattered throughout the hillside gardens, while the main building has an octagonal reception area and large dining room with huge windows overlooking the lake. The large outdoor dining terrace and small lounge area offer peaceful spaces in which to relax as you sip a pre- or post-dinner drink from the bar.

This evening we will take a nocturnal walk of Vakona reserve.

Accommodation 3* Vakona Forest Lodge.

After breakfast we will depart for a 3 hour guided forest hike in the Analamazaotra National Park. 

“Welcome to Madagascar’s most accessible forest setting: Analamazaotra National Park, where the song of the famous Indri indri lemur echoes among the mist, giant ferns, and mysterious trails.”

Located in the heart of the Alaotra Mangoro region, Analamazaotra is a jewel of biodiversity: a patchwork of dense forests, moss-covered clearings, ravines clinging with vines and orchids, and secret marshes. It is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, famous for its iconic lemurs… and for the daily spectacle of Madagascar’s largest primate, the Indri indri.

Afternoon visit to the V.O.I.M.M.A reserve to spot unique wildlife like the indri lemur, brown lemurs, and Parson’s chameleon, along with various other reptiles and birds. You will also walk through lush trails, experience beautiful landscapes, and learn about the ecosystem on a guided tour that highlights the park’s unique plants and conservation efforts.

Accommodation; 3*  Vakona Forest Lodge

After breakfast at the hotel we  depart for the capital, then on to the south. Keep your eyes open en route for miniature cars, bicycles, and motorcycles  being sold at the vendors stalls on the roadside using recycled materials (tin cans or empty condensed milk cans discarded after consumption). This activity provides a supplementary source of income for the family. In Madagascar, nothing is lost, everything is transformed!

As soon as we leave Antananarivo, rice paddies and villages characteristic of Madagascar’s central highlands shape the landscape. 

In Ambatolampy, we will make a stop to discover the work of aluminum casserole makers, found all over Madagascar.

Upon arrival in Antisirabe we will check in to our hotel and have the evening free to ourselves 

Accommodation; Plumeria hotel 

After breakfast at the hotel,  we will depart for a  hike around Betafo which  will enable us to discover both the human aspects (customs, traditions, daily activities…) and the geographical aspects (landscape…) of the region. In short, it’s a tour that “sums up” what the Malagasy highlands are all about.

We begin our tour at the entrance to the town of Betafo. The walk takes us through rice paddies and many other food-growing fields. We continue our expedition by discovering typical villages of the region, in particular the village of blacksmiths. 

Along the way, we’re sure to spot traditional tombs. We will then reach the upper town of Betafo, where one of the first Lutheran temples in the Vakinankaratra region was built.

On the way back to Antsirabe, we will stop off at Talata, where we will  visit a traditional silk-weaving workshop.

Malagasy silk weaving is one of the country’s most honored craft traditions although it decreased dramatically for some time. It’s considered a female activity, one that unites family and community members. For generations, mothers have passed down the craft of making silk shawls, called lambas, to their daughters. This weaving varies by region but are distinguished by pattern, material, color, and use

Check in to our hotel for the night to have dinner and relax

Accommodation; Plumeria hotel 

After breakfast we will visit the town and its  miniature workshops before departing for  Betsileos country with a stop off at Ambositra. (The city of wood carvers)

Cultural discovery is the trademark of this lively little town, full of surprises. Stalls of wood carvings and marquetry line the alleyways: statuettes, assegais, jewelry boxes, paintings, furniture… The main creators of these works are the Zafimaniry, and a visit to their workshops is a must. Along the way, you can admire the beauty of the wooden sculptures on top of the tombs. 

We will enjoy a traditional Malagasy lunch with music and continue our journey  to Ranomafana.

Check in to the hotel and relax in the spacious rooms, unwind in the thermal jacuzzi or enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool with a delightful ‘rum-arrangé’ or local beer in hand. Our boutique hotel for the next two nights ensures a tranquil retreat.

Accommodation; Thermal Hotel

After breakfast we depart for a full day exploring Ranomafana National Park, a verdant landscape of tropical rainforests. This area is a haven for small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, as well as palms, bamboo, orchids and carnivorous plants. This park is also home to 13 species of lemur, including the famous golden bamboo lemur.

Due to the high humidity of Ranomafana’s climate, the park is criss-crossed by numerous watercourses that originate in the massifs, then criss-cross the steep landscape or hills to spill over in magnificent cascades and spectacular waterfalls. They also form natural pools nestling in a dreamlike setting.

In addition to these natural spectacles, Ranomafana is also renowned for its thermal spas and we will have the opportunity for a relaxing dip before dinner should we wish. 

Accommodation; Thermal Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. On the road , visit the Anja community  reserve, where you can get up close and personal with lemurs. Anja is home to the northernmost population of the best-known lemur: the catta lemur.

This  successful, community-run nature reserve is known for its high concentration of ring-tailed lemurs and stunning granite mountain scenery. The reserve is arguably the best place in Madagascar to see and photograph large troops of habituated ring-tailed lemurs up close, who often sunbathe on the rocks. Around 400 individuals live within the reserve’s 30-hectare area.

The road opens out onto the wide open spaces as we travel south, crossing the Ihorombe plateau, a vast steppe frequented by herds of cattle that stretches to the foothills of the Isalo massif

Check in to our hotel where we will be staying for the next 2 nights. 

Jardin Du Roy is  a family owned boutique ecological hotel located close to one of the most beautiful National Parks in Madagascar renowned for its beautiful swimming pools with transparent waters and its canyons housing the sacred royal burials

Accommodation; Jardin Du Roy 

After breakfast, hike in the National Park of Isalo with a local guide. Isalo is a huge massif, eroded during the Jurassic time, one of the most spectacular in the country. Bara tribes used to bury their dead here, until they earned enough money to buy a silver coffin. 

Along the way we will see a botanical garden, canyons, beautiful viewpoints, a natural swimming pool and waterfalls and will have the opportunity to learn about the endemic plants of Isalo, among which the aloe and the bottle plant. Catta lemurs will often cross your path. At the end of the day, drive to the Isalo Window to watch a beautiful sunset.

Accommodation; Jardin Du Roy

Early after breakfast, continue to Tulear (320km/5h).

We will make a stop in Ilakaka, a small market town of sapphire diggers Until 1998 Ilakaka was home to a handful of houses, then came the gemstone boom and this sleepy hamlet became the sapphire capital of the world supplying nearly 50% of all the sapphires in the world.

The first baobabs will emerge after Ilakaka as well as the colourful Antanosy and Mahafaly tombs often seen along the road. The flora changes into deciduous thorny forests and baobabs and we will enjoy a walk in the forest before arriving at our hotel.

Beautifully located overlooking the Mozambique Channel, Les Dunes d’Ifaty is a comfortable and charming beach resort in southwest Madagascar, perfect for a little R&R after travelling around Madagascar’s national parks.

We have 3 gorgeous nights here to reflect on our adventures and if you feel the need to book some additional activities rather than spending the time relaxing, that can be arranged. 

Accommodation; Hotel Dunes Ifaty 

Free days.

Several activities are available from our hotel if you are not the relaxing type. 

And the sea and beach invite you to relax and  unwind 🙂

Accommodation; Hotel Dunes Ifaty 

Free days.

Several activities are available from our hotel if you are not the relaxing type. 

And the sea and beach invite you to relax and  unwind 🙂

Accommodation; Hotel Dunes Ifaty 

After breakfast and checking out, depending on the flight schedule today we will take the short flight to  Antananarivo where we have the rest of the day/ evening free.

After breakfast and checking out we will take our private transfer to the airport.