Madagascar in Depth





Unearth the unique treasures of Madagascar on this in-depth adventure.
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.
4.8
22 reviewsStart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
End: Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Duration
- 24 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Witness a spectacular pink and yellow sunset behind towering, 800-year-old trees along the Avenue of the Baobabs in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava.
- Travel along the Tsiribihina River in a traditional barge, stopping to hike to hidden waterfalls, explore remote villages and camp among nature on the banks.
- Trek through a forest of limestone karsts and cross a sheer drop on a suspended bridge at the Great Tsingy, keeping an eye out for native wildlife including 11 species of lemur.
- Support a noble cause while exploring Anja Community Reserve and the Mitsinjo Forest – these reserves are not just sanctuaries for wildlife but also beacons of community empowerment and conservation.
- Take a hands-on chocolate-making class and learn the secrets that make Malagasy chocolate unique and delicious. Then, sample your creations with pastries, tea, coffee and rum!
Itinerary
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, perhaps get to know your new friends over an optional dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
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.
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.
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 drive 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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel today will be approximately 11 hours, not including stops.
Restroom facilities may not always be accessible. In such instances, you may need to resort to nature's restroom, locally referred to as a 'bushy-bushy.'
We suggest carrying a sleeping bag (a basic blanket is provided) or a sleep sheet for your river camping experience, a towel and a waterproof jacket. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat are highly recommended. For more details, please refer to our recommended packing list in the ‘Essential trip information’.
Rise and shine for the 35-kilometre drive (approx 2hrs) 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.
- Camping (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
Your travel today will be approximately 2 hours.
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.
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 animal 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.
- Camping (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
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 5-hour 4x4 off-road drive to Bekopaka. Once we arrive, take the rest of the day to enjoy a swim or a refreshing shower and rest your weary limbs. Tomorrow, you’ll be taking on the Small Tsingy.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel today will be approximately 5 hours.
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.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bemaraha National Park - Small Tsingy walking circuit
- Bemaraha National Park - Manombolo River Canoe Ride
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bemaraha National Park - Big Tsingy Trek
There is another long day of travel ahead - including an 8-hour 4x4 adventure on bumpy roads. 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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Morondava - Sunset at Baobab Alley
Your travel today will be approximately 10 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel today will be approximately 8.5 hours.
Welcome back to bustling Antananarivo. You'll arrive at approximately 2 pm, before the second part of your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, where you'll have the opportunity to meet your new travel companions and, potentially, your new leader. After the meeting, why not head out for an optional dinner with your new group at a local restaurant?
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
Your travel today will be approximately 5 hours.
As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group are likely to change today. There will be a welcome meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and to meet new travellers joining you.
Start your day with an early morning flight to Tulear, where you'll head straight to Reniala Private Park for a memorable breakfast beneath the majestic baobab trees. Afterward, a local guide will lead you on a walk through the Spiny Forest, one of the last remaining areas of primary forest in southern Madagascar. Along the botanical trail, you'll encounter fascinating trees, including the towering baobabs with varieties like the 'dwarf,' 'teapot,' and 'rhinoceros,' some reaching over 13 meters in circumference. Birdwatchers can look forward to spotting rare species such as the Long-tailed Roller and Red-headed Coua among the 65 bird species in the reserve. During your walk, you'll also learn about Madagascar's unique flora, their traditional uses, and the vital importance of preserving this fragile ecosystem. The reserve further contributes to the local community by creating employment opportunities, particularly for women.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tulear - Reniala Private Park
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
The itinerary for today is subject to change due to the constant shifts and delays in flight times in Madagascar. Internal flights in Madagascar are often delayed and or cancelled at short notice and may be rescheduled to an evening, night, or even the following day departures.
Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You might choose to relax by the pool or beach or take a stroll through the hotel’s stunning gardens. Looking for something more active? Why not visit the Recycling Museum in Tulear, an institution dedicated to environmental protection and raising awareness among locals and visitors alike.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tulear - Recycling Museum - Donation - Free
Depart from Ifaty in the morning and make your way to Tulear. Here, your leader will show you the sites and sounds of Tulear with its charming buildings, wide lanes, and vibrant rickshaws (pousse-pousse) zipping through the streets. Locals prefer rickshaws over cars, keeping the air refreshingly clean for a city of its size. Explore tree-lined avenues with tamarind and flamboyant trees, and enjoy the lively atmosphere created by its diverse community. Afterward, pick up some food for lunch and continue to Isalo National Park.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tulear - Leader-led City Tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
After breakfast today, you’ll make tracks to Isalo National Park for a full day of exploration 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. The park 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 the dancing sifakas lemur!
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Isalo National Park - guided walk
Today, you’ll say goodbye to Isalo National Park and hit the road for Fianarantsoa – a colourful town known for its heritage site. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Anja Community Reserve. The forest in Anja was designated a protected area by the Government of Madagascar in 1999. The reserve extends over 30 hectares and is enriched with all kinds of flora and fauna, 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 effectively protect the area and benefit the community. Based on their individual skill sets, some locals work as guides and spotters or they perform administrative tasks for the reserve. The villagers will be your guides as you explore the reserve this afternoon. Tonight, you’ll stay at Ecole Hoteliere La Riziere at the foot of Fianarantsoa’s Old Town. This hotel sits above the town on a hill, providing views of the community and the rice fields below. It also doubles as a school, providing basic hospitality training to young people in the community, 65% of whom are female. Their education includes learning the challenges of sustainable development and the income from the establishment finances this training, making it possible to reduce the tuition fees for disadvantaged students.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ambalavao - Antemoro Paper Factory visit
- Ambalavao - Anja Community Reserve
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Today you’ll explore the long, paved roads, twisting alleys and old houses of Fianarantsoa. Wander past tiled roofs and flower-studded balconies, then visit a typical Malagasy village for an insight into how most of the island's population live. Explore the surrounding countryside, dotted with rice paddies and vineyards that produce Fianarantsoa's famous wine. You'll get a chance to sample the local cuisine with a lunch stop in the village. In the afternoon, travel to Ranomafana National Park. 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, 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. With your free time later this afternoon, maybe visit the thermal springs the town is named after – located across the Namorona River. The outdoor swimming pool fed by the springs is a popular spot to take a dip.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Fianarantsoa - Betsileo: village visit and walk
- Ranomafana NP - Night Walk
- Ranomafana - Station Thermale - MGA5000 - MGA5000
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
The Betsileo Village visit includes a walk through the local countryside, about 3.5 hours. Parts of the walk are in full sun and it’s recommended you bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water. Please discuss any concerns with your leader.
Today, you’ll explore Ranomafana National Park on a four-hour guided walk. Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs, striped civets, mongooses, goshawks, geckos, frogs, and butterflies. You may even spot an incredible net-casting spider or the world's smallest chameleon.
Today, you’ll explore Ranomafana National Park on a 4-hour guided walk. Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs, striped civets, mongooses, goshawks, geckos, frogs and butterflies. You may even spot the incredible net-casting spider or the world's smallest chameleon! Then, transfer to ValBio Research Centre, which sits just outside the beautifully lush 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. Have some lunch here, then if you have the energy, maybe head out on another included walk through the national park to spot more wildlife.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ranomafana National Park - Rainforest walk
The trail in the national park is hilly with many uneven steps. Depending on the weather, it can be wet and muddy. Leech socks, trail/hiking shoes and walking poles are recommended.
Today, you’ll make the journey to Ambositra – home to the third-largest ethnic group in Madagascar, the Betsileo people. Ambositra is known as the arts, crafts and wood carving capital of Madagascar. You’ll stop by the Id’om Art workshop and learn more about marquetry – the practise of cutting and assembling small pieces of coloured wood, using a hand-operated jigsaw. The jigsaw is created from old car tyres’ wire and it can take up to 2 months to make a 1-m-wide artwork. You’ll see how these craftsmen create their amazingly detailed marquetry with sheets of naturally coloured wood and you’ll have the opportunity to browse the impressive artworks on display.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Ranomafana - ValBio Research & Conservation Centre
- Ambositra – Woodcarving workshop visit
- Ranomafana - Conservation Lecture & Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
This morning, you'll visit the nearby Sandrandahy association to learn about 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 returns to the tomb to exchange the sheet for a new one. The association supports over 40 women from neighbouring villages – a holistic approach to community development, with traditional silk weaving as its hub. After learning more about this initiative, you’ll drive to Antsirabe, located in the Malagasy highlands. This evening, sit down for a group dinner in the gazebo within the grounds of the guest house.
- Gite (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ambositra - Village Visit
- Ambositra - Sandrandahy Village Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
Today is a long travel day as you make your way to Andasibe. The most visited park in Madagascar, Andasibe National Park is famous for the 11 species of lemur that call this place home. This afternoon, relax at your accommodation and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 to 12 hours, depending on traffic.
This morning, you’ll set out to discover all the unique wildlife in Andasibe National Park on a guided walk. Look out for lemurs, endemic birds, frogs and insects. Later, you'll take a night walk through the forest of Analamazaotra Special Reserve. This forest was formed in 1999 by residents of the village of Andasibe in east-central Madagascar. Today, the organisation is composed of more than 50 members from the local community who focus on conservation, research and sustainable development initiatives. In total, the reserve positively impacts more than 400 households in the Andasibe area. Experience the rainforest after dark, where nocturnal mouse lemurs, chameleons, geckos, frogs and fireflies come alive.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Andasibe National Park - Analamazaotra Special Reserve Night Walk
- Andasibe National Park - guided walk - Free
After breakfast this morning you’ll head off for your final stop in Antananarivo. When you arrive back in Antananarivo, you’ll take part in a hands-on Madagascan chocolate workshop led by a local chocolate maker. 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, Malagasy pastries will be served with a selection of local teas, coffees and for the courageous, rhum arranges (flavoured rum). Tonight, why not keep the celebrations going with a final dinner with your group and toast your Madagascar adventure with a local beer or two.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Antananarivo - Malagasy Chocolate Workshop
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
With no activities planned for today, your adventure ends after breakfast and you’re free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your time in Antananarivo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
22 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
Private Vehicles, Boat, Plane, Ferry
Hotel (14 nights), Camping (2 nights), Bungalow (4 Nights) Cottage (2 Nights) Gite (1 Night)
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
- Bemaraha National Park - Small Tsingy walking circuit
- Bemaraha National Park - Manombolo River Canoe Ride
- Bemaraha National Park - Big Tsingy Trek
- Morondava - Sunset at Baobab Alley
- Tulear - Reniala Private Park
- Tulear - Leader-led City Tour
- Isalo National Park - guided walk
- Ambalavao - Antemoro Paper Factory visit
- Ambalavao - Anja Community Reserve
- Fianarantsoa - Betsileo: village visit and walk
- Ranomafana NP - Night Walk
- Ranomafana National Park - Rainforest walk
- Ranomafana - ValBio Research & Conservation Centre
- Ambositra – Woodcarving workshop visit
- Ranomafana - Conservation Lecture & Lunch
- Ambositra - Village Visit
- Ambositra - Sandrandahy Village Lunch
- Andasibe National Park - Analamazaotra Special Reserve Night Walk
- Antananarivo - Malagasy Chocolate Workshop
- Tulear - Recycling Museum - Donation - Free
- Ranomafana - Station Thermale - MGA5000 - MGA5000
- Andasibe National Park - guided walk - Free
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Is this trip right for you?
- A good level of fitness is required for this trip. With treks, camping, and long journeys, it is a challenging trip, so we recommend being in good physical condition to get the most out of your experience.
- 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.
- Road conditions in Madagascar are notoriously very poor and unmaintained. Due to government inaction and yearly monsoons, conditions can be terrible and a level of patience is required. Most of the driving days on this trip will be long and bumpy.
- 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.
- A good level of fitness is required for this trip. With treks, camping, and long journeys, it is a challenging trip, so we recommend being in good physical condition to get the most out of your experience.
- 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.
- Road conditions in Madagascar are notoriously very poor and unmaintained. Due to government inaction and yearly monsoons, conditions can be terrible and a level of patience is required. Most of the driving days on this trip will be long and bumpy.
- 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.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 3 (River Camping), Day 12,13 (Lodge) and Day 14 (Guesthouse) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. An internal flight is included on this trip. Baggage allowance is as follows:
- Checked: 1 Bag, max 20kg
- Carry-on: 1 bag, max 5kg.
4. Internal flights in Madagascar are often delayed and or cancelled at short notice and may be rescheduled to an evening, night, or even the following day departures.
5.A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 50 days before departure for us to book the internal flights on this tour.
6. Days 21 and 22 in Anakao has bungalow style accommodation. In true Eco fashion there is no running water in the bungalows and there is no hot water in the camp. Each bungalow is regularly supplied with a bucket of fresh water for washing and flushing the toilet.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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