Madagascar Unveiled — Rivers, Baobabs & Wild Wonders

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   International arrival in Antananarivo

   Highlights: Greeted at Ivato with help through formalities (SIM, currency), then the drive to your hotel across the twelve hills of Antananarivo — markets, colonial buildings and rice paddies. Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel.

2. Day 2

   Antananarivo → Antsirabe (170 km, 5h)

   Highlights: South on the RN7 through Behenjy's produce markets and Ambatolampy's aluminium workshops, amid red laterite and terraced paddies, to Antsirabe, the 'City of Waters', and its crater lakes Andraikiba and Tritriva. Overnight at Chambre du Voyageur.

3. Day 3

   Antsirabe → Miandrivazo (220 km, 6h)

   Highlights: A rural walk around Betafo (blacksmiths, brick-making), a picnic at Ambatomalaza hill, then on to Miandrivazo on the Tsiribihina, meeting your river guide for a briefing. Overnight at Princesse Tsiribihina.

4. Day 4

   Miandrivazo → Tsiribihina River

   Highlights: Board the adapted barge at Masiakampy and cruise past herons and kingfishers and Sakalava reed-hut villages, swim at Nosy Ampela waterfall (lemurs), and camp on a sandbank under the stars. Camping, full board.

5. Day 5

   Tsiribihina River

   Highlights: Continue past cliffs, rice fields and villages (Begidro, Berevo), meet the first great baobabs at Ambatomisay, and camp on a beach with a traditional Malagasy dance by the fire. Camping, full board.

6. Day 6

   Belo sur Tsiribihina → Bekopaka (120 km, 4h)

   Highlights: Morning birdwatching, a last lunch aboard, then disembark at Belo and transfer by 4WD across dry forest to Bekopaka, gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Overnight at Orchidée du Bemaraha.

7. Day 7

   Tsingy de Bemaraha

   Highlights: A full day in the UNESCO Grands Tsingy — corridors, suspension bridges, limestone pinnacles, caves and panoramic views on a 4-hour observational walk, safely harnessed. Overnight at Orchidée du Bemaraha.

8. Day 8

   Bekopaka → Kirindy (200 km, 6h + ferry)

   Highlights: South by 4WD and ferry past decorated Sakalava tombs to Kirindy; a guided night walk for mouse lemurs, chameleons and the fossa. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy.

9. Day 9

   Kirindy → Morondava (70 km, 2h)

   Highlights: A morning walk in Kirindy (Verreaux's sifaka), then the Avenue of the Baobabs bathed in golden sunset before Morondava. Overnight at Chez Maggie.

10. Day 10

    Morondava → Belo sur Mer (120 km, 4h)

    Highlights: Drive south through semi-arid country and shallow river crossings to Belo sur Mer, a fishing village of traditional shipbuilding and salt production; explore the village or relax on the beach. Overnight at Ecolodge du Menabe.

11. Day 11

    Belo sur Mer

    Highlights: A day at leisure — traditional shipyards, snorkelling on the coral reefs, whale watching in July–August, and meeting the Vezo fishing communities. Overnight at Ecolodge du Menabe.

12. Day 12

    Belo sur Mer → Morombe (260 km, 7h)

    Highlights: A long, photogenic drive south, stopping at Andranopasy for ancient baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri, rubrostipa, za), reaching Morombe by evening. Overnight at Chez Katia.

13. Day 13

    Morombe → Salary (130 km, 5h)

    Highlights: Along the coast over sandy tracks past the coves of Andavadoaka, casuarinas and baobabs, to the quiet, pristine Salary Bay; afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Salary Bay.

14. Day 14

    Salary Bay

    Highlights: A full day of scuba diving, whale watching (July–August), pirogue excursions with Vezo fishermen, or a visit to the Mikea forest. Overnight at Salary Bay.

15. Day 15

    Salary → Ifaty (80 km, 3h)

    Highlights: South along the Mozambique Channel past fishing villages and dunes, a stop at Ankasy and the Reniala spiny forest near Toliara (baobabs, endemic birds), on to Ifaty. Overnight at La Bella Donna.

16. Day 16

    Ifaty → Toliara → Ranohira (280 km, 6h)

    Highlights: East across the Mahafaly plateau with its Aloalo-carved tombs, through the sapphire town of Ilakaka, to Ranohira, gateway to Isalo. Overnight at Hotel H1 Isalo.

17. Day 17

    Isalo National Park

    Highlights: Explore Isalo's canyons, natural pools, waterfalls and sandstone formations (lemurs, endemic birds), ending at the Window of Isalo as the setting sun turns the rock to gold. Overnight at Hotel H1 Isalo.

18. Day 18

    Ranohira → Anja → Fianarantsoa (360 km, 8h)

    Highlights: North with a stop at Anja Community Reserve (ring-tailed lemurs, granite boulders), then Fianarantsoa and its historic hillside town. Overnight at Setam Lodge.

19. Day 19

    Ranomafana National Park

    Highlights: A day hiking Ranomafana's rainforest for golden bamboo lemurs, Milne-Edwards' sifakas and the velvet asity, with waterfalls and hot springs. Overnight at Setam Lodge.

20. Day 20

    Ranomafana → Antsirabe (260 km, 6h)

    Highlights: North through Ambositra, capital of Zafimaniry woodcraft — artisan workshops and markets — then Antsirabe, a colonial town of thermal springs and lively crafts. Overnight at Chambre du Voyageur.

21. Day 21

    Antsirabe → Antananarivo (170 km, 5h)

    Highlights: Return to the capital through Merina villages and terraced rice fields, arriving for lunch and a city tour — the Manjakamiadana Palace, markets and panoramic viewpoints. Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel.

22. Day 22

    International departure

    Highlights: Transfer to Ivato Airport for your international flight, departing with lasting memories of Madagascar's landscapes, wildlife and culture.