Wild West & Sainte-Marie — Tsiribihina, Baobabs & Whales

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrival at Antananarivo

   Highlights: Our agent greets you at the airport, helps with a SIM card and currency exchange, and transfers you to your hotel. Overnight at Le Grand Mellis or similar.

2. Day 2

   Antananarivo → Miandrivazo (390 km, 9h)

   Highlights: Drive to thermal Antsirabe, stopping at Behenjy (foie gras) and Ambatolampy (aluminium crafts), then west to the hot lowland town of Miandrivazo by evening. Overnight at Princesse Tsiribihina.

3. Day 3

   Miandrivazo → Tsiribihina River (motorboat)

   Highlights: Board an adapted river barge at Masiakampy and begin the cruise through vast plains and Sakalava reed-hut villages, with a swim at the Nosy Ampela waterfall (lemurs) before camping on a sandbar. Camping.

4. Day 4

   Tsiribihina River

   Highlights: Continue down the river's bends past pirogues and cargo barges, stop at Begidro to see traditional tobacco farming, glimpse the first baobabs at Ambatomisay, and camp on a beach with a traditional dance around the campfire. Camping.

5. Day 5

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

   Highlights: A final morning afloat among herons, bee-eaters and teals, arriving at Belo sur Tsiribihina for lunch aboard, then transfer to 4WD for a rugged 4-hour drive to Bekopaka, gateway to the Tsingy. Overnight at Grand Hôtel du Tsingy.

6. Day 6

   Tsingy de Bemaraha

   Highlights: Drive to the start of the Grands Tsingy (17 km of track, 1–2h). The 4-hour 'Andamozavakay' circuit is a slow observational walk — caves, panoramic viewpoints and a suspension bridge, safely harnessed. Overnight at Grand Hôtel du Tsingy.

7. Day 7

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

   Highlights: Drive south by 4WD, road and ferry, passing decorated Sakalava tombs, to Kirindy Reserve; prepare for the night walk. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy.

8. Day 8

   Kirindy → Morondava (70 km, 2h)

   Highlights: A morning guided walk in Kirindy — dancing sifakas, tenrecs, reptiles and the chance of the elusive fossa — then the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset before Morondava. Overnight at Chez Maggie.

9. Day 9

   Morondava → Antsirabe (520 km, 10h)

   Highlights: A long travel day across the Betsiriry plateau and savannah, lunch in Miandrivazo, past gold-panning Dabolava, to reach thermal Antsirabe (1,500 m). Overnight at Souimanga Hotel.

10. Day 10

    Antsirabe → Antananarivo (170 km, 4h)

    Highlights: Swim at Tritriva Lake, then tour Antsirabe (cathedral, miniature and zebu-horn workshops, gem cutting, local market), before driving north through the rural highlands to Tana. Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel.

11. Day 11

    Antananarivo → Sainte-Marie (flight)

    Highlights: Fly to the island of Sainte-Marie and transfer to your beach lodge. Overnight at Sambatra Beach Lodge.

12. Day 12

    Half-day whale watching

    Highlights: In season (Jul–Sep), a three-hour humpback whale-watching outing with a CétaMada eco-guide; the rest of the day free to relax. Overnight at Sambatra Beach Lodge.

13. Day 13

    Île aux Nattes & Îlot Sable

    Highlights: By boat to the sandbank islet of Îlot Sable for snorkelling and swimming in pristine lagoons, then Île aux Nattes — turquoise waters, palm beaches, a lighthouse and a canoe ride among lemurs and orchids. Overnight at Sambatra Beach Lodge.

14. Day 14

    Sainte-Marie → Antananarivo (flight)

    Highlights: Fly back to Antananarivo and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel.

15. Day 15

    International departure

    Highlights: Your tour comes to an end. We arrange your transfer to Ivato Airport. Safe travels!