20 days in Madagascar: the island of fabulous contrasts

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Antananarivo

  Upon your arrival at Ivato airport in Antananarivo, the Malagasy capital, you will be welcomed by your driver as well as your French-speaking guide. They will accompany you to your hotel, which overlooks the typical rice fields of the Highlands, where you can take the opportunity to relax and have dinner.

• day 2

  Antananarivo - Andasibe - Vohimana

  

  After breakfast at the hotel, you will head towards Andasibe, located in the east of the country. After a three and a half hour drive, you will finally arrive in Andasibe, where you can have a peaceful lunch in the village of Andasibe and visit the VOI MMA community reserve (Vondron’Olona Ifotony Miaro sy Mitia ny Ala), managed by the local population. They take care of different species of animals and flowers, such as the group of Indri primates, diademed sifakas, woolly lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of insects like the famous giraffe-necked weevil. This reserve is not only for recreational purposes, it is also based on conservation and ecotourism. Half of the income generated is used for several projects in Andasibe, such as the construction of water taps or support for a small local hospital. You will continue your journey by taking the national road 2 to reach Vohimana in the early evening.

• day 3

  Visit to the Vohimana reserve

  Today, you will visit the Vohimana reserve, managed by the NGO L’Homme et l’Environnement. This reserve is a jewel of biodiversity, with 22 species of lemurs, more than 70 species of frogs, and 79 species of orchids. You will see many men and women working hard to improve the living conditions of the villagers while protecting their forest. You can also visit a distillery producing essential oil sold to some famous clients, including, but not limited to, the perfume house Chanel. You will also have the opportunity to meet the Indri, the largest of the lemurs and one of the few primates able to sing, as well as the Calumma gallus, a very rare chameleon, while admiring the limited number of endangered birds.

• day 4

  Vohimana - Tamatave - Ivoloina

  You will leave Vohimina to head towards the city of Tamatave, also known as Toamasina, which has the largest port on the island. Throughout the journey, you will have the privilege of enjoying the typical greenery of National Road 2, bordered on both sides by one of Madagascar's emblems: the Ravinala, meaning "the traveler's tree." The Ravinala stores rainwater, making it drinkable at the base of its trunk. The locals use the leaves and the sturdy trunk for the construction of their traditional homes. You will continue the road towards Ivoloina, where you will spend the night. If you are not too tired, you can go out into the city to get some fresh air.

• day 5

  Discovery of Ivoloina

  

  Today, you will begin a visit with your guide to the Ivoloina reserve, located in the heart of the forest corridor in eastern Madagascar, where you will be completely charmed by the diversity of the fauna and flora of this reserve. The Ivoloina park is a regional center for conservation and education located near the city of Toamasina. It includes a 4-hectare zoological park and a 282-hectare forest station. This park is also notable for being an environmental education center, as well as a center for conservation and training. The numerous operations on the site for the preservation of Malagasy fauna and flora are carried out by a conservation NGO, supported by a consortium of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, universities, and other related organizations. If you wish, you can also take a canoe excursion on the lake bordering the road to Ivoloina park.

• day 6

  Ivoloina - Mahambo

  On this new day, you will have the morning free to take one last walk in the Ivoloina park. You will then be taken to the small village of Mahambo, a place well known to surfers. During your car journey, you will pass through the village of Foulpointe, where you can take the opportunity to relax and swim in the sea. You will arrive in Mahambo at the end of the afternoon.

• day 7

  Mahambo - Sainte-Marie

  

  Today, you will board a boat where you will sail for nearly 3 hours on the Indian Ocean to your destination, Sainte-Marie. This small island to the east of Madagascar is a tropical paradise for anyone who visits. You will find palm trees, cinnamon trees, clove trees, anthuriums, orchids, bougainvillea, and flamboyant trees. A botanical and natural garden in itself. In Ambodifotatra, the main town of the island, you can visit a Catholic church. The island of Sainte-Marie is also very famous for its whales, which you can only admire between July and September.

• day 8

  Snorkeling in Sainte-Marie

  During your two days of relaxation on the paradise island of Sainte-Marie, you will have the opportunity to enjoy various sports and water activities. On the agenda: tour of the island on foot or by bike, excursion, snorkelling, diving, surfing... We also recommend making a short stop on the island of Nattes, where you can relax in the sun on the magnificent fine white sand beaches.

• day 9

  Farniente in Sainte-Marie

  On this last day on Sainte-Marie Island, you can take the opportunity to relax on the beach or do some sightseeing. We recommend that you visit the Antanandava waterfall, where you can recharge and breathe in the fresh air for a few minutes.

• day 10

  Sainte-Marie - Antananarivo

  This morning, you will take a flight from Sainte-Marie to Antananarivo, the famous Malagasy capital. You will spend the night in a guesthouse not far from the airport.

• day 11

  Antananarivo - Miandrivazo

  

  Today, you will hit the road early in the morning, at dawn, to head to the city of Miandrivazo. Along the way, you will be able to admire the magnificent landscapes of rice fields and the hills of the Highlands, offering a view of the high sandstone lands. You will have a peaceful lunch in Antsirabe. In the afternoon, you will arrive at your destination, the city of Miandrivazo, so named after the story of the king of the Highlands, Radama, who wanted to annex the Kingdom of the Sakalava by asking for the hand of the princess of the Sakalava Kingdom in this very city. Miandrivazo means "waiting for a woman" in the western dialect of Madagascar.

• day 12

  Miandrivazo - Tsaravahiny

  You will start the day with a canoe excursion on the Mahajilo river, to discover the hinterland and the fishing villages. You will have a picnic at this same spot. Your driver will then take you to a small local village called Tsaravahiny, near Morondava, located about 30 minutes by car from the famous Avenue of the Baobabs. You can enjoy this afternoon at your own pace, visiting the famous Avenue of the Baobabs, not missing its magnificent sunset. You will spend the night in accommodation with very basic conditions, but it will still be a wonderful experience.

• day 13

  Tsaravahiny - Kirindy

  

  After a good breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go to a local village of Tsaravahiny where you can participate in the villagers' activities, such as traditional crab fishing, basket and canoe crafts, visiting the mangrove and dunes, or even visiting the tombs of the Sakalava people. A beautiful immersive experience with the locals. The Tsaravahiny center, created in 1996 by the NGO ABM (Association Belgium-Madagascar), contributed to the creation of a school and a health center. The center is now managed by a young Malagasy couple who work closely with the village committee. In the afternoon, you will continue the road to Kirindy where you can explore the Kirindy forest, which includes a fascinating animal and plant sanctuary typical of a dry forest. Indeed, you will find many plants and animal species adapted to drought, such as baobabs, endemic lemur species including the Sifaka and Propithecus verreauxi, birds, bats, and many others. We recommend taking a night tour of this reserve to experience something unique by admiring an incredible nocturnal wildlife, unmatched in the world. If you are lucky, you may spot a "Fosa", the largest predator on the island.

• day 14

  Bemaraha National Park - Bekopaka

  You will discover a new side of this great island by heading to the western part, and more specifically to the famous region of the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit the Bemaraha National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passing through two rivers, tracks, and a spiny forest, you will reach the Tsiribihina River by boat. Depending on the weather conditions, you may have lunch in the town of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina or in another location. In the early evening, you will arrive in Bekopaka, a small village near the Bemaraha National Park.

• day 15

  Bekopaka - Small Tsingy

  Today, you will visit the Petit Tsingy on foot. This will be an opportunity to navigate the Manambolo gorge, a river known for its canyons, caves, and wonderful landscapes, and to let yourself be enchanted by the wild nature of this place. Practical information: Please note that the park entrance fees are covered, but you will have to pay for the park guide, who is mandatory on site.

• day 16

  Visit of the Grand Tsingy

  After discovering the Petit Tsingy the day before, today you will visit the other part of the park, namely the Grand Tsingy. To reach this part of the park, the driver will take you there by car. You will find unique rock formations there as well as a great diversity of plants and endemic species that inhabit this harsh environment. Practical information: Please note that to walk through this part of the park, it is recommended to wear "climbing equipment," which will be available at the entrance.

• day 17

  Bekopaka - Morondava

  

  Today, you will leave the rocky paradise of Bekopaka to head towards Morondava. Before that, you will pass by the famous Avenue of the Baobabs and admire the sunset for those who may have missed it. Upon your arrival in Morondava, you will stay in a hotel built on the theme of sustainable development.

• day 18

  Morondava - Belo-sur-Mer

  Early this morning, you will cross the sea to Belo Sur Mer, a fabulous remote area. You will stay in accommodation near the fishing villages on the beach, with the possibility of snorkeling or exploring the Kirindy Mitea forest.

• day 19

  Belo-sur-Mer

  Make the most of this last day in Belo-sur-Mer by going on a boat trip, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on the beautiful fine white sand beaches.

• day 20

  Return flight

  After this 20-day tour in Madagascar: the island of fabulous contrasts, you will board a boat this morning to Morondava. From there, you will take a domestic flight to the capital. Depending on the time of your international flight, you can do some last visits, go shopping, or relax in a quiet place while waiting for your flight.