Madagascar - The Lost Continent

Itinerary:

Link for e-visa HERE.

Day 1. Arrival in Antananarivo
Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you are welcomed by your private driver-guide and transferred to your hotel - assistance with luggage and a smooth arrival sets the tone for your journey. Overnight at Chalet de Rose or similar. -/-/-

Day 2. Morning flight Antananarivo - Morondava. Kirindi
After breakfast in Antananarivo (Tana), transfer to Ivato International Airport for your short domestic flight to Morondava, the gateway to Madagascar’s wild western coast. Upon arrival, your local driver and expert guide will meet you at the airport to assist with your luggage and ensure a seamless continuation of your journey to Kirindy Forest Reserve. Travel is by 4WD vehicles, with two to three passengers per vehicle. En route, stop at the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs, where you will have the opportunity to take memorable daytime photographs of Madagascar's most famous landscape.

Continue to Kirindy and check in at your lodge. In the evening (around 17:30), enjoy a guided night safari through Kirindy Forest, renowned for its rich nocturnal wildlife. With the help of your expert guide, look out for mouse lemurs, chameleons, nocturnal reptiles, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive fossa, Madagascar's largest carnivorous mammal.  After your nocturnal adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature. Overnight at Relais de Kirindy or similar. B/-/-

Day 3. Kirindi - Bekopaka
Breakfast is around 6:30 AM. Continue with an early 1-2 hours visit to Kirindy Forest Reserve, one of Madagascar's most important habitats for dry forest wildlife. In the cool morning hours, the forest is alive with activity - lemurs leaping through the trees, reptiles basking in the sunlight, and birds calling from the canopy. Kirindy is one of the best places in the country to spot the fossa, along with Verreaux’s sifaka (known for its graceful, dancing walk) and common brown lemurs. Your knowledgeable guide will interpret the behavior of these fascinating species, providing insight into the delicate ecosystem that sustains them. Travel north through open savannas toward Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, a peaceful town set along the banks of the Tsiribihina River. Stop here for a leisurely lunch, sampling local Malagasy dishes while observing the easy rhythm of life in this charming riverside community.

After lunch, continue your overland journey toward Bekopaka, the gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Madagascar’s greatest natural treasures. The drive offers breathtaking views of the country’s rugged terrain, with dusty tracks, baobab groves, and small rural villages dotting the landscape. Though the road is adventurous, it offers a true glimpse into the untouched wilderness of Madagascar’s interior.

By late afternoon, arrive in Bekopaka, where you’ll check into your lodge and relax after a day of exploration and travel. Enjoy a quiet evening surrounded by nature as you prepare to explore the awe-inspiring Tsingy of Bemaraha the next morning. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha / Orchide Hotel or similar. B/-/-

Day 4. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
In the local language, “tsingy” means "where one cannot walk barefoot” and it very well describes the alien-looking landscape around.Early breakfast at the lodge before departing for a full day of exploration in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its spectacular limestone formations and unique biodiversity. After breakfast, transfer by 4x4 vehicle to the trailhead of the Grand Tsingy (originally called Andamozavaky Circuit from the local Malagasy language).

Big Tsingy is the larger section of the limestone forest, featuring towering rock formations and demanding trails that involve climbing ladders, crossing suspension bridges, and navigating narrow passages, making it suitable for visitors with a good level of fitness. 

Little Tsingy is smaller and much easier to explore, with shorter, less technical trails that require only a moderate level of fitness. Both are part of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and showcase Madagascar's unique karst landscape. Accompanied by a local park guide, begin an adventurous hike through this extraordinary landscape of sharp limestone pinnacles, suspension bridges, caves, and narrow passages. The circuit includes walking across hanging bridges and panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking views over the dramatic “stone forest.” The area is also home to several species of lemurs, reptiles, and endemic birds. The visit usually lasts around 4 to 5 hours, depending on the chosen circuit and walking pace. At noon or early afternoon, return by vehicle to the village of Bekopaka for lunch. Arrival back at the lodge in Bekopaka for lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon - around 16-16:30, depart for the Little Tsingy (Andadoany circuit), located near Bekopaka. This smaller but equally fascinating limestone formation offers an easier walking circuit with spectacular viewpoints over the Manambolo Gorge. The guided walk lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing you to discover the unique geology of the park and observe local wildlife such as lemurs and endemic birds. Return to your lodge in Bekopaka at the early evening time after the sunset. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha / Orchide Hotel or similar. B/-/-

Day 5. Bekopaka - Morondava 
Depart early for Morondava, traveling through open savannahs and rural villages. Stop for lunch in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, where you can enjoy local cuisine and stretch your legs. As the journey continues, the landscape transforms into a surreal wonder - the Avenue of the Baobabs, one of Madagascar’s most iconic vistas. Witness the majestic silhouettes of ancient baobabs glowing gold in the evening sun. The golden hour here is pure magic, a photographer’s dream. Capture unforgettable images of Madagascar’s symbolic trees standing proudly against the glowing sky before continuing to Morondava. Overnight at Vezo Beach Hotel/ Baobab Café. B/-/-

Day 6. Morondava - Antsirabe
Early breakfast at the hotel before departing from Morondava for a full-day drive to the highland city of Antsirabe. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, from the coastal plains to the central highlands of Madagascar. Along the way, you will pass through traditional villages, rice fields, and beautiful countryside. Around midday, arrive in Miandrivazo, a small town located on the banks of the Tsiribihina River. Enjoy a late lunch break at a local restaurant (around 15:00 -16:00), where you can relax before continuing the journey. After lunch, continue the drive toward Antsirabe, known for its pleasant climate, colonial architecture, and thermal springs. The road gradually climbs into the Malagasy highlands, offering scenic views of terraced rice paddies and volcanic landscapes. Late arrival in Antsirabe (around midnight). Overnight at Vatolahy hotel / Royal Palace. B/-/-

Day 7. Antsirabe - Ranomafana
After breakfast, depart Antsirabe and head south toward Ranomafana National Park. The road winds through Madagascar’s fertile highlands, passing rolling hills, terraced rice fields, and traditional villages, offering a genuine glimpse into everyday Malagasy rural life. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the route, enjoying regional Malagasy cuisine in a peaceful countryside setting. As the journey continues, the landscape gradually transforms into dense rainforest. Winding mountain roads, lush vegetation, and cooler misty air signal your arrival in one of Madagascar’s richest biodiversity zones. Check in at your lodge near the park and unwind after the journey. If time allows, enjoy a short walk around the village or nearby forest trails, accompanied by the ambient sounds of the rainforest at dusk. Overnight at Ny Tanana Hotel / Karibo hotel. B/-/-

Day 8. Ranomafama National Park
Today we will explore one of the most picturesque national parks in Madagascar (between 8:30 and 13:30). The name of the park comes from the local Malagasy language, it means “hot water” and reflects the multiple hot springs located in the area. The majority of the park area is comprised of dense rainforest, which supports high levels of biodiversity. The park is home to about 30 endemic species of birds like Henst's goshawk, velvet asity, Rufous-headed ground roller and others. There are also about 12 lemur species that can be seen here - two of the most notable ones being the  golden bamboo lemur and the greater bamboo lemur. Overnight at Ny Tanana Hotel / Karibo hotel. B/-/-

Day 9. Ranomafana - Ranohira
After breakfast (around 6:00 - 6:30), continue south along the legendary Route Nationale 7, heading toward Ranohira. Visit Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo region, known for its historic old town, steep hills, and vibrant local culture. Then there will be a stop in Ambalavao to discover traditional Antemoro paper-making and silk weaving workshops, a fine introduction to Malagasy craftsmanship. Nestled beneath dramatic granite cliffs, Anja Park is a community-managed conservation success. Observe ring-tailed lemurs roaming freely while learning how eco-tourism supports local livelihoods. After picnic lunch, continue across the vast Horombe Plateau, where open grasslands and red-earth landscapes stretch to the horizon. As you approach Ranohira, the sandstone cliffs of Isalo National Park rise dramatically in the distance. Overnight at Orchide hotel / Satrana Lodge. B/-/-

Day 10. Isalo Nаtional Park
Spend the day exploring Isalo National Park, often referred to as Madagascar’s “Grand Canyon.” Trek through sculpted sandstone formations, narrow canyons, and rocky plateaus shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Cool off at the Natural Swimming Pool (Piscine Naturelle), a lush oasis fed by a small waterfall. Along the trails, encounter ring-tailed lemurs, sifakas, and endemic bird species such as Benson’s rock thrush. End the day at the Natural Rock Window, where the setting sun frames the landscape through a sculpted stone arch which is one of Isalo’s most iconic viewpoints.
Accommodation at Orchide hotel / Satrana Lodge. B/-/-

Day 11. Ranohira – Ifaty
Depart Ranohira (around 7:00) and stop in Ilakaka, a town transformed by sapphire discoveries. Learn about Madagascar’s gemstone trade and observe daily life shaped by mining activity. Arrive in Tulear, gateway to Madagascar’s southwest. Enjoy a seafood lunch and a brief visit to local markets reflecting coastal life along the Mozambique Channel. Visit the Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve (around 17:30; the walk is approximately 1 hour), home to ancient baobabs and endemic bird species. Discover one of Madagascar’s most unique ecosystems, shaped by arid climate and conservation efforts. Continue north to Ifaty, where white sand beaches and turquoise waters offer a well-earned change of pace. Accommodation at Bella Donna / Les Nautilus. B/-/-

Day 12. Ifaty - Tulear. Flight to Antananarivo. End of services.
Today we are heading to Tulear to catch a flight to Antananarivo (arriving in Antananarivo in the evening). End of services upon arrival in Antananarivo. B/-/-