Madagascar & Réunion: From Tsingy to Volcanoes

Today's journey takes you deep into Menabe Sakalava country as you travel by private 4WD to Bekopaka, the gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. While the drive is long and road conditions can be challenging in places, it's all part of reaching one of Madagascar's most remote and rewarding wilderness areas. Along the way, you'll cross two rivers by local ferry and pass through small villages and changing landscapes that few visitors to Madagascar ever experience.

Arrive in Bekopaka late this afternoon and settle into Soleil des Tsingy for a three-night stay, with all meals included.

Please note: The road to Bekopaka is one of the most remote routes used on our Madagascar itineraries, and road conditions can be challenging. For added reassurance, we'll arrange for an additional support vehicle, carrying security personnel to accompany our departures along this route, reflecting our commitment to your safety and well-being.

Today, discover the spectacular Grand Tsingy, one of the world's most extraordinary karst landscapes and the highlight of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Accompanied by your expert guide, explore this remarkable labyrinth of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, deep fissures and narrow canyons, where millions of years of erosion have sculpted an unforgettable natural masterpiece.

The well-maintained trail includes suspension bridges, chain-assisted climbs, ladders and some narrow passages between towering limestone walls, rewarding those with a good head for heights with breathtaking panoramic views across this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the walk is physically demanding in places, it's an unforgettable experience and one of Madagascar's most impressive natural attractions.

Please note: The Grand Tsingy excursion is suitable for reasonably fit travellers who are comfortable with heights and uneven terrain. The route includes suspension bridges, ladders, chain-assisted sections and narrow rocky passages. If you have a fear of heights or restricted spaces, or have any concerns about your mobility, please speak to us before booking so that we can advise you on whether this excursion is suitable.

Today's excursion explores the equally fascinating Petit Tsingy, where a network of well-maintained trails reveals another perspective on this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although less physically demanding than the Grand Tsingy, the reserve's remarkable limestone formations, hidden canyons and sculpted pinnacles are no less impressive. As you explore with your guide, keep an eye out for Decken's sifaka, the elusive Tsingy wood rail and the striking pachypodiums that flourish amongst the limestone, adding to the unique character of this remarkable landscape.

Later, enjoy a peaceful boat excursion through the spectacular Manambolo Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs rise dramatically above the river. Along the way, visit a sacred cave used for generations as a burial site by the Menabe Sakalava people. Hollowed tree-trunk coffins and ancestral remains provide a poignant insight into local traditions and the enduring cultural significance of this extraordinary landscape.

After breakfast, begin the return journey south, retracing your route to Kirindy Forest Reserve. Breaking the journey here not only makes the overland travel more relaxed but also provides a valuable second opportunity to explore one of Madagascar's most interesting wildlife areas.

Many of Kirindy's most sought-after mammals occur at naturally low densities, so spending a second night in the reserve significantly enhances your chances of encountering species that may have eluded you during your first visit. As darkness falls, head back into the forest with your guide for another rewarding night walk. Every evening in Kirindy is different, offering fresh opportunities to search for nocturnal lemurs, sleeping chameleons and birds, and, of course, the fossa.

Overnight at the rustic Relais du Kirindy, with all meals included.

This morning, enjoy one last guided walk in Kirindy Forest before returning to Morondava. Travelling back, you'll once again pass through the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs, offering another chance to photograph these remarkable giants.

This evening marks a welcome change of pace. Return to the comfortable Palissandre Côte Ouest, where you can relax after you explore Kirindy and Tsingy de Bemaraha. Perhaps enjoy a swim, a stroll along the waterfront, or simply watch the sun sink below the horizon over the Mozambique Channel.

Transfer to Morondava Airport for your Madagascar Airlines flight to Antananarivo. On arrival, you'll be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the charming Nosy Manga boutique hotel for your final overnight stay in Madagascar.

If flight schedules and traffic conditions permit, your guide will introduce you to some of the capital's highlights. Depending on opening times, this may include Upper Town and the beautifully curated Photography Museum, whose fascinating collection offers a unique insight into Madagascar's rich cultural and historical heritage. Alternatively, your guide will tailor the excursion to make the most of the time available before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Réunion, where a striking volcanic landscape awaits. On arrival, collect your hire car, which will allow you to enjoy the freedom of exploring the island at your own pace.

Drive to Saint-Denis for an overnight stay at the elegant Hôtel Le Juliette Dodu, a beautifully restored Creole residence that provides the perfect introduction to this fascinating French island in the Indian Ocean.

After breakfast, leave Saint-Denis behind and enjoy a leisurely drive into the spectacular Cirque de Salazie, the most verdant of Réunion's three great mountain cirques. As the road winds steadily inland, towering cliffs, picturesque villages and countless ribbon-like waterfalls create one of the island's most enchanting landscapes.

Spend the next two nights at the long-established Relais des Cimes, located in the heart of the charming mountain village of Hell-Bourg, widely regarded as one of France's most beautiful villages. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, perhaps wandering amongst the beautifully preserved Creole houses or simply soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of this remarkable mountain setting.

Today is free for you to explore the beautiful Cirque de Salazie at your own pace. Perhaps take a scenic drive through the cirque, stopping to admire its many waterfalls and spectacular viewpoints, or spend time wandering around the picturesque village of Hell-Bourg, with its colourful Creole houses, attractive gardens and relaxed atmosphere.

For those who enjoy walking, many well-marked trails lead through the surrounding mountains and forests, offering opportunities to appreciate the cirque's remarkable scenery and rich birdlife before returning to Relais des Cimes for a second overnight stay.

Leaving the verdant landscapes of Salazie behind, today's drive takes you higher into Réunion's mountainous interior and the spectacular Cirque de Cilaos. Surrounded by soaring peaks and dramatic cliffs, this charming mountain town enjoys a distinctly different character, with its cool, fresh air, picturesque setting and superb walking opportunities.

Check in for a two-night stay at the welcoming Hôtel Le Vieux Cep, a long-established favourite in the heart of Cilaos. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this delightful mountain community at your own pace.

Today is yours to enjoy the spectacular Cirque de Cilaos at your own pace. Surrounded by some of Réunion's highest peaks, the cirque offers a wonderful choice of scenic walks, mountain viewpoints and opportunities to experience the relaxed character of this unique highland community.

Spend time exploring the attractive town of Cilaos, browse its local shops and cafés, or simply relax and soak up the magnificent mountain scenery. For those wishing to explore further, a variety of walking trails reveal the cirque's dramatic landscapes, making this one of Réunion's most rewarding areas for nature lovers and hikers alike.

Today's journey provides a final opportunity to admire Réunion's spectacular mountain scenery as you descend from the Cirque de Cilaos via the famous Route de Cilaos. Renowned for its dramatic engineering and countless bends, the road gradually leaves the island's rugged interior behind before joining the coastal highway.

Continue to La Saline-les-Bains for a four-night stay at the elegant Hôtel Doudou, with dinner and breakfast included. The warm, dry climate and relaxed atmosphere of Réunion's west coast provide the perfect setting in which to unwind after your exploration of the island's mountains and volcanoes.

Enjoy the next few days at leisure on Réunion's sunny west coast. With your hire car, you're free to explore at your own pace, perhaps discovering the lively resort town of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, relaxing on one of the island's attractive beaches or simply unwinding by the swimming pool.

Included during your stay is a spectacular 55-minute helicopter flight, widely regarded as one of the finest ways to appreciate Réunion's extraordinary landscapes. Soaring above towering mountain peaks, the remote Cirque de Mafate and the dramatic volcanic scenery of Piton de la Fournaise, you'll gain a unique perspective on an island shaped by immense geological forces. From the air, the vast volcanic caldera, lava fields and numerous parasitic cones reveal a landscape unlike anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.

Return to your hotel each evening to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Réunion's sunny west coast.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then depart in the afternoon on your final drive along Réunion's west coast before making your way back to Roland Garros Airport, where you'll return your hire car and check in for the overnight Air France flight to Paris.

On arrival in Paris the following morning, connect with your onward flight to your chosen UK airport, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey through two of the Indian Ocean's most fascinating islands.