This wonderful tailor-made individual tour includes a visit to one of Madagascars most spectacular national parks, Tsingy de Bemaraha, with the addition of visiting the fascinating dry forest of Kirindy in Menabe Antimena Protected Area, and Baobab Alley en route.
You will also explore the isand's number 1 protected rainforest wildlife hotspot, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, highly praised for its wonderful wildlife and lovely rainforest trails.
Enjoy a beach break on relaxed Ile Sainte Marie, where in season (July to mid September) whale watching is superb.
Due to accessibility of the Grand Tsingy formations at Tsingy de Bemaraha, this trip should be done only from late May to early November.
The order of locations in the itinerary can be swapped around / tailored to suit your schedule and other requirements.
Update (15 August 2019): we currently highly recommend ending this tour with the rainforest section at Andasibe-Mantadia, as getting to the national park does not require depending on domestic flights.
Arrival in Antananarivo
Fly on Air France from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Paris CDG and connect on the mid morning Air France flight to Antananarivo. On your late evening arrival you will be met, assisted and transferred to Relais des Plateaux to stay overnight with breakfast included.
Accommodation: Relais Des Plateaux
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
After breakfast (time to be confirmed locally), your guide and driver collect you at the hotel. Travel 3 - 4 hours east along good, winding tarmac roads to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park ('Perinet') where you stay for 2 nights in an en suite bungalow on a half board basis.
This afternoon, take an introductory rainforest walk with your guides.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Explore Madagascar's 'number one must see' protected rainforest site with your guides. Trails are mostly graded as 'easy' and the guides are adept at locating sought-after species such as Indri, Diadem sifaka; a multitude of rainforest birds and interesting reptiles such as Parson's and Nose-horned chameleons. (Parsons Chameleon by Mike Unwin)
In the quieter middle part of the day, visit Lemur Island.
In the evening, a night walk is possible in the rainforest concession of Analamazaotra, administered by proactive and exemplary NGO Association Mitsinjo.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park - Antananarivo
This morning, visit the primary rainforest at Mantadia National Park where some rare mammals and birds not necessarily present at Andasibe ('Perinet') may be sought. Trails here are steeper than at Andasibe and they can be slippery during or after inclement weather.
Depart mid-afternoon for the drive back to Antananarivo, where you arrive at dusk to overnight in Relais des Plateaux with breakfast included.
Brown lemur photographed by Mike Unwin
Accommodation: Relais Des Plateaux
Kirindy Forest
Transfer to the airport for the Air Madagascar flight to Morondava on the central-west coast. On arrival your guide and driver meet you and transfer you about 2 hours north on a dirt road to Kirindy Forest via the alley of giant baobabs.
Overnight in the rustic, comfortable Relais du Kirindy, about 20 minutes drive from Kirindy.
Day and night guided walks in the forest for rare and unusual wildlife. At Kirindy, you have the chance to see mammals such as the endangered Giant jumping rat and the Fosa, the island's largest carnivore.
Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy
The journey to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
After breakfast and an early morning walk in Kirindy, travel north to Tsingy de Bemaraha. This 8 hour journey includes a ferry crossing. Stay 3 nights in the superb Soleil des Tsingy with all meals included.
Accommodation: Le Soleil des Tsingy
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park - Petite tsingy and Manambolo River excursion
Your guides will take you to visit the Petite Tsingy formations and during the balance of the day, take a river trip on the Manambolo River, praised for its spectacular gorges where one can see wildlife and wonderful baobabs as well as deciduous dry forest.
Accommodation: Le Soleil des Tsingy
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park - Grand Tsingy!
Visit the Grand Tsingy today. These incredible formations are accessible from June to November and are one of the trip highlights. But please note that
(a) a reasonable level of fitness is required for this excursion and
(b) you will need a head for heights.
The routes do involve hanging bridges and chain ladders - safety harnesses are provided.
Afterwards, relax at the hotel which is a veritable oasis in the middle of Menabe-Sakalava country.
Accommodation: Le Soleil des Tsingy
Back to Kirindy Forest
Depart on the drive (again with ferry crossing over Tsiribihina River) where you once again stay at the Relais du Kirindy, with all meals included.
A night walk this evening will give you another chance to seek out the remarkable wildlife which is found in Kirindy and nearby Marofandilia Forest.
Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy
Kirindy - Morondava airport - Antananarivo (flight)
Transfer to Morondava airport for the Air Madagascar flight back to Antananarivo.
On arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel where you overnight with breakfast included. Time allowing, take a city sightseeing trip with your guide and driver.
Accommodation: Relais Des Plateaux
Ile Ste Marie
Transfer to the airport to check in for the Air Madagascar flight east to Ste Marie, a balmy tropical island off the east coast. Transfer on arrival to Princesse Bora Lodge for a 5 night stay in a double charme bungalow with breakfast and dinner included.
Accommodation: Princesse Bora Lodge
Ile Sainte Marie
Enjoy sublime Ile Sainte Marie and Ile Aux Nattes. In season (July and August in particular), whale watching is often productive.
Accommodation: Princesse Bora Lodge
Ile Sainte Marie
Another day to enjoy Ste Marie. More active guests could hire quadbikes or mountainbikes, or take an excursion for snorkelling to nearby Ile Aux Nattes.
Accommodation: Princesse Bora Lodge
Ile Sainte Marie
Relax at Princesse Bora or partake in activities which can be arranged at the hotel - enquire at reception or ask us for details.
Accommodation: Princesse Bora Lodge
Ile Sainte Marie
Final day to enjoy Sainte Marie.
Accommodation: Princesse Bora Lodge
Antananarivo and departure
Transfer to Ste Marie airport for the Air Madagascar flight back to the capital. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Relais des Plateaux where you have the use of a day room. Late evening transfer back to the airport to check in for the Air France flight departing early the next morning.
Accommodation: Relais Des Plateaux
Departure
Air France flight to Paris CDG where you connect with your onward Air France flight back to London or selected other UK airports.
Pricing Information & Dates
17 day tour, from £4750 - £5090 per person
Price Includes
Return economy class Air France flights from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Antananarivo
Domestic Air Madagascar flights
Airport taxes
Private transfers and private 4WD transportation
Accommodation and meals as listed
All excursions and activities
Services of professional English-speaking Malagasy guide and of driver
Park permits and park guide fees
Price Excludes
Any drinks and any meals not listed
Visa (currently €35, issued on arrival)
Tips
Items of a personal nature
Price Notes
Prices are based on Air France airfares from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports. (economy class seating) and on 2 people travelling together.
*** Update on this itinerary (August 2019): we highly recommend starting the tour with Morondava, Kirindy and Tsingy de Bemarha, then going to Ile Sainte Marie, and ending the tour at Andasibe, as getting to Andasibe does not entail the use of domestic flights.
Image Gallery
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