Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Antananarivo via Addis Ababa
Overnight flight from London (regional
connections available) to Antananarivo, via
Addis Ababa. (N)
Day 2: Andasibe Analamazaotra Reserve
Early afternoon arrival. Transfer to the Andasibe
Hotel (or similar) and stay for 3 nights. Take a night
walk to Analamazaotra Reserve. Here you may
spot nocturnal species, including mouse, greater
dwarf and eastern woolly lemurs. (D)
Day 3: Andasibe Vakona Private Reserve
Analamazaotra Reserve
Morning walk in Andasibe. Return to the lodge
for lunch. Visit Lemur Island in Vakona Private
Reserve, a small island sanctuary for lemurs.
Afternoon walk in Andasibe. After dinner, take
a second night walk to the Analamazaotra
Reserve. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Mantadia National Park (or Mitsinjo
forest)
Full-day walk through the primary forest of
Mantadia National Park. The beautiful scenery
is home to the black and white ruffed lemur,
the diademed sifaka, Parsons chameleon and
a wide variety of frogs. Alternatively, for a less
strenuous option, walk in Mitsinjo Reserve and
plant an endemic tree as part of the areas
reforestation project. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Antananarivo
Morning drive back to Antananarivo. Stay
1 night at Le Royal Palissandre (or similar).
Afternoon city tour including the hills of the
royal palaces and the botanical and zoological
garden of Tsimbazaza. Special chefs dinner in
the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Antsahabe Antsirabe
Drive to Antsahabe, a village typical of the
Merina tribe. After lunch, continue to the spa
town of Antsirabe and stay 1 night at Couleur
Caf Hotel (or similar). Afternoon tour of
Antsirabe, centre of the gem trade and home
to hundreds of pousse pousse (rickshaws), a
legacy of Chinese labour imported to work on
the railways. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ambositra Ranomafana
Continue south to Ambositra, known as
Madagascars handicraft and wood-carving
capital. Following a typical Malagasy lunch
accompanied by folklore entertainment,
continue to Ranomafana. Stay 3 nights at
Thermal Hotel (or similar). Evening walk in
search of nocturnal species. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Ranomafana
Morning walk in the Ranomafana National Park
where you can spot three species of bamboo
lemur: the grey, the golden and the greater.
Endemic birding in the park is also excellent.
Afternoon visit to Tanala village. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Ranomafana
Morning walk in Ranomafana National Park.
Afternoon visit to the Ranomafana Arboretum,
a collection of hundreds of rare tree species.
Second evening walk in search of nocturnal
species. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Fianarantsoa Ambalavao
Ranohira
Morning drive via Fianarantsoa, the Betsileo
tribes capital, to the vineyard of Lazanny
Betsileo. Continue to Ambalavao. Visit the
Antemoro paper factory and the Anja Reserve,
where ring-tailed lemurs are often spotted.
Continue to Ranohira and stay 3 nights at
Relais de la Reine (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 11: Isalo National Park
Full day to explore the breathtaking eroded
sandstone landscapes of Isalo National Park.
In the morning, visit the natural swimming
pool where there is a crystal-clear waterfall
that tumbles into a deep-green pool. In
the afternoon continue to the Cascade des
Nymphes where you may spot ring-tailed
lemurs, Verreauxs sifakas and the dumpy
elephants foot plant (flowers in September).
Birdlife that you may see includes Malagasy
hoopoes, white-browed owls, Madagascar
nightjars and long-eared owls. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Isalo National Park
Morning walk in Isalo National Park to explore
the viewpoint. Enjoy a break at the hotel in the
mid-afternoon to rest before an early evening
traditional music performance as the sun sets.
(B, L, D)
Day 13: Zombitse-Vohibsia National Park
Ifaty
Continue towards the west coast. Stop en
route at Zombitse-Vohibsia National Park. It
may be possible to spot Apperts tetrakas, one
of the most endangered endemic birds on the
island. The region is known for its large baobab
trees and traditional family tombs, central to
Malagasy beliefs and culture. Stay 1 night at
Les Dunes dIfaty (or similar) in Ifaty, a quiet
coastal fishing village known for its long beach. (B)
Day 14: Fly to Antananarivo
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon flight from
Toliara to Antananarivo. Transfer to Palissandre
Hotel & Spa (or similar) for 1 night. (B, L, D)
Days 15-16: Fly to London via Addis Ababa
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London via Addis Ababa, arriving the following
day. (B) (N)
