Welcome to Antananarivo (Tana), the capital of Madagascar! We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. You’ll have plenty of time to relax before you meet your fellow travellers and talk through your Madagascan adventure.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
On our first day in Tana we will take a tour around this eclectic city with its cobbled roads and winding alleys. The history of the kingdom of Madagascar is complex and what better way to learn more about the Malagasy royal family than to visit the King’s Palace. Built in the 1600’s, the palace was the seat of royalty until French colonisation. Finish our day in one of our favourite restaurants overlooking the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Today we will travel east of the capital to the town of Andasibe. Spend the afternoon at the Analmazaotra National Park looking for a variety of lemur species, including indri, bamboo and mouse lemur. In the evening we head out for a night walk to look for chameleons, frogs, sifaka lemurs and a host of other nocturnal species.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal with a lemur then this is your chance! Lemur Reserve was established as a centre for rescued lemurs. There is nothing quite as magical as a lemur sitting on your shoulder as you take a walk through this picturesque island forest. We’ll also visit the reptile education centre before returning to Antananrivo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
After an early breakfast we set off on our journey to Antsirabe, famous for its precious stones and fossils. Upon arrival, we will take a walk around the city centre and learn about the importance of this area as a central trade route pre and post colonisation. The city is well known for its architecture as well as its horse drawn carts and locally produced beer!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
As well as its colonial past, Antsirabe is known for its wealth of precious stones and fossils, so today we’ll visit a local gem workshop before we head south. Located in the south east of Madagascar, Ranomafana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and gets its name from the Malagasy word for “hot springs”, which are located in the central part of town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
We’ll start our day with an early morning walk through the park. Ranomafana National Park is famous for its rare lemur, chameleon and frog species. In the afternoon we’ll visit a local women’s silk weaving group where we’ll learn all about this amazing craft. Of course the nocturnal lemurs are just as important, so we’ll return in time for a dusk walk to try to spot the mouse lemur as well as nocturnal chameleons!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
Today we’ll travel south from Ranomafana to the Anje Reserve. The reserve was established in 2001 by the local community in order to preserve their forest habitat and the charismatic ring tailed lemur. We’ll spend time within a few feet of this lively lemur species. After lunch we will visit a community paper-making workshop before continuing on to the stunning valley of Isalo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
The Isalo National Park is a rocky valley filled with waterfalls and striking rock formations. We’ll spend this morning on a fabulous gorge walk before having lunch in the wonderful lemur picnic ground. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, or maybe indulge in a massage before taking in the spectacular sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
Today we set off early from Isalo to the coastal town of Ifaty. As we cross this ever changing landscape, we will pass by community saphire mines and rum distillaries which this part of madagascar is famous for. In the afternoon we will arrive at the coast in time for a walk along the pristine beach and a dip in the ocean!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Guest House
This morning we visit a project with real heart. Lemurs that are rescued from the pet trade are brought to the Brigitte Bardot Lemur & Tortoise Rescue Centre, before being released back into the wild. Spend the afternoon exploring the village or maybe indulge in a relaxing massage before completing our day with a delicious beach BBQ accompanied by traditional dance and music.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
After breakfast we head to the Tulear Airport for our flight to Antananarivo. Depart Tana anytime after 2pm for home, with memories of this truly unique island – its wildlife, culture and people.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Guest House
+Accommodation upgrade: If you are feeling a little more indulgent, we can organise an accommodation upgrade in Tana and throughout your journey. Just ask us! (subject to additional cost and availability).
