Forests, Lemurs & Baobabs: Journey from the East to the West

Day 1 – Antananarivo

Meet and greet at Ivato Airport. Transfer to the city center. Antananarivo is the bustling capital, built on a hill with narrow streets and lively markets. Overnight at Havana Resort or similar.

Day 2 – Antananarivo to Andasibe | 140 km – ca. 4 h

Drive east on the RN2 through green highlands and rice paddies. Stop for lunch in Moramanga. In the afternoon, visit Mitsinjo Reserve—a community‑run forest full of chameleons, frogs, and the loud calls of indri. After dinner, take a night walk in the VOIMMA Reserve to spot mouse lemurs and sleeping reptiles. Overnight at Feony Ala or similar.

Day 3 – Andasibe (Full Day)

Spend the day in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Périnet). This is the most accessible rainforest in Madagascar. Hike through primary forest to see indri—the largest lemurs—plus sifakas, bamboo lemurs, and the Madagascar Serpent Eagle. In the morning, visit Lemur Island for close encounters with black‑and‑white ruffed lemurs. Overnight at Feony Ala.

Day 4 – Andasibe to Vatomandry

Morning walk in Maromizaha Forest—quieter and less crowded than the main park. Then drive down to the east coast. Vatomandry is a small port with long sandy beaches and calm Indian Ocean waters—perfect for a relaxed afternoon. Overnight at Casadoro or similar.

Day 5 – Vatomandry to Mahanoro | ca. 220 km – 7 h

Take a boat on the Pangalanes Canal, a 600‑km network of lakes and rivers running along the coast. You'll glide past fishing villages and see daily life on the water—people washing clothes, children waving, and pirogues being painted. Stop for lunch in a village. Arrive at Mahanoro late afternoon and camp overnight.

Day 6 – Mahanoro to Ambohitsara

Continue cruising the canal. The scenery stays lush—palm trees, mangroves, and remote settlements. Watch locals building traditional pirogues by hand. End at Ambohitsara, a village known for its boat‑building heritage. Camp overnight.

Day 7 – Ambohitsara to Ranomafana | ca. 140 km – 4 h

Drive to Mananjary, an old colonial port and homeland of the Antaimoro people. After lunch, climb up to the High Plateaux—the landscape turns cool and mountainous. Arrive at Ranomafana (meaning "hot water"), famous for its thermal springs and rich rainforest. Overnight at Karibotel or similar.

Day 8 – Ranomafana to Ambositra | ca. 160 km – 6 h

Morning hike in Ranomafana National Park—home to the golden bamboo lemur, discovered only in the 1980s. The trails are alive with birds and insects. After lunch, drive to Ambositra, the capital of Zafimaniry woodcarving, a UNESCO‑recognised craft. Overnight at Ivato River Lodge or similar.

Day 9 – Ambositra to Miandrivazo | ca. 310 km – 8 h

Visit Zafimaniry workshops in the morning—artisans carve intricate geometric designs using only wood and skill. Then drive to Antsirabe for a short rickshaw tour of its colonial buildings and thermal springs. Continue to Miandrivazo, a quiet riverside town on the Tsiribihina River—the gateway to the dry west. Overnight at Princess Tsiribihina or similar.

Day 10 – Miandrivazo to Kirindy | via Morondava ca. 320 km – 7 h

Head west into drier, dustier terrain. Pass the Avenue of the Baobabs for a photo stop (we'll return for sunset). Arrive at Kirindy Reserve, a private forest known for its wildlife. After dark, go spotlighting for the fossa (Madagascar's top predator), fat‑tailed dwarf lemurs, and other nocturnal creatures. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy or similar.

Day 11 – Kirindy to Bekopaka | ca. 180 km – 8 h

Morning walk in Kirindy to see diurnal lemurs—red‑fronted brown lemurs and Verreaux's sifakas are common. Then drive to Bekopaka, the gateway to the Tsingy. The road gets rough; we cross the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers by ferry. The landscape becomes dramatic, with limestone cliffs appearing on the horizon. Overnight at Olympe du Bemaraha or similar.

Day 12 – Bekopaka (Tsingy de Bemaraha)

Full day in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Tsingy" means "where you can't walk barefoot"—the limestone needles are razor‑sharp. We cross suspension bridges, walk through narrow canyons, and climb to viewpoints. The route takes about four hours. Look for Decken's sifakas clinging to the rocks. Overnight again at Olympe du Bemaraha.

Day 13 – Bekopaka to Morondava | ca. 250 km – 11 h

Drive back toward the coast. The road is dusty and slow. We time our arrival so we reach the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset—the light turns golden, and the ancient trees cast long shadows. Then continue to Morondava, a coastal town on the Mozambique Channel. Check in, and if time allows, wander the lively market. Overnight at Laguna Beach or similar.

Day 14 – Morondava to Antananarivo

Take a domestic flight back to the capital. From the air, you'll see the transition from dry west to green highlands. After check‑in, the afternoon is free—explore Antananarivo, visit the markets, or rest. La Digue market is good for last‑minute souvenirs. Overnight at Havana Resort or similar.

Day 15 – Antananarivo – Departure

Transfer to Ivato Airport according to your flight schedule. End of services.