From Fort Dauphin, explore the Lokaro Peninsula (white-sand beaches, coastal forests, fishing villages), the Sainte-Luce mangroves (birdlife), and Nahampoana Reserve (botanical garden with endemic plants). Continue to the Andohahela massif (UNESCO transition zone between humid rainforest and dry spiny thicket) and Berenty Reserve, where ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas inhabit gallery forests. Head south to Lavanono and Cap Sainte-Marie, with dunes, cliffs, and nesting sites for sea turtles and migratory birds. North along the Vezo coast: Anakao, lagoons, a pirogue trip to Nosy Ve (bird island). Further north, Ifaty, then by track to Belo sur Mer. Sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs. Finish at Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO), with limestone pinnacles and canyons. Return to Antananarivo.
⭐ Highlights
- Visit Nahampoana Reserve to spot ring-tailed lemurs, sifakas, bamboo lemurs, and mouse lemurs among endemic palms
- Navigate through Sainte-Luce mangroves by traditional boat to the pristine Lokaro Peninsula
- Discover secluded golden beaches, rocky coves, and turquoise waters at Lokaro, with hikes to panoramic viewpoints
- Sunset stroll along Libanona Beach in Fort Dauphin
- Guided night walk in Berenty Reserve to spot sportive lemurs and nocturnal chameleons
- Morning wildlife immersion at Berenty Reserve: observe ring-tailed lemurs, dancing Verreaux’s sifakas, fruit bat colonies, and diverse birdlife
- Visit a local museum and historic sisal plantation to learn regional history
- Explore Cap Sainte-Marie Special Reserve at Madagascar’s southernmost tip
- Discover dwarf baobabs, radiated tortoises, and windswept coastal dunes
- Search for fossilized elephant bird egg fragments along dramatic cliffs
- Visit a remarkable cave sheltering thousands of tortoises
- Off-road adventure through the arid "Deep South" to witness octopus trees (Alluaudia) and bottle-shaped Pachypodiums
- Experience traditional coastal fishing life in Itampolo
- Explore Tsimanampetsotsa National Park: salt lake with flamingos, limestone plateaus, ancient caves with blind fish, and baobab forests
- Relax on pristine beaches and swim in the turquoise lagoon at Anakao
- Boat excursion to Nosy Ve island to see a sweeping sand spit and rare red-tailed tropicbird nesting site
- Snorkel vibrant coral reefs along the Vezo Coast
- Unwind in the multi-hued blue lagoon of Ambatomilo
- Observe traditional dhow (wooden boat) building workshops in Belo sur Mer
- Boat excursion to uninhabited islands (Nosy Andrahovo) for swimming and coral reef snorkeling
- Watch master shipwrights craft traditional vessels by hand
- Sunset photography at the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs
- Evening guided night walk in Kirindy Private Reserve to search for the elusive fossa and nocturnal lemurs
- Morning wildlife spotting in Kirindy Reserve: diurnal lemurs and endemic birdlife
- Full-day guided trek through the Grand Tsingy (Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, UNESCO)
- Navigate razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, cross suspension bridges, and explore ancient karst caves
- Spot Decken’s sifakas leaping across dramatic limestone formations
- Morning pirogue trip across mangrove channels to Betania fishing village to observe traditional coastal life
- Visit the deep blue Lake Tritriva, nestled in an extinct volcanic crater
- Explore Antsirabe’s colorful local market and artisan workshops (miniature cars, zebu horn carvings)
📅 Full Itinerary — Day by Day
Day 1 – Antananarivo
Fly into Ivato Airport and transfer to your hotel located in Antananarivo. You can either relax after the flight or head for a capital city exploration. Overnight at Hotel Combava, Hotel Chat'o Park or similar.
Day 2 – Antananarivo → Fort Dauphin
Fly south east to Fort Dauphin (Tolagnaro). Absorb the sights, sounds and scents of Madagascar at Nahampoana Reserve in the afternoon, a botanical garden that teems with the sound of ring-tailed lemurs, sifakas, bamboo lemurs and mouse lemurs weaving through native palms and exotic foliage. Overnight at Hotel Talinjo or equivalent.
Day 3 – Fort Dauphin → Lokaro → Fort Dauphin
Sail the mangroves of Sainte-Luce to the hills of Lokaro Peninsula. Explore secluded golden beaches, rocky inlets with crystal clear waters for swimming or take a walk to a viewpoint. Sunset walk on Libanona Beach, about 2 km from Fort Dauphin. Overnight at Talinjo Hotel or similar.
Day 4 – Fort Dauphin → Berenty
Crossing the Andohahela National Park, drive west to see humid rainforest converting to dry spiny thicket. Transiting through the Ranopiso forest where you may come across Dypsis palms that are endemic to this area – southern baobabs will be your first of many. Arrive at Berenty Reserve. After dark, night walk to search for sportive lemurs and camouflaged chameleons. Overnight at Berenty Lodge.
Day 5 – Berenty → Lavanono
Berenty Reserve in the morning: walk among big troops of ring-tailed lemurs and see Verreaux's sifakas jump between trees, but also across open ground like they were made of springs. Observe bat colonies and various types of birds, then visit the town museum and an old sisal plantation. Drive in the afternoon to a remote coastal village below canyon cliffs and surf breaks named Lavanono. Overnight at Chez Gigi or similar.
Day 6 – Lavanono → Cap Sainte-Marie → Lavanono
Day-long outing to the Cap Sainte-Marie, where the Indian Ocean meets the Mozambique Channel. From dwarf baobabs to radiated tortoises to wind-blown dunes, and scattered cliffs with fossilised elephant bird egg chunks. A cave house that takes care of a thousand tortoises. Return to Lavanono at dusk. Overnight at Chez Gigi or similar.
Day 7 – Lavanono → Itampolo
Venture off road into the desert-laced "Deep South" along sandy, rocky trails. Torrid terrain, peppered with Alluaudia (octopus tree) and bottle‑shaped Pachypodiums. After passing remote Mahafaly villages you'll arrive at Itampolo, a laid-back fishing village with long white‑sand beaches. Overnight at Hotel Sud Sud or similar.
Day 8 – Itampolo → Beheloka
Head north to Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, which centres on a large salt lake regularly inundated with flamingos. Hike limestone plateaus, ancient caves inhabited by blind fish and forests of baobabs and pachypodiums. Follow the coast hiking trail towards Beheloka. Overnight at Domaine d'Ankilibe or similar.
Days 9–10 – Beheloka → Anakao
Transfer to Anakao, in the heart of the nomadic Vezo fishermen community. Two days to enjoy beaches and a cerulean lagoon. Optional boat trip to Nosy Ve with a sandbar, where red‑tailed tropicbirds nest in droves, nestled behind this protected islet. Snorkel over rainbow-hued coral reef or just unwind. Overnight at Hotel Lalandaka or similar.
Days 11–12 – Anakao → Toliara → Ambatomilo
Morning transfer by boat to Toliara across the bay. Your driver will escort you to meet your vehicle and head north along the coast through Ifaty and Mangily beach hubs. Wander the sandy tracks to Ambatomilo, a clean stretch of ocean and multi‑coloured lagoon. Two nights of pure relaxation. Overnight at Shangri‑La Lodge or similar.
Day 13 – Ambatomilo → Morombe
As you leave the lagoon, drive into savannah littered with giant baobabs. It is a sand-challenging track as well. Arrive at Morombe, a sleepy colonial‑era town on the delta of the Mozambique Channel. Overnight at Hotel Le Paletuvier or similar.
Day 14 – Morombe → Belo sur Mer
A legendary off‑road adventure into the depths of Menabe. Cross rivers, sweep past salt flats and savannah plains. Short stop in Manja, then the last part of bumpy way to Belo sur Mer, a fishing village well known for its traditional wooden dhow construction. Overnight at Belo Beach or similar.
Day 15 – Belo sur Mer
A day dedicated to the sea. Boat tour to the uninhabited islands of Nosy Andrahovo with its surrounding islets. Swimming, snorkelling and coral reef life in crystal-clear water. Come back in the afternoon to see master shipbuilders make great traditional dhows by hand. Overnight at Belo Beach or similar.
Day 16 – Belo sur Mer → Kirindy
Drive north through dry forest. Take a quick stop for sunset photos at the Avenue of the Baobabs as ancient trees glow in golden light. Drive on from Morondava to Kirindy Reserve. A well-practiced night stroll to look for fossa (the biggest predator in Madagascar) and lemurs that only come out at night. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy or similar.
Day 17 – Kirindy → Bekopaka
Kirindy Reserve in the morning: diurnal lemurs and endemic birds. Then a ferry across the Tsiribihina River, drive through Belo‑sur‑Tsiribihina, then cross the Manambolo River by ferry. Drive to Bekopaka, the gateway town of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha or similar.
Day 18 – Bekopaka: Grand Tsingy
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Full day hike the "Grand Tsingy": clamber across razor-sharp limestone peaks, cross suspension bridges, explore caves and marvel at the karst landscape. Watch Decken's sifakas make their graceful leaps upon the rocky terrain. Overnight in Bekopaka.
Day 19 – Bekopaka → Morondava
By track and ferry crossings return south. The best time to arrive at the Avenue of the Baobabs is for sunset — when you can photograph the ancient giants against the orange sky. Then head to Morondava for the night. Overnight at Laguna Beach Hotel or similar.
Day 20 – Morondava → Betania → Miandrivazo
Cruise mangrove channels in the morning aboard a pirogue to Betania, a fishing village where you can catch a glimpse of coastal life. Drive inland away from the coast as you head towards the warmer Miandrivazo plains. Overnight at Princess Tsiribihina Hotel or similar.
Day 21 – Miandrivazo → Antsirabe
Head back into the Highlands past dry plains to terraced rice paddies and tumbling hills. Arrive in Antsirabe. Optional: visit to Lake Tritriva (a deep volcanic crater lake). Overnight at Royal Palace Hotel or similar.
Day 22 – Antsirabe → Antananarivo
Half-day in Antsirabe: colourful market, craft workshops (miniature cars, zebu horn carvings). Drive north back to Antananarivo. Possibility to go up to the Rova Palace (Queen's Palace) for a panoramic view of the capital. Overnight near the airport.
Day 23 – Antananarivo: Departure
Day free for souvenir shopping in the morning, or resting. Transfer to Ivato International Airport for your departure flight. End of services.