Stone Forests & Rainforest: From the Tsingy to Andasibe & Palmarium

Fly with a domestic flight from Antananarivo to the west area Morondava – Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (UNESCO). It involves wildlife night walks in Kirindy Reserve, river crossings, and a day at Grand Tsingy (a forest of needle-like limestone pinnacles) concluding with sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs.

It then continues east into the main rainforest corridor of Madagascar. Closest to the capital, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Mitsinjo Reserve and Maromizaha Reserve give you a chance of seeing indris and other endemic wildlife. An idyllic boat ride via the ancient Pangalanes Canal ends in Palmarium, a refuge to tame lemurs, and Aye-Aye Island for the rare aye-aye. This mix of geological wonders, wildlife, cultural immersion and logistical ease.

Day 1 – Antananarivo

Meet at Ivato International Airport and our local team will welcome you. Transfer to your airport hotel as the flight out to Morondava is in the morning. Overnight at Chato Park Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Antananarivo → Morondava → Kirindy | 90 km, ~3 h driving + 1 h flight

Morning flight from Ivato Airport to Morondava. A moment by the beach & market, a short stop at the Avenue of the Baobabs for pictures (you will return here on Day 5 for sunset). Head further on to Kirindy Reserve – dry deciduous forest of the giant jumping rat and seven lemur species (four nocturnal), plus endemic reptiles. A guided night walk to see nocturnal lemurs, chameleons and night animals at dark. Overnight at Relais de Kirindy or equivalent.

Day 3 – Kirindy → Bekopaka | 190 km, ~7 h drive

Join an early morning walk in Kirindy Reserve to find Decken's sifakas and hopefully some rare birds! Drive north on the RN8 to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina (including a barge crossing of the Tsiribihina River – taking ~45 min). After a short break, continue to the Manambolo River. Crossing over (10 min) then another barge takes you to Bekopaka, the main access point of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha Lodge or similar.

Day 4 – Bekopaka: Grand Tsingy

All day exploring Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (UNESCO). Stroll through the Grand Tsingy — a geological puzzle of needle-thin spires, narrow gorges, sky walkways and even natural bridges covering several square miles. Seek out endemic lemurs, birds and specialized flora. The hike takes 5–6 hours. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha Lodge or similar.

Day 5 – Bekopaka → Morondava | 250 km, ~10 h drive

Early departure from Bekopaka. Stops at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina and the Baobabs des Amoureux (Baobabs of the Lovers). Reach the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunset, when the Grandidier's baobabs are silhouetted against the sky. Overnight in Morondava at Laguna Beach Hotel or Kimony Resort.

Day 6 – Morondava → Antananarivo → Andasibe

Morning transfer to Morondava Airport for a domestic flight to Antananarivo. Eastward, the Andasibe area (4 h) is your access to the rainforest belt of Madagascar. Arrive late afternoon. Overnight at Sahatandra River Lodge or similar.

Day 7 – Andasibe: Peyrieras and Mitsinjo Reserves

Peyrieras Reptile Reserve: Peek at endemic chameleons, butterflies and leaf-tailed geckos, along with exotic insects. Lunch in Andasibe then the community-operated Mitsinjo Reserve, a dry forest where locals have rehabilitated degraded land with endemic trees. After dark, a guided night walk on the border of the national park to search for woolly lemurs, sleeping chameleons and nocturnal insects. Overnight in Andasibe.

Day 8 – Andasibe → Palmarium | 140 km, ~3 h drive + boat transfer

Trek into the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park to see some of the 14 species of lemurs, 51 reptiles and 84 amphibians. Search for the indri (the world's largest living lemur), black-and-white ruffed lemur and diademed sifaka. Depart to the Pangalanes Canal, a 400-mile waterway. Board a motorboat from Manambato, crossing Lake Ampitabe with its fishing villages and wetlands. Reach the forest station not far from Palmarium, a tiny reserve of frogs, snakes and tortoises, with lemurs running free. Overnight at Hotel Palmarium or similar.

Day 9 – Palmarium

Early excursion at Palmarium Reserve where you can interact with multiple lemur species — the habituated black-and-white ruffed lemurs may even come sit on your shoulder! A walk to the lakeside coastal village of Andranokoditra where you can interact with the locals and watch fishermen return with their catch. Lunch by the beach. At dusk, a quick boat trip to Aye-Aye Island (Île aux Aye-Aye) for viewing the aye-aye, the largest nocturnal lemur on earth, in its natural habitat. Overnight at Hotel Palmarium or similar.

Day 10 – Palmarium → Andasibe | ~3 h + boat transfer

Breakfast, boat back along the Pangalanes Canal to Manambato then drive to Andasibe. Afternoon free. Possible local handicraft tours or relax at the lodge. Overnight at Sahatandra River Lodge or similar.

Day 11 – Maromizaha Reserve → Antananarivo | ~4 h driving

Morning trip to visit Maromizaha Reserve, a community-managed rainforest sanctuary in the hills north of Andasibe. A tour through moss-laden woods, bamboo fields and fern-covered slopes looking for indri, brown lemurs, eastern woolly lemurs, endemic birds, chameleons and orchids. Drive back to Antananarivo through the highlands with rolling hills, rice fields and traditional villages. Overnight at Chato Park Hotel or similar (near the airport).

Day 12 – Antananarivo: Departure

Drive to Ivato International Airport for your international connecting flight. End of services.