The Wild South Madagascar Tour (11 days)

Landing in Antananarivo

A Discover Africa representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the Maison Gallieni . Antananarivo is a crowded city full of life.  Explore the vibrancy of its people and overwhelmingly unique architecture and history before you settle in for a comforting dinner. 

* Please expect a long transfer to your hotel as the streets can become highly congested

Antsirabe

Today you are transferred to Couleur Cafe, where you will be spending the night on a half board basis. Driving time: 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic to get out of Antananarivo. Your day also includes a city tour in Antsirable. 

You have an optional stop in Ambatolampy, where recycled aluminium cooking pots are made. Ambatolampy is a city located between Antananarivo and Antsirabe on National Road 7 (RN7) leading to southern Madagascar. One of the local speciality of this city is the artisanal manufacture of aluminium cookware used for cooking food in all Malagasy homes.

Ranomafana National Park

After a scrumptious breakfast, you are collected and transferred to the Thermal Ranomafana Hotel, where you will be spending the next two nights on a half-board basis. En-route to your hotel, you can stop at Zafimaniry Handicraft shops on the way. Find more information below:

Situated in Central Madagascar, surrounded by rice paddies, the pretty town of Ambositra is considered to be the heart of Madagascar’s wood carving industry. Local houses featuring ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters, along with the architectural marvels of the Benedictine Chapel, make for a most attractive setting. Ambositra serves as an excellent base from which to explore the traditional Zafimaniry villages. The Zafimaniry people build entire houses using their own wooden architecture. Their art is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. You can buy handicrafts here. The best shops are found right opposite the Grand Hotel, which is also worth a visit. 

Ranomafana National Park

Today you have a night walk in the Ranomafana National Park. 

Situated in the southeastern region of Madagascar, Ranomafana National Park is one of Madagascar’s most popular national parks. Spanning 41 600-plus hectares of tropical rain forest featuring an array of rare and exotic fauna and flora. Established to conserve this unique biodiversity and subsequently declared a World Heritage Site in 2007, the Ranomafana National Park is home to twelve species of lemur, one of which is the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur, discovered here in 1986.Visitors should stay at least one night to make the most of the trails available and to enjoy a night ride to view the park’s rather exotic collection of reptiles, frogs and insects.

Fianarantsoa

This morning, upon checkout, you have a two hour transfer from Ranomafana to the Zomatel Hotel, where you will be spending the night on a half board basis. Today you have a city tour in Fianarantsoa, where you will visit the local carmaker and the thrift shop. 

Isalo National Park

This morning you are transferred to Isalo Rock Lodge, where you will be spending the next two nights on a half-board basis. Your transfer is approximately a six-hour drive. Today you have a visit to the Anja Reserve, where you get to see the ring-tailed lemurs: 

The forest in Anja was designated a protected area reserve by the Government of Madagascar in 1999. Anja Reserve is the most visited community-managed forest and ecotourist site in Madagascar. Anja has become a vital example of how community management of natural resources can both effectively protect the area and benefit the community.

Isalo National Park

Today you make your way to Ifaty beach from Isalo National Park.  Your trip will be approximately five hours. Upon arrival at Ifaty, you will check in at Les Dunes d'Ifaty, where you will be spending the next two nights on a half board basis. En-route to Ifaty, you visit the Arboretum Reserve:

This private reserve ​​40 hectares large is located 12 km southeast from Toliara. The founder bought this land to grow endangered dry plant species in order to preserve them from deforestation & bush fires. Most of the species are unique to Madagascar.  The impressive botanical garden is the home of more than 920 plant species such as, lemurs, radiated tortoises, and chameleons. Established in 1980, this park has an interpretation center, a small museum, shop, guided tours in English, a restaurant as well as bungalows.

Ifaty

This morning you visit the Reniala Reserve. The Reniala Reserve is located on the outskirts of Madagascar's Ifaty-Mangily Village. This protected area features a small baobab forest, a bird park, a rescue centre for animals and a botanical garden. It is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna. The radiated tortoises, Madagascar iguanas, grey mouse lemurs, blue vanga and the red-capped coua are some of the indigenous species in the Reniala Reserve. Visitors can take advantage of excellent photo opportunities. The afternoon is available for you to relax. 

Antananarivo

This morning you have a one hour drive to the Tulear Airport, where you catch a two-hour flight to Antananarivo. You will be spending the night at Maison Gallieni in Antananarivo. Enjoy your last night in Madagascar!

End of Journey

Today your unforgettable trip comes to an end. This morning, upon checkout, you are transferred to the Ivato International Airport. If time allows it, you can have one last shopping spree in Antananarivo. Until next time!