12 Days South of Madagascar

Day two sets off heading east where you’ll quickly get up close and personal with the island’s vibrant array of wildlife. Chameleons, lizards, frogs, snakes, butterflies, and Sifaka Lemurs are only the short list of creatures you’ll see first-hand at the Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic Reserve.  

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With so many more species of lemur, like Indri and ring-tailed, we will next head farther out to Andasibe, the world-renowned lemur watching paradise. 

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In the afternoon, we will visit Parc Mitsinjo, where you can find chameleons, snakes, birds and most importantly the largest lemur species, Indri. 

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When night falls, perhaps your true inner-explorer can come alive as we’ll hike through the forest to catch a glimpse of night lemurs and other nocturnal friends. 

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Accommodation (Comfort): Sahatandra River Hotel (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Mantadia Lodge (or similar)

We can’t see it all in just one day, though. Spend hours more wandering through Andasibe National Park on Day 3. Unique, rare, and endangered all describe the species of animals you’ll see here, including 11 different lemur species.  

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In the afternoon, the wildlife adventure continues as we visit Lemurs Island and Crocodile Park. There, you’ll walk among flora and fauna unlike anywhere else on Earth. 

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Accommodation (Comfort): Sahatandra River Hotel (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Mantadia Lodge (or similar)

After a couple of days in nature, Day 4 combines travel and tour. We will depart Andasibe early in the morning, heading inland 7.5 hours through beautiful highlands and valleys to the colourful and classic city of Antsirabe. The French called it ‘The city of water’ for its thermal springs. 

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Once there, Madagascar’s iconic rickshaws will wheel you around to all the top sites. 

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Accommodation (Comfort): Royal Palace (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Plumeria Hotel (or similar)

Today, we will travel from Antsirabe to Ranomafana, which means ‘hot water’ in the local language. En route, we will visit Ambositra, famously known as the capital of Malagasy handicraft, where we will visit the handicraft shops.

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Accommodation (Comfort): Setam Lodge (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Plumeria Hotel (or similar)

We will spend around 4 hours in Ranomafana National Park, another paradise filled with exotic and unique wildlife, including 12 different lemur species. Birds, butterflies and reptiles will be in abundance. Take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful tropical rainforest.

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The afternoon will be at leisure as we go back into the beautiful forest after dark for a guided night walk. Be prepared to see many nocturnal creatures, including the grey mouse lemur and fat-tailed dwarf lemur with their large night-vison eyes. On this unique outing, we should encounter many species of chameleons, frogs, and snakes that come only surface when the sun goes down. 

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Accommodation (Comfort): Setam Lodge (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Plumeria Hotel (or similar)

To start Day 7, we will visit the rainforest again before moving to the dry tropical area of Ranohira. Our 5-hour drive will take us through Anja, where we will visit the Anja community reserve, the best place to see the iconic ring-tailed lemur of Madagascar. We will then head to Isalo National Park in Ranohira.

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Accommodation (Comfort): Le Relais de la Reine de l’Isalo (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Isalo Rock Lodge (or similar)

Isalo National Park is an 815km² park famous for its unusual sandstone landscape eroded by wind and rain into plateaus, canyons and outcrops; some so strange that you may feel that we have transported you to another planet. Based on your fitness level, there are scenic hikes to visit the most popular attractions.

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In the afternoon will visit two major attractions outside the park. La Reine de l’Isalo (the Isalo Queen), a naturally carved figure in stone, and La Fenetre de l’Isalo (the Isalo Window), a popular spot to enjoy and capture the spectacular Madagascan sunset.

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Accommodation (Comfort): Le Relais de la Reine de l’Isalo (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Isalo Rock Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 takes us back to the coast. Our drive is around 3.5 hours to Tulear, the largest city in the South of Madagascar. After a short stop in Tulear, we head to Ifaty to visit the Reniala Reserve. If you have only seen pictures of a Baobab, be prepared to be in awe of this unique Baobab Forest. The reserve is rich with birdlife, and the turtle park offers an unforgettable experience.

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Accommodation (Comfort): Ifaty Beach Club (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Les Dunes d'ifaty (or similar)

Day 10 will be a leisure day. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the hotel facilities, rent a boat, or go snorkelling and discover what Madagascar has to offer below the waterline.

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Accommodation (Comfort): Ifaty Beach Club (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Les Dunes d'ifaty (or similar)

Today we take a local flight back to Antananarivo. You can buy your flight ticket online at https://tsaradia.com/, or you can contact us if you need help with booking. 

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Depending on the flight schedules, you may have time to visit a few more attractions in Antananarivo if you arrive early enough. Please contact us for more information. 

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Accommodation (Comfort): Le Louvre Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Accommodation (Luxury): Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo (or similar)

Just as the tour began, Day 12 is yours for the taking. Heading to the airport later in the day? Contact us at Fosa Travel for information on the best remaining tour spots. 

Say farewell, for now, to Madagascar; a genuine island and a world apart. What a grand adventure it’s been!