Day 1 Arrival in Antananarivo

The first thing you have to do in Madagascar is the visa formalities at Ivato airport. Immediately after that the adventure Madagascar begins for you. We will welcome you in the halls of Ivato. Depending on the time of day, you will have your first activities in Tana or your first night's sleep in our Villa Sibyl on the schedule.
Overnight stay in the "Villa Sibyl“

Day 2 Antananarivo-Antsirabe

When we stop for lunch in Behenjy or Ambatolampy, the suburbs of Tana are already gone behind us and we are in the middle of the famous N7. Antsirabe, which we reach after about 170km on a well maintained road, was originally founded in the 19th century by a Norwegian missionary and can still be recognized by the way some of the buildings in the older part of the town are built. In a nice and quiet hotel you can process the first experiences of your trip and with a little luck find the first chameleons in the garden.
Overnight stay in hotel "Chambres du Voyageur“

Day 4 Ranomafana N.P.-Manakara

When the morning slowly announces itself and the clouds of fog hanging over the forest are lightened by the sun as they are every morning, you see with wide eyes where you are. The Ranomafana forest is one of the last intact mountain cloud forests in the world. A fascinating atmosphere lies over the just awakening tree giants on the slopes of the forest. You will not be able to escape the fascination of this region. 12 species of lemurs, over 100 species of birds, insects, frogs, reptiles can be found. Several walks with local guides are available. We will be guided according to your wishes and your physical condition. For this you have the whole morning at your disposal.
In the afternoon, depending on how long the morning tour in the park was, we continue east. Over a strange hilly landscape near Irondro our way leads directly to the east coast. After only about 3 hours of driving we reach palm trees and the blue, endless expanse of the Indian Ocean. Manakara is the center of the spice trade of the island. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, curcuma and of course first class vanilla can be purchased and tested in an incomparable quality.
Overnight stay in hotel "La vanilla"

Day 6 Sandravinany-Fort Dauphin

Today is again very eventful and takes us with the ferries N° 5 to 10 across another 6 rivers. The road is again much better than yesterday, partly it is currently even renewed. Also the landscape becomes clearly different to the days before. At the latest after ferry N°9 in Vatomirindy the first trees and the typical vegetation of the east coast become visible. This section captivates not only by the adventure to be expected but also with a again unique constantly changing landscape. There are about 50 km left to Tort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) and it takes about 2 hours to complete this final stretch. Before reaching the town there is the possibility to visit the Nampoina Reserve, but this visit can also take place the next day. This reserve, adapted to the typical environment, offers insights into the fauna and flora of the region.

Overnight at Lavasoa Hotel and dinner at the nearby Talinjoo Restaurant.

Day 8 Fort Dauphin-Lavanono

Very early in the morning we say goodbye to Fort Dauphin. The second part of the incredible trilogy of this trip begins this early morning. Because now we will get to know the real south of Madagascar, already a few kilometers after Fort Dauphin one notices clearly that here is a climatic border which makes itself recognizable by a unique transition vegetation. It was warm and it was humid, now it is dry and it is hot. Precipitation is rare in this area, so the landscape is dry and parched. After some KM we pass the Andohahela National Park but a visit is not possible in time. Later, huge sisal plantations appear along the track. In Amovombe we have the last chance to visit a bank and a gas station. We will not find any infrastructure until Lavanono. The area is deserted until Tsiombe. The labyrinth of sandy roads begins and only absolute professionals with appropriate off-road vehicles can find their way here. Huge ray turtles of the genus Astrochelys radiata appear as if from nowhere. To observe these giants among the turtles in their ancestral habitat is fascinating. We drive past the Cap Sainte Marie National Park. If time permits, the visit can take place immediately. Otherwise you can either camp there or continue to Lavanono and stay at Gigi's place. Chez Gigi is a very simple accommodation but it is far and wide the only one that still has an acceptable but still very spartan comfort to offer.
Surveillance "chez Gigi" in Lavanono

Day 10 Lavanono-Ambola

We now leave the vast landscapes of the southern end of our island on almost even more impossible tracks compared to the last days. In some places our Landcruiser fits only with folded rear view mirrors through the cacti. To get to Ambola where the starting point to the Tsimanampetsotsa N.P. is located, it is strongly recommended to contact a local driver. Our guide will lead you through this area without GPS, cell phone or maps. The track itself is not so demanding, but the orientation is only feasible for professionals.
Overnight stay at Vahombe Hotel

Day 12 Ambola-Soalara-St.Augustin-Sarondrano

To reach the ferry between Soalara and Saint Augustin the tour must be planned accordingly. The ferry commutes only 3 times a week. Through picturesque fishing villages along the coast, our way leads us to the huge bay of Saint Augustin. Here the car is shipped together with us travelers on a large ferry and unloaded in less than an hour in Saint Augustin. From there it goes over the cliffs to the other side of the bay to the fantastically beautiful Eden Lodge.
Overnight stay in the "Résidence Eden Lodge"

Day 13-14 Sarondrano and surroundings

The scenery and opportunities in the area around Eden Lodge are, in my opinion, second to none in Madagascar. Outrigger pirogues, motorboat, canoe, off-road vehicle, visits to a huge protected area and even paragliding are available. No matter what activity you decide to do, reliable and knowledgeable guides are available. To relax, you can retreat and enjoy the sunshine with excellent food and 32° warm water. As a tip, a trip to the island of Nosy Ve inhabited by very rare sea birds can be advised. An unforgettable picnic in this environment awaits you.

Overnight stay "Residence Eden Lodge“

Day 16 Ranohira - Park Anja - Ambalavao

The day will take us along the N7 to Ambalavao. Before we reach the city we will have the opportunity to visit the: "Association Anja Miray", called Anja Park for short. The hikes in this private reserve are very diverse and in any case good and sturdy shoes are required. In some places the hikes resemble full-grown climbing tours on the solitary granite rocks. The reserve is about 3 hectares small and is home to several katta families which can be observed perfectly. Rare reptiles like the dwarf chameleon Brookesia will also be shown to you by the local guides. Since the park is also home to the Betsileo, several burial caves and spiritual meeting places can be visited. A stay here is worthwhile in any case.
Overnight stay in hotel "Tsienimparihy Lodge"

Day 18 Ialatsara - Antsirabe

This morning we head back to the highlands, the town of Ambositra itself is known for its craftsmen who specialize in carving and veneering precious wood. Several sculptor's studios and carpenter's workshops invite to visits, which are located directly at the inhabitants if someone is interested, otherwise we continue immediately in the direction of Antsirabe. On the way to the north we can visit a quite original reforestation project with orange trees.
In the afternoon we will arrive in the highest town of the country, this former spa town is located at an altitude of about 1600m.
Overnight stay in hotel "Les Chambres du Voyageur"

Day 19 Antsirabe - Antananarivo

After such a long time in nature, in the heat of the deep south and along the untouched southern east coast, we come back to the very hectic capital of Madagascar. This last stage of this extraordinary tour gives the guests a different insight than at the beginning where the same route was driven in the opposite direction. These were the first impressions of Madagascar, three weeks full of unforgettable events have been experienced since then. We return to the starting point Antananarivo of the trip.

Overnight stay in the guest house " Villa Sibyl"

Day 20 Antananarivo and surroundings

The last day of what is sure to be an unforgettable journey through landscapes and to locations that are not unique to Madagascar. You can once again visit the city of Antananarivo or one of the nearby attractions such as the Lemur Park. You can also relax in the tropical garden of the guesthouse of Villa Sybille.

Day 21 Return flight

Return flight to Europe

Prices per person:

For the provision of a single room, a total surcharge of 590.00 euros will be charged.

20-day nature tour: The services included in the basic price

- complete planning and logistics
- English-speaking accompaniment by experienced tour guide
- Four wheel drive car including driver and fuel
- all nights in the specified hotels
- Catering concerning breakfast and dinner
- Transfers, taxes and trips specified in the program

20-day nature tour: Services not included in the basic price

- Lunch and drinks as well as other individual catering
- Tips and all personal expenses
- Entrance fees for the national parks and private parks
- additional local guides and optional leisure activities
- Airfares for international flights and domestic flights
- Taxes for flights as well as airport fees
- Travel health insurance and travel cancellation insurance
- Visa costs (currently not applicable)

It is possible to book this trip on your travel dates as an individual trip

It is also possible to book two other variants of this tour:

The splendor of the slopes - long version

or

The splendor of the slopes - West Coast

Special notes

This tour is only feasible from mid-May to mid-November. The south and the east of Madagascar are very hot areas, the coolest months would be June to August but in the remaining months where the tour is offered it is of course also feasible without any problems.
This is an adventure trip to difficult to access and sparsely populated areas, we attach great importance to the best possible accommodations wherever possible but on this trip a few poorer accommodations have to be accepted because there are no alternatives far and wide.
Although it is not a physically demanding trip, it should be clear from the beginning that the participants should not have any serious health problems because medical care can be difficult when traveling far from the usual routes. Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis are neither mandatory nor really necessary, but some precautions for the usual medications for tropical travel should be taken. A good physical condition is absolutely necessary, this tour is not suitable for guests with heart problems.
The climate is mostly very warm to hot but it can get very cold on the highlands in the winter months (June to August), so both light summer clothing and warmer clothing must be taken.
There are chargers and voltage converters in the car, but it is advisable to bring your own power bank or enough batteries.

For all other questions we are at your disposal
As already mentioned above, you always have the possibility to express individual suggestions or wishes on our nature tours. As far as it is possible, we will do everything to make your trip to Madagascar one of the most beautiful experiences of your life. If you have any questions about our travel package, the organization or the prices you can contact us directly under konnerth1@hotmail.com. The same applies, of course, if you already have a concrete booking request. We are looking forward to meeting you!