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Our travel offer

Splendor of the slopes with Tsingy and RN7 for self-driving.

Price from 3930 €
Duration 22 days
UAM-33

About the trip

Driving yourself in Madagascar means:

We provide a 4 X 4 vehicle, put together an itinerary according to the guests' wishes & expectations as well as our experience and the guests drive the desired tour themselves.

Self-driving in Madagascar was almost impossible until our offers. Unlike other African countries known for this, Madagascar remained untouched by this trend due to the somewhat rustic conditions and also because of the difficult traffic conditions.

It is not easy traffic conditions even now and self-driving while on vacation in Madagascar is not for beginners.

The trip is a fascinating mix of breathtaking and incredibly diverse landscapes, partly on asphalt and about half on sandy tracks of medium difficulty.

Driving: yes please; taking risks: no thanks

A local guide is present and takes care of the guests and the vehicle. The guide is also a driver with a lot of experience and he can take the wheel again at any time if the guests are tired or overwhelmed.

Also in case of negligence or endangerment of people or himself, the tour guide is authorized to take over the wheel again at any time.

I have had many a guest who confidently said that he had already gained a lot of off-road experience in other countries and on other trips and who was then happy that someone else could take over the wheel.

The travel days in detail

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

After completing the visa formalities, you will be picked up by one of our guides or by the hotel directly at the airport. Depending on the arrival time, either a hotel transfer and well-deserved rest is on the program or, if time permits, various activities are possible. In any case, the guesthouse is always close to the airport .Overnight stay in the "Villa Sibyl"

Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe (170km paved road)

As agreed, the driver takes over the car until the chaotic city of Antananarivo is out of sight. As soon as the RN7 begins, you will have to slowly get used to the Toyota Landcruisers specially converted for dirt roads and to the local "traffic rules". Antsirabe is the highest town in Madagascar. There is a lot to experience. If you feel like it, you can try the first track up to the volcanic lake Tritriva, otherwise city visits are on the agenda. Overnight stay at the hotel "Chambres du Voyageur"

Day 3: Antsirabe - Ranomafana (250 km track and paved road)

We leave Antsirabe after breakfast and continue south until we reach Ambositra after a winding drive. This is followed by lunch and onward travel via an almost unknown shortcut that leads through highland villages to the rainforest west of Ranomafana. A very warm bath in the local thermal bath is possible to recover from the exertions of the journey. Overnight stay at the hotel "Grenat"

Day 4: Ranomafana N.P. - Ambalavao (130km paved road)

Early in the morning the drive goes up numerous serpentines to the park entrance. In the morning hours the numerous species of lemurs are most active and the cloud forest then reveals all its magic. Breakfast is taken as a picnic and is served at "Solitude", an impressive viewpoint in the middle of the forest. Afterwards we drive through many small villages, whose colors vary from red earth color to bright red with green background. The landscape is lush green, the rice fields are a mosaic of all possible shades of green in the mirror of countless ponds. The region of Fianarantsoa is intensively used for agriculture (mainly tea, wine and rice). In Fianarantsoa you will visit the photo studio of the world famous photographer Pierrot Men. Then the drive continues on the well paved road further and further south. Massive granite boulders, increasingly barren red laterite soil, and sparse grasses can be seen. The landscape changes tremendously when you get up to the pass with the beautiful viewpoint. From there you can see very far down into the valley of Ambalavao, which lies peacefully between the high mountains. The drive down the valley is full of curves. Vines appear to the left and right of the road. The landscape is surrounded by a truly unique mountain scenario. Overnight stay at the hotel "Tsienimparihy Lodge"

Day 5: Ambalavao - Anja - Andringitra - Tsarasoa Camp (52km paved road and dirt road)

Today begins a real adventure: after breakfast, we first head south until we first come to a reserve founded by a village community, which is beautifully located. There hundreds of lemurs and other animals can live undisturbed. After that we have to drive about 20 kilometers on the RN7 until we reach the turnoff to the Tsaranoro Valley, one of the accesses to the Andringitra Mountains. After a 1 hour drive on a bad track we reach the Tsarasoa camp below the famous "Pic Chameleon", which lives up to its name. Here there is still enough time to do an approximately 2-hour climb to the summit or optionally to "get up close and personal" with numerous lemurs in a nearby forest area. Dinner and overnight at Tsarasoa Camp.

Day 6: Andringitra - Ranohira (185 km paved road)

Continuing south: After crossing the south gate, the landscape becomes more and more barren. We leave the highlands quickly, because the road is well developed. The area resembles a bit the African savannahs. In the afternoon we reach the most famous national park of the island in Ranohira, the Isalo National Park.Overnight in the hotel "Isalo Rock Lodge****".

Day 7: Isalo N.P. (22km Slope)

Today is the day of discovery of the Isalo massif, its strange granite and sandstone sculptures and its unique flora and fauna. The Isalo National Park covers most of the massif north of the RN7. It is composed of continental sandstone from the Jurassic period, whose shapes, colors and natural sculpture formations vary greatly in the different areas of the park. Isalo is a vast area that covers almost 82,000 hectares with an average altitude of 1,000 meters. Amidst the barren and mineral-rich landscape, there are beautiful natural pools and waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical nature. You can swim there in clear water and let your mind wander. The duration and difficulty of the day hike will be adjusted to the abilities of the participants.Overnight stay at the hotel "Isalo Rock Lodge****".

Day 8: Ranohira - Zombitse - Ifaty (280 km good road and track)

After the unique landscape of the NP Isalo, savannahs and desert landscapes follow until Tuléar, the coastal town with only a few rainy days a year. We are almost directly under the Tropic of Capricorn. On the way we can visit a sapphire pine in Ilakaka and also see the first giant baobabs. In a village where there is no water at all, we distribute the drinking water accumulated on the trip in the empty bottles. After Tulear we continue north through remote areas. Before approaching Ifaty, which stretches between sand dunes and mangrove forests in the turquoise blue lagoon, it becomes exciting. Overnight stay at the hotel "Hotel Belladonna

Day 9: Ifaty and surroundings

Today is a rest day before the slopes of the west begin. But for those who need action, a variety of visits and activities are offered. Competent guides are available and planning and logistics are immediately taken care of in the best possible conditions. There are diving, pirogue, motorboat, canoe, off-road vehicle, visits to a huge nature reserve and even paragliding. If you just want to relax, you can enjoy the 32 ° warm sea and unadulterated sunshine. Overnight stay " Hotel Belladonna "

Day 10: Ifaty - Ambatomilo (mainly dirt road 120km)

After breakfast we drive to Tuléar and then north on the RN9. Visits to Ifaty are possible. Especially recommended is the thorn forest in Reniala. The drive continues on a sandy track to Ambatomilo, sparse vegetation with euphorbias and thorn forests, countless baobabs and dazzling white coral sand when the sea comes into view. Overnight stay at the hotel "Shangri La".

Day 11: Ambatomila - Andavadoka (track 50 km)

Sandy track with sometimes very deep sand, turquoise lagoons, the most beautiful beaches without people as far as you can see, and a fantastic thorn forest with huge baobabs: here live the legendary Mikea, a small ethnic group considered the original inhabitants of Madagascar. Overnight stay at the hotel "Manga Lodge".

Day 12: Andavaoka - Manja (track 210 km)

A magnificent red laterite road, lost in the immensity of savannahs and baobab forests, small dusty villages, zebu carts: the beauty of Madagascar passes by. The first difficulty is the crossing of the Mangoky River. The ferry from Beovay crosses the wide Mangoky River, but for the first time you have to cope with the churned sand and this could happen at the Camel Trophy. Then the ancient ferry takes you to the other bank, which takes at least 2 hours. It continues over pretty bad tracks to Manja, a small town "in the middle of nowhere", where we (have to) take up quarters in the only hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel Kanto

Day 13: Manja - Belo sur Mer (track 100km)

Wild and beautiful landscapes, sandy tracks surrounded by euphorbias and baobabs, termite mounds and tall grasses are typical of this dry savannah landscape. Slowly you will approach again the Mozambique Channel Baobab Raid in Madagascar. Orientation on the very narrow trails that turn in all directions would be impossible without the support vehicle - especially since there are no GPS maps. You will be in pristine landscapes, with no or almost no population. The nature is immense and wild. There are some rivers in the heart of the deep south to cross until you finally find the lagoons and the beautiful fishing villages of the Vezo tribe at the end of the world, in Belo sur Mer, our stage today. Overnight stay at the hotel "Ecolodge du Menabe".

Day 14: Belo sur Mer - Morondava (track 90km)

After a sufficient breakfast on the beach, where you can watch the outrigger pirogues of the fishermen, who earn their living on the turquoise sea, we continue on the pistes to Morondava, where we take up quarters in a nice beach hotel. Everything has to be refueled and prepared for the coming 900 km of piste. Overnight stay at the hotel "Chez Maggie

Day 15: Morondava and surroundings

This day will be dedicated to Morondava and its surroundings. We will make an excursion to the north and visit the famous "Baobabs Amoreux", which hold each other like two lovers entwined. We will also see the unique "Allée des Baobabs", one of the most famous motifs of all Madagascar. In the afternoon we return to Morondava and have the opportunity to get to know the town and visit one of the excellent restaurants. Overnight at the hotel "Chez Maggie".

Day 16: Morondava - Bekopaka (road and bad track 235km)

This stage is relatively long: 235 km and at least 7 hours of driving through the territory of the Sakalava tribe. Overnight stay at the hotel "Olympe de Bemaraha".

Day 17: Little Tsingy

A visit to Petit Tsingy and Manambolo Gorge is on the agenda. This day starts early in the morning with a visit to Manambolo Gorge by dugout canoe. To see are caves and a famous family tomb of the mythical Vazimba tribes, who are said to have resided there in the 17th century and are considered the original inhabitants of Madagascar. In the afternoon, the leisurely exploration of the small Tsingy is on the agenda. There you can see a labyrinth of limestone and other strange mineral formations. But there also live the Sifaka lemurs, many species of birds and countless other endemic animals. Overnight stay in the hotel "Olympe de Bemaraha".

Day 18: Great Tsingy

Early in the morning you start and the day begins with 15 km of dirt road up to the so-called big Tsingy. At least one hour of driving is necessary to cover the relatively short distance and this very bad dirt road is only passable during the dry season. Afterwards, hikes are planned in this fantastic landscape and as always, these will be adapted to the abilities of our guests. To see, besides the whimsical rock formations, there are improbable rock cathedrals, waterfalls, forested gorges and, above all, unique fauna and flora. In the evening, the local guides offer an optional night walk to see chameleons and especially the rare mouse lemurs. Overnight stay at the hotel "Olympe de Bemaraha".

Day 19: Bekopaka - Kirindy - Baobab Avenue - Morondava (150 km paved road and dirt road)

On the way back you can either visit the Kirindy forest, which is on the way to Morondava, or the famous Baobab avenue at sunset. It encompasses one of the most outstanding and endangered wildlife habitats in Madagascar: the dry deciduous forest, whose extent has been reduced to 3 percent of its original size. Dominated by majestic baobab trees and a forest canopy as tall as 14 meters, this protected area of about 100 square kilometers is the only place where the world's smallest known primate, the giant leaping rat, occurs. There you can also best see the fossas Overnight stay in the hotel "Chez Maggie  

Day 20: Morondava - Antsirabe (550 km paved road)

After a very early breakfast we will drive up the newly built "Chinese Highway" through the steppe-like landscape to Miandrivazo. Here the Mahajilo River, which is called Tsiribihina a little further on, flows by. It is one of the hottest places in Madagascar. From there we go up to the coldest and highest town, which we already explored at the beginning of the tour: Antsirabe. Overnight stay at the hotel "Chambres du Voyageur"

Day 21: Antsirabe - Antananarivo (170 km paved road)

After breakfast we head north on the legendary "Route Nationale N° 7. We drive along the winding road through beautiful villages across the highlands before stopping for lunch in Behenjy. The small town, located in a green, wide valley, is famous for the duck liver specialties offered here. Animal rights activists can breathe a sigh of relief: the animals are by no means stuffed in the infamous manner, but lead a free life without coercion. The restaurant "Au Coin du Foie de Gras" is known far beyond the country's borders and offers a surprising variety of dishes. The traffic is getting heavier: we are nearing the end of our journey. The driver takes the wheel to cross Antananarivo. Overnight stay in the guesthouse of the "Villa Sibyl"

Day 22: Antananarivo and surroundings - Airport transfer

The "Lemurs Park" is particularly beautiful, in case young and old have not yet had enough of the droll animals. There are also other sights in abundance. Your tour guide will be happy to advise you! In the evening we will bring you to the airport. Usually the flight home leaves after midnight, so you will appreciate the possibility of a "Day Use" at the hotel and can prepare everything before the flight in peace. Day Use at "Villa Sibyl"

Important notes:

A local and resident driver will be present throughout the trip and will maintain the status of "captain on board", as he knows the roads and the conditions of the trip and can assess situations and dangers much better. He has the right to take over the car if the guests drive badly or dangerously. The guests have the right to drive with the exception of the chaotic city of Antananarivo, as long as they do not endanger other people, themselves, the provided gene country car or other vehicles. The stages are planned so that it should never happen at night. This tour is customized according to the wishes and expectations of the guests, so there is no flat rate for it. Please inquire directly with us.

Facts and figures

Prices per person:

22-day Tour West Coast & Tsingy Price per person
2 to 5 guests 3930 €
6 to 8 guests 3930 €

Services

Services:

For the provision of a single room, a total surcharge of 690.00 euros will be charged.

The included in the basic price Services

- complete planning and logistics

- English speaking escort by experienced driver

- Four wheel drive car including driver and fuel

- all nights in the indicated hotels including breakfast

- Transfers, taxes and trips specified in the program

Not included in the basic price Services

- Lunch and and dinner

Drinks and 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 (about 30€)

 

Contact us and book the tour of your dreams

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CONTACT

Do you have any questions? Simply get in touch with us! Please use the contact form on the right. We will take care of your request as soon as possible.

CONTACT

Do you have any questions? Just get in touch with us! 

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Appeal for donations

Help

FOR MADAGASCAR

After 10 months of total inactivity, self-employed people in the tourism industry in Madagascar are completely without income. There is no opening of the borders in sight in Madagascar and we are at the beginning of the rainy season, which is the low season, even in normal times. I have started a fundraiser for the guides and drivers I know well. From this money we will buy rice and other essentials and distribute them regularly, if possible, until the resumption of travel activities in April 2021 at the earliest. My special thanks to those who have already donated. I will start buying rice tomorrow and will begin distributing it this week.
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Or by bank transfer directly to my account to Klaus Konnerth
GLS Bank
IBAN: DE66430609674101878400
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
Keyword: Donation Madagascar

Thank you for your donation

Help

FOR MADAGASCAR

I guarantee you that all donations to 100% will reach the people. Kind regards Klaus

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Help

FOR MADAGASCAR

Thank you for thinking about donating to the poorest. Maybe you will come back here again.

I guarantee you that all donations to 100% will reach the people. Kind regards Klaus

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CONTACT

Do you have any questions? Simply get in touch with us! Please use the contact form on the right. We will take care of your request as soon as possible.

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