Madagascar: The Lost Continent
Overview
Highlights
- Search the rainforest for the world's largest lemur
- Endemic wildlife of Ranomafana
- Sapphire mines, savannahs and canyons of the remote south
What's this trip about?
Itinerary
Our tour starts today in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo (also known as Tana). Built over 12 hills, the city is a tapestry of old and new with French colonial buildings, modern offices and apartment blocks vying for space. For those arriving in time, our tour le...
We have an early start to kick off our trip, leaving the city at around 7am this morning. We'll drive to Andasibe village, sometimes referred to by its French colonial name; Perinet. Although only eight square kilometres, Analamazoatra Reserve in Andasibe boasts nine ...
Listen out this morning, as often the Indri's calls can be heard throughout the forest and surrounding village areas, including our accommodation! We'll be up early to drive to the nearby Analamazoatra reserve. Mantadia and Analamazoatra reserve are both part of the s...
We have a long travel day ahead of us today, so we'll set off early in the morning. We'll head south to the spa town of Antsirabe with plenty of comfort breaks and a stop for lunch. Antsirabe's cool climate made it a favourite spot with European missionaries and Fr...
This morning, we'll drive to the volcanic Lake of Tritriva. Local myths and taboos surround this mysterious lake which seems to have many guises, changing colour from one day to the next. We'll take a short walk to the crater's edge, where we can relax and take in the...
Before we depart from Ambositra this morning, we'll visit a woodcarving artisan market at the Ivato Centre. The drive to Ranomafana will take up most of the rest of the day, however, the winding roads pass through rugged landscapes, rural villages and endless rice ...
After an early wake-up call, we'll enter the park for a morning walk in the hope of spotting the Golden Bamboo Lemur, which is endemic to the forests in South-Eastern Madagascar. It's the only location in Madagascar where we can see all three species of Bamboo Lemur, ...
Returning to the main road this morning, we'll continue south via the regional capital of Fianarantsoa. Leaving the highland plateau and descending through superb mountain scenery to the plains, we'll pause at the Ambalavao paper workshop before arriving at Anja Commu...
One of the highlights of our trip has to be Madagascar's Grand Canyon in Isalo National Park. Dervla Murphy, in her book Muddling through Madagascar, describes the terrain as 'Landscapes that are literally incredible. You don't believe it. You think you're hallucinati...
This morning, we'll continue our journey south for about five hours. The temperature rises as we lose height and head for the coast, crossing the savannah plain that's dotted with herds of Zebu cattle. The south of Madagascar is largely desert and obscure cactus-li...
After breakfast this morning, we'll continue to Ifaty Beach, a small resort on the west coast, our base for the next two nights. We'll slow down here and have time to enjoy the white sand beaches. You might like to take a stroll along the beach dotted with fishing ves...
Today is free to relax or explore the area. Ifaty Beach is a huge sandy bay which looks out over a lagoon protected by a barrier reef up to seven kilometres (four miles) from the shore. Traditional fishing villages are scattered along the bay and fishing is still done...
Depending on the flight schedule, we'll either have a very early start or a more relaxed morning in Ifaty, our tour leader will advise what time we need to leave. We'll fly from Toliara back to Antananarivo airport from where it's a short transfer to our hotel. As the time of the domestic flight varies, the rest of the day is free to relax.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Today we'll absorb the atmosphere of the capital city but before heading into the chaos of its bustling streets, we'll first drive out of the city to explore the oldest palace in Madagascar, situated on Ambohimanga, a forested hill, north of Antananarivo. It was from ...
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Antananarivo. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Antananarivo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd ...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Apr 2025
Madagascar: The Lost Continent
An excellent trip for an introduction to Madagascar
Patricia Mindham
Dec 2024
Madagascar: The Lost Continent
Brilliant trip best way to travel around Madagascar would be in an organised group like this. Some long travel days but I thought were very well broken up with inter...
Roedy
Dec 2024
Madagascar: The Lost Continent
Yes this was a great trip. There were 12 people in our group and we all got along very well. We also had a great tour leader and an excellent driver who got us every...
Trusted Customer
Nov 2024
Madagascar: The Lost Continent
Fabulous trip. Highlights were hearing and see the Indri and Sifakas, walking through the rainforests. The Explore Guide, the drivers and all the local guides were a...
Trusted Customer
Nov 2024
Madagascar: The Lost Continent
This trip was one of the best I have been one. It was a truly amazing, albeit sobering experience. I felt humbled and privileged to be in Madagascar. I loved ever...
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