Exclusive Wildlife Journey Across Madagascar
Rainforests & Baobabs
14 days / 13 nights
Based on 2 Travellers
From €1880 per Person
From Rainforest to Baobab Avenue
This 14-day journey across Madagascar offers an exceptional opportunity to discover its unique wildlife and iconic baobab landscapes. Travelers will experience close encounters with incredible endemic species such as the largest lemur in the world, the Indri (Indri indri), along with chameleons, frogs, snakes, leaf-tailed geckos, and many other fascinating reptiles and amphibians. The adventure also highlights the breathtaking Avenue of the Baobabs, where the majestic giant baobab trees (Adansonia grandidieri) create one of Africa’s most iconic and photogenic scenery. Blending rich biodiversity with authentic Malagasy culture, this itinerary delivers a truly immersive journey from rainforest to highlands to the dramatic western landscapes of Madagascar.
The route: Tana – Andasibe – Antsirabe – Morondava – Ambositra – Ambalavao – Ranomafana.
The itinerary
Exclusive Wildlife Journey | From €1880 per person | Based on 4 People
Included
• Private vehicle with driver
• Fuel
• English-speaking wildlife guide
• All park entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Local guides in reserves and national parks
• Airport transfers
Note: I can suggest you the hotel to book in each itinerary.
Not Included
• International flights
• Domestic flight Antananarivo – Toliara
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees
• Accommodation
• Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
• Personal expenses
• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities not mentioned in the program
Day 1 – Arrival in Antananarivo (Tana)
Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city tour to discover the capital’s atmosphere, markets, and viewpoints, if time permits.
Dinner and overnight in Tana.
Day 2 – Antananarivo drive Andasibe
After breakfast, drive east to Andasibe through beautiful highland landscapes. In the afternoon, visit Vakona Private Reserve to see lemurs up close. In the evening, enjoy a nocturnal walk to spot chameleons, frogs, and other night-active wildlife at Mitsinjo reserve.
Lunch and dinner at the restaurant and overnight in Andasibe.
Day 3 – Andasibe
After breakfast, spend the day exploring the rich rainforest of Andasibe. Morning visit to Mitsinjo Reserve for wildlife observation, including endemic birds and reptiles. Later, continue to VOIMMA Community Reserve to discover more biodiversity and support local conservation initiatives.
Lunch and dinner at the restaurant and overnight in Andasibe.
Day 4 – Andasibe
After breakfast, explore Maromizaha Reserve, known for its primary forest and exceptional wildlife diversity. Accompanied by a local guide, you will search for lemurs, birds, chameleons, and other endemic species. A relaxing afternoon in Andasibe village, offering a chance to walk among local homes, meet residents, and observe the traditional lifestyle of the Betsimisaraka people.
Lunch at the restaurant, dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay in Andasibe.
Day 5 – Andasibe drive Antsirabe
Full day to drive to Antsirabe with beautifull landscape along the roadside: Cultures, traditional houses, meet Malagasy people.
Lunch at the restaurant, dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay in Antsirabe.
Day 6 – Andasibe to Morondava (long drive)
Depart early from the hotel at 6:00 AM with a picnic breakfast. Along the journey, enjoy the changing landscapes of western Madagascar, passing small villages, rice fields, and traditional Sakalava homes. Before reaching Morondava, you will spot your first iconic baobab rising above the savannah, marking the beginning of the region’s extraordinary scenery. As you continue, keep an eye out for zebu carts, roadside markets, and local life unfolding along the road toward the coastal city.
Lunch at the restaurant in Miandrivazo and dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay in Morondava.
Day 7 – Morondava
Early morning sunrise photography at the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs, capturing the golden light over these majestic trees. Continue the journey with a drive to explore the Kirindy Forest, guided wildlife observation in one of Madagascar’s most remarkable dry deciduous forests. Enjoy lunch at a hotel near the park, followed by a relaxing break in a peaceful natural setting. In the late afternoon, return to the Avenue of the Baobabs for a spectacular sunset photography session before heading back to Morondava city for dinner.
Dinner at the restaurant outside the hotel and overnight stay Morondava.
Day 8 – Morondava drive back to Antsirabe by the same route
After breakfast, we drive back to Antsirabe, retracing our route through ever-changing scenery, from coastal plains to the highland landscapes of central Madagascar. Lunch at the restaurant in Miandrivazo.
Dinner at the restaurant outside the hotel and overnight stay Antsirabe.
Day 9 – Antsirabe drive to Ambalavao
After breakfast, begin the return journey to Ambalavao, where the landscape gradually transforms along the route, shifting from highland scenery to more southern environments. Enjoy the drive through small rural towns, with opportunities for birdwatching and herping whenever conditions allow along the roadside and surrounding habitats. Arrival in the evening in Ambalavao, where you settle in for an overnight stay after a full day of travel and nature observation.
Picnic lunch and dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Ambalavao.
Day 10 – Ambalavao drive to Ranomafana
Morning visit to Anja Community Reserve, a remarkable community-managed forest where you can observe the iconic ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) in its natural rocky habitat, along with chameleons, reptiles, and a variety of endemic birds. Continue the journey towards Ranomafana National Park, one of Madagascar’s most biodiverse rainforests, known for its lush vegetation and exceptional wildlife diversity. In the evening, enjoy a nocturnal walk in Ranomafana to search for some of the forest’s elusive night species, including the tiny mouse lemur (Microcebus spp.), among the smallest primates in the world, weighing around 30 grams.
Lunch at the restaurant and dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Ranomafana.
Day 11 – Ranomafana National Park
Full day exploring Ranomafana National Park, starting with a morning visit to the Tanikely sector, where you can observe a rich diversity of wildlife including several lemur species such as the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus), red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), and grey bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus). The forest is also home to remarkable reptiles like the leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus spp.), various chameleons, snakes, and a wide range of endemic birds.
After lunch, continue to the Arboretum private reserve, a peaceful secondary forest area ideal for closer encounters with smaller wildlife, including brightly colored frogs such as Boophis spp., tree frogs, and different species of chameleons like Calumma spp., offering excellent opportunities for photography and nature observation.
Lunch at the restaurant and dinner at the hotel, overnight stay in Ranomafana.
Day 12 – Ranomafana drive back to Antsirabe
After a full day immersed in the lush rainforest of Ranomafana, begin your scenic return journey to Antsirabe. The drive takes you through the heart of Madagascar’s highlands, where rolling hills, rice terraces, and traditional villages create a constantly changing landscape. Enjoy a relaxing lunch stop in Ambositra, the famous woodcarving capital, before continuing the drive through picturesque countryside and rural life scenes all the way back to Antsirabe.
Dinner at the hotel, overnight in Antsirabe.
Day 13 – Antsirabe drive back to Antananarivo
After breakfast, set off on your return journey north to Antananarivo (Tana). The drive crosses the breathtaking central highlands of Madagascar, offering sweeping panoramic views of terraced rice fields, traditional Merina villages, and rolling hills that stretch across the landscape. Along the way, enjoy glimpses of rural life and ever-changing scenery before arriving in Tana in the afternoon or evening.
Lunch at the restaurant and overnight stay in Tana.
Day 14 – Antananarivo
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or city exploration. Transfer to the airport for your international departure, marking the end of your 15-day wildlife adventure in Madagascar.
Why Choose “From Rainforest to Baobab Avenue”?
- Maximum Biodiversity in One Trip: Experience Madagascar’s greatest natural contrasts—from the lush, eastern rainforests of Andasibe and Ranomafana to the dry deciduous forests and legendary western baobab country in Morondava.
- World-Class Wildlife Encounters: Get up close with Madagascar’s most famous animals: hear the haunting call of the largest lemur (the Indri), see the iconic Ring-tailed Lemurs, spot rare Bamboo Lemurs, and find incredible reptiles like Leaf-tailed Geckos and Chameleons with local expert trackers.
- Iconic Photography Opportunities: Capture unforgettable sunrise and sunset photography at the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs, along with incredible macro-photography in community and national reserves.
- Support Local Conservation & Communities: This tour directly supports local community-managed reserves (like Mitsinjo, VOIMMA, and Anja Reserve), ensuring your travels help preserve Madagascar’s unique ecosystem and benefit local villagers.
- Authentic Cultural Immersion: Travel through historic highland towns, visit the famous woodcarving capital of Ambositra, and experience the traditional lifestyles of the Betsimisaraka, Merina, and Sakalava peoples.
Physical Level: Medium (Moderate)
While this trip does not require technical climbing or extreme mountaineering, it is best suited for travelers with a basic level of fitness who enjoy being active in nature.
- Walking & Trekking: Most wildlife walks in Andasibe, Anja, and Ranomafana involve 2 to 5 hours of walking per day on forest trails. Trails can sometimes be slippery, muddy, or uneven, with occasional stairs and gentle inclines.
- Long Driving Days: Madagascar is a massive island with unique road conditions. Days 6 and 8 involve long drives (9+ hours) in a vehicle. You should be prepared for extended road travel through changing terrain.
- Climate & Elements: You will experience varying climates—from cool, humid rainforest conditions to warm, dry western heat.
