| Duration: | 6 Day(s) - 5 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Visiting Parks |
Ambositra Town
Day 1: ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE
Start the tour from Antananarivo to Antsirabe with your personal driver. The ride takes about four hours on a good but winding road.
En route, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes of rice fields, Merina traditional tombs, and villages. Stop at Ambatolampy to visit a local forge where aluminum cooking pots are made (metalwork). This is the largest town between Antananarivo and Antsirabe, and a good place to have lunch.
Upon arrival in Antsirabe, you may relax or take a walk on your own, as it is a safe town. Horse riding is also quite popular here.
Day 2: ANTSIRABE – AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from the hotel to visit highlights around Antsirabe, including a precious-stone workshop where you can learn how stones are polished.
We then visit the natural spring at the thermal baths and continue to Lake Andrakiba. You may take a horse ride around the lake (optional, fees not included).
We then proceed towards Ranomafana National Park. After about 89 km south of Antsirabe, you pass through Ambositra, the centre of Malagasy hand-carved wooden crafts. There are many shops where you can browse for souvenirs and find beautiful marquetry work at reasonable prices.
Continue to the rainforest of Ranomafana National Park. The drive from Antsirabe takes about five hours in total. Upon arrival, you may rest or take a short walk around the village and park area. A night walk (nocturnal visit) can also be arranged with your guide.
Day 3: TREKKING IN RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the park office, where you will meet your national park guide. Depending on your choice, the average circuit takes a minimum of two hours, with longer walks available.
Ranomafana (meaning “hot water” in Malagasy) is undoubtedly one of Madagascar’s most spectacular parks. It is home to twelve lemur species. Aside from the golden bamboo lemur, visitors may also see the eastern woolly lemur, red-bellied lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur, greater bamboo lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, and brown mouse lemur.
Other mammals include seven species of tenrecs, eight bats, and six carnivores. Many of Madagascar’s endemic birds can also be found here, making it highly recommended for birdwatchers.
Day 4: RANOMAFANA – FIANARANTSOA – AMBALAVAO – ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Leave Ranomafana for Isalo National Park (Ranohira).
En route, stop at the Soavita vineyard where you learn how wine is produced from grape to glass — and of course taste the finished product (entrance fee at your expense). Bottled wine can also be purchased here at factory prices.
Continue to Ambalavao to visit the Antaimoro paper workshop. This traditional paper is made from the bark of the Avoha tree. Local women demonstrate how this famous paper is handmade and decorated with colourful flowers. Finished products are available for purchase.
This town is also the centre of zebu (Malagasy cattle) trading. Many tribes bring their herds here for the weekly zebu market held every Wednesday.
Day 5: TREK THROUGH ISALO NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, your driver will introduce you to a local guide who will explain the available trekking circuits. You may choose the route that suits you best; guide fees vary depending on the chosen circuit.
Wildlife here is less dense than in rainforest parks, though you may still encounter lemurs such as sifaka and brown lemurs.
A natural rock cave overlooks a crystal-clear waterfall that flows into a deep green pool surrounded by pandanus trees. The natural swimming pool is a true oasis in the canyon heat.
The Isalo Museum can be visited in the afternoon after your trek or the next day on the way to Tulear.
Day 6: ISALO NATIONAL PARK – TULEAR
On the way to Toliara (Tulear), you will see traditional tombs of the Mahafaly and Antandroy tribes. Each grave is decorated with carvings and sometimes animal skulls, telling the story of the deceased. Ask your driver or guide about fady (local taboos).
Along the route, you will pass poor villages and scattered baobab trees. About 14 km before Tulear, stop at Antsokay Arboretum. This botanical garden specializes in the flora of southwest Madagascar and should not be missed. It hosts nearly 900 plant species, 90% of which are endemic to the region.
THINGS INCLUDED:
Airport transfer
Car with driver and fuel during the tour
Food and accommodation for the driver only
Bed and breakfast for clients for 6 days
All park entrance fees
Taxes
THINGS NOT INCLUDED:
Meals and drinks for clients (lunch and dinner)
Local guide fees in the parks
Tips
Anything not mentioned above
