On this remarkable experience that traverses the geographical marvels of Madagascar from north-east to south-west, you will discover magnificent landscapes and incredible natural diversity. Starting from Diego Suarez and the seaside village of Ramena, through rich forests of Amber Mountain, impressive Red Tsingy and the karst puzzle of Ankarana National Park.
From the North head South to the wild landscapes around Antsohihy and into Ankarafantsika National Park, down to the rainforest of Andasibe then between some High Plateau towns such as Antsirabe and Ambositra, known for Malagasy craftsmanship.
Travel on through the rainforests of Ranomafana, the Betsileo Villages around Ambalavao and marvel at the stunning canyon and plateaus within Isalo National Park. The end of the expedition takes in excursions on the lively beaches of Ifaty just north of Toliara and along the shores of the Mozambique Channel.
⭐ Highlights
- City tour of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)
- Beach time in Ramena
- Guided trails in Amber Mountain National Park (waterfalls, crater lakes, endemic wildlife)
- Visit Montagne des Français viewpoints and Sugar Loaf Islet
- Excursion to the Emerald Sea with snorkeling and Suarez Island seafood lunch
- Explore the Three Bays and Orangea Reserve (Bay of Dunes, Pigeons Bay, Sakalava Bay)
- Visit the Red Tsingy formations (photography and exploration)
- Explore Ankarana National Park: tsingy pinnacles, caves and suspension bridges
- Wildlife searches in Ankarana (crowned lemur, Sambirano mouse lemur)
- Nocturnal spotlight walk at Ampijoroa (gray mouse lemurs, chameleons, nocturnal fauna)
- Birdwatching and trails in Ankarafantsika (Coquerel’s sifaka, Madagascar Fish Eagle)
- Visit Lake Ravelobe and Lavaka erosion canyons; baobab observation
- Stops at local villages and artisan workshops (zebu herding, crafts)
- Visit Peyrieras Reptile Reserve (chameleons, geckos, frogs)
- Visit Mitsinjo Reserve and hear Indri calls
- Night walk in Andasibe to spot nocturnal lemurs and reptiles
- Trek in Andasibe‑Mantadia National Park (indri, sifaka, orchids)
- Visit Vakona Private Reserve / Lemur Island (lemur encounters)
- Observe aluminum‑recycling artisans in Ambatolampy
- Pousse‑pousse ride and market visit in Antsirabe
- Visit Lake Tritriva
- Explore Zafimaniry woodcarving workshops in Ambositra / Antaniditra village visit
- Arboretum visit near Ranomafana (medicinal plants, orchids)
- Guided trek in Ranomafana National Park (golden bamboo lemur, rainforest species)
- Visit Anja Community Reserve (ring‑tailed lemurs on granite boulders)
- Scenic drive through the Gates of the South / Horombe Plateau viewpoints
- Day hikes in Isalo National Park (canyons, natural pools, Blue Lagoon swims)
- Visit Ilakaka gem trading area (sapphire market)
- View Grandidier’s baobabs along the route to Toliara/Ifaty
- Snorkeling on Ifaty’s coral reef lagoon
- Visit Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve (spiny flora, baobabs, endemic fauna)
- Optional dugout canoe excursion and seasonal whale‑watching (June–September)
- Beach leisure, shopping for local handicrafts, vanilla and spices in Ifaty
📅 Full Itinerary — Day by Day
Madagascar Voyage's 22-day route goes from north to south, taking in the best of the island without ever feeling rushed. Each day serves a clear purpose—wildlife, landscapes, culture—and the rhythm feels natural. Here's how it goes.
Day 1 – Antananarivo
You land at Ivato International Airport. We meet you and get you to a hotel close by. Domestic flights north leave really early, so staying near the airport just makes sense. Overnight at Chato Park Hotel or similar.
Day 2 – Antananarivo → Antsiranana → Ramena
Early flight to Antsiranana (still widely called Diego Suarez). A quick tour takes in colonial buildings, a deep natural harbour, and salt on your skin. Then a short drive to Ramena, a calm beach village with soft sand, palms, and clear water. Overnight at Lakana Beach Resort or similar.
Day 3 – Ramena → Joffreville → Ramena
Up early for Amber Mountain National Park, a mossy volcanic massif teeming with endemic life. Waterfalls, crater ponds, pint-sized Brookesia chameleons, and Martin's dwarf lemurs. After lunch, Montagne des Français offers a dry contrast and wide views over Diego Bay. Overnight at Lakana Resort or similar.
Day 4 – Ramena and the Emerald Sea
You board a pirogue and head into the Emerald Sea, where the water is impossibly clear. Snorkel among fish, turtles, and rays. Lunch is fresh seafood on Suarez Island. Later, pass the Three Bays and the Orangea Reserve, where baobabs and sand dunes meet. Overnight at Lakana Resort or similar.
Day 5 – Ramena → Red Tsingy → Ankarana East
Inland to the Red Tsingy, rust-red spires of iron-rich rock carved by erosion. Then south to the eastern edge of Ankarana National Park, a place of ancient caves and hidden forest. Overnight at Relais d'Ankarana or similar.
Day 6 – Ankarana → Antsohihy
Morning trek into Ankarana's limestone labyrinth: suspension bridges, razor-sharp tsingy points, and burial caves. If you're lucky, you might spot Crowned Lemurs and Sambirano Mouse Lemurs. Picnic lunch, then drive to Antsohihy, where the landscape shifts to dry western forest. Overnight at Hôtel Belle Vue or similar.
Day 7 – Antsohihy → Ampijoroa
South through baobab-dotted plains to Ampijoroa, inside Ankarafantsika National Park. A birding hotspot with over 120 species. At night, a spotlight walk turns up Grey Mouse Lemurs, chameleons, giant jumping rodents, and snakes. Overnight at Ampijoroa Lodge or similar.
Day 8 – Ampijoroa
Full day in Ankarafantsika. Morning forest walk to find Coquerel's Sifaka. At Lake Ravelobe, Nile crocodiles bask on the banks and fish eagles soar overhead. You'll also see Lavaka erosion gullies and ancient baobabs. Overnight at Ampijoroa Lodge or similar.
Day 9 – Ampijoroa → Antananarivo
Long drive back to the capital through red hills and villages, past zebu herders, roadside fruit sellers, and artisan workshops. Arrive in Antananarivo late afternoon. Overnight at Havana Resort or similar.
Day 10 – Antananarivo → Andasibe
East to Andasibe. Stop at Peyrieras Reptile Reserve for chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, frogs, and butterflies. At Mitsinjo Reserve, hear your first indri call. A night walk later reveals sleeping chameleons and woolly lemurs. Overnight at Sahatandra River Lodge or similar.
Day 11 – Andasibe
Into Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Old-growth rainforest, orchids, and the echoing song of indri. Look for Diademed Sifaka, Eastern Woolly Lemur, and panther chameleons. In the afternoon, Lemur Island at Vakona Reserve gets you up close with black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Overnight at Sahatandra River Lodge or similar.
Day 12 – Andasibe → Antsirabe
Continue south on the RN7 through the highlands. In Ambatolampy, watch artisans transform aluminium into cookware. Antsirabe is a cool city with hot springs, colonial streets, and pousse-pousse taxis. Visit workshops where zebu horn is carved into combs and wooden toys are whittled by hand. Overnight at H1 Antsirabe or similar.
Day 13 – Antsirabe → Ambositra
Lake Tritriva, a circular volcanic crater lake ringed by cliffs and local legends. Then Ambositra, the heart of Zafimaniry woodcarving. Small workshops here produce fine marquetry and carved pieces using techniques passed down for generations. Overnight at Ivato River Lodge or similar.
Day 14 – Ambositra → Ranomafana
The road climbs into misty hills to Ranomafana (meaning "hot water"). A stop at an arboretum shows medicinal plants, orchids, and native trees. The air cools as you enter this mid-altitude rainforest. Overnight at Centrest Séjour or similar.
Day 15 – Ranomafana → Ambalavao
Early morning in Ranomafana National Park, a UNESCO site. Mossy trails, bamboo thickets, and a search for Golden Bamboo Lemurs, Red-bellied Lemurs, and over 100 bird species. After lunch, continue to Ambalavao and visit an Antaimoro paper workshop. Overnight at Betsileo Country Lodge or similar.
Day 16 – Ambalavao → Ranohira
Anja Community Reserve is tiny but packed with Ring-Tailed Lemurs, often sunbathing on granite rocks. Then through the "Gates of the South" pass across the Horombe Plateau to Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park. Overnight at H1 Isalo or similar.
Day 17 – Isalo National Park
Full day exploring Isalo's sandstone canyons, natural arches, and palm oases. Swim in natural pools like the Blue Lagoon. Wildlife includes Verreaux's Sifaka, Brown Lemurs, and Pachypodium trees. Overnight at H1 Isalo or similar.
Day 18 – Ranohira → Ifaty
Southwest through arid country. Pass Ilakaka, a sapphire mining town, and Grandidier's Baobabs lining the road. Through Toliara to Ifaty, where the spiny forest meets the sea. Overnight at Bamboo Club or similar.
Day 19 – Ifaty (Leisure)
Beach day. Options include snorkelling the reef, visiting Reniala Reserve, or exploring the mangroves of Ambondrolava. Overnight at Bamboo Club or similar.
Day 20 – Ifaty (Leisure)
Another day to relax, swim, or explore at your own pace. Overnight at Bamboo Club or similar.
Day 21 – Ifaty → Toliara → Antananarivo
Morning transfer to Toliara Airport and a flight back to Antananarivo. You'll stay near the airport or in the city, depending on your onward flight. Overnight at a hotel close to the airport or in the city centre.
Day 22 – Departure
Transfer to Ivato International Airport for your flight home. End of Madagascar Voyage services.