West Madagascar Adventure: Tsingy & Baobabs

You will be greeted by our welcoming agent at the airport, who will assist you with anything you need such as purchasing a SIM card, exchanging currency, and then transferring you to your hotel.

Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel or similar

Our team will pick you up from your hotel and head to the « thermal town » of Antsirabe. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at the Behenjy village, famous for its « foie gras, » and Ambatolampy, known for its artisanal factories producing aluminum objects like canners. We’ll arrive in Antsirabe around noon, where you’ll have a free lunch. At 1:00 pm, we’ll continue our journey westward, aiming to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening at the village of Miandrivazo. During the royal era, King Radama awaited his first wife, who was a daughter of the Sakalava King. Miandrivazo is situated at sea level and is considered one of the hottest cities in Madagascar.

Overnight at Princesse Tsiribihina or similar

Your journey begins at around 7:30 am from Miandrivazo. Upon arrival at the pier near Masiakampy village, you’ll board a barge once used for tobacco transportation but now adapted for tourists. Onboard, you’ll find the cockpit, kitchen, and seating areas for meals on the lower deck, with a solarium equipped with deckchairs accessible via a staircase. The cruise starts in the late morning, taking you through vast plains and along the Tsiribihina River, passing Sakalava villages with traditional reed huts along the way. In the late afternoon, enjoy a swim at the scenic waterfall of Nosy Ampela, home to lemurs. Nearby, we’ll set up camp on a large sandbar.

Camping

The barge continues along the bends of the Tsiribihina river, passing by local pirogue operators and motor barges ferrying goods. A stop at Begidro village offers insight into traditional tobacco farming, with a chance to explore the warehouse. As we cruise, you’ll witness diverse landscapes, from dramatic cliffs to rice fields and the modern amenities of Berevo village. In Ambatomisay village, we’ll pause briefly to see our first Baobabs, « Andasonia Za, » before setting up camp on a beach, subject to yearly changes. Enjoy a traditional dance show around the campfire after dinner, marking our second campsite on this unforgettable journey.

Camping

The landscapes are adorned with tamarinds, mango trees, jujube trees, ricins, mimosa trees, balsas, and date palms. On the final day of your cruise, you’ll once again encounter herons, fishermen, drongos, green bee-eaters, teals, and humpback ducks. By late morning, you’ll arrive at Bereketa pier in Belo sur Tsiribihina, where lunch will be served on board the barge. From there, you’ll transfer to your 4WD, which departed from Morondava earlier in the day. Expect a roughly 4-hour journey along rugged tracks to reach Bekopaka, the starting point for excursions into the Tsingy of Bemaraha.

Overnight at Soleil des Tsingy

Departure with your 4WD from Bekopaka to reach the starting point of the « Grands Tsingy » (17 kilometers of bumpy road, taking 1 to 2 hours depending on the season). The excursion, known as « Andamozavakay, » lasts approximately 4 hours and is not a trek but rather a slow-paced observational walk. It does not require a specific level of physical fitness, but it may not be suitable for those prone to vertigo or claustrophobia. During the hike, you’ll explore secondary forests, caves (bring a headlamp), and enjoy panoramic views of this unique massif. You’ll also cross a suspension bridge. The entire route is well-organized and safe, with safety harnesses provided by the National Park. After the visit, return to the hotel.

Overnight at Soleil des Tsingy

After breakfast, we will travel south to Kirindy using 4WD vehicles, incorporating both road and ferry transportation. The journey is expected to take approximately 7 hours. En route, we will pass by the Sakalava tribe tombs, renowned for their uniquely decorated exteriors with unusual paintings and carvings. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, and prepare for the night walk at Kirindy Reserve.

Overnight at Relais du Kirindy or similar

After a hearty breakfast, embark on a leisurely 1.5 to 3-hour guided walk along the mostly flat trails of Kirindy Reserve, renowned for its diverse wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs, including the famous dancing lemurs, as well as tenrecs, reptiles, and a plethora of bird species. Notably, Kirindy is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the elusive fossa, Madagascar’s largest predator. As you continue your journey, make a stop at Baobab Avenue, famed for its stunning sunset views. Watch as the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant hues, casting an enchanting glow over the majestic baobab trees. This moment promises to be truly magical and unforgettable. Once the sun has dipped below the horizon, proceed to Morondava, where you’ll settle in for the night at a hotel.

Overnight at Chez Maggie Hotel or similar

Today will be a long travel day, traversing the captivating scenery of the Betsiriry Plateau, with stretches of savannah plains punctuated by villages. Lunch will be in Miandrivazo. About 50 km past this town lies Dabolava village, where locals search for gold by pounding and sifting sands. By early evening, we’ll reach our destination: Antsirabe, nestled at an altitude of 1500m with a cooler climate. The warm springs and thermal baths have been a draw since the 19th century.

Overnight at Couleur Café or similar

After breakfast, we depart for Tritriva Lake, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim and observe the daily life of the local community. Returning to town, we embark on a tour of Antsirabe, including visits to the cathedral, miniature workshops, zebu horn confectioneries, and a gemstone cutting workshop. In the afternoon, our journey continues northward by car, offering insights into the rural Malagasy highlands. Along the way, you’ll witness traditional house architecture, rice fields, and unique farming techniques characteristic of the region. Finally, we’ll arrive in Tana in the evening, marking the end of our eventful day.

Overnight at Sakamanga Hotel or similar

Today marks the conclusion of your tour. We will arrange a transfer back to Ivato Airport. We hope you have had a comfortable journey throughout your stay and are confident that you will depart with cherished memories of Madagascar. Safe travels!

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