Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo
Departure in the morning from Europe and arrival at the end of the evening in Antananarivo – Ivato International Airport, meet and greet and transfer to your hotel.
Night at Hotel Le Palissandre. Bed & Breakfast.
Day 2: From Antananarivo to Anjozorobe
Breakfast and departure by road, around 9:30 am, for Anjozorobe with some stops en route to admire and photograph the landscape.
Arrival at your camp in time for lunch before your first walk in the tropical humid forest of noth-east of Madagascar in the afternoon. For the participants who wish to take part, an optional night walk in the Anjozorobe Reserve is organised.
Night at Saha Forest Camp. Full board and activities included.
Day 3: From Anjozorobe to Andasibe
Breakfast and morning walk in the Anjozorobe Reserve to observe more endemic flora and fauna.
This morning is dedicated to the discovery of the Anjozorobe Reserve and its fauna, far from the beaten track and the traditional tourism of Madagascar. This is an opportunity to discover new varieties of diurnal and nocturnal lemurs as well as fascinating amphibians, lizards and chameleons.
Lunch at camp and departure by road to Andasibe.
Arrival around mid afternoon, and afternoon walk in the reserve VOIMMA or Mitsinjo before dinner.
Night at the Hotel Feon ‘ny Ala. Full board and activities included.
Day 4 and day 5: Andasibe and the Reserves of Analamazaotra and Mantadia
These days are devoted to the discovery of the National Park of Andasibe-Mantadia and more particularly of the Special Reserve of Analamazaotra on the first day, and the Mantadia Reserve on the second day. Picnic lunches and night photo walk (optional).
Nights at the Hotel Feon ‘ny Ala. Full board and activities included.
Day 6: From Andasibe to Antsirabe
After breakfast, departure for the Hauts Plateaux and Antsirabe, the city of rickshaws, located at 310 km (approx. 7 hours by road).
Stop for lunch in Tananarive or its outskirts (subject to time) and continuation of the journey towards the south. Crossing of the landscapes of the Ankaratra Massif, the summit of Mount Tsiafajavona culminates at 2,643 metres above sea level, and drive through Ambatolampy known for its workshops and making utensils from recycled aluminium drink cans.
Arrival during the afternoon at the lodge Les Chambres du Voyageur and settling into rooms before a walk to see part of the 2,000 traditional and colourful tuk-tuks of the third largest city of Madagascar, Antsirabe, whose name means “where there is salt” in additional to having also been called the “Malagasy Vichy”.
Night at Les Chambres du Voyageur (or Residence d’Antsirabe). Full board and activities included.
Day 7: From Antsirabe to Ranomafana
After breakfast, continuation of the road journey south towards Ranomafana at 230 km (approx. 5h drive in total). The road passes through rolling hills of terraced rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see, allowing a few stops to photograph these magnificent landscapes where there are 2 to 3 crops of rice per year.
Lunch stop in Ambositra, capital of the craft industry for Zafimaniry sculpture, marquetry and woodcutting, and art; classified as a World Heritage site by Unesco.
Continuation of the drive to reach the village of Ranomafana lost at the bottom of a valley in the heart of the eponymous national park. Check into the bungalows of Setam Lodge.
The end of the afternoon is devoted to an excursion on the edge of the park, and, in the evening, a night walk is proposed around the lodge to see small lemurs, mouse lemurs, chameleons, frogs, insects, etc.
Night at Setam Lodge (or Centrest Hotel). Full board and activities included.
Day 8 and day 9: Ranomafana National Park
These days are devoted to the discovery of the National Park of Ranomafana and to the observation and photography of its fauna, its flora and its landscapes thanks to walks in the primary forest with a specialist guide. Picnic lunches or in a local restaurant. One morning is dedicated to the observation of the endemic birds of this park.
Nights at Setam Lodge (or Centrest Hotel). Full board and activities included.
Day 10: From Ranomafana to Ranohira
After breakfast, continue to the south via the city of Fianarantsoa (“Fianar” for short) which means “the city where the good is taught” (60 km, approx 1h30). It is the capital of the Betsileo ethnic group.
Continue for 56 km to arrive at grandiose landscapes, having traversed a pass of 1,500 metres and reached Ambalavao “the passage to the great South“ – the capital of the famous “Antaimoro paper” (which is a type of paper soaked in dried flowers), also known for the largest zebu market in Madagascar (every Wednesday and Thursday morning).
After 240 km of road (approx 4h), arrival in Ranohira, the transition between the Highlands and the areas of the South, “The Gates to the South”.
Cross large semi-desert and grassy savannah areas of the Bara country, then cross the huge plateau of Horombe, which is covered with the wild boar grass called “Ahidambo” that zebus feed upon.
Arrive in the afternoon at the Isalo Ranch.
Night at the Isalo Ranch. Full board and activities included.
Day 11: Isalo National Park
This day is devoted to the discovery of the National Park of Isalo and to the observation and photography of its fauna, its flora and its landscapes – thanks to walks in desert landscapes, savannahs, and dry tropical forests containing waterfalls and natural pools, with a specialist guide. Picnic lunch.
Night at the Isalo Ranch. Full board and activities included.
Day 12: Zombitse – Vohibasia National Park
After an early breakfast, departure for the southernmost destination of this itineray (70 km, approx 1h) and a morning of visit of Zombitse – Vohibasia National Park.
Picnic lunch and afternoon of visit (optional) of a mine of sapphires.
Night at the Isalo Ranch. Full board and activities included.
Day 13: From Isalo to Ambalavao
After breakfast, departure in a Northerly direction for a 230 km drive (approx 4h) to Ambalavao. Lunch en route and afternoon visit of the Anja Community Reserve.
Night at Espace Zongo. Full board and activities included.
Day 14: From Ambalavao to Antsirabe
After breakfast, return to the Community Reserve of Anja to take advantage of the region and its landscapes, as well as the beautiful light of the morning, and to see the Makis Catta (lemurs) warm themselves in the morning sun on the rocks before their search for food.
Departure for the road that goes up towards Ambalavao, Fianarantsoa, Ambositra and Antsirabe, which is at a distance of about 300 km (approx. 7h30).
Stops en route to photograph landscapes, and lunch in Fianarantsoa or Ambositra.
Arrival at the eco-lodge in the late afternoon.
Night at Les Chambres du Voyageur (or Residence d’Antsirabe). Full board and activities included.
Day 15: From Antsirabe to Tananarive
After breakfast, departure for the capital Tananarive by a road of 180 km (approx. 4h).
Lunch en route and, depending on the time of arrival in the afternoon, visit to the craft market of La Digue, which presents all the wealth of Malagasy handicraft in small wooden barracks at the edge of the rice fields.
Access to a dayroom at the San Cristobal Hotel (or Relais des Plateaux) for refreshment and change of clothes, then dinner and transfer to Ivato International Airport for your return flight to Europe or to your next destination.
– The airport transfers and the road transportation from Antananarivo to Isalo National Park and return following the itinerary of this brochure, in one, two or three privatised 4×4 vehicles driven by a specialized driver guide (3 passengers and 1 driver per vehicle).
– The services of Alain Even as photographic advisor
– The Park Fees (subject to possible changes)
– 1 night in Antananarivo at the Hotel Le Palissandre (3***/4**** or equivalent). Bed & Breakfast.
– 1 night at the Saha Forest Camp, in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board.
– 3 nights at the Hotel Feon ‘ny Ala, twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 2 nights at the eco-lodge Les Chambres du Voyageur (alternative: Residence d’Antsirabe), twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 3 nights at the Setam Lodge (alternative Centrest Hotel), twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 3 nights at the Isalo Ranch, twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 1 night at the hotel Espace Zongo , twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 1 dayroom at the Hotel San Cristobal (3***, alternative: Relais des Plateaux 3***), twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets.
