Madagascar Safari Trip
Madagascar safari trip is a 13 days/12 nights that starts and ends in Antananarivo. This is Madagascar safari tour and can be customized to suit your needs, wants and budget.
About 13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip
Madagascar safari trip is an African safari tour in Madagascar. This safari allows you to you discover the Peyreiras reserve. You will be able to explore the parks endemic reptiles. They include chameleons; geckos; frogs; bats; Butterflies and lemurs.
The Madagascar safari trip also takes you to Vakona reserve and its famous lemurs. They include the Black and white; brown; Ring tailed and bamboo lemurs.
This Madagascar safari tour also goes to Analamazotra reserve. This is the secondary forest of Andasibe National Park discover its fauna and flora. You will discover the biggest lemur; the golden or diademed Sifaka and another species.
Your Madagascar safari trip drives back to Tana. We will then continue to the famous RN7 more than 590 miles. Here you look forward to seeing beautiful landscapes. There is the serpents’ hills, plains, rice fields, various ethnic groups.
You will also admire different cultures and handcrafts. The Zafimaniry woodcarving is found in Ambositra. There is the Antemoro Papers and silks in Ambalavao and more other.
Your Madagascar safari cannot be complete without visiting the best of Madagascar national parks. This is Ranomafana National Park. There is also Anja community reserve; Isalo and Zombitse National Park.
On crossing the amazing plateau of Horombe, you see the majestic baobabs. There is also the Mahafaly’s graves and its Aloalo. You will reach Tulear and then Ifaty which is one of the best beach in Madagascar.
Excursions available while on this tour include snorkeling; diving; big game fishing. You get to enjoy whales watching from July to the mid-September. The Madagascar safari trip also goes to Reniala reserve or the Baobabs Forest.
In Tana you will learn about the history of Antananarivo and Madagascar. This is by visiting Ambohimanga Kings Palace. This is the second world heritage by UNESCO in Madagascar.
Madagascar Safari Trip Highlights
The highlights of this Madagascar Safari Trip include
- Highlands Landscapes, the serpent’s hills, the plains, the rice fields
- Highlands’ house architectural and its red bricks
- The Peyreiras reserve and its endemic reptiles
- Vakona private reserve and its famous lemurs
- Analamazotra reserve and the biggest lemur alive (Indri Indri) and other species
- The various ethnic groups, its cultures and arts …
- The 2nd biggest zebus market in Ambalavao
- The national parks and reserve
- Dry landscape of the most Southern part and the plateau of Horombe
- The multicolored graves Mahafaly and its Aloalo the majestic Baobabs
- The tropic of Capricorn and Tuléar
- Ifaty and its beautiful beach + activities
- Ambohimanga Kings Palace
13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Antananarivo
Meet and greet upon arrival at the Antananarivo international airport. This is by our Malagasy English-speaking safari guide. This will be followed by a transfer to your hotel in Antananarivo city. Here you will have a briefing on the 13-day Madagascar safari trip. Your Overnight will be at Sakamanga Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2: Antananarivo – Andasibe National Park
The days on Madagascar safari trip starts with breakfast. This is followed by departure to Andasibe National Park.
You will leave the mountainous region and make a small stop at Marovezo. Here you will visit the Peyreiras Reserve. Be out to experience its butterflies, reptiles and chameleons, tomatoes frogs, snakes.
Later proceed to Andasibe and check into your hotel in time for lunch. In the afternoon you are going to visit Vakona private reserve. This begins with the lemurs Island.
You are going to discover the brown, the bamboo and the golden Sifaka. There are also the black and white lemurs and the ring-tailed lemurs. It is the best time to have a wonderful time with them and you will be able to take some close pictures with.
Proceed to the crocodile’s valley to see crocodiles, endemic birds and foussa foussana. The latter are the famous Malagasy animal carnivore, some turtles and others. Dinner and overnight will be at Sahatandra Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis.
About Andasibe Mantadia National Park
Andasibe-Mantadia is separated into two parts. The most accessible part is the Indri Special Reserve. But its also still known as the Perinet Special Reserve which was its old colonial name. (It’s also known as Speciale d’Analamazaotra. The Malagasy like to give everything 2 or 3 names!)
The 810 ha ‘reserve within a reserve’ has several well-maintained forest paths. They are mostly gentle in terrain. You visit the Perinet Special Reserve at dawn to see the Indri lemurs when they are most active.
The Indri looks more like a teddy bear or bizarre panda than a lemur. He stands about a meter high, with a stump for a tail. The black-and-white markings and a beguilingly startled expression. You will see them with ease, even if you stay on the marked trails.
But for longer sightings you must scramble after them through the forest. You got to crane up as they execute balletic leaps from tree to tree. Their long back legs are immensely powerful; an indri can propel itself 10 meters (30ft)!
Day 3: Andasibe
Full day on Madagascar safari trip that begins with breakfast. You will then head to Analamazotra National Park. Here you will discover the biggest lemur alive. This is the Indri Indri and other 13 lemur species, such as the wooly and the grey bamboo.
There is also the diademed Sifaka, the brown and the red mouse-lemur. Not forgeting the red-bellied and the black and white ruffed lemurs. You will discover orchids as well, medicinal plants, endemics… After the visit, drive back to Sahatandra Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Days 4: Andasibe – Antsirabe
After breakfast on the 13-day Madagascar safari trip, you will leave for Antsirabe. This is by the famous national road number 7 through the typical landscape of the Highland. These include rice fields in terraces, red brick houses with thatched roofs.
First stop in Behenjy to taste the famous “foie gras” which is the specialty of this small town. Continue toward Ambatolampy to visit the craft aluminum foundry. This produces cookware like pots, spoons, forks that makes its reputation.
Nearby are other workshops are dedicated to produce “football games”. They feature the best international football teams. Reach Antsirabe and upon arrival, check in at your hotel and then visit the city by Rickshaw.
Your Madagascar safari trip lets you discover the avenue place. Its beautiful garden, rail station and the old post office. proceed to Mr. Mamy and his workshop. You will get miniaturized rickshaw, cars and bicycles will amaze you.
You will have time to visit Mrs. Maminirina and her zebus’ horn workshop. Finally, you will end the day with the visit of the Malagasy’s candy shop manufactured by Mr. Marcel. After the visit, drive back to H1 Hotel where you are booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 5: Antsirabe – Ranomafana National Park
After breakfast, your Madagascar safari trip departs for Ambositra. This is the capital of Malagasy wood crafts. This is through the famous RN7 dominated by the green landscapes.
Upon arrival, you are going to visit some handcraft workshops to see craftsmen working. Marquetry and sculptures are made from precious woods like Rosewood; Palissandre and Eben woods.
You will visit the final products before having lunch. Later proced to Ranomafana National Park. Leave the highlands and enter the rainforest area. Upon arrival, check in at Grenat Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Later you will embark on a nocturnal walk before dinner which is on own account.
Ranomafana National Park
Established in 1991, Ranomafana became a UNESCO World Heritage site a few years later. Today this rugged, mountainous park covers an area of over 40,000 hectares of rainforest. It is one of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar, protecting 12 species of lemur.
These include red-bellied lemur, red-fronted brown lemur and Milne-Edwards’ sifaka. We also have small-toothed sportive lemur, eastern woolly lemur and lesser bamboo lemur. There is the rare, and recently rediscovered, greater bamboo lemur and golden bamboo lemur.
Standing on the edge of the high plateau, elevations vary between 600 and 1,400ms. This resulting in vegetation ranges from lowland rainforest to cloudforest to high plateau forest. The scenery is superb, with white-water rivers cascading down steep rainforest-clad slopes. Ranomafana village lies on the banks of the Namorona River, which descends to the east coast.
Your will spend time in the park hunting for lemurs and other animals, taking a picnic lunch with you. Rain is common in Ranomafana, making the steep forest trails slippery. After your morning lemur-hunting exertions you may prefer to return to the village. This is to soak in the thermal baths.
Like many of Madagascar’s parks one highlight here is a nocturnal forest walk. Look for the rufous mouse lemur and one of Madagascar’s few predators, stripped civet. Also worthwhile is an early morning bird walk. Here you might see some of the more secretive forest birds. They include yellow-browed oxylabes, Crossley’s babbler and slender-billed flufftail. We also have the vocal but elusive red-legged ground roller and pitta-like ground roller.
Ranomfana located in Fianarantsoa Province in southeastern Madagascar. It is around two hours drive from Fianarantsoa and around ten from Antananarivo.
Day 6: Ranomafana National Park
Your Madagascar safari trip begind with breakfast. This is to be followed by a 6 hours’ expedition in the forest with special guide to see 12 species lemurs.
Ranomafana National Park is the most important site of lemurs in Madagascar. It is the only confirmed site for the two rarest species: the great bamboo lemur and the golden bamboo lemur.
Varied species like Fulvus Rufus, VariecaVariegata, Hapalemurgriseus, Avahilanigeur, and Lepilemurmustelinus. There are also Propithecus diademaedwardsi, Cheirogaleus major and Daubentounia madagscariensis here.
More than 100 birds, five species of viverrids and reptiles are here. Lizards, butterflies and other insects have been recorded in this park.
In the higher areas, the trees are festooned with mosses and lichens. After the visit you will revert back to the hotel for lunch. This will be followed by a visit Ranomafana village. you will be here to relax at the natural swimming pool with its hot spring water. After the visit, back to Grenat Hotel for overnight booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 7: Ranomafana – Ranohira
After breakfast, your Madagascar safari trip departs for Ranohira. This will be via the colonial town of Ambalavao. You will stop to see some beautiful colonial architecture. You will also tour the famous Antemoro paper and silk factory.
Walk to discover its beautiful verandah. This makes them different with its old colonial houses. The Madagascar safari trip will procee to the 2nd biggest zebus market in Madagascar. Here you will discover a thousand of zebus and men.
Take a detour to Anja Community Reserve, located 12km south of Ambalavao. The reserve is dedicated itself to cultural preservation in the region. It is the most visited community managed forest and ecotourism site in Madagascar.
Guests can see and photograph the ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons, snakes and birds. In the other side. Anja is also a rich cultural site. It preserves ancient tombs from the previous two centuries.
There are two Betsileo tombs on the short loop. Funeral processions need the dead to be tied to a hand-made ladder. It is then pulled by a natural rope that is found in the reserve. Tenina Imperata cylindrical, and a thick herb with small white flowers is used to create the cord.
After the visit, proceed to Ranohira via the plateau of Horombe and a unusual landscape. Upon arrival, check in at H1 Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 8: Ranohira
After an early breakfast, the Madagascar safari trip enjoys a transfer to the Park. You will be here to discover its fauna and its flora. Isalo massif is a plateau of continental stoneware’s dating the Jurassic.
Today, you are going to begin the visit Natural swimming pools and reach Namaza site. Enjoy the panoramic views, rice fields, cliffs made an incision by gorges.
Your Madagascar safari trip will cross the luxuriant gorges. This is marked by its exceptional flora of the rain forest and by its many groups of Lemurs. Other habitats include birds, butterflies, lizards.
Proceed to join the Namaza site, go up till the top (800m altitude) and have a beautiful spot view of Ranohira. Walk through the Canyon till Namaza site.
After the visit, drive back to Ranohira and then reach the Isalo natural windows. you will be here to admire the sun set before driving back to your H1 hotel booked on bed and breakfast.
Day 9: Ranohira – Tuléar – Ifaty
Your Madagascar safari trip departs after breakfast heading to Tuléar. You will go through to Ilakaka, the famous sapphire village in Madagascar.
Visit Zombitse National Park to discover its fauna and flora. Later continue to Tuléar through arid desert landscapes. Along the way, see Mahafaly tombs with totems carved from Aloalo and the famous Baobabs.
On arrival, transfer to the sandy road to Ifaty. You will then check in at Bamboo Club where you are booked on bed and breakfast.
Days 10 & 11: Ifaty
Two full days spent at leisure to relax on the beach or discover Ifaty
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN IFATY
THE RENIALA RESERVE HALF DAY TOUR
Reniala Private Reserve is a small protected area of only 60 ha which is a spiny forest. It homes more than 2000 plants species (many of them local endemic). Some spectacular and old baobabs (there is a giant baobab of 12.5 m diameter). There is a complete endemic plants family, the Didieraceae.
Reniala includes a botanical trail and a bird sanctuary. It is a paradise place for birders because can easily observe some rare endemic species. These include the long-tailed ground roller and the subdesert mesite. Others are the red-capped coua or the blue vanga.
There are 65 bird species in total within the reserve. Visitors can also spot mammals including the grey-mouse lemur. This is one the smallest primates. There are some carnivorous and reptiles like the threatened radiated and spider tortoises. Others are warty chameleons, lizards and snakes.
DIVING & SNORKELING
Ifaty offers a great site for diving and snorkeling. Madagascar Sport Concept is a PADI diving school offering scuba diving lessons. They alos offeropen water diver courses and recreational dives. This is in the Tuléar region of Ifaty.
SEA TOUR BY CANOE – HALF DAY TOUR
Today your ill go sailing by pirogue in the lagoon. This is on the Great Barrier Reef. The boatmen usually offer you a full day. There is snorkeling in the morning and picnic with lobster in Ambolimailaka. Here we witness the arrival of the Vezo fishermen, dozens of dugout canoes.
Day 12: Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo
Have the morning on Madagascar safari trip at the leisure. This is before a transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Tana. Meet and then transfer to your hotel in town.
You will visit Tana old town in the afternoon and then the handcraft market for souvenirs. Overnight will be at Sakamanga Hotel booked on bed and breakfast basis
Day 13: Antananarivo
After breakfast, leave for Ambohimanga Kings Palace which is located at 22 km from Tana. This is the cradle of the Merina dynasty and the Mecca of the Merina Kingdom. It is the starting point for the unification of Imerina.
This ancient royal city has a reputation of bing a sacred city where no foreigner could enter. There’s a lot to admire in this place. The entrance of the village and the old stone gate-shaped disc in the chambe. There is also the royal box of Andrianampoinimerina.
You also get to see the summer palace of the queens, the Horse Park and sacred ponds. The enclosure is surrounded by a wall made mainly of egg whites in place of cement. The door to the east has “Ambatomitsangana” inscribed on it. It is actually a large stone disc 4m in diameter rolled closed every night and open every morning by dozens of men.
After the visit your Madagascar safari trip proceeds to the Digue market. This is the place for handcrafts Malagasy that you will be able buy some souvenirs. Transfer to the airport in timefor your international flight.
———- End of 13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip ———-
13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip Costs:
What is included in the cost of 13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip?
- Transportation in a private safari vehicle
- Driver Guide during the whole tour
- Accommodation booked on bed and breakfast basis
- Park entrance fees and local guide fees
- All speed boat and all boat fees
13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip Price excludes:
- Your lunch, dinner and drinks during the whole tour
- All the domestic flights
- All your international flights
What to Carry on the 13 Days Madagascar Safari Trip
- Light and a few heavy clothings for evenings
- Closed, comfortable shoes
- Sun protection like sun cream, hat
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars
Summary of the 13 Day Madagascar Safari Trip
The Madagascar safari trip also takes you to Vakona reserve and its famous lemurs. They include the Black and white; brown; Ring tailed and bamboo lemurs.
This Madagascar safari tour also goes to Analamazotra reserve. This is the secondary forest of Andasibe National Park discover its fauna and flora. You will discover the biggest lemur; the golden or diademed Sifaka and another species.
Your Madagascar safari trip drives back to Tana. We will then continue to the famous RN7 more than 590 miles. Here you look forward to seeing beautiful landscapes. There is the serpents’ hills, plains, rice fields, various ethnic groups.
You will also admire different cultures and handcrafts. The Zafimaniry woodcarving is found in Ambositra. There is the Antemoro Papers and silks in Ambalavao and more other.
Your Madagascar safari cannot be complete without visiting the best of Madagascar national parks. This is Ranomafana National Park. There is also Anja community reserve; Isalo and Zombitse National Park.
On crossing the amazing plateau of Horombe, you see the majestic baobabs. There is also the Mahafaly’s graves and its Aloalo. You will reach Tulear and then Ifaty which is one of the best beach in Madagascar.
Excursions available while on Madagascar safari trip include snorkeling; diving; big game fishing. You get to enjoy whales watching from July to the mid-September. The Madagascar safari trip also goes to Reniala reserve or the Baobabs Forest.
In Tana you will learn about the history of Antananarivo and Madagascar. This is by visiting Ambohimanga Kings Palace. This is the second world heritage by UNESCO in Madagascar.
Madagascar Safari Trip Destinations
Andasibe Mantadia National Park
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a protected rainforest area in eastern Madagascar. Your Madagascar safari trip goes to the park includes the Analamazaotra Reserve. This is home to the large indri lemur, which is known for its distinctively loud song.
The park’s rich biodiversity includes native species like the big Parson’s chameleon. Others are rare orchids and ferns. Trail circuits when on Madagascar safari trip weave through dense forest, past lakes and the Sacred Waterfall.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park combines the forests of Mantadia with the Analamazoatra Reserve. The latter is home to habituated groups of indri and visitors are virtually assured of a close sighting of this fabulous lemur.
What to See in Andasibe Mantadia National Park
There are nine species of lemur in the smaller Analamazaotra Reserve. Other than the indri you may also see the brown, and lesser bamboo lemurs on your Madagascar safari trip. There are also three nocturnal species: rufous mouse, greater dwarf, and eastern woolly lemurs. It has an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, and a well-planned system of trails.
Neighboring Mantadia is 20 kilometres to the north and a vast tract of protected rain forest. It has a hillier terrain, with fewer established trails through its impressive forest. However, explorers on Madagascar safari trip may well be rewarded by a sighting of two additional species of lemur not found in Analamazaotra. These are the black-and-white ruffed lemur and the beautiful diademed sifaka.
The area claims a world record for the number of frog species, which include the brightly coloured golden mantella. Most reptiles and frogs are seen during night walks on your Madagascar safari trip. Particularly during the spring, summer and autumn months, September to May, when nocturnal lemurs are at their most active.
There is also a good chance of seeing chameleons, including the impressively long Parson’s chameleon and the tiny nose-horned chameleon, best sighted at the end of the rainy season in October/November.
Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana National Park is located close to RN7 in Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar. It is holds 41,600 hectares (161 square miles) of rain forest that is home to several lemur species.
Going to Ranomafana on Madagascar safari trip is accessible by paved road. This park contains a variety of lodging options, making it a popular destination for visitors to Madagascar. It’s one of the six national parks that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
Meaning ‘hot water’ in Malagasy, due to the hot springs found in the area, Ranomafana National Park is one of the most picturesque national parks in Madagascar. The park covers a mountainous area of 415 kilometres.
Ranomafana national park is set at altitudes that range between 800 and 1,200 metres in a vast tract, comprised mainly of dense rainforest. The rare golden bamboo lemur was discovered here in 1986 by Dr. Patricia Wright, which led to the area gaining National Park status.
This Madagascar national park now provides a protected environment for these endangered animals and is one of the island’s most accessible and appealing stops on your Madagascar safari trip itinerary.
What to be Seen in Ranomafana National Park
There are some 30 endemic species of bird that are isolated to the region around Ranomafana National Park. They include but not limited to, the Henst goshawk, endangered crested ibis, velvet asity and Rufous-headed ground roller.
12 of Madagascar’s iconic lemur species in the wild are found here. When on Madagascar safari trip, it is possible to sight endangered species like the aye-aye and the Milne-Edwards’s sifaka.
Others are critically endangered species like the Sibree’s dwarf lemur and the golden bamboo lemur. One of Ranomafana’s rarest residents is the greater bamboo lemur which was believed to be extinct until 1986. This is when scientists discovered a remnant population living in the park.
Other mammals include seven different kinds of endemic tenrec and small carnivores such as the Malagasy striped civet.
Isalo National Park
Madagascar safari trip takes you to Madagascar’s most popular nature destination. Isalo National Park lies amidst the Jurassic-era highlands of the country’s southwest. It protects over 80,000 hectares of land dominated by a dramatic sandstone massif. This has been eroded by time and weather into an otherworldly collection of plateaus, canyons, gorges and pinnacles.
Iron and mineral deposits stain the rock formations a rainbow of different colors, and the dense forests and grassland plains that surround them are filled with unique flora and fauna.
What to Do in Isalo National Park
There are many things to do in Madagascar on tour to Isalo National Park. Hiking is the main attraction for visitors to Isalo, with trails taking anywhere from a few hours to several days to complete. Isalo massif is criss-crossed with breathtaking hiking routes. Together, they offer the opportunity to encounter lemurs swinging through sunlit forest canopies.
You can take Madagascar safari trip to escape the heat with a dip in a shaded natural swimming hole. Your Madagascar safari trip may visit the sacred tombs of the Bara tribe that traditionally inhabited the area.
One of the most popular trails is the one that takes you to Piscine Naturelle. This is a limpid pool fringed by old-world pandanus trees and fed by a crystalline waterhole. This route is easily combined with a visit to the Canyon des Singes.
It goes via a hike past the park’s multicolored ranges and through forest inhabited by diurnal lemur and sifaka species.Your Madagascar safari trip will be heading to Namaza site via the canyon.
Zombitse National Park
Zombitse-Vohibasia is a national park in the Atsimo-Andrefana region of south-west Madagascar. It is 147 kilometres (91 mi) north-east of the town of Toliara, the site of the nearest airport. The Main Office is at Sakaraha 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the park entrance.
The park covers a surface of 36,308 hectares (89,720 acres) on three sites; the forest of Zombitse (16,845 hectares (41,620 acres)) and the sites of Isoky Vohimena (3,293 hectares (8,140 acres)) and Vohibasia (16,170 hectares (40,000 acres)).
Zombitse-Vohibasia National park is located in the south Western part of Madagascar. The park was created in 1997 and it became one of the many preferred destinations in Madagascar.
It is the Park can easily be accessed all throughout the year depending on whatever you want to do when you visit the Park. Although the Park was established in 1997, the area had been protected and gazette for wildlife conservation since 1962.
What to See in Zaombitse National Park
Zombitse National park is commonly known for the unique flora and fauna that is found in the park. Most of these plants and animals cannot be found anywhere else in the world especially the bird species and below are some of examples of the flora and fauna.
The park is known for the large number of birds that are habitated from there. If you are a fun of birding, this is the best place to see since the Park has almost half the number of registered endemic birds in the country.
Some of the bird species that can be found in the park includes the Lantz’s brush-warbler, the Madagascar hawk owl, the Vangas, Kittliz’s plovers the Madagascar sandgrouse, the Appert’s greenbul which can only be seen here and many more other bird species.
The National park has a lot of wildlife that varies from each other and all these are recorded with the national park. Some of these include two carnivores, 33 reptiles, 15 mammals, eight amphibians and 95 registered birds in the Park.
Reniala Private Reserve
Reniala Private Reserve is a small protected area of only 60 ha. It is managed by an environmental association called Reniala (which means baobab in Malagasy) that is trying to develop eco-tourism in the area.
The reserve is located less than 1km from the Mozambique Channel near the village of Ifaty-Mangily, about 25 km North of Tulear. It shelters an amazing, bizarre and unique ecosystem which only occurs in the south-eastern part of Madagascar: the spiny forest.
The towering spiny bushes are home to more than 2000 plants species (many of them local endemic), some spectacular and very old baobabs (there is a giant baobab of 12,5 m diameter) and a complete endemic plants family, the Didieraceae. Reniala includes a botanical trail and a bird sanctuary.
What to See in Reniala Private Reserve
Reniala Reserve is a paradise for birders, who can easily observe some very rare endemic species, such as the long-tailed ground roller, the subdesert mesite, the red-capped coua or the blue vanga. There are 65 bird species in total within the reserve.
Visitors can also spot mammals including the grey-mouse lemur, one the smallest primates, and some carnivorous; reptiles, like the threatened radiated and spider tortoises, warty chameleons, lizards and snakes. The association organizes guided visits where the excellent prepared English speaking guides provide visitors all kind of information about the local fauna and flora.
