Madagascar Southern Highlights

Madagascar Southern Highlights

Madagascar Southern Highlights

Discover Madagascar's national parks and reserves on this ultimate road trip

Days: 13 | From: $4,760/per person

  • Accommodations at best-in-class hotels and ecolodges
  • Curated tours with superb private guides
  • Distinct and remote reserves for the ultimate wildlife viewing

Discover lemurs, landscapes, and local life as you journey with a private guide south along Madagascar’s main road, all the way from the vibrant capital city of Antananarivo to the tropical Indian Ocean beaches of Tuleara.

Talk to our Africa Specialists

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Antananarivo
    1 night: Arrive in the colorful capital city, affectionately known as “Tana”
  • Andasibe and Mantadia National Parks
    2 nights: Explore the lush rainforests of Andasibe and Mantadia National Parks, searching out lemurs and endemic wildlife
  • Antananarivo
    1 night: Enjoy another night in the vibrant capital
  • Antsirabe
    1 night: Visit local artisans and colonial relics in this charming town
  • Ranomafana National Park
    2 nights: Trek among the waterfalls of this lush rainforest in search of lemurs, chameleons, reptiles and birds
  • Isalo National Park
    2 nights: Discover the wildlife and spectacular rocky wilderness of Isalo
  • Ifaty
    3 nights: Spend some time relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Indian Ocean

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Madagascar!

The Rova of Manjakamiadana (palace of the queen)  in Antananarivo, Madagascar, before restoration.

Arrive to Antananarivo, where you will be greeted by your private guide and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Set in the upper town with spectacular views over the city, this restored colonial mansion is an elegant mix of modern and traditional, and offers expansive views over the city.

The second largest island nation in the world, Madagascar is the ultimate off the beaten path destination for even the most experienced travelers. With 90 percent of the island’s flora and fauna being endemic, and a rich blend of cultures shaped by indigenous peoples and the influences of many ancient trade routes, this island is truly like no other. The capital, Antananarivo, or ‘Tana’ as it is affectionately known by locals, is set in the heart of the country and is the starting point for any adventure here.

Accommodations: Tamboho Boutik Hotel

Located in a private community on the shore of a small lake, Tamboho Boutik Hotel offers expansive grounds from which to birdwatch or enjoy the view. This hotel is a tranquil oasis in the city. Each of the deluxe rooms and suites feature bamboo accents and tasteful local craftsmanship. The onsite restaurant has an open terrace with views of the water, and provides refined cuisine that blends international dishes with local flair.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 2: Drive to Andasibe

Beautiful image of the Indri lemur - Indri Indri. Together with the baby

Cruise the winding road with your private guide, heading toward the rainforest. Along the way you will witness local life, zebu plowing rice fields with ancient ploughs, picturesque red brick houses, and roadside stalls selling all manner of fresh produce. Arrive to your lodge and settle in, then head out to the forest with your expert guide and a local spotter, in search of Madagascar’s unique wildlife.

Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge , 2 nights

Mantadia Lodge blends modern architecture with warm Malagasy wood and traditional décor and offers panoramic views of the surrounding forest. With just 25 rooms, this boutique hotel offers a tranquil oasis among the trees. Each suite has a private terrace, plus a wood burning stove to add ambiance to chilly evenings. The restaurant and main lounge have floor to ceiling windows that bring the outside in, and on a warm sunny day, lunch is served on the large outdoor patio. An infinity pool, library and spa offer a range of places to relax as you listen to the sounds of the rainforest around you.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: A day in the rainforest

Female of Ring-tailed lemur carries a cub on her back.

Follow the haunting call of the Indri Indri, Madagascar’s largest species of lemur, as it breaks through the morning mist. Found only in this part of the island, the Indri Indri are a sight to behold as they wake and jump between the trees. Home to a plethora of endemic flora and fauna, this reserve is the ideal introduction to the species that make Madagascar so unique. This afternoon you can relax by the pool with the sounds of the forest all around you.

Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Lemur Island and Antananarivo

Brown Lemur of Madagascar

Hike through the rainforest in search of 11 species of lemurs and countless other creatures that call this place home. You can also visit Lemur Island, for a close-up encounter with habituated lemurs. In the afternoon, travel back to Antananarivo to spend the night before your onward journey south.

Accommodations: Tamboho Boutik Hotel

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5: Discover Charming Antsirabe

Hit the open road, headed south toward the Indian Ocean. Driving is a great way to take in the island’s spectacular landscapes, as you travel from the rainforest to the arid highlands, with huge glacial rock formations and picturesque terraced rice fields. Arrive in the afternoon to Antsirabe, a quaint town full of local artisans and beautiful colonial architecture, and the ideal place to stop on your journey south.

Accommodations: Plumeria Hotel

Located in the heart of Antsirabe, this modern hotel boats a cozy lounge around a central fire place, a spa and hot tub, and well appointed rooms. Excellent food and comfortable amenities make this hotel an ideal boutique option in Antsirabe.

*Includes: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Experience local culture and artistry

Discover local artisan workshops where crafters fashion goods out of silk, gemstones, and Zebu horn. Enjoy a brief city tour, then hop back on the road bound for Ambositra, the center of the wood carving industry in Madagascar. Here you can see masters at work and learn about the traditional techniques unique to this area. While the landscape is still dominated by rice fields, pine, and eucalyptus, a turn off the road leads you to the dense rainforest of Ranomafana National Park.

Accommodations: Thermal Hotel , 2 nights

Originally built as a health spa for its proximity to the thermal hot springs of the region, this lovingly restored hotel sits deep in a river valley just outside Ranomafana National Park. With warm hardwoods and soaring ceilings, this comfortable hotel features 22 rooms across three distinct blocks situated around a main communal area. A large restaurant offers fine dining based on fresh seasonal produce and has a large terrace for al fresco dining on warm evenings.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Ranomafana National Park

Covering a vast mountainous region, this dense rainforest is one of Madagascar’s most picturesque national parks. Taking its name from the local word for ‘hot water’ due to natural hot springs in the forest, Ranomafana National Park is home to some 30 endemic species of bird, 62 different reptiles, and 12 species of lemur, including the rare golden bamboo lemur discovered in 1986. With trails of varying length, elevation and duration, this is an ideal place to get to know the wilderness of Madagascar.

Accommodations: Thermal Hotel , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Ranamafana to Ranohira via Fianarantsoa

Discover the charming colonial city of Fianarantsoa. The old town here is built like a medieval village, and this is the gateway to the south and the home of the Betsileo tribes. As you continue along the road, the landscape once again changes and the views are spectacular. Stop in the town of Ambalavao to visit a traditional paper factory, a vestige of past trade merchants. From there, pass through the mountains of Andringitra and across the red soil plateau and into the rocky, Mars-like landscape of Isalo.

Accommodations: Isalo Rock Lodge , 2 nights

Isalo Rock Lodge is a modern 60-room retreat nestled among the sandstone rock formations overlooking Isalo National Park in southwestern Madagascar. The views from the lodge are breathtaking, and the restaurant is fronted with glass and an outdoor patio for an exceptional culinary experience as you watch the sunset. A spa, sundowner deck, and natural swimming pool hidden among the rocks complete the retreat experience.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Isalo National Park

Swim the hidden, crystalline natural pools and hike the canyons in Isalo National Park. Shy lemurs peer out from behind otherworldly rock formations as your private guide shows you the intriguing endemic species of this area. Spend the afternoon by the pool, or take in the sunset with a cocktail from the well-appointed viewing deck.

Accommodations: Isalo Rock Lodge , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Make your way to the sparkling coast

Leave the vast red rocks of Isalo and drive the last leg of your road trip, reaching the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A drive up the coast delivers you to your beach resort in Ifaty. By the afternoon you will be stretched out on the pristine white sand beach with a drink in hand or lounging by the pool as you start two days of pure relaxation in this tropical paradise.

Accommodations: Les Dunes d’Ifaty , 3 nights

Located on the sand overlooking the turquoise waters of the Mozambique Channel Les Dunes d’Ifaty is a charming beach resort that is perfect for rest and relaxation at the end of any Madagascar adventure. Set among 6 hectares of gardens with a wide variety of plants and flowers, this lodge is built in a traditional Malagasy style, using the best local materials and craftspeople. Quaint neighboring fishing villages supply the freshest seafood to the restaurant and the large swimming pool is the ideal place to relax in the afternoon. Spend time on the white sand under the shade of an umbrella or partake in one of the many activities on offer here.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: A day at the beach

Today you can relax, visit the nearby fishing village, indulge in a spa treatment, and have your fill of the freshest local seafood. Your lodge also offers a range of activities, from island hopping to snorkeling or adventurous ATV trips.

Accommodations: Les Dunes d’Ifaty , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Another day at the beach

A final day at leisure on the tropical beaches of Madagascar.

Accommodations: Les Dunes d’Ifaty , 3 nights

Located on the sand overlooking the turquoise waters of the Mozambique Channel Les Dunes d’Ifaty is a charming beach resort that is perfect for rest and relaxation at the end of any Madagascar adventure. Set among 6 hectares of gardens with a wide variety of plants and flowers, this lodge is built in a traditional Malagasy style, using the best local materials and craftspeople. Quaint neighboring fishing villages supply the freshest seafood to the restaurant and the large swimming pool is the ideal place to relax in the afternoon. Spend time on the white sand under the shade of an umbrella or partake in one of the many activities on offer here.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Farewell to Madagascar

Make the short drive to Tulear for your flight to Antananarivo. Your private guide will be waiting to take you for any last minute souvenir shopping or city touring, and your day room hotel has a heated pool and spa to relax before your evening flight home.

Accommodations: Relais de Plateaux

Surrounded by lush greenery and shady trees and situated just a few miles from the airport, Relais des Plateaux offers comfortable rooms, a heated pool, a full service spa and a delicious restaurant all with exceptional Malagasy service and hospitality.

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Choose from a selection of carefully curated lodges and hotels to ensure this trip fits your exact travel style.

  • Add an extra night or two in Antananarivo at the start or end of your trip, and dive into this colorful city with a private Vaya guide.

  • Combine your trip with a traditional safari on the mainland.

  • Add more time on the beach in Anjajavy or Nosy Be.

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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