The Best of Madagascar

The Best of Madagascar

The Best of Madagascar

The Best of Madagascar

Epic landscapes and endemic wildlife in the far-flung corners of Madagascar

Days: 10 | From: $8,700/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

This tour by private charter plane shows you the very best Madagascar has to offer: lemurs and chameleons in the rainforest, views over the Great Tsingy rock forest, the iconic Alley of the Baobabs at sunset, and Isalo National Park.

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
  • Tsingy de Bemaraha
    3 nights: Otherworldly rock pinnacles, an array of animals, and the iconic Alley of the Baobabs
  • Isalo National Park
    2 nights: Discover one of Madagascar's most diverse and beautiful parks

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!

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: Maison Gallieni

This boutique hotel comprises just four beautifully appointed bedrooms, housed in an impeccably restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of Antananarivo. Each room has a blend of mid-century and colonial design, and the common areas are modern and comfortable. Lush, tropical vegetation, private decks and a pool can be found outside. Meals are served at a large communal table, with friendly effortless service, giving this hotel an air of simple luxury.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 2: Journey to Andasibe

Journey to the rainforests of Andasibe. The protected areas here include the old growth Mandtadia National Park and the Perinet Reserve, one of the only places on earth to see the Indri Indri lemurs, the largest lemur species in existence.

Along the road you can catch a glimpse of local life: terraced green rice fields, redbrick villages, and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables. Settle in at your luxe eco-lodge and after lunch, your private guide and a local wildlife spotter are there to take you out into the private reserve. Operated in cooperation with the local community, this reserve offers a stunning array of wildlife such as Indri indri, brown lemurs and diademed sifaka, as well as chameleons and many species of birds.

After dinner you have the option to go for a night walk, where you may see a variety of nocturnal lemurs: the mouse lemur, white footed sportive lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, as well as the woolly lemur.

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: Another day in the forest

Indri indri, also called the babakoto,  is the largest lemurs of Madagascar

Head to Mantadia National Park for another day exploring the forest with your private guide. Lemur species in this stunning park include the Indri indri, diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, and white ruffed lemur. Trails in this part of the forest are slightly more challenging, as it is one of the last places on the island of truly old growth forest.

An abundance of wildlife and birds make their home here, and the park is a naturalist’s dream, with many seldom-seen species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Enjoy a picnic by the Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to your vehicle and returning to the lodge for a late afternoon of relaxation. In the evening you may choose to go on another night walk with your local guide.

Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Return to Tana

Spend the morning in the forest once again as you listen for the haunting call of the Indri Indri piercing through the morning mist. After your final forest outing, take the scenic drive back to Antananarivo. If you have some time, your guide is there to help you explore the city in a way that is tailored to you, or you can settle in to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodations: Maison Gallieni

This boutique hotel comprises just four beautifully appointed bedrooms, housed in an impeccably restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of Antananarivo. Each room has a blend of mid-century and colonial design, and the common areas are modern and comfortable. Lush, tropical vegetation, private decks and a pool can be found outside. Meals are served at a large communal table, with friendly effortless service, giving this hotel an air of simple luxury.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5: Fly to the Tsingy de Bemaraha

Board your private charter flight to the famous Tsingy de Bemaraha. Your private guide will be waiting to transfer you by 4X4 to your remote lodge. After lunch, set out for the otherworldly rock pinnacles of the Petite Tsingy. There are different trails here to suit all fitness levels, and among the forest of rock you will spot some of the 53 bird and 6 lemur species that make their home here. In the evening, cool off in the infinity pool or take in the surrounding views as you relax at the lodge.

Accommodations: Soliel De Tsingy , 2 nights

This remote lodge welcomes guests into nature with exceptional service, comfortable rooms and excellent food just a stones throw from the famous Tsingy Rock formations. Throughout the lodge design elements in wood, metal and other natural elements have been lovingly crafted by local artisans to bring a flair of local culture. A large infinity pool, indoor and outdoor dining terrace and comfortable main areas are ideal for relaxing on warm days. Spacious bungalows each have a private deck and all amenities for a relaxing and luxurious stay.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: The Grand Tsingy

Trek into the Grand Tsingy, making your way over rock formations and across a series of rope bridges. This region is a striking combination of rock and dry deciduous forest. The UNESCO World Heritage Tsingy are razor-sharp limestone peaks, some as high as 50 meters, produced by the erosion of limestone massifs over millions of years. The Tsingy shelters a startling array of wildlife: 11 species of lemur (including Verreaux, Decken’s sifaka, and the red-fronted brown lemurs), 103 species of terrestrial and aquatic birds, 15 species of bats, 22 species of amphibians, and a variety of reptiles.

Accommodations: Soliel De Tsingy , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Alley of the Baobabs

Sunset in the famous Avenida de Baobab near Morondava in Madagascar

Discover Belo sur Tsiribihina and the Manambolo Gorge, home to many of the most fascinating rock formations in the region. Travel by dugout canoe with your expert guide to see the Tombs of the Vazimba tribe along the river. These ancient people were the original inhabitants of Madagascar and grew no more than one meter tall. From there, head to the airstrip for your short private flight to Morondava.

Situated in the heart of Sakalava territory, Morondava is known for its elaborately sculpted wooden royal tombs. These tombs are frequently decorated with funerary carvings representing life and fertility. This area is also home to the famed Alley of the Baobabs. In the late afternoon, as the golden light of sunset begins, you will drive to the “Allée des Baobabs” to explore this iconic site.

Accommodations: Palissandre Côte Ouest

Located on the beach in Morondava and just a short drive from the famous Alley of the Baobabs, this lodge is ideal for exploring this iconic stand of trees while relaxing by the ocean. Thirty individual bungalows with sea views, private terraces and comfortable amenities are set among beautiful gardens strewn with tropical palm trees. Serving delicious Malagasy cuisine and fresh seafood the restaurant overlooks a large pool and the beach, while the bar serves up tropical cocktails while you take in a breathtaking Indian Ocean sunset.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Fly to Isalo National Park

Silhouette of Baobab trees (Adansonia) in Madagascar. Location: Avenue de Baobab, Western Madagascar.

Visit the Alley of the Baobabs at sunrise for another unforgettable look at the mighty giants, then board your private charter flight for Isalo National Park. One of Madagascar’s most spectacular national parks, Isalo is defined by sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons and eroded into spectacular shapes. The area is home to some of the country’s rarest endemic plants and wildlife. For botanists, there are Pachypodium plants and locally endemic Aloe; for lemur lovers there are sifakas, brown lemurs, and ring tails peering out of the forest and between the rocks. Isalo is sacred to the local Bara tribe: For hundreds of years, they have used caves in the canyon walls as burial sites. This is a wild and fascinating place to explore.

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

Explore Isalo’s vast rolling plains interspersed with stunning rock formations. Wildlife is not as dense here as in other parks, but look out for ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, sifakas, and 14 nocturnal lemur species hiding in the vegetation along the streams. There are also 80 species of bird, including the rare Benson’s rock-thrush, the knob-billed duck and the crested ibis, 35 species of reptiles, and several endemic frogs. Your guide will offer you a variety of possible trails depending on your interests and physical abilities. A popular trail is the Canyon des Singes, which winds through the dense foliage of the forest and brilliantly-colored rock formations to reach a stunning rock pool called the piscine naturelle, where you can go for a dip in crystal clear waters.

Accommodations: Isalo Rock Lodge , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Farewell Madagascar

After breakfast, board your private charter plane and return to Antananarivo, where you will connect with your onward flight home or to your next destination. Should you have a long layover, we are happy to arrange for a day room where you can relax before your flight, or a private guide for some additional exploration in the city.

Accommodations: Isalo Rock Lodge

*Includes: Breakfast

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 some 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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