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Fishermen in a pirogue on the turquoise lagoon of the southwest coast
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24 days · West & South

The Great Loop

Antananarivo – Antsirabe – Miandrivazo – Tsiribihina – Tsingy de Bemaraha – Kirindy – Morondava – Belo-sur-Mer – Manja – Andavadoaka – Ambatomilo – Ifaty – Ranohira – Camp Catta – Ranomafana – Ambositra – Antananarivo

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from €5,620

The far West adventure: from the Highlands down the Tsiribihina river to the Tsingy and the baobabs, then along the coastal road to remote beaches, and back through Isalo and the rainforest – with villages and encounters all the way.

Highlights

  • Cruise on the Tsiribihina river
  • Hanging bridges in the Tsingy
  • Avenue of the Baobabs
  • White sand beaches in Ambatomilo
  • Sandstone massif of Isalo
  • Tropical rainforest in Ranomafana

Included

  • Private 4x4 with driver-guide
  • Fuel for the entire trip
  • Hotels with breakfast
  • Park entrance fees and local guides
  • Ferry crossings
  • Airport transfers

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Drinks and tips
  • Personal expenses
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Route

  1. 1Antananarivo
  2. 2Antsirabe
  3. 3Miandrivazo
  4. 4Tsiribihina
  5. 5Tsingy de Bemaraha
  6. 6Kirindy
  7. 7Morondava
  8. 8Belo-sur-Mer
  9. 9Manja
  10. 10Andavadoaka
  11. 11Ambatomilo
  12. 12Ifaty
  13. 13Ranohira
  14. 14Camp Catta
  15. 15Ranomafana
  16. 16Ambositra
  17. 1Antananarivo

Day by day

  1. Day1

    Lake Anosy in Antananarivo with the war memorial

    Arrival in Antananarivo

    We welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. A first walk in the city and a briefing on the days ahead.

    Overnight in Antananarivo

  2. Day2

    Colourful pousse-pousse rickshaws in Antsirabe

    Antananarivo – Antsirabe

    Along the RN7 through terraced rice fields to Antsirabe, the city of the colourful rickshaws.

    Overnight in Antsirabe

  3. Day3

    A typical Merina house of the Highlands

    Antsirabe – Miandrivazo

    A beautiful drive to the west, visiting typical Highland houses on the way.

    Overnight in Miandrivazo

  4. Day4

    The boat for the trip on the Tsiribihina river

    Down the Tsiribihina

    A quiet journey following the river's flow – and maybe a swim at the Anosinampela waterfall.

    Overnight in on the Tsiribihina

  5. Day5

    A stop at a riverside village during the trip down the Tsiribihina

    Life along the river

    Wildlife watching on board and a visit to a Sakalava village.

    Overnight in on the Tsiribihina

  6. Day6

    A pirogue crossing the wide Tsiribihina river

    Tsiribihina – Bekopaka

    End of the river trip and drive to the Tsingy area.

    Overnight in Bekopaka

  7. Day7

    A traveller crossing a suspension bridge above the Tsingy de Bemaraha

    Tsingy de Bemaraha

    Climbing, crawling and crossing suspension bridges through the grey limestone forest of Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Overnight in Bekopaka

  8. Day8

    A fossa looking into the camera

    Bekopaka – Kirindy

    A drive on the RN8 to the dry forest of Kirindy, followed by a night exploration for wildlife – lemurs and, with luck, the fossa.

    Overnight in Kirindy

  9. Day9

    Baobab silhouettes at the Avenue of the Baobabs at dusk

    Kirindy – Morondava

    A morning walk for more wildlife. After lunch, a visit to a nomadic village, then on to the Avenue of the Baobabs for the sunset.

    Overnight in Morondava

  10. Day10

    A village hut among baobabs in the west

    Morondava – Belo-sur-Mer

    A drive along sandy tracks to the fishing village of Belo-sur-Mer.

    Overnight in Belo-sur-Mer

  11. Day11

    Sunset over the sea at Belo-sur-Mer

    Life in Belo-sur-Mer

    Relaxing on the beach or visiting the fishermen's village and meeting the dhow builders. In the evening, sunset over the Mozambique Channel.

    Overnight in Belo-sur-Mer

  12. Day12

    A giant baobab along a sandy track

    Belo-sur-Mer – Manja

    Between sandy tracks and giant baobabs, with a nomadic village on the way.

    Overnight in Manja

  13. Day13

    Squat dwarf baobabs in the dry forest

    Manja – Andavadoaka

    Between dry forest and dwarf baobabs.

    Overnight in Andavadoaka

  14. Day14

    Fishermen in a pirogue on the turquoise lagoon

    Andavadoaka – Ambatomilo

    A remote area with beautiful beaches.

    Overnight in Ambatomilo

  15. Day15

    Setting off from the beach in a sailing pirogue

    Ambatomilo

    Free time to enjoy the beaches and the warm weather.

    Overnight in Ambatomilo

  16. Day16

    The spiny forest of the south in the evening light

    Ambatomilo – Ifaty

    A drive through the spiny forest and its spectacular flora.

    Overnight in Ifaty

  17. Day17

    A carved aloalo totem on a Mahafaly tomb

    Ifaty – Ranohira

    A journey on the RN7 and encounters with the Mahafaly and Antandroy: their customs and funeral art.

    Overnight in Ranohira

  18. Day18

    The natural swimming pool and waterfall in Isalo

    Isalo National Park

    A day walk inside Isalo National Park: stunning landscapes and a natural swimming pool await you.

    Overnight in Ranohira

  19. Day19

    Golden savannah stretching to the horizon

    Ranohira – Camp Catta

    A drive through Madagascar's no man's land of savannah and boulders.

    Overnight in Camp Catta

  20. Day20

    The granite cliffs of the Tsaranoro massif

    Tsaranoro valley

    A day trek in the Tsaranoro valley – rocky mountains and lemurs.

    Overnight in Camp Catta

  21. Day21

    A ring-tailed lemur looking out from the branches

    Camp Catta – Ranomafana

    From the dry area to the rainforest, with the vineyards in between.

    Overnight in Ranomafana

  22. Day22

    Sunlight through the canopy of the Ranomafana rainforest

    Ranomafana National Park

    A day exploring the national park – lemurs and birds.

    Overnight in Ranomafana

  23. Day23

    A carved Zafimaniry wooden door

    Ranomafana – Ambositra

    Back to the Highlands to meet the Zafimaniry, famous for their woodcarving.

    Overnight in Ambositra

  24. Day24

    Colourful houses of Antananarivo's upper town

    Ambositra – Antananarivo

    Drive back to the capital for the end of the tour.

Does this journey speak to you?

Every tour adapts to your wishes, your dates and your pace. Write to us – we will plan your trip together.

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