Tour route : Tana - Bekopaka - Kirindy - Morondava - Andasibe - Palamarium - Tana.
An 11-Day Private Expedition Across Madagascar’s Wildest Landscapes
Embark on an exclusive 11-day private Madagascar expedition, combining charter flights, 4×4 journeys, river canoes, and guided wildlife exploration. This carefully crafted itinerary connects Madagascar’s most spectacular ecosystems — from the razor-sharp limestone pinnacles of the Tsingy de Bemaraha to the misty rainforests of the east, home to some of the planet’s rarest primates.
Your adventure begins in the remote west, where the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises dramatically from the savanna. Trek through towering stone forests, cross suspended bridges, and explore hidden corridors sculpted by millions of years of erosion — one of the most extraordinary geological landscapes on Earth.
Glide by traditional dugout canoe through the serene Manambolo Gorge, drifting between towering limestone cliffs and sacred caves, before venturing south to Kirindy Forest Reserve. Here, guided walks and nocturnal safaris offer exceptional opportunities to encounter lemurs, endemic reptiles, and—with luck—the elusive fossa, Madagascar’s top predator.
As the journey continues, witness the unforgettable sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs, where ancient trees stand silhouetted against a blazing western sky — an iconic moment that defines Madagascar’s wild beauty. Slow the pace in Betania, a traditional Vezo fishing village, where coastal life unfolds to the rhythm of the sea and centuries-old maritime traditions remain intact.
The expedition then transitions eastward, revealing a striking contrast of landscapes. In the lush rainforests of Andasibe National Park, wake to the haunting calls of the indri indri, the largest living lemur. Guided rainforest walks unveil an astonishing diversity of wildlife — chameleons, birds, orchids, and rare primates found nowhere else on Earth.
Your journey reaches its finale at Ankanin’ny Nofy (Palmarium Reserve), a secluded sanctuary nestled between lake and ocean along the Pangalanes Canal. Here, approachable lemurs roam freely, and a guided night walk offers the rare chance to observe the mysterious aye-aye, one of Madagascar’s most elusive nocturnal species.
This Tsingy and Lemur Expedition is more than a highlights tour — it is a deeply immersive journey through Madagascar’s raw wilderness, guided by local experts and designed for travelers seeking authenticity, comfort, and meaningful encounters with nature.
Day 1 – Arrival in Antananarivo - Gateway to Madagascar
Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you are welcomed by your private driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Assistance with luggage and a smooth arrival set the tone for your journey.
Overnight : Chalet de Rose Hotel
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 2 – Antananarivo - Amborodia - Tsingy de Bemaraha
Into Madagascar’s Stone Cathedral
Begin the day with a private charter flight from Antananarivo to Amborodia, a remote airstrip at the edge of one of Madagascar’s most extraordinary natural wonders: Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. From the air, watch the landscapes shift dramatically—from green highlands to vast savannas and limestone formations sculpted by time.
Upon landing, you are welcomed by our local expedition team and transferred by 4×4 vehicle through stark western landscapes toward the park entrance, setting the tone for a true exploration into Madagascar’s wild west.
Big Tsingy Exploration
Set out on a guided trek through the Grand Tsingy, navigating a spectacular labyrinth of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, narrow corridors, ladders, and suspended bridges. Carefully equipped and led by expert guides, you move through an otherworldly terrain carved over millions of years by wind and water.
From elevated viewpoints, take in sweeping panoramas of the Stone Forest—an endless sea of jagged spires rising from the earth, one of the most striking geological landscapes in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park, surrounded by this dramatic natural setting, before continuing to your lodge.
Petit Tsingy at Sunset
As the light softens in the late afternoon, visit the Petit Tsingy, also known as the Sunset Tsingy. Here, limestone formations glow in shades of gold and shadow, offering exceptional opportunities for Tsingy de Bemaraha photography and a quieter, contemplative end to an intense day of exploration.
Overnight : Orchidée Hotel / Olympe du Bemaraha
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 3 – Manambolo Gorge & Manambolobe Viewpoint - Kirindy Forest
From Sacred Gorges to Madagascar’s Wild Dry Forest
After breakfast, depart for the Manambolo River, where traditional dugout canoes await. Glide silently into one of western Madagascar’s most evocative landscapes—a limestone gorge shaped by water, time, and ancient belief.
Drifting between towering cliffs draped in vegetation, you enter narrow passages and shadowed caves, including sacred sites once used by the Vazimba, Madagascar’s earliest inhabitants. The stillness of the river, broken only by birdsong and the echo of water against stone, gives this journey a deeply atmospheric and almost spiritual quality.
Manambolobe Circuit – Viewpoints over the Stone Landscape
Continue on foot along the Manambolobe Circuit, a scenic trail leading to elevated viewpoints overlooking the winding Manambolo River and surrounding limestone formations. From above, take in sweeping views that reveal the immense scale and raw beauty of Madagascar’s western wilderness—an ideal moment to pause, photograph, and absorb the landscape.
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by this dramatic natural setting before beginning the overland journey toward Kirindy Forest Reserve.
Transfer to Kirindy – Entering the Realm of the Nocturnal
In the afternoon, travel eastward by 4×4, crossing the river by local ferry en route—a classic western Madagascar experience. As the terrain shifts from limestone and savanna to dry deciduous forest, the atmosphere subtly changes.
Arrive at Kirindy by late afternoon, just as the forest begins to awaken.
Night Safari in Kirindy Forest
At dusk, set out with an experienced local guide for a night walk in Kirindy—one of Madagascar’s best locations for observing nocturnal wildlife. With torches in hand, search for:
• Grey mouse lemurs
• Sportive lemurs
• Fork-marked lemurs
• Chameleons and nocturnal reptiles
• And, with luck, the elusive fossa, Madagascar’s top predator
The forest comes alive after dark, offering an unforgettable introduction to the secretive world of Madagascar’s night creatures.
Overnight : Relais de Kirindy
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 4 – Kirindy Forest Reserve → Morondava & Avenue of the Baobabs at Sunset
From Dry Forest Wildlife to Madagascar’s Most Iconic Sunset
Begin the day with a guided morning walk in Kirindy Forest Reserve, one of Madagascar’s finest dry deciduous ecosystems. As sunlight filters through tamarind trees and ancient baobabs, the forest comes alive with diurnal wildlife activity. This is the ideal moment to observe Verreaux’s sifaka, famous for its elegant, dance-like leaps across the forest floor, as well as red-fronted brown lemurs, giant couas, endemic birds, and reptiles adapted to this arid environment.
Kirindy is often described as a living natural laboratory — a place where Madagascar’s unique wildlife can be observed with clarity and intimacy.
After lunch, depart by 4×4 vehicle toward Morondava, following dusty laterite tracks that gradually open onto coastal plains. In the late afternoon, arrive at the legendary Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar’s most iconic natural landmark.
As the sun descends, towering baobabs—some over 800 years old—are silhouetted against a glowing sky of gold and crimson. Take time to enjoy and photograph the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset, a timeless scene that has become a symbol of Madagascar’s wild beauty.
Continue to Morondava for the night, lulled by the ocean breeze and the lingering warmth of the western sun.
Overnight : Vezo Beach / Baobab Café
Meals plan : American breakfast
Day 5 – Betania Fishing Village & Western Coast Leisure
Vezo Culture and the Rhythm of the Sea
Enjoy a relaxed morning on Madagascar’s western coast. For those interested, an optional half-day excursion leads to Betania, a traditional Vezo fishing village accessible by boat across the estuary.
Glide through calm waters and mangrove channels, passing hand-carved pirogues and fishermen heading out to sea. Upon arrival, stroll along the sandy shoreline and through the village, observing daily life shaped by the ocean — net repairing, canoe building, and fish preparation carried out with generations-old knowledge.
Share a fresh seafood picnic, prepared from the day’s catch, and gain insight into the Vezo people’s sustainable fishing traditions and deep connection to the sea.
Return to Morondava in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure — relax on the beach, browse local markets, or simply unwind beneath swaying palms as the sun sets over the Mozambique Channel.
Overnight : Vezo Beach / Baobab Café
Meals plan : American breakfast
Day 6 – Morondava - Antananarivo - Andasibe
After breakfast, board a morning flight from Morondava to Antananarivo. On arrival, continue by road toward the eastern highlands and the lush rainforests of Andasibe. En route, visit the Peyrieras Reptile Reserve, home to a vibrant collection of chameleons, geckos, frogs, and other reptiles, as well as close encounters with lemurs in semi-natural enclosures.
Arrive near Andasibe by evening and settle into your lodge surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest — a striking contrast to the dry western landscapes left behind.
Overnight : Lemur’s Lodge / Longoza Lodge
Meals plan : American breakfast
Day 7 - Andasibe National Park Exploration
Explore Andasibe’s primary rainforest with a professional local guide, searching for diurnal lemurs such as the Diademed sifaka, Black-and-white ruffed lemur, and Eastern grey bamboo lemur.
In the afternoon, visit Vakona Private Reserve, followed by a gentle walk through Andasibe village to experience local life.
After nightfall, enjoy a guided night walk in Mitsinjo Reserve, discovering nocturnal lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, chameleons, frogs, and rare mammals in their natural habitat.
Overnight : Lemur’s Lodge or Longoza Lodge
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 8 – From Andasibe to Palmarium | Journey to the “Nest of Dreams”
After breakfast, depart Andasibe and travel east toward Manambato, following a scenic route through Madagascar’s lush countryside. Rice paddies, palm-lined roads, and small Malagasy villages unfold along the way, offering a genuine glimpse into daily rural life.
Upon arrival in Manambato, enjoy a short pause before boarding a boat for a peaceful crossing of Lake Rasoabe. The calm waters and surrounding tropical vegetation create a gentle transition from rainforest to lagoon, setting the tone for the days ahead.
By late afternoon, you arrive at Ankanin’ny Nofy, meaning “The Nest of Dreams.” Set on a private peninsula between Lake Ampitabe and the Indian Ocean, Palmarium Lodge welcomes you into a secluded natural sanctuary. The remainder of the day is free to relax—walk along the lakeshore, swim, or simply absorb the unique atmosphere of this hidden retreat.
Overnight : Palmarium Lodge or Palm Beach
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 9 - Palmarium Reserve | Lemurs, Vanilla & the Elusive Aye-Aye
Awaken to the sounds of the forest as lemurs move through the canopy around your lodge. After breakfast, explore Palmarium Private Reserve on a guided forest walk. The reserve is home to several lemur species, including crowned lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and Indri, offering exceptional opportunities for close, natural encounters.
In the afternoon, visit nearby vanilla plantations, where local farmers cultivate Madagascar’s most celebrated spice. This experience provides insight into traditional agricultural practices and highlights the strong connection between nature, culture, and local livelihoods.
After nightfall, set out on a guided walk in search of the aye-aye, one of Madagascar’s rarest and most fascinating nocturnal lemurs.
Observing this elusive species in its natural habitat is a rare privilege and a true highlight of the journey. Return to your lodge for a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the forest.
Overnight : Palmarium Lodge or Palm Beach
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 10 – From Palmarium to Antananarivo | Return to the Highlands
Begin the day with a boat transfer back to Manambato, where your driver awaits. The journey back to Antananarivo is long yet rewarding, offering a final immersion in Madagascar’s Green East—wetlands, forests, and coastal scenery gradually giving way to the rolling hills and rice terraces of the central highlands.
Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes and quiet rural scenes that define the Malagasy countryside. Arrival in Antananarivo is scheduled for late afternoon or early evening, bringing your eastern adventure full circle.
Overnight : Chalet de Rose or similar
Meals : Breakfast included
Day 11 - Souvenir Shopping & International Departure
After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for your final day in Madagascar. Before heading to the airport, enjoy a short visit to one of Antananarivo’s artisan markets, where you can browse and purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs—a perfect opportunity to bring home a piece of Malagasy culture.
After shopping, you’ll be transferred to Ivato International Airport for your departure flight.
End of our services.
