Best Madagascar Tour for seniors 17 days /16Nights ( Comfort)

Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you will be welcomed by Across Africa Tours for a meet and greet session. Once you have completed the necessary customs formalities, your guide will be there to assist you with the remaining arrival procedures, including currency exchange, setting up a new SIM card for your phone, and any other requirements that you may have. This will make it easier for us to stay in touch during your trip. You will then be transferred directly to your hotel in the city.

Accommodation: Relais des Plateau

Baobab Forest. Afterwards, continue your journey to the fishing village of Ifaty, which is located in the southwestern region along the bay of Ranobe After having breakfast in the morning, head directly to the Toliara Airport where a private bus with a driver will be waiting for you. From there, travel to the Reniala Reserve, a dry forest that is typical of the arid southern region of Madagascar, and explore the diverse range of plant and animal life in the area, including various types of Baobab trees in the, and experience the local culture through a village immersion. After lunch, head north towards Ranohira and make a stop at the Antsokay Arboretum to discover the unique and endangered plants of the southern region before proceeding to the Isalo National Park. During the drive, you can take breaks to appreciate the different changes in the mountains and landscapes and take photos. In the afternoon, you will arrive at Isalo.

Accommmodation : Relais de la Reine

We will have a full day to enjoy the wonders of Isalo National Park on foot. Our first activity will be a brief hike to a beautiful natural pool, followed by a deeper exploration of the canyon. Isalo is renowned for its peculiar geological formations, which have been eroded by the rain and wind, resulting in some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. The area is also historically significant, as the Bara tribes once used it as a burial ground. With some luck, we may even spot lemurs during our hike today. We will have a picnic lunch in the park, and in the late afternoon, we will return to the hotel to prepare for a brief visit to the famous Window of Isalo. This vantage point provides a breathtaking and spectacular view of the sun’s colorful display during sunset. Afterward, we will drive back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Relais de la Reine

Before reaching Anja, we will traverse a plateau and come upon a community-managed park called Anja, which was established by local residents. The revenue generated from the park is used to compensate the teachers of the nearby school. During our visit, we will walk for a few hours into the adjacent forest, where we are almost sure to see extensive groups of ringtailed lemurs up close. Afterward, we will proceed to Ambalavao, which is home to the intriguing Anteimoro paper factory and the Silk factory. Tonight, we will lodge in the heart of the Betsileo highlands

Accommodation: Betsileo Country Lodge

In Madagascar, where livestock vendors have been reported to travel on foot from Tulear (a distance of 400km), we will have the opportunity to observe the bustling market day before departing for Fianarantsoa to take a tour of the city. Afterward, we will journey to Ranomafana, a town located in the typical tropical rainforest of the country’s eastern coast. Rather than encountering
rice paddies or cattle herders, we are more likely to come across small villages selling bananas or charcoal. This evening, we mayhave some spare time to wander through the welcoming streets of the nearby village, which is situated near the park
entrance. During a brief night stroll outside the park, we will hope to come across some of the indigenous chameleons, tree frogs, and mouse lemurs that inhabit Ranomafana.

Accommodation: Thermal.

In the morning, we will have the opportunity to explore some of the finest trails within the National Park with the guidance of our expert guide. Our objective will be to venture into the rainforest with the hope of sighting various creatures, including the golden bamboo lemur, which was only recently discovered in 1986. Aside from lemurs, the park is teeming with avian species, reptiles, butterflies, lichens, and orchids. Although the trails can be steep and slippery, we don’t intend to cover a great distance on foot, as our priority is to experience the diversity of the rainforest. Following this, we will travel north to Ambositra for a city tour to discover the customary Malagasy crafts of the region, such as marquetry, weaving, and especially wood carving. We will then proceed to Antsirabe, the city located in the highlands of Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region, where we should arrive late in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Royal Palace

Antsirabe, known as the most sophisticated city in Madagascar, is also recognized for having the largest number of pousse-pousses (local rickshaws) in the nation. We will begin the day with a city tour on a rickshaw, passing through Independence Avenue and Hotel des Termes. Then, we will spend the morning exploring some of the area’s artisanal crafts, specifically visiting the Horn Factory for which this moderate climate city is famous. Afterwards, we will head west to Miandrivazo, which is located in the lowland savannah region about 4-5 hours away, in contrast to the verdant highlands.

Accommodation : Princesse Tsiribihina

After waking up, we will start our journey towards Morondava and stop for lunch there. Following this, we will proceed to the renowned “Avenue of the Baobabs” to witness one of the most iconic sunsets in Madagascar before driving to Kirindy Forest Reserve. Once we have checked in to our accommodation, we will embark on a night time nature walk with the hope of catching a glimpse of the fossa and the giant jumping rat.

Accommodation : Relais du Kirindy

We will commence the day with a brief hike through Kirindy Forest Reserve before heading to Morondava Airport to catch our flight to Tana. At around 7:30 AM, after having breakfast, our guided day trip of Kirindy Reserve will begin. This reserve is home to seven species of lemurs, with the common brown lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas being the most frequently seen. The latter are long-legged lemurs, weighing around seven pounds and having a white body with dark patches. They move by leaping among tree trunks high in the canopy, propelled by their strong hind legs, while maintaining an upright posture. Besides these lemurs, the forest is home to around 40 bird species, 50 reptile species, and 15 amphibian species. After the visit, we will return to Morondava to catch our flight.

Accommodation : Relais du Plateaux

Today, we will travel to Andasibe by taking the National Road N2, which is expected to take us around 5-6 hours (depending on the traffic in Tana). This route will lead us through the lush landscapes of the east, which is the humid region of the country, consisting of primary forests and lakes. During our journey, we will make a stop at Mandraka to explore the private reserve of ‘Peyrieras’, where we can observe various types of chameleons, snakes, lemurs, and butterflies. Afterwards, we will continue our drive towards Andasibe National Park and arrive in the late afternoon, where we will check into our hotel for the night. Around 6:30 PM, we will conclude our day with a 1.5-hour guided night visit, after which we will return to the hotel.

Accommodation : Mantadia Logde

Following breakfast, we will venture into Andasibe National Park for a hike of approximately 3-4 hours. This park is a vast tropical rainforest located in the eastern region of Madagascar and is known for its nine species of lemurs. The most notable of these is the “Indri Indri”, which are the largest lemurs found in Madagascar. Covering an area of 810 hectares, the reserve is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including orchids, a dense canopy, and endemic animals such as chameleons, tenrecs, and numerous bird species. After the hike, we will take a stroll through Andasibe village, which is a typical Betsimisaraka village. This village is home to Madagascar’s second-largest ethnic group who cultivate rice and vegetables, providing us with an opportunity to experience their lifestyle and culture. We will then travel to Manambato and take a boat to reach our lodge.

Accommodation : Palmarium Bea

On this particular day, our focus will be on Panagalanes, and we will be taking a boat ride to fully appreciate the abundant plant life, visit nearby villages, and gain insight into the lifestyle of the locals. Later in the day, we have a scheduled guided night walk to observe the aye-aye, which is the most renowned type of lemur in Madagascar known for its nocturnal behavior

Accommodation: Palmarium Beach

The focus of the day is to transport you to Tamatave via the Pangalane Channel and then to Mahambo by car. Following breakfast, we will board a motorboat for the journey. During our journey, we will encounter various vessels such as barges, fluvial bush-taxis, canoes, and other forms of local transport. The sailors we meet may exchange friendly greetings, and we will be accompanied by the joyful cheers of children along the riverbanks. Along the way, we will witness unique and memorable moments of daily life that we are unlikely to forget.

Accommodation: Calypso

Following an early breakfast at 6am, you will journey to Mahambo where you will board the El Condor ferry for a 2:30 hour trip to Sainte Marie Island. While traveling, there is a chance to spot whales in the surrounding waters. Upon your arrival, you will be transported to your hotel and will have the opportunity to unwind and relax.

Accommodation : Libertalia

Ile Ste Marie, also known as Nosy Boraha, is a slender, 57-kilometer-long granitic island located 8 kilometers off the eastern coast of Madagascar. This tropical haven is graced with countless palm-fringed beaches and bays that are surrounded by coral reefs. The island’s lush vegetation is home to numerous species that are exclusive to the island. The landscapes are varied: Ile aux Nattes is located to the south and is a small island with a splendid lagoon; mangroves can be found in the east; natural swimming pools can be found in the north; and the forests are in the center, with most of the activity occurring in the west. The island’s verdant vegetation consists of orchids, clove trees, cinnamon, vanilla, and many others. This is a full-day expedition that aims to reveal the most stunning landscapes of Saint Marie during the day. You will pass through small villages, forests, wild beaches, mangroves, rice fields, and much more. You will learn all there is to know about vanilla, cinnamon, clove, orchids, and the Malagasy way of life on the island.

Accommodation : Libertalia

Leisure time and transportation to the airport

Following breakfast, we will venture out to explore Madagascar’s capital city, which is commonly referred to as “Tana.” Our first stop will be the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises of a royal city and a collection of sacred locations, including the Queen’s Palace, which is a notable emblem of the Merina Kingdom. This kingdom is responsible for modernizing Madagascar and has been laying its monarchs to rest here since 1817. Situated on the highest hill in Antananarivo, the site offers an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding area. Afterwards, we will travel down to Independence Avenue and Anosy Lake, where we will observe the diverse groups of people who come together in the capital from all over the island. You’ll get to enjoy a breathtaking view of Antananarivo next to the Queen’s Palace before heading to the Digue artisanal market to buy souvenirs. Finally, we will transfer to the airport for our outbound flight.