Rivers and wildlife of Western Madagascar

12 days
From $411/day
$4,934
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
Trip last updated: 1/1/2020
Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule
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Overview

What's this trip about?

    There’s no question that Madagascar’s main draw is its wildlife. Splitting off from the rest of the world millions of years ago, it evolved its own array of species that you’ll find nowhere else on Earth. After visiting this large island and exploring its habitats, our specialists have become captivated by its rich ecosystem. They’ll plan your holiday to Madagascar using their first-hand experiences. Madagascar’s national parks and reserves ensure the protection of its unique inhabitants. Walking through deciduous forests and rainforests, you might hear the haunting call of an indri (the largest species of lemur), see a chameleon blending into its surroundings, or encounter the island’s only predator, the fox-like fossa. Our Madagascar specialists can also plan your trip around seeing migratory humpback whales, or so you can experience local culture with a riverboat cruise past tiny villages.
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeOperator does not provide
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAntananarivo
End CityMorondava

Travel Themes

Activities

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Itinerary

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Antananarivo.

Day 2 : Antananarivo

Arrive at your hotel in Antananarivo. This afternoon you can enjoy a guided city tour, taking in key points of cultural interest, markets and local architecture as your guide tells you about the city's history.

Day 3 : Miandrivazo

Array

Day 4 : Tsiribihina River

Today you'll be driven the short journey to the boat. Once all your provisions are on board you'll set off downstream. You'll spend the day passing small villages and watching life unfold before you. Towards the end of the day you're likely to take a break near a small waterfall - a refreshing place to take a swim.

Day 5 : Tsiribihina River

Today you'll continue your journey - you can relax in the sun on the boat's open deck, keeping your eyes peeled for the occasional lemur in the forest on the banks of the river.

Day 6 : Tsingy de Bemaraha

Your final day on the boat. You'll continue in a westward direction towards Belo sur Tsiribihina. On arrival, you'll be met by your driver and head north for four hours to Tsingy de Bemaraha. After crossing the river on a river barge you'll head to your hotel for the night.

Day 7 : Tsingy de Bemaraha

Today you'll set off early for the Grand Tsingy - a forest of limestone pinnacles. The walking is absolutely spectacular here, but you'll need to have a head for heights. There are different walking options available, some more strenuous than others but all taking in the incredible landscape.

Day 8 : Tsingy de Bemaraha

Today you might want to take a boat trip on the Manambola River. During the trip, you can visit some great caves and look out for the rare Madagascar fish-eagle. In the afternoon you may want to visit the Little Tsingy, which although not as spectacular as Grand Tsingy, offers some lovely walking trails and a chance of seeing Decken's sifaka, which are endemic to this side of the island.

Day 9 : Marofandilia

Today you'll return to Belo-sur Tsiribihina. Here you'll stop for lunch in a good quality restaurant before continuing onwards to Kirindy. Here, if you have the energy, you can take a late afternoon walk. As night descends, you'll have the chance to see some of the area's nocturnal animals. You might also see fossa - the main predator of lemurs in the country.

Day 10 : Morondava

This morning you'll have the chance to head back into the park. As this is a dry deciduous forest, sightings are often easier than in the country's rainforests. In the afternoon you'll head onto the Avenue of Baobabs in time for sunset, giving you a chance to take some excellent photographs, before continuing onto Morondava where you'll spend the night.

Day 11 : International return flight

Today you'll fly back to the capital, where you can stay in a day room at a nearby hotel before heading back to the airport for your onward flight.

Day 12 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Dates & Availability

Price from
$4,934
Price per day
$411

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Tour Operator

Audley Travel

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Associations

United States Tour Operators Association

Details

Group size:

Intimate group - 12 max

Trip Excludes:

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