Madagascar Baobabs & Beyond

Intrepid Travel Premier
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.6 . Excellent
94%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included. Moderate
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
11 days
From: $ 2,227 $ 202 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Witness a spectacular pink and yellow sunset behind towering, 800-year-old trees along the Avenue of the Baobabs in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava.
  • Travel along the Tsiribihina River in a traditional barge, stopping to hike to hidden waterfalls, explore remote villages and camp among nature on the banks.
  • Trek through a forest of limestone karsts and cross a sheer drop on a suspended bridge at the Great Tsingy, keeping an eye out for native wildlife including 11 species of lemur.
  • Float down the meandering Manambolo River in a traditional dugout canoe, wind through a deep gorge and past rocky cliffs, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere.
  • Discover the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest, on a hike through the stunning Antsirabe district.

Short Description

Venture into the far reaches of Madagascar on this 11-day journey that reveals the diverse landscapes of one of the most spellbinding countries on the African continent. From the emerald-green crater lakes of the Antsirabe district, to the golden hues of sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs, experience Madagascar’s rainbow terrain as you leave behind the bustle of Antananarivo and traverse remote paths and waterways into the wild. Experience life along the Tsiribihina Delta on a two-day cruise, see the legendary tombs of the Vazimba people while exploring caves, float down the Manambolo River in a dugout canoe and feel the suspense as you peer down into the vast canyon of the Great Tsingy.

Style Small group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Antananarivo
End City Antananarivo

Destinations

Madagascar

Attractions & Cities Visited

N/A

Activities & Interests

Wildlife viewing

Age Requirement

15-99

N/A
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Itinerary

Day 1 Antananarivo

Tonga soa! Bienvenue! Welcome to Antananarivo, Madagascar's crowded but charming capital. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you decide to arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the city. With cobbled streets, wooden houses and impressive churches, ‘Tana’ has a distinctly romantic air. Perhaps wander the streets of Haute-Ville or visit the permanent Analakely street market. After your welcome meeting this evening, you might like to head out with your new friends for dinner in one of Antananarivo high-quality restaurants.

Day 2 Antananarivo

Be prepared for a long drive as you begin the journey west this morning. Maybe kick back with a book or get to know your fellow travellers during the 12-hour drive (with stops) to Miandrivazo, a small city that will act as the starting point for your adventure down the Tsiribihina River. On arrival, check in to the hotel and listen to a briefing on essential information for your two-day cruise. Head out to pick any extra supplies you may need or desire for the next few days, then get some rest in preparation for tomorrow.

Day 3 Tsiribihina River

Rise and shine for the 35-kilometre drive (approx 1.5hrs) to Masiakampy, where you will find a traditional barge waiting to escort you along the Tsiribihina River. These flat bottom boats were once used to transport tobacco, but without that precious cargo they make a comfortable way to cruise along the water and access the remote reaches of western Madagascar. For the next few days, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife on the banks and in the water, enjoy easy walks to hidden waterfalls and stop off in rural villages. Climb aboard and meet the crew, then settle in and enjoy some lunch as you travel through flat farming plains and enter the dramatic gorges of the Tsiribihina, stopping in the afternoon to trek to a waterfall before returning to a large sandbank to set up camp.

Day 4 Tsiribihina River

Enjoy a full day gliding along the water today, travelling into the heart of the river and waving to the locals on the banks and barges as you pass. In the absence of roads, nature flourishes along the river in this part of Madagascar – watch out for herds of zebus crossing the river, and flashes of colour as you look for bee-eaters, herons, and egrets in this bird lovers’ paradise. Stop occasionally for a village walk or a short trek for some lemur spotting before setting up camp at a village along the shore. This evening, light a campfire and enjoy some traditional Malagasy music and dancing with the locals.

Day 5 Bekopaka

Enjoy one last morning along the Tsiribihina river before disembarking the boat and bidding farewell to the crew. Make a quick stop at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, a small village nestled in the marshes and mangroves of the Delta, to check out the market and grab some lunch before beginning the 4 hour drive to Bekopaka. Arrive, check in to your hotel and settle in for the afternoon. Perhaps enjoy a swim or a refreshing shower and rest your weary limbs. Tomorrow you’ll be taking on the Small Tsingy.

Day 6 Bekopaka (The Small Tsingy)

Rise early, pick a comfortable outfit and pack some snacks, as today you’ll spend up to five hours trekking through the Small Tsingy, located in Bemaraha National Park. Scramble and navigate through a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest made of rock. Stop at two lookout points along the way for photo opportunities and a chance to take in the impressive surrounds. In the afternoon, unwind with a float down the Manambolo River on a pirogue (wooden dugout canoe) under the shadow of these towering rock cliffs. Enjoy an easy afternoon cave stroll, taking the sight of stalactites, stalagmites and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba – said to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar.

Day 7 Bekopaka (The Great Tsingy)

Embrace another early start this morning and prepare for another action-packed trip to the Great Tsingy. Getting up early again might be a struggle, but it’s the best way to beat the heat and more intense crowds. Largely unexplored until the 1990s (the name Tsingy is very roughly translated as ‘place where one cannot walk barefoot’ in Malagasy), the area is now easier to navigate due to a series of bridges, semi-permanent climbing plugs and other equipment. Feel your heart stop as you pass over a sheer drop via a suspended bridge, a truly breathtaking experience that those with vertigo may wish to skip. Animal lovers should keep an eye out for 11 species of lemurs, 100 species of birds and 45 endemic reptiles and amphibians, including the Madagascar iguana and Antsingy leaf chameleon.

Day 8 Morondava

There is another long day of travel ahead (10hr drive plus stops), so grab that book or download a podcast and prepare to keep yourself occupied as you cross the Manambolo River and the Tsiribihina River by ferry, arriving in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava in time for a spectacular sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs. These cartoonish, towering trees are native to Madagascar, and the variety you’ll see lit from behind this evening are adansonia grandidieri, the tallest of them all. Watch the sky turn pink and yellow and finally cast these trees – many of which are up to 800 years old – in shadow. Spend the night in Morondava and take a well-deserved rest.

Day 9 Miandrivazo

Take some time this morning to enjoy free time in Morondava. You may choose to relax on the beach or visit the local markets. This afternoon we will make our way to Miandrivazo, approximately 6 hours away.

Day 10 Antsirabe

Depart this morning for Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. Along the way, enjoy an easy trek in the countryside and discover the beauty of the local lakes, including the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest. Hike through the lakes district and sit down for a picnic-style lunch. Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and French-inspired facades. Located in the highlands, it's a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as 'pousse-pousse' are a popular form of transport.

Day 11 Antananarivo

Make your return to the capital city of Antananarivo this morning where our trip comes to an end around 2 pm.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 2,227
Price Per Day: $ 202 per day
Checking price
Start DateFinish DateBase PriceAvailability 
Jun-12-2024Jun-22-2024$ 2,2276 spots left Reserve
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Oct-23-2024Nov-02-2024$ 2,40612 spots left Reserve
Oct-30-2024Nov-09-2024$ 2,40612 spots left Reserve
Nov-06-2024Nov-16-2024$ 2,31612 spots left Reserve
Nov-27-2024Dec-07-2024$ 2,22711 spots left Reserve
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4,407 Intrepid Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

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4.6 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 3,319
Great 671
Average 144
Disappointing 80
Terrible 193
Value
4.6
Guide
4.6
Activities
4.6
Lodging
4.6
Transportation
4.6
Meals
4.6

Madagascar Baobabs & Beyond

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The tour leader Bruno cannot be faulted.

5.0
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The tour leader Bruno cannot be faulted. He was professional, knew the trip well, was able to answer all questions with ease, and the country is quite simply amazing!
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This was our 4th trip with Intrepid

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This was our 4th trip with Intrepid and I just love the trip formats, group sizes, and responsible travel ethics

- price / service balance is really

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- price / service balance is really good (high value for money)_x000D_
- the tour guide was excellent_x000D_
- no problem at all during the whole trip, everything perfectly organized_x000D_
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Good balance of nature, landscape, physical activity

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Good balance of nature, landscape, physical activity and social interaction

The format of the holiday is ideal

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The format of the holiday is ideal, enabling one to get the most out of the country in a short time. Patrick, our guide, was outstanding and went above and beyond in every aspect. Knowledgeable, informative and courteous.
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Our guide, Patrick Randriamboavonky was excellent. He

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Our guide, Patrick Randriamboavonky was excellent. He was generous with his knowledge and experience and really brought Madagascar alive for us. He eas exceptionally helpful and polite at all times and also had a great sense of humour. This was my first Intrepid trip and I will definitely do another and this is in no small part to our guide. If they are all this good Intrepid has done well.
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport Minibus,4WD,Ferry,Boat

Group Size

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum Number of People in Group: 12

Accommodations

Hotel (8 nights),Camping (2 nights)

Guides

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. On this trip for small groups of 1-3 travellers your leader will also be your driver. For sustainability and a lower carbon footprint, we will also use a 4x4 SUV or similar, rather than a van or coach.

Age Notes :

Min. Age: 15

Max Age: 99

Additional Information

Finish point

  • Hotel Belvedere
  • Lot IF 27 bis Isoraka
  • Antananarivo
  • 101
  • MADAGASCAR
  • Phone: +261 347986638

Trip ID#:

intrepid-YBSO

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