One of the most prestigious National Parks is located in the western part of the island – the Tsingy of Bemaraha. Other exceptional sites such as Baobab Avenue are located in the same area.
Due to these two renowned sites, the island’s western destinations are named Madagascar’s Prestige.
Trips along the western coast of the island can go from 3 days up to 3 weeks by car, plane or motor boat.
Among the must-sees in the west are:
A terminally laid-back seaside town with sandy streets and gently decaying clapboard houses, this is just one starting point for a trip to Parc National des Tsingy de Bemaraha and the Kirindy Reserve as well as for taking the gruelling off-road 4WD adventure that connects western Madagascar to Tuléar in the country’s south. The off-road journey through Belo sur Mer, Manja, Morombe, Andavadaoka and Salary till down to Ifaty travels along a bumpy road that is accessible only during the dry season. Closer-to-town attractions include the iconic Allée des Baobabs.
A cruise along mangroves aboard a local canoe can be arranged in town and combined with a visit to the Betania village occupied by the Vezo fishermen people.
These majestic baobab trees line either side of a dirt road in western Madagascar between Morondava and Belo sur Tsiribihina in the region of Menabe. The avenue is some 260 meters long and includes 20 to 25 trees belonging to the species Adansonia Grandidieri, reaching a height of 18 metres. The trees are over 800 years old and their immense size and striking look make for a remarkable landscape. No doubt the Avenue of Baobabs is one of the major tourist attractions of Madagascar, drawing travellers from all over the world. It has been a focus of local conservation efforts and became temporarily protected in 2007, making the Avenue Madagascar’s first natural monument.
This forest located about 40km away from Baobab Avenue on the way to Belo sur Tsiribihina is also known as the Swiss Forest as it was formerly a Swiss forestry concession.
Among the highlights of a visit to this forest is a chance to spot the “Fossa” which is the largest Malagasy carnivore, the Giant Jumping Rat and the very rare Kapidolo Tortoise. The forest is also a good place for lemur observation as it has one of the highest densities of nocturnal primates in the world, making it a must for the avid lemur-watcher. This is also a good place for bird-watching, allowing you to spot some of the few endemic species such as the Madagascar Crested Ibis, White-breasted Mesite, Madagascar Long-eared Owl and Madagascar White browed owl.
One of Madagascar’s natural wonders, the awe-inspiring scenery is matched by the diversity and abundance of wildlife in the forests. Best known for its amazing knife-like karst outcrops or Tsingy, this is also Madagascar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Troupes of white Decken’s sifakas are clearly visible here as well as rufous brown lemurs and possibly the usually nocturnal Bemaraha woolly lemur sleeping during the day. At the park’s southern boundary the Manambolo River cuts an impressive gorge. Boat trips offer an ideal way to see wildlife in the forest along the banks. It is a long and difficult journey to get to Tsingy de Bemaraha, but definitely well worth the time and effort.
Note: the park is closed during the wet season from mid-November to April.
This is an adventure of a 180km cruise ending at the village of Belo-Tsiribihina which is the gateway for getting to the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Exploring the beautiful scenery along the river dominated by the Bongolava mountain range. Many varieties of aquatic birds can be seen here, with a chance to see some chameleons and lemurs also making the journey along the river. A beautiful waterfall and its natural pool are not to be missed when passing Nosinampela.
Two stunning gorges will be crossed with steep cliffs over 20m high on both sides of the river, isolating you from the rest of the world and generating a silent ambiance. Stunning baobab trees and a chance to discover the daily activities and agriculture (beans, tobacco, rice, corn etc.) of the local people will be part of your journey.
Camping for 2 nights is necessary during the 2 night cruise and is facilitated by an accompanying motor boat transporting supplies and required staff (cook, skipper and assistant).
Note: the cruise is feasible only during the dry period from May to mid-November.
Located at about 115km from the town of Majunga, this is one of the largest and last remaining areas of dense, dry, deciduous forests in Madagascar. It is the last refuge for a number of endangered and endemic species of lemur and birds, making conservation here vital.
Many groups of lemurs, including beautiful Coquerel’s sifakas and elusive mongoose lemurs reside here and can be observed at close quarters. Night walks are also very rewarding, with mouse lemurs, woolly lemurs and sportive lemurs regularly seen. The birdwatching is also outstanding, with such species as white-breasted mesite, Schlegel’s asity, rufous vanga and Madagascar fish eagle very much to the fore.
This sprawling and sleepy port town with one of the prettier waterfronts of Madagascar’s seaside cities offers a palm-lined seaside promenade, as well as shady arcades and walls draped with gorgeous bougainvillea. With its large Comorian and Indian populations, and historical connections with Africa, it is one of the most colourful and ethnically diverse places in Madagascar. It is also the gateway to one of western Madagascar’s most diverse regions, from stunning caves and rock formations to sacred lakes and bird-rich wetlands.
One of the best seaside towns chosen by the local people as a holiday destination.
Meeting with our representative in Antananarivo. Transfer to your hotel.
Drive to Antsirabe. Visit of Crater lakes in the afternoon.
Drive down to Miandrivazo a starting point for the cruise through the Tsiribihina river.
From today, you’ll cruise aboard a Chaland (a motoar boat) along the Tsiribihina river. Water fall, birds, local village, baobab trees, various landscape are among the attraction of the cruise.
End of the cruise today and take your car to Bekopaka.
Two days will be spent for exploring the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.
The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park measures around 1527 km² and is famous for its Tsingys. Already in 1990, the area became a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, only in 1997 was officially declared a National Park of Madagascar. At the Manambolo directly at the national park, there are graves of the Vazimba, which are considered fady. There are several hiking routes in the National Park, of which the following two are the most visited: The easiest way is the circular route to the small Tsingys, which takes about three hours and can already be described as a demanding hike. A hike including via ferrata with rope protection for every traveler, suspension bridges, and narrow caves is the tour to the big Tsingys, for which one should be in good health condition. The view over the Tsingys rewards you for every effort. The needle stone rocks, up to 30 m high and pointed, are an impressive, unique natural spectacle. Below them runs an intricate cave system with mangrove forests and even small lakes.
Leaving Bekopaka and heading back to the same way to Belo sur Tsiribihina. Then keeping on to the Kirindy reserve which is the home of Fosa and different lemur species.
Today take a a day visit within the forest. The Kirindy Forest is located within the Menabe-Antimena Protected Area. This is now the largest remaining dry forest in the region. The dry forests of western Madagascar are among the most threatened habitats in the world. Their existence is therefore of fundamental importance for the conservation of Madagascar’s endemic biodiversity.
Kirindy is part of the Menabe Antimena Protected Area, which is also home to other various biologically very valuable habitats and thus a globally unique biodiversity
There are a number of species of nocturnal lemurs present: Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur (the world’s smallest primate), red-tailed sportive lemur, pygmy mouse lemur, gray mouse lemur, pale fork-marked lemur, Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur, and the fat-tailed dwarf lemur. Most of the species in the Kirindy forest are endemic and endangered due to different threats.
The Malagasy giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena) is found as well in this forest which is an endangered species due to multiple factors such as habitat loss, slow reproduction, and limited range. Kirindy Forest may be best known as the only location where the endangered giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena) occurs. This animal can hop like a miniature kangaroo, but is also seen walking on all four limbs. The Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), a nocturnal primate. This primate is the smallest primate in the world. The Lepilemur ruficaudatus is also present in the forest, a nocturnal lemur that weights on average 800 g. Red-fronted Brown Lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus) can also be observed in Kirindy Forest. These mammals include various species of lemurs. Further mammalian species of FOSA, narrow-striped mongoose, common tenrec, greater hedgehog tenrec and are also found here. The FOSA is also one of the 31 species of mammals inhabiting the forest.
Today one last morning walk within the forest.
In the afternoon, head to Morondava and enjoying a beautiful sunset at the “Allée des Baobabs”.
Taking a relaxing day at Morondava
Depending on flight schedule. If there is a flight, you can fly straight to Antananarivo.
If there is no flight – two days drive back to Antananarivo (Morondava – Antsirabe – Antananarivo).
Arrival at Ivato airport, meeting with our representative and transfer to your hotel.
Today you fly to Mahajanga.
Take a city tour to visit this warm and sunny town. Visit of the local market, discover one of the oldest baobab tree of Madagascar which is the an emblematic tree of this town, ending the visit at the Cirque rouge and exceptional geography formation in this town.
Drive to Ankarafantsika.
The rest of the day spent already to visit the park.
The park occupies about 135,000 hectares and consists of patches of thick dry tropical forest interspersed with less dense areas. There are also savannah, scrub and sandy eroded rock areas and some land is farmed by the indigenous Sakalava people.
The site is good for bird watching which is home of the endemic Fish Eagle, Schlegls Asity, Vandam’s Vanga and more others.
Lemurs can be seen here including the Mongoose lemur, the Coquerel’s Sifaka..
Don’t forget to stroll around the lake or taking a boat through it.
All day drive to Antananarivo.
Take a day visit in the capital city for learning the history of the Malagasy kingdom as well as its custom. Visit of Ambohimanga sacred hill where take place the Palace of the King Andrianampoinimerina and the summer house of the Queens.
Visit of the Rovan’I Madagasakira museum (Queen’s Palace).
Transfer to the airport.
Fly out.
