Roadtrip along southwest Madagascar
When: Possible on dry period (April - December)
Duration: 20 days
Highlights: Landscape of hightland; national park Ranomafana,Isalo, Tsingy; visit city town Tulear,Fianarantsoa, Morondava, meet with population.
Language: The tour is originally in English.
It is characterized by the highland landscape dotted with rice-cropped field, traditional houses built in red soil, and the typically Malagasy “tamboho” or “walls” found nowhere else.
The tour takes you first to the South Region which is renowned by Ranomafana park, Massif of Andringitra, Isalo and Mangily/Ifaty beach. .
The adventure from Tulear to Morondava by the national 9 let you meeet with local people and its steppe and savannah landscape with baobabs; but also the Mahafaly tombs with bright colors, whose drawings represent the scene of life of the Ancestor.
After the passage to Morondava, we drive Bekopaka, the most amazing landscape of limestone. We drive back to Tana by Miandrivazo and Antsirabe at the end.
Itinerary
Day 1 : ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE
Crossing the typical landscape of the highlands sprinkled by rice fields and traditionals houses. Visit of a alliminum pot forging at Ambatolampy. In the afternoon, city tours.
Day 2 : ANTSIRABE – AMBOSITRA
In the morning, visit of Tritriva and Andraikiba volcanic lakes. After the visit, driving to Ambositra, the capital of Betsileo’s ethnicities; renowned for handicraft and marquetry. Showroom visit.
Day 3 : AMBOSITRA - RANOMAFANA
Drive for the entire day slowly along the national 7 to Ranomafana. We make some stop for a peak of view, discovering wood used material for Malagasy people. Arrival to Ranomafana in the eveening.
Day 4 : VISIT RANOMAFANA
Green tropical rainforest landscape crisscrossed by small trails leading to the mountain summit that crowns the forest. We explore its paths and enrich our knowledge of lemurs, endemic plants, and other wildlife species found in the forest.
Day 5 : RANOMAFANA– FIANARANTSOA - RANOHIRA
Travelling to Ranohira and stop at Fianarantsoa which conceals history, Ambalavao, renowned for Antemoro paper and silk manufacture. Visit of workshop. Visit of famous market of the zebus of […] Ambalavao (on Wednesdays). In the afternoon, crossing of the South gateway and the the plateau of Ihorombe. Landscapes of steppe and savanna.
Day 6: RANOHIRA - ISALO PARK
The whole day dedicated for visiting the Isalo National Park : The canyon of Lemurs and Cascade of Nymphs Lunch picnic Swimming in the natural pools of the park: the Turquoise blue and the Black Swimming Pools
Day 7 : RANOHIRA – TULEAR- IFATY
In the morning, departure to Tulear and Ifaty, the sea Resort of the South of Madagascar. Admiration of Mahafaly decorated tombs along the way.
Day 8/9 : IFATY - MANGILY - MADIORANO ACTIVITY
Relaxing and swimming at the beach of Ifaty - Mangily - Madiorano. Visit the baobab reserve, dunes, fisher village..... - Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : MANGILY– MANJA
Transfer by car in the morning to reach Manja, a town halfway to Morondava. This short 6-hour journey reveals the landscapes of southwestern Madagascar: baobabs, primary dry forests, fishing villages... We cross the river by ferry, a traditional way to reach the other side of the river.
Day 11 : MANJA - MORONDAVA
This is the most adventurous part of the journey to Morondava. We venture deep into the bush, crossing rivers and sandy tracks in our 4x4. The excitement builds, but we remain relaxed thanks to the vehicle's reliability. We also meet local people.
Day 12 : MORONDAVA
Morondava literally means "many beaches" and is the capital of the Menabe region, located on the west coast of Madagascar. The Sakalava ethnic group predominates, but it is a cosmopolitan city, distinguished by a vibrant cultural heritage, rich biodiversity, and a preserved coastline between the ocean and mangroves.
Day 13 : MORONDAVA - BEKOPAKA
Realy awasome adventures in a small path inside the dry forest. We jump and fall between heaven and earth at the same pace as the car on its treacherous tracks to reach Bekopaka, the village of the Tsingy. Halfway there we take the first ferry and have lunch, then continue to the second ferry at the foot of the Tsingy.
Day 14 : BEKOPAKA - TSINGY NATIONAL PARK
The term Tsingy is of Malagasy origin and means "needle," referring to the sharp, pointed shape of the rocks that make up these formations. The harmonious interplay of nature and climate has created a landscape that defies description. No words can express the beauty of this landscape, and you will be awestruck as you pass through.
Day 15 : BEKOPAKA - MORONDAVA via BAOBABS
Transfer back to Morondava with additionnal schedule to the baobabs: Holy , Loving and Avenue on sunset.
Day 16 : MORONDAVA - ANTSIRABE
A new target for the new day: heading towards Antsirabe, passing through coastal plains illuminated by baobabs in the early morning and landscapes of grassy steppes rippling in the breeze. We have lunch in Miandrivazo and arrive in Antsirabe in the evening.
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