12-day THE BEST OF MADAGASCAR small-group comfort tour

In the morning, a delicious breakfast and then at 10:00 AM, meet your guide and fellow travellers. Make sure your suitcases are packed as you'll be heading straight to Andasibe afterwards.

On the way to Andasibe, a magnificent green environment and an area consisting mainly of tropical forests and lakes. Along the way, we can see the Merina Villages, small villages, often on a hilltop, typical of the architecture in this eastern part of Madagascar.

Arrival at Andasibe and lunch at your own expense. After lunch, a visit to the V.O.I.I.M.A. community reserve. This is a sustainably managed eco-tourism site run by the local community.

It offers an intimate, less crowded alternative to nearby national parks and specialises in spotting the rare Pinocchio chameleon, Indri Indri lemurs, and various other chameleon species.

The project is managed by local residents, who provide tours that directly support the community. In the evening, a night walk in search of active lemurs and other nocturnal animals.

Overnight stay at Mantadia Lodge (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: visit to V.O.I.I.M.A Community Reserve, guided night walk
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: 150 km
• For more information: www.mantadialodge.com

Full day game driving in Amboseli National Park. Amboseli National Park is known for the large herds of elephants found here, as well as the enormous bull elephants also known as “Big Tuskers”.

In the park, you have the chance to see four of the famous “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo), but other animals such as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and hippos can also be found here, as well as over 400 different species of birds.

From the park, you can also see the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Midday, there will be a stop at a beautiful spot in the park for a picnic lunch.

Overnight stay at Kibo Safari Camp in a double luxury safari tent with en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: full-day game drive in Amboseli National Park
• Overnight stay: twin safari tent with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Today, we drive south to Antsirabe, via a mountainous landscape with vast rice fields, vegetable patches and fruit trees. A stop will be made in the town of Ambatolampy to stretch our legs and get a feel for urban life in Madagascar.

Arrival in Antsirabe in the afternoon. The city is situated at an altitude of 1500 metres and is the coolest city in Madagascar. The city is known for its beer industry and was founded in 1856 by the Lutheran Norwegian T.G. Rosaas as a mission station and a spa town.

It's the only city in Madagascar that looks like a European city. Upon arrival, the rest of the afternoon is free.

Overnight stay at the Plumeria Hotel (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: scenic route through central Madagascar
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: 170 km
• For more information: www.plumeriahotelantsirabe.com

After breakfast, depart from Antsirabe and drive to the town of Ambositra, which is known for its many handmade products.

Small shops can be found everywhere in the town and you can stroll through them at your leisure, finding everything from furniture and Antaimoro paper to wood carvings and nice souvenirs.

The woodwork is also reflected in the houses with beautifully carved balconies and colourful shutters. Along the way, we pass Le Col de Tapia, an area with Tapia trees that are resistant to forest fires, prevent erosion, and are home to silkworms whose cocoons are used for making textiles.

The landscape en route is characterised by rice paddies, coniferous forests, eucalyptus trees and mountains.

Arrival in Ranomafana and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in the Setam Lodge (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: scenic route through central Madagascar
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: approx. 250 km
• For more information, see: None

Today, a visit to Ranomafana National Park, a stunning park with UNESCO primary rainforest, considered one of the highlights of a trip to Madagascar.

Besides the rainforest, there are numerous small rivers, waterfalls that flow into the Namorona River. A walk is made through the park in search of the animals that occur here.

In the park, you will find 14 species of lemurs, amphibians, birds, tenrecs, rodents, bats, carnivores, numerous plant species endemic to Madagascar, and orchids.

Overnight stay in the Setam Lodge (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: hikes in Ranomafana National Park
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast

Depart from Ranomafana and drive to the town of Fianarantsoa, where a winery will be visited for a tasting. The city is also the capital of the Betsileo tribe, which is the third-largest ethnic group in Madagascar.

They are agro-pastoral communities specialising in raising zebu cattle and growing irrigated rice, but who also rely heavily on the gathering of edible wild plants and freshwater fish.

Then southwards towards Ambalavo for a visit to a small Antemoro paper factory, a method of papermaking introduced to Madagascar by the Arabs.

A silk weaving workshop will also be visited, a project run by women who earn an income from selling the silk fabrics. Afterwards, we will drive via the Andringitra mountain massif via Ohosy to Isalo.

Overnight stay at Isalo Rock Lodge (or equivalent) in a double room with a bathroom.

• Activities include: wine tasting, visit to a silk weaving workshop, visit to the Antemoro paper factory
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: 355 km
• For more information, see: www.isalorocklodge.com

Today, a visit to Isalo National Park for a hike. The national park was established in 1962 and is also known as the ‘Colorado of Madagascar’ due to its rugged rock massifs.

Besides beautiful nature, a green oasis at the bottom of the canyons, where streams flow, there are mainly forests. With a bit of luck, you might spot the Verreaux's sifaka, a red-fronted brown lemur, or ring-tailed lemurs there.

Bird species found in the area include Benson's rock thrush, the Madagascan flufftail, the cuckoo hawk, the Madagascan wagtail and the Madagascan kestrels.

After the visit, back to the lodge and time to relax.

Overnight stay at Isalo Rock Lodge (or equivalent) in a double room with a bathroom.

• Activities include: visit to Isalo National Park
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast

After breakfast, depart from Isalo and drive via the N7 to Toliara, with the Mahafaly and Antandroy tombs along the way. The south of Madagascar is characterised by a landscape of cactus-like rocks, also known as the spiny forest.

The first part of the journey passes through one of Madagascar's driest areas towards the coast at Tulear. From here, mangrove trees and fishing villages with colourful wooden fishing boats, called pirogues.

The fishermen go out to sea several times a day and the women bring the catch to the market in Tulear. Arrival in Ifaty and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

• Overnight stay at the Vovo Telo hotel (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.Activities include: scenic route through the south of Madagascar
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: 265 km
• For more information, see: www.vovotelolodge.mg

Ifaty is located on the coast and is ideal for diving, snorkelling, and is a popular destination for birdwatchers. The day is at your leisure with opportunities for excursions (optional and at an additional cost).

A visit can be made to the Reniala Forest, where, in addition to two types of baobab trees, you can find the spiny bush. Additionally, reptiles such as the Madagascar Boa, a non-venomous snake, geckos, and the Parson's chameleon, the largest chameleon in the world, are present.

In the months of July to mid-September, whales come to the coast of Madagascar to give birth to their young in the calm lagoons. It is possible to take a boat trip to get close to the whales.

The coast of Ifaty is a protected coral reef where diving and snorkelling are excellent. In the afternoon, a guided walk to the village of Mangily can be made to visit a small school and the Vezo fishermen, who will be returning from the sea with their catch of the day.

Overnight stay at the Vovo Telo hotel (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: day at leisure, walk to local village
• Optional activities: diving, snorkelling, visit to Reniala Forest
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast

Early departure from Ifaty and drive to Tulear airport for a domestic flight to Antananarivo.

After checking into the Palissandre hotel, the afternoon is free to explore the surroundings and visit the high, mid and low city, including a visit to the Rova, the queen's palace which is now a museum.

Overnight stay at the Palissandre Hotel (or equivalent) in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: domestic flight Tulear – Antananarivo
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: approx. 20 km

The trip concludes after breakfast. Transfer from the hotel to Antananarivo airport.

End of arrangement.

• Activities include: airport transfer
• Meals included: breakfast