Overview
An 18-day journey across Madagascar crafted for travellers aged 50 and above. From the capital Antananarivo to the west coast of Morondava, through the Highlands of Antsirabe, the rainforests of Andasibe, the Pangalanes Canal, and the paradise island of Sainte Marie. This itinerary combines wildlife, culture, history and comfort at a relaxed pace.
What's Included
- All accommodation in listed hotels or similar
- All transfers and internal transport (4WD vehicles, boats, domestic flights)
- Welcome briefing and farewell dinner
- All listed excursions and park entrance fees
- Experienced English-speaking guides
- Certified scientific eco-volunteer for whale watching
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities
Detailed Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Antananarivo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Due to the late arrival time of most flights, our welcome briefing will take place after breakfast on day 2.
Overnight in Antananarivo. (Le RELAIS Des PLATEAUX or similar).
After breakfast and our welcome briefing, we enjoy the scenic drive to AMBOHIMANGA (Blue Hill) a UNESCO Cultural Site, where former Merina monarchs had their summer palaces until the last century. It's a beautiful and peaceful place with lovely views over the highlands, and a perfect way of gaining some insight into the fascinating and turbulent history of the Malagasy people (pronounced Malagash). Today you may taste your first Malagasy menu at Le Relais du Rova. In the afternoon, we visit the Akany AVOKO, an eco-friendly refuge offering shelter, care and the opportunity to develop skills and enable their children to grow into self-sufficient adults.
Overnight in Antananarivo. (Le RELAIS Des PLATEAUX or similar).
Today we leave the hotel and have a transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to MORONDAVA, on the west coast, which was the capital of SAKALAVA kingdom and their tombs in the past. We arrive at our hotel along the Mozambic channel on time to freshen up for lunch. In the afternoon visit of the city and later, the "Baobabs Alley" for our first 'sundown' pictures.
Overnight in Morondava (Le PALISSANDRE COTE OUEST or similar).
After an early breakfast we will take 4 wheel drive cars to discover the dry deciduous Kirindy Forest, one of the most rewarding natural areas in Madagascar. It is arguably the best place to see the wildlife of the western and if lucky, we may see some "fossa" (Cryptoprocta ferox) Madagascar's largest carnivore, the "giant jumping rat" ("Hypogeomys antimena" only found here) and the narrow-striped mongoose.
After a picnic lunch we will head back to the "Baobabs Alley" for a second 'sundown' pictures.
Overnight in Morondava. (Le PALISSANDRE COTE OUEST or similar).
After breakfast we will leave Morondava and the Mozambic channel to MIANDRIVAZO (waiting for the "Fiance") one of the hottest places in the island. We will drive through typical Madagascar savannah landscape, observing Malagasy lowland village with its animated "Zebu market" (depending on the day). We arrive at our hotel on time to freshen up for lunch. In the afternoon by walk and using canoes, we will discover some aspect of the Malagasy life through few visits of fishermen village, gold miners at work and later, time permitting local rhum producers.
Overnight in Miandrivazo. (Le SOALIA Hotel or similar).
Today we will leave slowly the lowland to the highlands with its typical landscapes of rice fields and Malagasy architecture. We can appreciate some Malagasy menu in a local "hotely" (restaurant) for the lunch. We will reach Antsirabe in the afternoon and explore this beautiful town situated at an altitude of 4,900 ft (1,493 m) by pousse-pousse (rickshaw).
Overnight in Antsirabe (COULEUR CAFÉ Hotel or similar).
After an early breakfast, we continue our journey through the highlands, taking the RN.7 to AMBATOLAMPY, a charming High plateau town where villagers are famous for their aluminium work mainly the "marmites" cooking pots. This part of RN. is particularly lively in this period. After the rice harvest many rice fields are used for the manufacture of bricks by villagers. This is also the time for the "Famadihana" ("re-wrapping" of ancestors), and the "Didimpotra" (circumcision) for the boys.
We will have lunch in La Pineta Restaurant (Ambatolampy).
After lunch we continue until Tana the capital through striking scenery of the Highlands with its terraced hill and colourful bustling village markets selling various products: from raffia made handicrafts to banjos.
Overnight in Antananarivo (Le ROYAL PALISSANDRE Hotel or similar).
Today we will take the RN.2 heading to the East, to reach ANALAMAZOTRA Special Reserve, driving through mountains till the Zahamena Corridor. We stop enroute at "PEYREIRAS Exotic farm" to see various endemic reptiles such as: chameleons, geckos, boas. The reserve was named after the river which traverses it, and is an example of montane rainforest covering some 8 sq kilometers at an altitude between 930 to 1040m. Analamazaotra (or Perinet) is home to: 11 lemur species including the "Indri Indri", the diademed sifaka and the black and white ruffed lemur (if Lucky). More than 100 bird species have been identified in the park. Analamazaotra is also home to the locally endemic "Ravenea louvelii" palm tree.
Late this afternoon, we will have the first of several nature walks in the region.
Overnight in Andasibe. (VAKONA LODGE Hotel or similar).
This morning after breakfast, we take the car and drive until the entrance of the Reserve, from where start the walk to spot for the famous three foot tall "Indri Indri", the largest of the actual lemur species, which can live for up to 30 years and can jump upwards of 30 feet! Early in the morning, it is possible to hear their haunting song which can be heard for several miles. We will be on the watch as well for grey bamboo lemurs, common brown lemurs, diademed Sifakas and chameleons, of which eight species are found here. There are about some 24 species of endemic amphibians and reptiles, plus 11 species of Tenrec to this reserve.
After lunch we enjoy some free time before an hour visit to ANDASIBE Village.
Overnight in Andasibe. (VAKONA LODGE Hotel or similar).
Today we go deeper into the Corridor by visiting the MITSINJO Forest, with a second opportunity to see lemurs, and where Indri Indris sometimes come really close. Our visit will contribute as well indirectly to the support of conservation measures and reforestation promotion leaded by Mitsinjo NGO, the villagers' association managing this forest.
After lunch we enjoy some free time before a visit to "The Lemur's island".
Overnight in Andasibe. (VAKONA LODGE Hotel or similar).
After an early breakfast we make our way down east to the PALMARIUM, situated on the west side of Ampitabe Lake, also known as Akanin ny Nofy (nest of dreams) along the Pangalanes canal which is one of the quiet wonders of the island. The Palmarium Reserve is a dense forest with 7 species of lemur to spot like the Coquerel's Sifaka, the black and white ruffed lemurs, indri and crowned lemurs but the real draw is the rare nocturnal "Aye Aye". We will leave the RN.2 (Route Nationale) after 30km north of Brickaville and take a 7km bumpy track to Manambato, where we take a boat to PALMARIUM.
Overnight: (LE PALMARIUM Hotel or similar).
Visit of the Palmarium Reserve during the day observing several species of lemur, chameleons, frogs (If lucky we will find a "Stumpfiia vohibolensis" the smallest frog in the world); a wide variety of palms and possibly the carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes an insect eating. Later we will take the boat for a nocturnal visit to find the "Aye Aye" (Daubentonia madagascariensis) which scientist took to be a squirrel-like-rodent lemur with wild boar skin, bat ears, a squirrel tail and skeletonized finger.
Overnight: (LE PALMARIUM Hotel or similar).
After breakfast we make our way along the Pangalanes Canal to TOAMASINA on a boat. Built between 1896 and 1904 the PANGALANES would be the world's fifth longest canal used, inter-connecting the natural rivers and lagoons. This is for many local the only reliable means of transport compared to the surf-beaten shore and a vital source of livelihood. We will discover another face of Madagascar; a world where communities of fishermen live quietly, under their thatched wooden houses cluster around small landing places, canoes tied to the bank or the slender. From time to time deeply loaded ferry boats bring some fresh exotic smell of gloves, vanilla or cinnamon in the air. Later we will enter the Port Fluvial at the southwest edge of Toamasina (Tamatave), in time for the lunch. In the afternoon we will have an hour city tour of Toamasina.
Overnight in Toamasina. (LE CALYPSO Hotel or similar).
Nosy Boraha (the Island of Abraham), or Sainte Marie "contains all the ingredients for a great vacation" in a tropical island. In 1503 Portuguese navigator discovered the island on Assumption Day, after having escaped a shipwreck, and gave it the name of Santa Maria, in honor of the Virgin Mary. Later between the 17th and the 18th century, the island became the headquarters and hideout of world's pirates, because of its location favorable for pirate activity, being near East Indies maritime routes, and its bays and inlets procuring good protection against cyclone, as well as its abundant fruit. From 1680 to around 1720 these pirates dominated the seas around Africa.
After an early breakfast a bus will take us to MAHAMBO, from where we will take a boat to go to Ste. MARIE island. This afternoon during a walk and canoe trip, you will discover the graves where legendary piracy figures such as John AVERY or Thomas TEW lie. You will also discover the local traditions through the Catholic Church of Sainte Marie (the first built in Madagascar) or the Palace of Queen Betty who was married to the French La BIGORNE.
Return to the hotel by bus (or tuk-tuk) after the visit.
Overnight: (MANTIS SOANAMBO Hotel or similar).
Today is a Whale watching Safari day. After breakfast, depending on the weather we will leave the hotel around 9:00 and take the MANTIS SOANAMBO boat to observe these giant mammals with their impressive jump breaching, lob-tailing and pec-flipper-slapping. But the humpback whale most fascinating behavior is probably its singing. They are protected since 1966 and their numbers are recovering very slowly. Our trip would be accompanied by a scientific eco voluntary trained and certified by the CETAMADA association. We will be back to the Mantis Soanambo for the lunch. Afternoon at your leisure.
Overnight: (MANTIS SOANAMBO Hotel or similar).
This morning we will take a boat (or car and pirogue) to discover "Ile aux Nattes" (Nosy Nato) a little island off the South coast of Sainte Marie and experience small typical "Saint Marien" village, with its crafts market, culinary specialities and its botanical varieties.
Later, we will have lunch at Mantis Soanambo's private resort and restaurant Napoleon to enjoy a barbecue meal with grilled meat, fish and tropical fruits. After lunch we can swim, or chill out in hammocks under coconut palms. We will come back to the hotel around 04:30 PM. Have time to relax until dinner.
Overnight: (Le MANTIS SOANAMBO Hotel or similar).
Today we take a domestic flight schedule to Antananarivo. Depending on domestic flight schedule; last day shopping in Tana. Guests have time to relax until our farewell dinner.
NOTE: Due to domestic flight-schedules frequent change, we strongly recommend our guests not to book their return flight on day 17.
Overnight: RELAIS des PLATEAUX (or similar).
Guests will be transferred directly to IVATO airport for their international flight back home. End of our service. Mada3 wishes you a safe flight back and say VELOMA!
Dates & Prices
50+ Group — June/July 2026
26 Jun 2026
→
12 Jul 2026
17 days
Fullboard
2 transfer flights
Available
€ 3810
($ 4475)
+ € 1540 single suppl.
50+ Group — June/July 2027
28 Jun 2027
→
14 Jul 2027
17 days
Fullboard
2 transfer flights
Available
€ 3810
($ 4475)
+ € 1540 single suppl.