Madagascar Fort Dauphin and Central Plateau

Day 1: Antananarivo

Arrival at Ivato Airport where you will be met by our representative and driven to your hotel.

Accommodation at Tamboho Hotel or Relais des Plateaux or similar
Bed and breakfast

Day 2: Antananarivo – Fort Dauphin – Berenty Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Airport transfer and boarding flight to Fort Dauphin. Here your journey to the Berenty Park will begin. Berenty Reserve lies 10 km west of Fort Dauphin Fort Dauphin and is a small private reserve that is accessible by car via a scenic route passing through a sea of sisal fields. The reserve was created 70 years ago by the de Heaulme family as a private park dedicated to the protection of over 250 hectares of closed canopy gallery forest of ancient tamarind trees, open scrub and a surreal “spiny forest” of southern Madagascar. The reserve is world famous for its tame lemurs, specifically the ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka. On night hikes in the spiny forest visitors can hear and likely see grey mouse lemurs and white-footed sportive lemurs along with assorted insects and sleeping birds and reptiles.

Accommodation at Berenty Lodge or similar
Half board

Day 3: Berenty Park – Fort Dauphin

Morning visit to the southern part of the reserve and visit to the sisal factory: the De Heaulme family not only wanted to preserve the area, but they also built a sisal factory in the 60s/70s where, still today, many locals work in order to export it to Europe. Lunch at your leisure and continue the journey to Fort Dauphin. Once you arrive, accommodation and dinner. Fort Dauphin is situated in the deep south east of the country, settled amongst crescent shaped beaches under high forest-clad mountains and atmosphere of steady decay. The city is dominated by splendid mountain chain, the chain of Anosy and the Peak St. Louis, on the north side of the city, which offers a unique and unspoiled view of the area. On the north, east, and south the bright azure colours of the Indian Ocean take over the magnificent view. The town offers the visitor a variety of opportunities like strolling through the markets, lazing on the fine sandy beaches, enjoying the marvellous cuisine or exploring the sensational dry-forests of the surroundings.

Accommodation at Le Croix du Sud or similar
Half board

Day 4: Fort Dauphin – Lokaro Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Today will be dedicated to the Lokaro Bay excursion: you will be navigating, with a motor boat, to Evatra village, through the channel that connects Fort Dauphin’s Lake and the Indian Ocean. During the journey you will enjoy the beautiful fishermen villages and beautiful landscapes. Once you get to Lokaro Bay you will get off the boat and walk through stunning white sand beaches, the atmosphere here is magic. Lokaro is located approximately 40 km north-east of Tulear, if this place is not paradise, it certainly looks very much like it. The stunning beautiful beaches, the breathtaking sunsets, the rocky islets reflecting their shadows on the shallow turquoise waters, the pristine littoral forests, rushing streams, green hills, inland waterways, natural swimming ponds, palm-fringed lakes, all these stretch from the mountains on the horizon down to the long white sandy beaches. Additionally to this, Lokaro boasts the only substantial coral habitat in the southeast of Madagascar and offers superb snorkeling opportunities. Pic-nic lunch near the Evatra village and early in the afternoon travel back to the city.

Accommodation at Le Croix du Sud or similar
Half board

Day 5: Fort Dauphin – Tulear

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the flight with destination Tulear. Once you arrive, accommodation at the hotel and dinner.

Accommodation at Bakuba Lodge or similar
Overnight stay and breakfast

Day 6: Tulear – Ranohira Parco Isalo

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our guide and enjoy the ride on a 4WD towards Ranhoira. You will be travelling RN7 (Route Nationale 7) and arrive to destination around lunch time. In the afternoon visit to the Isalo Park: it protects 82.000 hectares of sandstone massif that has been wildly eroded by wind and rain into ridges of wild forms, impressive gorges, canyons and tiny pinnacles.

Accommodation at Satrana Lodge/ Relais de l’Isalo or Isalo Rock Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 7: Ranohira

The whole day will be spent visiting the Isalo Park: this is a paradise for trekking lovers and there are different difficulty walking trails so everyone can enjoy it. There are different walking trails for visitors and it’s worth taking the time and a few days to discover this magic place. One walk to not miss is to the Sakalava graves, a very interesting site offering the visitor the opportunity to understand the culture of this country.
Some of the most visited sites in the park are the “Canyon des Singes” (“Canyon of Monkeys”) and the “Piscine Naturelle” (“Natural Pool”), and these are often visited together along a long walking tour that is somewhat tiring but well worth the effort! Another attraction of the park is the “Fenetre de l’Isalo” (“Window of Isalo”), which is a triangular hole in a high massif. Pic-nic lunch during the excursion. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon, dinner.

Accommodation at Satrana Lodge/ Relais de l’Isalo or Isalo Rock Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 8: Ranhoira – Fianarantsoa

After breakfast, enjoy the ride from Ranhoira to Fianarantsoa. On the way you will be driven to the top of Ambalavao (1100m high) from where you will enjoy the beautiful view of the valley rich in vineyards. The journey will take you to the centre of Antaimoro where the famous Antaimoro paper is made. Here a stop to visit a paper laboratory where you can assist the different stages of the paper processing. Lunch at your leisure and arrival at Fianaratsoa for dinner (at your leisure) and accommodation. Fianaratsoa is an old royal city which became in 1830 administrative capital of the region under the colonial power. The name Fianarantsoa means "the place where one can learn something good” and was given by Queen Ranavalona 1st honoring the many academic institutions and reputed schools that are based here and which justify its reputation as the academic, intellectual and religious capital of the country it has the largest number of churches per square metre of the country

Accommodation at New Zomatel Hotel or similar
Half Board

Day 9: Fianarantsoa – Antsirabe

After breakfast, you will be driven towards Antisirabe through the Betsileo’s villages (a central Madagascar ethnicity). The Betsileo population are extremely efficient traditional rice farmers and are well known for their intensive form of cultivation. You will reach the town of Ambositra: this is a wood-carving industry and here there are many shops selling wooden boxes, chessboards and figurines. Besides the common hot springs, there is also a sparkling mineral water which the famous “three horses beer” (which you have surely already drunk during your trip) is made of. In the distance, the white cotton flowers remind us which industry has made the region famous. Antsirabe is also the capital of rickshaws, which are still widely used by the entire population; you can take a rikshaw for panoramic tour to enjoy this pretty little village. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation at Soa Guest House or similar
Half Board

Day 10: Antsirabe – Andasibe Riserva di Perinet

After breakfast hit the road destination Andasibe. Nicknamed “Perinet”: this is the best park for the indri (the largest lemur). for seeing indri, the largest lemur. Not far from Antananarivo in the direction of Tamatave, the park is known for its rich flora and numerous lemurs, especially the nocturnal ones. The reserve is a 155 square kilometres protected area populated by Grey Bamboo Lemurs, the Indri Indri, the Fulvus Lemur and the Rubriventer Lemurs. Here you can also see many orchid species such as Eulophella, Roempleriana, Grammangi and Ellisi.
Lunch at your leisure during the visit and return to accommodation in the afternoon.

Accommodation at Eulophiella Lodge or Vakona Lodge or Andasibe Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 11:Andasibe

Breakfast at the hotel. Today will be dedicated to the visit of the Pereyras-Marovezo and Analamazoatra park. Accommodation at the lodge.

Accommodation at Eulophiella Lodge or Vakona Lodge or Andasibe Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 12: Andasibe – Antananarivo

Breakfast at the hotel and you can choose to stay at the lodge and enjoy some relax time or go for another visit to the private reserve. Departure to Antananarivo. At your arrival you will be met by the local staff and will enjoy dinner at a local Malagasy restaurant. After dinner, late at night, you will be transferred to the international airport of Antananarivo. Departure to your home destination.

Suggestions and extensions

This tour can be prolonged following the itinerary of the Eastern Tour (see our The Wild East itinerary) to Sainte Marie.

From Antananarivo you can fly to Nosy Be and spend there the last part of your journey. Arriving on the island, you are welcomed not only by silky white sands and clear blue waters filled with coral reefs, but also by the smell of nearby plantations of Ylang-Ylang and spices whose fragrances are permanently in the air, thus the name Nosy Be which means “the Perfume Island”.

Our preferred lodges in Nosy Be

HIGH END
The Amporaha Resort
It is a charming four-star boutique hotel set in stunning surroundings on the beautiful island of Nosy Be. This eco-friendly resort features a spacious infinity pool, a delicious restaurant, a wide range of sea and nature activities to suit all the family, as well as an exclusive spa making it the ideal hideaway for nature lovers looking for authenticity, calm and luxury. It offers different types of rooms extremely spacious and superbly decorated with colonial-style furniture, elegant tones and parquet flooring as well as a luxurious private villa. With its own private veranda facing the Indian Ocean and swimming pool it is ideal for families and larger parties. Enjoy local delicacies cooked to your own taste by our chef and served by a friendly housekeeper dedicated to your service throughout your holiday.

MID RANGE
Le Vanila Hotel & Spa
Placed on the west coast of Nosy Be, Vanila Hotel & Spa combines the comfort of international standards and authenticity of Madagascar. Its traditional architecture and magnificent park are in total harmony with the original landscape of the island with views towards the ‘orchid island’ of Nosy Sakatia. The pools are a particular highlight, with a lovely tiered swimming pool as well as an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. There’s also a spa with hammam and massage rooms, and you’ll be able to use the Jacuzzi for free. The main restaurant, Parfum Vanille, offers exotic buffet-style dining with fresh local produce and a relaxed atmosphere. The Grill del Sol serves light lunches and snacks from a blackboard menu, and intimate seafood dinners can be arranged here on request. Rooms are quite simple but spacious and comfortable, with warm colorful walls, air-conditioning and a television. Garden Rooms are on the ground floor overlooking the tropical gardens and have a private terrace, while Ocean Rooms are more spacious, with private balcony and sea views.

Nosy Be Hotel & Spa
A few kilometers from the main town, Hell-Ville, and opposite the islet of Nosy Tanga, nestles in a luxuriant tropical 5- acre garden on the edge of the Bellevue beach. The owner, a lady from a mix of cultures, has created an original, welcoming environment from precious woods and vivid colors, giving the hotel its cozy 4-star charm. The hotel offers 50 rooms in 8 different classes, overlooking the sea or the garden. The Spa, with its team of professionals, is a haven of well-being. Each room, furnished with care and attention, is fitted with mosquito netting, air conditioning, a mini-bar and private patio.