12 Day Ultimate Madagascar Tour

Extreme close-up of a panther chameleon's turret eye and the beaded scales around it

Destinations: Madagascar, Antananarivo, Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, the Avenue of the Baobabs and Tsingy de Bemaraha

This 12-day trip strings together Antananarivo, Andasibe, Ranomafana, Isalo, the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha, spreading the days across the best of the region. The markets and craft stalls are good for a first or last day. Eleven lemur species live in the reserve’s tall eastern forest. Hot springs give the village its name below the forest.

Day By Day

Day 1 Arrival At Antananarivo

You set out from Antananarivo after breakfast and drive to Antananarivo, the country changing as the kilometres pass, reaching camp with time to settle in and take a first look before dark. A reserve nearby lets you see lemurs within an hour of the city. The markets and craft stalls are good for a first or last day. Most trips start and end here before flying home. You settle into camp as the light goes. A good meal closes the day. Antananarivo, the hillside capital, is the arrival point and hub for every route.

Its old town climbs to the royal palace with views over rice paddies and tiled roofs. Your guide has the ground worked out, and knows where the day is likely to lead. The morning is cool and the animals are moving, so the first hours out are the busiest. You carry a packed breakfast and stay out while the going is good. Around midday the heat sits heavy, and you rest in the shade before heading out again as it cools.

An Indri, the largest living lemur, clinging to a rain-soaked tree trunk in Andasibe — Andasibe opens the route with the largest of the living lemurs.

Day 2 Transfer To Andasibe

A short morning exploring on foot and by road at first light in Antananarivo, then to the road for the move to Andasibe-Mantadia. The country changes on the way, and you reach Andasibe in the afternoon. You head out looking for lemurs on forest trails as the light softens, a first look at the new ground. Guided trails are gentle and the wildlife is close. Andasibe is the easiest rainforest from the capital and home to the indri, the largest living lemur. The guides find the wildlife you would walk straight past. Night walks bring out chameleons, tree frogs and nocturnal mouse lemurs.

Eleven lemur species live in the reserve’s tall eastern forest. The indri’s eerie dawn call carries for over a kilometre through the forest. You carry a packed breakfast and stay out while the going is good. Around midday the heat sits heavy, and you rest in the shade before heading out again as it cools. The guide reads the tracks and the birds, and there is no rush to be anywhere.

Day 3 Lemur Trails In Andasibe

A full day in Andasibe-Mantadia. You are looking for lemurs on forest trails, out early while the light is low and the country is at its best, with the guide working the ground slowly and time to stop for whatever the day turns up. Andasibe is the easiest rainforest from the capital and home to the indri, the largest living lemur. The indri’s eerie dawn call carries for over a kilometre through the forest. Night walks bring out chameleons, tree frogs and nocturnal mouse lemurs. The forest is cool and green after the road.

Eleven lemur species live in the reserve’s tall eastern forest. Guided trails are gentle and the wildlife is close. Around midday the heat sits heavy, and you rest in the shade before heading out again as it cools. The guide reads the tracks and the birds, and there is no rush to be anywhere. Late in the afternoon the light turns gold and the game comes back to the open ground.

Day 4 Transfer To Ranomafana

A short morning looking for lemurs on forest trails at first light in Andasibe, then to the road for the move to Ranomafana National Park. The country changes on the way, and you reach Ranomafana in the afternoon. You head out looking for lemurs on forest trails as the light softens, a first look at the new ground. It holds the golden bamboo lemur, found only here, among a dozen lemur species. Night walks along the road turn up chameleons and mouse lemurs. A night walk adds chameleons and nocturnal lemurs. The trails are steep but the wildlife rewards the climb.

Ranomafana is mountain rainforest, steep and dripping, on the RN7 route south. Hot springs give the village its name below the forest. The guide reads the tracks and the birds, and there is no rush to be anywhere. Late in the afternoon the light turns gold and the game comes back to the open ground. With a drink in hand you watch the day close over the bush.

Day 5 Lemur Trails In Ranomafana

A full day in Ranomafana National Park. You are looking for lemurs on forest trails, out early while the light is low and the country is at its best, with the guide working the ground slowly and time to stop for whatever the day turns up. Night walks along the road turn up chameleons and mouse lemurs. Hot springs give the village its name below the forest. The trails are steep but the wildlife rewards the climb. The guides find the wildlife you would walk straight past. Ranomafana is mountain rainforest, steep and dripping, on the RN7 route south.

It holds the golden bamboo lemur, found only here, among a dozen lemur species. Late in the afternoon the light turns gold and the game comes back to the open ground. With a drink in hand you watch the day close over the bush. Back at camp, dinner is served under a sky thick with stars. Each time out turns up something new, and the pace is yours to set.

Trekkers walking a dusty trail beneath the eroded sandstone cliffs of Isalo — Isalo brings canyon walking to the middle of the southern leg.

Day 6 Transfer To Isalo

A short morning looking for lemurs on forest trails at first light in Ranomafana, then to the road for the move to Isalo National Park. The country changes on the way, and you reach Isalo in the afternoon. You head out on foot through the rock and forest as the light softens, a first look at the new ground. The wide plateaus glow at sunset over the southern route. It breaks the long RN7 road south with a day on foot. The light at the end of the day is the reward. Trails lead to green oases and swimming holes hidden in the rock.

Ring-tailed lemurs and sifaka move along the canyon edges. Isalo is eroded sandstone country of canyons, palms and natural pools. With a drink in hand you watch the day close over the bush. Back at camp, dinner is served under a sky thick with stars. Each time out turns up something new, and the pace is yours to set. You stop for coffee where the view is good and let the morning warm up.

Day 7 Walking Isalo

A full day in Isalo National Park. You are on foot through the rock and forest, out early while the light is low and the country is at its best, with the guide working the ground slowly and time to stop for whatever the day turns up. It breaks the long RN7 road south with a day on foot. Isalo is eroded sandstone country of canyons, palms and natural pools. Trails lead to green oases and swimming holes hidden in the rock. The walking is the point, and the views earn it. Ring-tailed lemurs and sifaka move along the canyon edges.

The wide plateaus glow at sunset over the southern route. Back at camp, dinner is served under a sky thick with stars. Each time out turns up something new, and the pace is yours to set. You stop for coffee where the view is good and let the morning warm up. Nothing is promised in the wild, which is what makes a good sighting count.

Day 8 Transfer To Avenue Of Baobabs

A short morning on foot through the rock and forest at first light in Isalo, then to the road for the move to the Avenue of the Baobabs. The country changes on the way, and you reach the Avenue of the Baobabs in the afternoon. You head out exploring on foot and by road as the light softens, a first look at the new ground. The Avenue of the Baobabs lines a dirt road near Morondava with trees up to 800 years old. At sunset the giant trunks throw long shadows and glow against the sky. There is time to slow down and take it in.

Nearby the ‘lovers’ baobabs’ twist together in the dry forest. The west coast light in the late afternoon is the time to be there. It is the most photographed spot in Madagascar for good reason. Each time out turns up something new, and the pace is yours to set. You stop for coffee where the view is good and let the morning warm up.

Wide panorama of the Avenue of the Baobabs at dusk with the low sun bursting between two huge trunks — The Avenue of the Baobabs is the set piece of the west coast.

Day 9 Exploring Avenue Of Baobabs

A full day at the Avenue of the Baobabs. You are exploring on foot and by road, out early while the light is low and the country is at its best, with the guide working the ground slowly and time to stop for whatever the day turns up. At sunset the giant trunks throw long shadows and glow against the sky. It is the most photographed spot in Madagascar for good reason. Nearby the ‘lovers’ baobabs’ twist together in the dry forest. A good meal closes the day. The west coast light in the late afternoon is the time to be there.

The Avenue of the Baobabs lines a dirt road near Morondava with trees up to 800 years old. You stop for coffee where the view is good and let the morning warm up. Nothing is promised in the wild, which is what makes a good sighting count. The country is quiet here, and on most outings you have it to yourselves. Your guide has the ground worked out, and knows where the day is likely to lead.

Day 10 Transfer To Tsingy De Bemaraha

A short morning exploring on foot and by road at first light in the Avenue of the Baobabs, then to the road for the move to Tsingy de Bemaraha. The country changes on the way, and you reach the Tsingy de Bemaraha in the afternoon. You head out on foot through the rock and forest as the light softens, a first look at the new ground. Lemurs and endemic birds live in the pockets of forest between the rock. Getting there crosses the Manambolo River by ferry through wild country. The walking is the point, and the views earn it. The Tsingy is a UNESCO forest of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles you cross on bridges and ladders.

Harnessed walks climb through the stone maze to viewpoints over the spires. It is Madagascar’s most dramatic and adventurous site. Nothing is promised in the wild, which is what makes a good sighting count. The country is quiet here, and on most outings you have it to yourselves. Your guide has the ground worked out, and knows where the day is likely to lead.

Day 11 Walking Tsingy De Bemaraha

A full day in Tsingy de Bemaraha. You are on foot through the rock and forest, out early while the light is low and the country is at its best, with the guide working the ground slowly and time to stop for whatever the day turns up. Getting there crosses the Manambolo River by ferry through wild country. It is Madagascar’s most dramatic and adventurous site. The Tsingy is a UNESCO forest of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles you cross on bridges and ladders. You carry water and take the climbs slowly. Harnessed walks climb through the stone maze to viewpoints over the spires.

Lemurs and endemic birds live in the pockets of forest between the rock. The country is quiet here, and on most outings you have it to yourselves. Your guide has the ground worked out, and knows where the day is likely to lead. The morning is cool and the animals are moving, so the first hours out are the busiest. You carry a packed breakfast and stay out while the going is good.

Day 12 Departure

A final morning on foot through the rock and forest before you leave, the best window of the trip for anything still on your list. You make the most of the early light, then you drive back toward Antananarivo. Lemurs and endemic birds live in the pockets of forest between the rock. Getting there crosses the Manambolo River by ferry through wild country. This 12-day trip links Antananarivo, Andasibe, Ranomafana, Isalo, the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha, with the travelling done between the wildlife so your days stay on the ground that matters. It is Madagascar’s most dramatic and adventurous site.

The Tsingy is a UNESCO forest of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles you cross on bridges and ladders. Harnessed walks climb through the stone maze to viewpoints over the spires. You stop for coffee where the view is good and let the morning warm up. Nothing is promised in the wild, which is what makes a good sighting count. The country is quiet here, and on most outings you have it to yourselves.

A wide panorama of the Tsingy, a forest of razor-sharp grey limestone pinnacles in western Madagascar — The Tsingy de Bemaraha closes the route before the drive back.

What’s Included

All internal flights and road transfers on the route
Full-board accommodation on safari as shown
Game drives and the activities named in the day plan
Park entry fees for the days shown
Airport and airstrip transfers, drinking water in the vehicle

What’s Not Included

International flights and any visa
Travel insurance
Drinks, tips for guides and staff
Activities not listed and items of a personal nature

Why Is This Madagascar Safari Worth Considering?

This trip earns its place because the stops are nothing alike, and seeing them together makes each one land harder. A reserve nearby lets you see lemurs within an hour of the city. The markets and craft stalls are good for a first or last day. Getting there crosses the Manambolo River by ferry through wild country. Linking Antananarivo, Andasibe, Ranomafana, Isalo, the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha in one route means you cover more of Madagascar than a single park allows, and the travelling between them is short. On 12 days you get range without the trip feeling rushed, the set-piece wildlife, the quieter corners, and the change of country from one stop to the next. For a traveller who wants variety over a single famous name, this is a strong, well-balanced way to see the region, and it works whether it is a first trip or a return.

Is 12 Days Enough for a Madagascar Wildlife Safari?

12 days across Antananarivo, Andasibe, Ranomafana, Isalo, the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha is a well-judged length, though it is a read of each stop rather than a deep stay. You get a full day or more at the main parks, enough to see the headline wildlife and still catch the quieter moments. It suits travellers who value breadth and do not mind moving every couple of days. What this length cannot do is exhaust any one park, the biggest of them could fill a week on their own, so the remote corners stay for another trip. If a single place is your priority, spend the nights there instead. And if you have longer, the route takes an easy add-on, whether that is more time with the wildlife or a stretch on the coast to finish. As it stands, this 12-day trip is balanced and full.

What Does a 12 Day Madagascar Safari Cost?

What you pay turns mostly on the camps and the season. In Madagascar, park fees are small but a local guide is required at each reserve. As a rough guide, most trips of this length run from around USD 2,150 to 4,800 per person sharing, higher in the peak dry months and cheaper in the green season. Camp and lodge level is the big lever, from simple tented camps to the smarter river and bush camps, and a shared vehicle between four brings the per-person cost down. Tell an operator your dates, group size and the standard you want and it can be quoted to the figure.