Madagascar Baobabs & Beyond
Madagascar Baobabs & Beyond
Madagascar Baobabs & Beyond
11 Days Starting and ending in Antananarivo
Visiting: Antananarivo, Miandrivazo, Tsiribihina River, Bekopaka, Bekopaka (The Small Tsingy), Bekopaka (The Great Tsingy), Morondava, Antsirabe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
YBSO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Venture into the far reaches of Madagascar on this 11-day journey that reveals the diverse landscapes of one of the most spellbinding countries on the African continent. From the emerald-green crater lakes of the Antsirabe district, to the golden hues of sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs, experience Madagascar’s rainbow terrain as you leave behind the bustle of Antananarivo and traverse remote paths and waterways into the wild. Experience life along the Tsiribihina Delta on a two-day cruise, see the legendary tombs of the Vazimba people while exploring caves, float down the Manambolo River in a dugout canoe and feel the suspense as you peer down into the vast canyon of the Great Tsingy.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Antananarivo
Location: Antananarivo
Accommodation: Hotel
Tonga soa! Bienvenue! Welcome to Antananarivo, Madagascar's crowded but charming capital. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you decide to arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the city. With cobbled streets, wooden houses and impressive churches, ‘Tana’ has a distinctly romantic air. Perhaps wander the streets of Haute-Ville or visit the permanent Analakely street market. After your welcome meeting this evening, you might like to head out with your new friends for dinner in one of Antananarivo high-quality restaurants.
Day 2: Miandrivazo
Location: Miandrivazo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Be prepared for a long drive as you begin the journey west this morning. Maybe kick back with a book or get to know your fellow travellers during the to Miandrivazo, a small city that will act as the starting point for your adventure down the Tsiribihina River. On arrival, check in to the hotel and listen to a briefing on essential information for your two-day cruise. Head out to pick any extra supplies you may need or desire for the next few days, then get some rest in preparation for tomorrow.
Day 3: Tsiribihina River
Location: Tsiribihina River
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Rise and shine for the 35-kilometre drive (approx 2hrs) to Masiakampy, where you will find a traditional barge waiting to escort you along the Tsiribihina River. These flat bottom boats were once used to transport tobacco, but without that precious cargo they make a comfortable way to cruise along the water and access the remote reaches of western Madagascar. For the next few days, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife on the banks and in the water, enjoy easy walks to hidden waterfalls and stop off in rural villages. Climb aboard and meet the crew, then settle in and enjoy some lunch as you travel through flat farming plains and enter the dramatic gorges of the Tsiribihina, stopping in the afternoon to trek to a waterfall before returning to a large sandbank to set up camp.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Tsiribihina River
Location: Tsiribihina River
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Enjoy a full day gliding along the water today, travelling into the heart of the river and waving to the locals on the banks and barges as you pass. In the absence of roads, nature flourishes along the river in this part of Madagascar – watch out for herds of zebus crossing the river, and flashes of colour as you look for bee-eaters, herons, and egrets in this bird lovers’ paradise. Stop occasionally for a village walk or a short trek for animal spotting before setting up camp at a village along the shore. This evening, light a campfire and enjoy some traditional Malagasy music and dancing with the locals.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Bekopaka
Location: Bekopaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy one last morning along the Tsiribihina river before disembarking the boat and bidding farewell to the crew. Make a quick stop at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, a small village nestled in the marshes and mangroves of the Delta, to check out the market and grab some lunch before beginning the 5-hour 4x4 off-road drive to Bekopaka. Once we arrive, take the rest of the day to enjoy a swim or a refreshing shower and rest your weary limbs. Tomorrow, you’ll be taking on the Small Tsingy.
Day 6: Bekopaka (The Small Tsingy)
Location: Bekopaka (The Small Tsingy)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Rise early, pick a comfortable outfit and pack some snacks, as today you’ll spend up to five hours trekking through the Small Tsingy, located in Bemaraha National Park. Scramble and navigate through a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest made of rock. Stop at two lookout points along the way for photo opportunities and a chance to take in the impressive surrounds. In the afternoon, unwind with a float down the Manambolo River on a pirogue (wooden dugout canoe) under the shadow of these towering rock cliffs. Enjoy an easy afternoon cave stroll, taking the sight of stalactites, stalagmites and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba – said to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Bekopaka (The Great Tsingy)
Location: Bekopaka (The Great Tsingy)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Embrace another early start this morning and prepare for another action-packed trip to the Great Tsingy. Getting up early again might be a struggle, but it’s the best way to beat the heat and more intense crowds. Largely unexplored until the 1990s (the name Tsingy is very roughly translated as ‘place where one cannot walk barefoot’ in Malagasy), the area is now easier to navigate due to a series of bridges, semi-permanent climbing plugs and other equipment. Feel your heart stop as you pass over a sheer drop via a suspended bridge, a truly breathtaking experience that those with vertigo may wish to skip. Animal lovers should keep an eye out for 11 species of lemurs, 100 species of birds and 45 endemic reptiles and amphibians, including the Madagascar iguana and Antsingy leaf chameleon.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Morondava
Location: Morondava
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
There is another long day of travel ahead - including an 8-hour 4x4 adventure on bumpy roads. Grab that book or download a podcast and prepare to keep yourself occupied as you cross the Manambolo River and the Tsiribihina River by ferry, arriving in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava in time for a spectacular sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs. These cartoonish, towering trees are native to Madagascar, and the variety you’ll see lit from behind this evening are adansonia grandidieri, the tallest of them all. Watch the sky turn pink and yellow and finally cast these trees – many of which are up to 800 years old – in shadow. Spend the night in Morondava and take a well-deserved rest.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Miandrivazo
Location: Miandrivazo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take some time this morning to enjoy free time in Morondava. You may choose to relax on the beach or visit the local markets. This afternoon we will make our way to Miandrivazo.
Day 10: Antsirabe
Location: Antsirabe
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Depart this morning for Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. Along the way, enjoy an easy trek in the countryside and discover the beauty of the local lakes, including the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest. Hike through the lakes district and sit down for a picnic-style lunch. Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and French-inspired facades. Located in the highlands, it's a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as 'pousse-pousse' are a popular form of transport.
Day 11: Antananarivo
Location: Antananarivo
Make your return to the capital city of Antananarivo this morning where our trip comes to an end around 2 pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Camping (2 nights) -
Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
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Bemaraha National Park - Small Tsingy walking circuit
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Bemaraha National Park - Manombolo River Canoe Ride
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Bemaraha National Park - Big Tsingy Trek
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Morondava - Sunset at Baobab Alley
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Transport
- Minibus , 4WD , Ferry , Boat
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Included Activities
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
- Small Tsingy walking circuit
- Manombolo River canoe ride
- Big Tsingy Trek
- Sunset at Baobab Alley
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3,4 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. To protect against cholera, travellers who have spent time in Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa before arriving in Madagascar are required to take 100 mg of Doxycycline upon arrival. Tablets will be provided by Malagasy health authorities, after clearing passport control. Currently, short layovers are exempt from this requirement. People with diabetes and pregnant women are also exempt. This measure remains in effect until further notice.
Mode of Transport
- Minibus , 4WD , Ferry , Boat
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
The visible vertical drop at the Great Tsingy is an incredible sight, however it can be quite intimidating especially for those with vertigo. If you have concerns, please discuss these with your leader once the trip commences.
Some of the best scenery in Madagascar is found on hikes. So, while this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.
This trip includes river cruising on the Tsiribihina River. Camping conditions are basic along the way and there will be no access to bathroom facilities, however this means you have access to more remote parts of the region and the joy of experiencing the elements.
As this is a remote part of Madagascar there will be some very long travel days, but we think the unique and rewarding experiences are worth the distances travelled. Due to the conditions of the roads and the impact of little maintenance during the pandemic travel can be slow so a little patience can go a long way. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions