The Wild West Coast

Enjoy a flexible day in Madagascar’s capital. Choose between colourful markets, the historic Rova, the Photography Museum, artisan shops and some of the city’s best restaurants.

Leave the capital and travel through the cultivated central highlands to Antsirabe, a lively thermal city known for pousse-pousses, broad avenues and small artisan workshops.

Travel west from the highlands towards the Tsiribihina River. Miandrivazo marks the gateway to the river expedition and the changing landscapes of Madagascar’s Menabe region.

Transfer to the river pier and board the barge for the beginning of your three-day journey. Stop at Sahambano village and cool off beneath the beautiful Nosy Ampela waterfall before camping beside the river.

Continue along the Tsiribihina, passing river villages, rice fields, dramatic cliffs and forests. Look for crocodiles, chameleons, lemurs, fruit bats and a rich variety of birds.

Complete the river journey at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina before continuing by 4×4 across remote tracks and the Manambolo River to Bekopaka, gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha.

Make your first exploration of Tsingy de Bemaraha. Travel by traditional canoe through the Manambolo Gorge, visit caves and ancient Vazimba burial sites, then walk among the limestone pinnacles of the Little Tsingy.

Spend the day exploring one of Madagascar’s most extraordinary landscapes. Cross hanging bridges, navigate narrow limestone passages and look out across the towering pinnacles of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel south through Sakalava villages, dry forest, rice fields and baobab country to Kirindy Reserve. After settling in, head into the forest with a local guide for a nocturnal wildlife walk.

Explore Kirindy by day in search of Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemurs, couas and the elusive fossa. Later, travel to the Avenue of the Baobabs and watch the evening light fall between the ancient trees.

Continue to the relaxed coastal town of Morondava. Settle into your beachside hotel and enjoy time by the pool, on Nosy Kely beach or exploring the town’s laid-back streets.

A flexible day to enjoy the coast. Return to the baobabs, explore Morondava’s markets, canoe through mangroves, spend time on the beach or simply relax at the hotel.

Begin the long overland journey back to the capital, with regular stops to rest and take in the changing landscapes. Arrive at Nosy Manga for a comfortable final night.

Transfer to Ivato International Airport for your onward flight, leaving Madagascar with memories of river camps, limestone cathedrals, dry-forest wildlife and the unforgettable baobabs of the west.