01 2311800Madagascar Untamed
19 nights / 20 days
Fully Guided
All Available Dates - Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
09 Nov 2026
03 May 2027
07 Jun 2027
06 Sep 2027
04 Oct 2027
08 Nov 2027
An island long isolated, Madagascar isfull of unique and spectacular surprises.From lemurs to baobabs, rainforests tothorny forests, deserts to pristine beaches,this is a place unlike anywhere else, richwith wildlife, tribal culture and startlinglybeautiful landscapes.
B Breakfast Included
L Lunch Included
D Dinner Included
Day 1 - Fly to Antananarivo
Fly to Antananarivo (also called Tana), capitalof the incredible island of Madagascar. On arrivalyou'll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 - Fly to Antananarivo
Fly to Antananarivo (also called Tana), capitalof the incredible island of Madagascar. On arrivalyou'll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 3 - Tamana Kitchen
Today you will discover the heart of Malagasyculture through its food. Start your journey ata lively local market where, led by your top localchef teacher, you'll pick out fresh, seasonalingredients. Then, head to the kitchen toprepare vary (rice) and laoka (tasty side dishes)using traditional techniques. The afternoon isfree to spend as you wish.
Day 4 - Travel to Antsirabe
Head out into Madagascar's countryside,passing through the highland territory of theImerina people and the Ankaratra Mountainsto reach landscapes of terraced fields andeucalyptus forests. As you go, you'll geta snapshot of rural life – roadside markets,farmers ploughing with zebus and wavingchildren. Spend the afternoon exploringAntsirabe, strolling among its colonial architectureand traditional craft workshops.
Day 5 - 'Garden of Madagascar'
Spend the morning in the countrysidearound Antsirabe, discovering the ‘Garden ofMadagascar' on foot. It is here that most of thecountry's fruit and vegetables are cultivatedand the region is known for its productionof artisanal foods. Walk through villagespausing to learn about traditional activities likebrickmaking, pottery and blacksmithing. Dinnerthis evening will be at a local restaurant ownedby a Frenchman who is renowned for creatingdelicious cheeses with local spices.
Day 6 - Travel to Ranomafana
Leave the volcanic hills and rich soil ofAntsirabe behind on a drive that will showcasejust a fraction of Madagascar's diversity. You'llpass through the territories of two more ethnicgroups, the Zafimaniry and the Betsileo,learning more about each as you cross. You'llnotice a change in scenery and weather as youapproach Ranomafana and descend into therainforest. On arrival you'll have the optionof a night walk around the outskirts ofRanomafana National Park before dinner.
Day 7 - Explore Ranomafana
Rise early and head into the wilds ofRanomafana National Park. The park wascreated in 1991 to protect the criticallyendangered golden bamboo lemur, and it isthese wonderful creatures that you are hereto spot today. Keep an eye out for red-belliedlemurs, Milne-Edwards' sifaka, chameleons,frogs and plentiful colourful insects too.This afternoon, you can continue to explorethe national park or have a relaxing soak inRanomafana's thermal baths.
Day 8 - Visit Valbio Research Centre
Set up by primatologist Dr Patricia Wrightin 2003, the Valbio Research Centre worksto protect and conserve Madagascar'secosystems through scientific research,sustainable development and localempowerment. On your visit here, takea guided tour of the centre with a researcheror trainee, join a presentation on lemurs orbiodiversity and wander the botanical gardens.
Day 9 - Discover Fianarantsoa
A surprisingly Italianate town set magnificentlyon a hilltop, Fianarantsoa is a delight toexplore. The capital of the Betsileo people,the town's historic heart is at its highest point,with glorious views over lush plantations; itis here that your walking tour begins. Headinto the countryside for a gentle walk throughtraditional Betsileo villages, and a speciallunch experience. Be warmly welcomed intothe home of a local family and sit down toa typical Malagasy meal and a chat withyour hosts about their daily lives. After lunchcontinue to the Antemoro paper factory whereyou'll see this traditional paper, made of theinner bark of the native havoha tree, beingproduced and hand-decorated with pressedlocal flowers.
Day 10 - Around Ambalavao
Take a short drive to the Anjà CommunityReserve. After lunch, explore this community managedforest, set against dramatic graniterock formations, part of a scheme that helpsprevent deforestation and generate income.Look out for the ring-tailed lemurs!
Day 11 - Into the South
Travel through more of Madagascar's magicallandscapes, passing through the Bara region, hometo communities who herd zebu, and into thedesert-like scenery of the south, arriving atRanohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park.
Day 12 - Explore Isalo
Today is dedicated to Isalo National Park. Headdeep into its landscapes on easy walking trailsthat lead to natural swimming holes, dramaticcanyons and hidden oases.There's also plentiful wildlife like ring-tailedand brown lemurs, hoopoes and souimangabirds and geckos and lizards to spot. Return tothe hotel in the mid-afternoon to relax.
Day 13 - Meva Workshop
Spend a relaxed day in and around the hotel.After a leisurely breakfast, follow the ‘CrestTrail' through the hotel's grounds for beautifulviews of the Isalo massif and to spot birds.Enjoy some free time before attending a mevaworkshop, where you'll learn about endemicplants and the variety of products that can bemade from them. Then enjoy a guided tourof the hotel's organic garden, pausing at aviewpoint for sunset with drinks and snacks.
Day 14 - Travel to Ifaty
Begin your journey to the coast. Travel throughIlakaka, a sleepy village turned boomingsapphire mining town, the spiny forest ofsouthern Madagascar, and onto the Mahafalyplateau. Here, among the rocky, flat and dustyterrain, you'll see the fascinating Mahafalytombs. Stop for lunch at the AntsokayArboretum. Arrive in the small beach town ofIfaty, home to a nomadic fisher-people, theVezo.
Day 15 - Relax in Ifaty
Spend the day as you wish, enjoying the beachor relaxing by the pool. This evening there isanextra special experience that awaits you. Inthe nearby Reniala Private Reserve, takea twilight walk through towering baobabs, asyou keep a lookout for wildlife. Sit down to acandlelight dinner at the foot of these mightytrees.
Day 16 - Return to Tana
Fly back to Tana. On arrival, navigate throughthe busy city and out into the countryside. Passthrough the scenic Mandraka Gorge drivingalong roads that hug the hillsides, passing intowilder landscapes of ferns and misty valleys.Continue to Andasibe, where you'll be plungedstraight into thick rainforest. Later, take a nightwalk at the Voimma Community Reserve,where you can spot mouse lemurs, leaf-tailedchameleons, tree frogs and much more.
Day 17 - Explore Andasibe
Rise early and delve into AndasibeNational Park. Spend the morning in theAnalamazoatra section where the evergreenforest is home to the iconic indri indri, oneof the largest of the lemur family, a numberof other lemurs, and is a haven for birds.This afternoon, you have the option of a walkin Mitsinjo Forest, another community-ledreserve.
Day 18 - Lemur Island
Visit Vakona Private Reserve to meet lemurswho have been rescued from captivity, theillegal pet trade and private zoos. Theselemurs roam free across densely vegetatedforest but cannot be returned to the wild.Drive back to Tana, where you'll have timeto relax before a farewell meal at a gourmetrestaurant.
Day 19 - Fly Antananarivo to UK
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flightto the UK.
Day 20 - Fly Antananarivo to UK
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flightto the UK.
