Highlands and East Coast

Madagascar is often referred to by researchers as a "museum of living fossils. When the island broke away from the African mainland 150 million years ago due to tectonic shifts, it created conditions under which numerous plant and animal species could develop optimally. No other place on earth has such a great diversity of species and such a wealth of endemic animal and plant species. On horseback, you can experience the wonders of nature on the fourth largest island in the world in a very pristine way. Seize the chance to explore vast landscapes and become part of the island's incomprehensible beauty.
On this horseback tour you will discover the highlands in the mid-west of the island as well as the east coast and the famous Canal des Pangalanes, a 645 km long waterway in the east of Madagascar. On the horseback tour we show you some of the most beautiful landscapes Madagascar has to offer. In terms of riding as well as scenery, this is a very varied tour, with quieter but challenging stages in the lonely mountains and brisk, happy gallops on white dream beaches.

Day 2: Cute lemurs on Madagascar

After breakfast, you will drive together to the mid-west of Madagascar to the starting point of your horseback riding tour, where your horses will already be ready for you. On the way you will stop at a lemur park, where you can observe these cute animals from very close. At the first lunch, you will get a first impression of the culinary habits of the country. Afterwards you will be taken to the ranch to meet your horses. After dinner, you will spend the night in guest rooms or tents.

Day 4: A day on the banks of the Lily River

(approx. 5-6h riding time)

From the ranch you will start on horseback through the shallow plains of Sakay and along the Sakay River to the mid-west of Madagascar. Stop for lunch in Babetville, a town founded in the 1950s by immigrant families from Reunion. Enjoy a beautiful sunset in the late afternoon and then relax around the campfire while enjoying dinner together. Experience the impressive starry sky in the southern hemisphere and spend the night close to nature in the tent camp on the idyllic Lily River.

Day 6: The most fantastic panorama of the island

(about 5-6h riding time )

Another impressive day on horseback awaits you. Along the ridge you will go up through rice fields and narrow plantation paths to an altitude of 1,500m. From there you will enjoy an impressive 360° panorama of Lake Itasy and the surrounding area. You will gallop along the dam before setting up camp in the east of Manazary, on the shores of the lake of Amparihikely. You will end the day in a cozy atmosphere with a drink around the campfire, while small fishing boats rock peacefully in the evening sun.

Day 8: Geysers - the spectacle of hot volcanic springs

(approx. 5-6h riding time)

Today's riding stage will take you through the mysterious volcanic landscape along the banks of the Lily River. You can admire the picturesque Lily waterfalls, where the water plunges more than 25 meters into the depths. Or buy for your loved ones at home one of the small works of art made of pumice stone, which the Eiheimers produce here. Afterwards, you will cross the Lily River and follow trails of impressive black volcanic rock on horseback until you reach the geysers. In the evening, a typical traditional dinner from Madagascar awaits you. You will spend the night in comfortable tents in the middle of this impressive landscape.

Day 12: The famous Canal des Pangalanes

(about 3-4h riding time)

In the morning you will be awakened by the animal greetings of the forest and visit the famous Andasibe National Park. Afterwards, continue to Brickaville, where your horses are already waiting for you and you can have lunch on your own in a restaurant of your choice. Not far from Route Nationale No. 2, you will descend along winding paths towards the cliffs to the east. You will ride until the ferry, at the Canal des Pangalanes and depending on the weather, you can also swim through the channel on horseback. Afterwards, the beach of Ambila is at your feet and the shallow waves of the Indian Ocean welcome you! Directly under the palm trees you set up the tent camp in the immediate vicinity of the beach and can enjoy the magnificent view, the sound of the sea and the tropical atmosphere.

Day 14: Ambila - The lovely fishing village of Vavony

(approx. 4h riding time)

An excursion on horseback takes you north today. Wonderful paths and a brisk pace make the rider's heart beat faster as well as the grandiose views that are offered again and again! You will reach Vavony, a fishing village on the shores of Lake Rasoabe. In the late noon you return to Ambila, because in the afternoon fun and action at the beach is announced: With the horses you organize exciting riding games at the beach! Of course there will be enough time for swimming and relaxing. You will spend the last night in your cozy tent camp.

Day 15: Return to Brickaville

(approx. 3h riding time)

Today, unfortunately, it is called to break the tents. You will cross the Canal des Pangalanes again. Since the horses have been enjoying the pleasant sea breeze around their nostrils for four days, they are refreshed and lively. The pace of the ride is therefore varied and brisk - enjoy once again exuberant gallops on beautiful sandy paths and on the gorgeous beach. The horses will be brought back to Antananarivo by transporter. The riders need about 5 hours by car to get to the capital. Lunch is not included on this day. But you have the possibility to get a snack before the ride or afterwards. On the way you will make a stop at the Pereiras Reserve where many native animals can be observed.

Important info:

The 16 days horse riding tour we usually offer in the period from April till October Other dates can be negotiated on request. Both accommodation and meals are organized by us, so you can either stay in a Double room in a long known to us Hostel or a comfortable tent be accommodated. Sufficient and typical food from regional ingredients will also be provided by the hostels. For the overnight stays in the tent and the lunch during the excursions we provide - if not otherwise indicated - corresponding Snack Packs ready or prepare a Picnic for you, so you don't have to worry about anything and can fully concentrate on the unique landscape.

The horses we provide are Geldings and stallions from local breeds, which are accustomed to long tours and thus also in difficult passages reliable and surefooted are. If you decide to take this tour, you should still have at least 2-3 years riding experience have. The bridle paths require safe acting in all 3 gaits, also you should be able to master challenging rides through the terrain. Since the tours are based on a daily Riding time from 5 to 6 hours are designed, you should have sufficient Condition have. Saddle and bridle are English. The riding speed varies depending on the nature of the trails from brisk to quiet. Especially in the mountains we usually set a gentle pace. On the well-maintained sandy paths along the coast, on the other hand, you can gallop at a leisurely pace. The horses are not limited to a riding weight of over 90kg used to. Normally we run the tour for a total of 4-10 participants with a English or French speaking Guide through. Of course we take into account individual requests and wishes.