West Coast - The splendor of the slopes

experience with us the Terra Incognita in Madagascar

As part of our "The splendor of the slopes - experience with us the Terra Incognita in Madagascar" tour, we offer you here the opportunity to consider an extraordinary and unique offer on the German-speaking market. The journey leads you after the arrival in Antananarivo on the famous N7 in the direction of the south, on this almost legendary road different national parks and attractions expect you. Via the Ranomafana National Park and the Park Anja we reach Sarondrano after a few days. Here, after a few days of rest, the pure adventure of the trip begins. Along the west coast, the famous and gigantic giants of Madagascar's flora await you: the largest Baobab trees on earth and almost all species that exist in the world have been living in this area of Madagascar for many centuries. The entire coastline from Sarondrano to Kirindy Reserve is one adventure. From Kirindy we will drive you via Antsirabe back to the capital Antananarivo where we will finish the trip in the Villa Sibyl will let the day end.

Day 1 Arrival in Antananarivo

No matter at what time of day or night you land at the airport in Antananarivo, we will be waiting for you in the airport building. Either by one of our employees or by us personally you will be received and the vacation in Madagascar can begin immediately. Depending on the time of day, there are still activities possible in the surrounding area, or we will bring you to the "Villa-Sibylle" for an overnight stay.
Overnight stay in the "Villa Sibyl“

Day 2 Antananarivo-Antsirabe

Today we really get going. We will drive through the busy streets of Antananarivo towards the south until we reach Behenjy or Ambatolampy where we can have a short rest at noon. After about 170km we reach the destination of our today's stage in Antsirabe. This city is not only economically very important for all of Madagascar, it is also characterized by a pleasant high altitude climate. Its almost European flair is still emphasized by some colonial buildings along the route. Already in the garden of the hotel you can observe the first reptiles with a little luck. Chameleons and geckos are often and gladly seen guests in the beautifully landscaped gardens of the hotel.
Overnight stay in "Chambres du Voyageur“

Day 3 Antsirabe-Ranomafana

On the way to Ranomafana National Park, they feel their way south on a winding road. . Shortly after, the landscape opens up in an exciting way and the drive takes us through dense vegetation of ferns, trees and epiphytes right into the middle of the magnificent Ranomafana National Park. The park is a single laboratory of evolution and nature. On its area of 42.000 hectares many different animals and plants can be found and observed. Whether you are looking for reptiles, amphibians, lemurs or birds, the park explodes with life. Ranomafana National Park, located at 1300 meters, is the only mountain cloud forest in Madagascar and is the only one of its kind in the world.
Overnight stay in hotel "Grenat"

Day 4 Ranomafana N.P.-Ambalavao

After getting up early, hiking in Ranomafana National Park is on the agenda today. Via the winding, almost serpentine road we drive up to the park entrance. There you will be welcomed by our guide who will lead you through the park. Depending on your condition and preferences, different hikes in the cloud forest can be booked. Let yourself go on this experience and soak up the energy of the forest.
After that, we go through small hidden villages of red and earth-colored huts and houses back to the highlands and from there our way leads us on the N7 further in the direction of Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao. Like mosaic fields, rice fields in all imaginable shades of green line the way. In Fianarantsoa we visit the photo studio of the world famous photographer Pierrot Men whose works are known intenationally but which can be found on the island only in his studio in Fianarantsoa. After this visit we will continue our trip on a very well maintained section of the N7 highway. The landscape will change tremendously on the way to Ambalavao. Huge granite boulders and barren laterite landscapes line the road. At a viewpoint above the town we take a break and let the vastness of the landscape take its effect on us. From here we can already see the destination of today's stage. Ambalavao lies between high mountains overgrown with vines in front of us.
Overnight stay in hotel "Tsienimparihy Lodge"

Day 5 Ambalavao-Anja Park-Ranohira

We leave Ambalavao early in the morning and drive through landscapes that strongly remind us of African savannahs. The first stop of the day is at the privately run and very well organized "Anja Park". The park is home to numerous chameleons and reptiles that can be observed very well. The highlight of the visit is the encounter with family groups of Katta Lemurs living in the park. After a few kilometers we pass the gateway to the south and after the capital of the Bara tribe, Ihosy, we continue on partly kilometers of dead straight roads until we arrive in Ranohira. We spend the night in a first class hotel 4**** Hotel with an incredible view of the Isalo Mountains and relax the evening in a pleasant atmosphere.
Overnight stay in hotel "Isalo Rock Lodge"

Day 6 Ranohira-Sarondrano

Continuing south, we follow the savannahs and desert landscapes until before Tulear. The Tropic of Capricorn is now in close proximity. On the route there are many possibilities of activities. In consultation with the driver and their companions, the activities will be discussed. For example, a visit to a sapphire mine in Ilakaka or a side trip to the Zombitse Vohibasia National Park are possible. The southern regions are the center of interest for visitors and botanists due to their unique vegetation. Also to be seen along the road: The famous Mahafaly tombs and the "Aloalos", wooden steles decorated with geometric motifs naively describe with simple scenes, everything that was important in the life of the deceased.
From Tulear, the road turns into a sandy track that will lead us to a very remote area. Over this track we reach our guesthouse which belongs to one of the most beautiful I know on the island. The "Résidence Eden Lodge" is still an insider tip, however, word will soon get around and there are very few accommodation options
Overnight stay in hotel "Résidence Eden Lodge"

Day 7-10 Sarondrano and surroundings

The design of the following 4 days you can partly design and plan yourself. Are you at this point of the vacation rather the type who would like to relax a little and enjoy the beautiful landscape with a 32 ° C warm sea water? No problem, there are enough places and quiet places as retreats available. Do you want more action? Outrigger pirogues, motorboat, canoe, off-road vehicles, visits to a huge protected area and even paragliding can be booked. Self-talking competent and trained guides are available for all offered actions. A special highlight is a visit to the island Nosy Ve which is inhabited by very rare sea birds. A wonderful and unforgettable picnic in this environment you will never forget.
Overnight stay "Residence Eden Lodge“

Day 11 Sarondrano-Tulear-Ambatomilo

After a few days of relaxing, we continue our journey north on the N9. Now the adventure begins. We drive through the thorn forest of Reniala on sandy tracks to Ambatomiloha. On this stretch of road we see probably the most beautiful beaches of Madagascar. At least I have not been able to discover any more beautiful ones. The water is turquoise and forms a wonderful contrast to the bright white sandy beaches which are covered with finest coral sand. The landscape is vast and almost deserted. Even for Malagasy conditions, the area and the aridity is so extreme that there are very few villages.
Shortly before Ambatomiloha there are huge baobabs in clusters that you don't see elsewhere, some grow in groups and look like gigantic bonsais. In the midst of this wonderful and impressive nature we find ourselves in a bungalow hotel which even has hot water.
Overnight stay in hotel "Shangri La

Day 12 Ambatomilo

Not to take a rest day here would be downright criminal. The location is simply too impressive to just drive through. Enjoy a day in the shade of baobabs and regain your strength for the further way north along the coast.

Day 13 Ambatomilo-Morombe

Through the area of the Mikea, the legendary smallest ethnic group on Madagascar, our way leads along the coast through fantastic thorn forests in the direction of Morombe. The road no longer deserves its name here, rather it is a deep and only difficult to drive on deep sandy road. The driving experience in our car resembles the one you know better driving on a closed snow cover. Gigantic baobabs and euphorbias line the road and will amaze you. On this part of the route our driver shows what he and the 4×4 are capable of. A thorough knowledge of what is feasible, but also what is not, is essential on deep sandy tracks and river crossings. You are in good hands and can enjoy the adventure to the fullest. Finally we reach Morombe where we are accommodated in a very simple and nice guest house.
Overnight stay "chez Katia" in Morombe

Day 14 Morombe-Belo sur Mer

In order to avoid an overnight stay in terrible conditions, which I would not like to subject any of my guests to, we have to tackle the longest section of the trip today. At 5 o'clock we start still in the darkness our way and cross the dry landscape which is interrupted by solitary standing thorn forests, Dideraceen, Baobabs, Euphorbias, cactuses and sometimes also deciduous trees. After about 70km we just leave Manja on the right side of the dirt road and continue into the ever deeper wilderness. After a total driving time of 8.5 hours over sand, scree and after some river crossings we reach the salt flats of Belo sur Mer. After this exhausting day we enjoy a dinner in traditional lodgings, with sanitary facilities but and hot water, friendly atmosphere and quite good food served at a common table with all guests at the same time.
Accommodation at the Ecolodge du Menabe.

Day 15 Belo sur Mer - Morondava

Today, after sleeping in and a very good breakfast, the last day on the slopes of Terra incognita awaits us. There are still a few river crossings, at least one of which is very challenging, but with the help of our driver, even the cliff is safe and easy to circumnavigate. Out of nowhere an asphalted road appears which of course we also like to use. On this road we drive to Morondava and take up our night's lodging there.
Overnight stay "chez Maggie

Day 16 Morondava-Kirindy N.P.

From Morondava there are only 50km of road to cover until the Kiridy Reserve awaits us. The road consists partly of paved roads, but also of sandy tracks. However, due to the experience we have gained in the last few weeks, this does not pose any major challenges for us and the driver. On the way to the reserve we pass one of the most photographed locations in Madagascar. The Baobab Avenue awaits us with all its splendor and the uniqueness of its appearance. In the reserve itself there is the very rare possibility to see the biggest predator of Madagascar. The Fosas still occur in this area and they can be seen here daily, although they are very rare and shy Kirindy is the ideal and almost the only place in Madagascar where these animals can be seen in the wild. Tonight a night hike is recommended because many of the lemurs are only active in the dark and therefore only then really good to find.
Overnight stay at Kirindy Camp with little comfort

Day 17 Kirindy N.P.-Antsirabe

After another visit to the Kirndy Reserve as part of a day tour that takes at least two hours, we slowly make our way towards Antsirabe. Arriving in the highest town in Madagascar, we can enjoy the refreshing cool air of the thermal town.
Overnight stay "Chambres du Voyageur" in Antsirabe

Day 18 Antsirabe-Antananarivo

After such a long time in nature, in the heat of the deep south and along the almost endless baobab and thorn forests of the west coast, it is very pleasant to feel the cool air of the highlands. This last stage of this extraordinary tour gives the guests a different insight than at the beginning where the same route was driven in the opposite direction. These were the first impressions of Madagascar, 2500km full of unforgettable impressions have been experienced since then. We return to the starting point Antananarivo.
Overnight stay in the Villa Sibyl

Day 19 Antananarivo and surroundings-

If time allows, there are still many possibilities to enjoy this last day in Madagascar, especially attractive is the "Lemurs Park" which is located 22 km outside of Antananarivo, if young and old do not have enough of the droll animals. There are also other attractions in abundance, your guide will be happy to advise you!
In the evening we will take you to the airport, usually the flight home leaves after midnight, so you will appreciate the possibility of a "dayuse" at the hotel and can prepare everything in peace before the flight.
Day Use in the guest house of the "Villa Sibyl"

Day 20 Return flight

Return flight to Europe

Price per person in half board:

2 guests	A 4X4 vehicle	3290 €
3 guests	A 4X4 vehicle	2980 €
4 guests	Two 4X4 vehicles	3290 €
6 guests	Two 4X4 vehicles	2980 €
7 guests	Two 4X4 vehicles	Upon request
8 guests	Three 4X4 vehicles	Upon request

For the provision of a single room, a total surcharge of 590.00 euros will be charged.

20-day nature tour: The services included in the basic price

- complete planning and logistics
- English speaking escort or optional German tour guide
- Toyota Landcruiser 4X4 with special equipment including driver and fuel
- all nights in the specified hotels
- Catering concerning breakfast and dinner
- Transfers, taxes and trips specified in the program

20-day nature tour: Services not included in the basic price

- Lunch and drinks as well as other individual catering
- Tips and all personal expenses
- Entrance fees for the national parks and private parks
- additional local guides and optional leisure activities
- Airfares for international flights and domestic flights
- Taxes for flights as well as airport fees
- Travel health insurance and travel cancellation insurance
- Visa costs (currently not applicable)

It is possible to book this trip on your travel dates as an individual trip
It is also possible to book two other variants of this tour:

The splendor of the slopes - Long version

East Coast - The splendor of the slopes

As already mentioned above, you always have the possibility to express individual suggestions or wishes on our nature tours. As far as it is possible, we will do everything to make your trip to Madagascar one of the most beautiful experiences of your life. If you have any questions about our travel package, the organization or the prices you can contact us directly under konnerth1@hotmail.com. The same applies, of course, if you already have a concrete booking request. We are looking forward to meeting you!

Special notes

This tour is about 3500 km long and it is only feasible from mid-May to mid-November. The south and the west of Madagascar are very hot areas, the coolest months would be June to August but in the remaining months where the tour is offered it is of course also feasible without problems.
This is an adventure trip to difficult to access and sparsely populated areas, we attach great importance to the best possible accommodations wherever possible but on this trip a few poorer accommodations have to be accepted because there are no alternatives far and wide.
Although it is not a physically demanding trip, it should be clear from the beginning that the participants should not have any serious health problems because medical care can be difficult when traveling far from the usual routes. Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis are neither mandatory nor really necessary, but some precautions for the usual medications for tropical travel should be taken. A good physical condition is absolutely necessary, this tour is not suitable for guests with heart problems.
The climate is mostly very warm to hot but it can get very cold on the highlands in the winter months (June to August), so both light summer clothing and warmer clothing must be taken.
There are chargers and voltage converters in the car, but it is advisable to bring your own power bank or enough batteries.

For all other questions we are at your disposal