Land of Baobabs

The Land of Baobabs Tour is a 10-day beach holiday in the south-west of Madagascar. You will get to see some of the most magnificent baobab trees in remote areas as well as beautiful untouched scenery. This is a private guided itinerary, exceptionally designed for nature lovers, who enjoy exploring and going off the beaten track. This adventure trip includes 4×4 driving on rural tracks, wading through rivers, crossing salt pans and mangroves, navigating tall grass, bush plains and sand dunes. Discover the land of Mikea, a primitive tribe of hunters who have a unique way of life. Enjoy magical turquoise lagoons and exotic bays, watch the flamingoes at Tsimanampetsotsa, dive and snorkel along a magnificent coral reef full of marine life. Unwind, connect with nature and take it slow, Mora Mora. The Land of Baobabs is an excellent choice for a group of friends or couples who like active trips. The program includes accommodation at small boutique hotels with comfort and charm.

10 Days – From £1,100 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Morondava, Tulear, Anakao, Ifaty, Andravona, Andavadoaka, Morombe, Tulear

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double room
Accommodation with breakfast (+1 dinner on day 8)
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary on a private basis
All transfers on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks
English speaking driver / guide
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Madagascar)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Madagascar start from £700 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year.

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Madagascar, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp or Email us to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

Day 1 - Morondava

Today you will arrive in Morondava – the gateway the Avenue of the Baobabs. The majestic Grandidier’s baobabs are aligned along the road, wowing anyone passing by. There are said to be very old, millenniums old. Don’t miss out the Baobabs in love, two hugging baobabs growing together through centuries. Observe a spectacular sunset over the trees. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight at Palissandre Cote Ouest.

Day 2 - Fly to Tulear

After breakfast, fly to Tulear. Extending along the Mozambique Channel, immediately north of the Tropic of Capricorn, Toliara is the largest town of southern Madagascar. The Great Reef starts from here and goes north all the way to Morombe. Toliara is sometimes called the “City of the Sun” due to strong sunshine. Upon arrival, transfer to Antsokay Arboretum, a botanical park of 40 ha located in the south-east of the town. Local plants, threatened by constant deforestation and bushfires are reproduced and multiplied here by seed or transplant. This is a really beautiful garden to see. Overnight at Auberge de la Table.

Day 3 - Tsimanampetsotra

After breakfast take a 1h 15 min boat ride to Anakao. Upon arrival, drive on sandy road to the spectacular Tsimanampetsotsa (about 1h). The park is one of the most important nature reserves in Madagascar. This unique alkaline lake is a flamingo paradise. You will see huge baobabs, colourful Mahafaly tombs and a cave. Don’t miss the famous blind fish. After, visit Ampotaka, located on the Mahafaly plateau, not far from Betioky. It is very dry here and the local people dig out cavities in the baobab trunks, serving as cisterns during the rainy season. This way the local communities survive the dry season. On the way back, pass by Ambola beach. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Domaine d’Ambola.

Day 4 - Anakao to Ifaty

After breakfast drive back to Anakao to take a 1h 15 min boat ride to Tulear and continue to Ifaty. Upon arrival, visit Reniala Baobab Reserve, which is located near the sea, at the exit of the Mangily village, with a botanical trail and a bird sanctuary. The reserve covers an area of 45 hectares with an additional 15 hectares of buffer zone between the reserve and the clearing areas. Transfer by boat and by road from Ankao may take about 3 hours. Overnight at Le Paradisier.

Day 5 - Ifaty to Andravona

After breakfast drive to Andravona (4 hours driving). Andravona has a large white sandy beach and beautiful views. Visit the local unique tribe “Mikea” and the nearby beautiful forest. This tribe hardly has any contact with the outside world. They still practice bees-hunting in the forest of Befandefa. Walk along the Vezo fisherman village and watch the return of fishermen from the sea accompanied with women and children waiting to fetch the fish. Relax and watch the beautiful sunset on the Mozambique Channel. Enjoy the views – it’s an absolutely stunning place. Overnight at Mikea Lodge.

Day 6 - Andavadoaka

Today drives are shorter, but so spectacular. Stop in a pond surrounded by huge baobabs. After a picnic, continue across the coastal line adorned with nice view of the sea, baobabs and thorny forests. You will arrive after 2,5 h. Andavadoaka, is a relaxing fishermen village with breathtaking scenery. The village is famous for its turquoise bay, rich reefs and idyllic beaches. The reef barrier creates coral islands a little further north. Inland, short bottle-like baobabs grow in the thorny forest, creating a surreal landscape. There is also an algae plantation nearby. Enjoy the beautiful and eerie scenery, blue emerald sea, small creeks, sand, spiny forest. Overnight at Laguna Blu Resort.

Day 7 - Morombe

Today visit the unique forest in the world, located in Morombe, with several giants of Grandidieri baobabs from a small village of Andombiry. The baobabs of this region are very old. The majority of them measure between 15 and 25 meters in circumference. The largest baobab of Madagascar, Tsitakakoike, is to be found here (27m). A sacred tree, it is respected and protected. It is hard not to feel small in front of such a wonderful creature. Overnight at Hotel la Pirogue d’Or.

Day 8 - Morombe to Salary

Early breakfast and drive back toward Salay Bay. Enjoy the last day of baobabs and stop at the Assassin’s Bay. Continue to Salary Bay in the afternoon. The baobab forest is located close to Andalambezo village, next to the Baie des Assassins. Right at the entrance to the baobab forest there is a small lake. During rainy season pink flamingos come here to eat the crabs. The dwarf baobabs of Andalambezo get extremely little water, so they are short (4-5 meters), but have very wide trunks. In the very rainy season the trunks absorb the water and the trees swell. And in dry season, the trees shrink. Overnight at Salary Bay.

Day 9 - Salary to Tulear

Today drive back to Tulear through Ifaty. Stop to see Massif de Roses. This region is part of that Great Barrier Reef of Tulear which hosts one of the most beautiful lagoons in Madagascar and worldwide. The reef is one of the 5 biggest coral reefs in the world, stretching over 450 km along the southwestern coast of Madagascar, from Itampolo to Andavadoaka. Due to the barrier reef, this part of the coast has shallow lagoons with sensational scenery and sea color. You can see the waves breaking over the reef in the far. And when the local pirogues float on this turquoise water it seems like if they are flying. Totally surreal scenes! Overnight at Famata Lodge.

Day 10 - Farewell

Today it is time to head back to Toliara and catch your flight. Depending on your time schedule and time permitting, take a short tour of the city, visit the small shellfish market. Although this region of Madagascar is very remote and one needs a really good amount of time to be able to explore the region (at least one week or 10 days), the beauty of these places is totally unspoiled, raw and absolutely stunning.