Land of Baobabs

The Land of Baobabs Tour is a 13-day beach holiday in the south-west of Madagascar. This is a private guided itinerary, exceptionally designed for adventure seekers, who enjoy exploring and going off the beaten track. You will get to see some of the most magnificent baobab trees growing in the most remote areas of Madagascar, as well as mind-blowing untouched beaches. You will visit Morondava with the famous Avenue of the Baobabs, and the sleeping village of Belo sur Mer with the nearby Kirindy baboab forest. Then you will fly to Toliara and discover the most beautiful lagoon in the world and visit the parks and thorny forests with dwarf baobabs. This adventure trip includes 4×4 driving on rural tracks, wading through sand dunes and crossing rivers. 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 flamingoes and whales, if lucky, 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 luxury boutique hotels with comfort and charm. You can start the program the other way around, and we will adjust the trip depending where you arrive. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

13 Days – From £2,900 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Morondava, Belo sur Mer, Toliara, Ifaty, Ankasy, Andravona, Andavadoaka, Morombe, Toliara

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 an email 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.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Madagascar Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Morondava

Today you will take a short flight to the the south-west of Madagascar. Upon your arrival at Morondava Airport (MOQ), you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Morondava is the gateway to the majestic Avenue of the Baobabs. After check-in, your driver will take you to the avenue (50 min). 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. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the trees. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight at Palissandre Cote Ouest.

Day 2 - Morondava to Belo sur Mer

At sunrise, take another trip to the avenue. Most likely you will be the only one there, able to enjoy at your own pace. The sun rises on the right side, between some baobabs in the distance. It’s more mystical than the sunset as there is usually a little bit of fog, the village awakens and locals pass wrapped up, carrying things on their heads. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then transfer to Belo sur Mer, a small fishing village, located 80 km south of Morondava. On the way, stop at Ambararata (Mahaboboka) – the Cathedral of the Baobabs. It is a beautiful dry forest, with many baobabs and the possibly to spot lemurs. Once arrived in Belo sur Mer, sit at a tavern, listening to the songs escaping from churches and enjoy the magical feeling of freedom. Overnight at Belo Beach.

Day 3 - Kirindy Mitea National Park

Today visit Kirindy Mitea National Park (or “Kirindy Mite”, it’s the same) and its fascinating forest (*not Kirindy Reserve). This National Park is a very large park with different sites which are very far from each other. The park extends from Manja, in the South of Belo sur Mer, all the way to the North of Belo sur Mer, on the road to Morondava. This park is absolutely magical. Choose to hike along one of the many circuits or take a pirogue trip to the coral islets. Discover pristine beaches, sand dunes, spiny forest, baobab trees, lakes and flamingos. It’s also a fantastic place for bird-watching. On your return, visit Salines of Antsira, the largest in Madagascar. White as far as the eye can see, in which the blue of the sky is reflected. In the backdrop you can also see some dwarf baobab trees. Overnight at Belo Beach.

Day 4 - Return to Morondava

In the morning, watch the fishermen setting up their canoe at sea. Visit the open-air dhow site, where ships are built by hand. Dozens of schooners with two equal masts, are being built on each side of the lagoon. All the stages in the development of these transport ships are represented here: the keels lying on the sand, like the ribs of whales against the sky, the jetties of the masts, the potbellied hulls cheerfully painted, according to a know-how transmitted from generation to generation. Later, transfer back to Morondava. After check-in, take a tuk-tuk to Kimony Beach (30 min), a deserted long white sand beach where you can swim. Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at the nearby resort. Overnight at Palissandre Cote Ouest.

Day 5 - Antsokay Arboretum

Today catch a flight to Toliara, connecting in Antananarivo. Extending along the Mozambique Channel, immediately north of the Tropic of Capricorn, Toliara is the largest town of southern Madagascar. After check-in, time permitting, visit Antsokay Arboretum, a beautiful botanical park of 40 ha hosting local plants, threatened by constant deforestation and bush fires. The plants are reproduced and multiplied here by seed or transplant. The arboretum includes a collection of over 900 species of plants from south-western Madagascar. About 80% of them have medicinal properties. Overnight at Auberge de la Table.

Day 6 - Toliara to Ifaty

After breakfast, continue further north, to Ifaty (1 hour). After check-in, visit Reniala Baobab Reserve, a beautiful botanical sanctuary located near the sea, at the exit of Mangily village. The reserve covers a huge area hosting an exceptional richness of flora and fauna with more than 1000 endemic plant species, including the marvelous alien-looking octopus tree and baobabs. You will also see many cute animals, camouflaged reptiles and birds. After the visit, balance the day at leisure on the picturesque beach. Here you are guaranteed to find the freshest lobster and grilled fish dinner in the world! Overnight at La Bella Donna.

Day 7 - Ifaty to Ankasy

After breakfast drive to Ankasy, a well kept secret, located in a spectacular place, at the end of the world (2 hours driving). Here you will discover a transparent emerald lagoon with a superb white sand beach. This is the beginning of the breathtaking Ambatomilo lagoon. After the hectic drive along sandy roads, here you can recharge your batteries in this virgin nature. Get your snorkelling mask and head into the crystalline water. From July to September you can watch whales in the lagoon – a spectacular event! In the evening take a pirogue trip in search of sea urchins. Watch a magnificent sunset over the ocean. Overnight at Ankasy Lodge.

Day 8 - Ankasy to Ambatomilo

After breakfast, continue north, along the beach and sandy unpaved roads, to Andravona (2 hours). Here you will discover a large white sandy beach and beautiful views. Visit the local unique tribe “Mikea” and the beautiful Mikea Forest, where you can see dwarf baobabs. 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. Relax and watch the beautiful sunset in Ambatomilo. Enjoy the views – it’s an absolutely stunning place. Overnight at Mikea Lodge.

Day 9 - Andavadoaka

Today continue further north, to Andavadoaka (2 hours). On the way, stop in Baie des Assassins and the nearby village of Andalambezo. At the entrance to the village you will find a small lake, surrounded by dwarf bottle-like baobabs, creating a surreal landscape. The pink flamingos come here to eat crabs during the rainy season. After a picnic, continue along the coast to Andavadoaka, a relaxing fishermen village with breathtaking scenery. The village is located near a turquoise bay with rich reefs and idyllic beaches. The reef barrier creates coral islands a little further north.There is also an algae plantation nearby. Enjoy the beautiful and eerie scenery, blue emerald sea, small creeks, sand, and the spiny forest. Overnight at Olo Be Lodge.

Day 10 - Day trip to Morombe

Today take a day trip further north, to Morombe (2 hours). Visit this unique forest in the world, which is accessible from Morombe, with several giant Grandidieri baobabs located in the small village of Andombiry. The place is located 35 km away from Morombe and it takes 3 hours drive one way and 6 hours for the return trip. 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 (27 m). It is a sacred tree, respected and protected. It is hard not to feel small in front of such a wonderful creature. Return to Andavadoaka at the end of the day. Overnight at Olo Be Lodge.

Day 11 - Return to Tsiandamba

After an early breakfast, drive back towards Tsiandamba (3 hours). After check-in at your lodge, spend the day at leisure on the beach or explore Salary Bay (20 min away). Here you will discover a large white sandy beach and beautiful views. Alternatively, you can choose to go snorkeling during a pirogue trip. Sea turtles and rays are frequent visitors to the reef. From July to September, you can even watch humpback whales here. Also, you can try stand-up paddling, kite surfing or surfing. The water is shallow and the temperatures are pleasantly warm all year round. There is also a steady wind. Overnight at Ambatovaky Lodge.

Day 12 - Tsianbamda to Toliara

Today take a boat transfer to Ifaty. Stop for a snorkelling trip at Massif de Roses. This region is part of that Great Barrier Reef of Tulear which hosts one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. The reef is stretching over 450 km along the southwestern coast of Madagascar, from Itampolo to Andavadoaka. Due to the protective barrier reef, this part of the coast has shallow lagoons with sensational scenery and sea colors. You can see the waves breaking over the reef in the distance. When the pirogues float on the turquoise water it seems as if they are flying. Totally surreal scenes! Continue to Toliara by road. Overnight at Famata Lodge.

Day 13 - Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Toliara for your onward flight. Time permitting, visit Sarodrano, a 3,3 km long sand peninsula, very close to the Bay of St. Augustin, about 35 min drive from Toliara. It is a laid back place with a simple lodge, where you can stop for lunch and from where you can explore the beautiful dunes. The peninsula is bordered on the one side by mangroves and on the other side by a coral reef. There is a beautiful natural pool inside a grotto with emerald water. The pool is a weird mix of freshwater at the top and saltwater at the bottom. This produced some cool wildlife: lizards, crabs, fairly large fish and shrimps. Return to Toliara and transfer to the airport. Alternatively, continue by land, along RN7 Route.

More Holiday Inspiration

In Madagascar Other Destinations