Morondava Circuit

The Morondava Circuit is a 13-day sightseeing itinerary in western Madagascar, an off the grid itinerary exceptionally designed for explorers and adventure seekers. The trip is suitable for fit travellers, who enjoy hiking. It is a private guided road trip. The itinerary offers a slow-paced journey into the western region of Madagascar, the land of Sakalava and Menabe tribes. Hike in the majestic national park of Tsingy de Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discover sacred caves, enjoy sundowners at the famous Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava and take snorkel in pristine turquoise waters. The program involves several days of long 4×4 driving. Since domestic flying within Madagascar can be challenging, a road trip is the best way to connect these destinations in one circuit. The program includes accommodation at small rustic hotels. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. You can also choose to make the trip the other way around, flying to Morondava, and returning by land (or vice versa).

13 Days – From £1,990 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Morondava, Bekopaka, Morondava, Belo sur Mer, Antsirabe, Antananarivo

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double room
Accommodation with breakfast and picnic lunch on day 6 and 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 - Antananarivo

Today you will arrive in Antananarivo Ivato International airport (TNR) where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Antananarivo means “City of thousands”, the place which unified the tribes of Madagascar about 500 years ago. The city is built on 3 levels: the high city where the queen’s palace is situated, the mid-city with nice boutique shops and all the administrative buildings, and the bustling low city with the markets. Time permitting, visit the markets in the low city, then catch a splendid sunset from one of the cafes from the upper part of town. Overnight at Le Belvédère Hotel.

Day 2 - Antananarivo to Antsirabe

Early after breakfast drive to Antsirabe (170km/5h). Stop in Ambatolampy to visit the aluminum workshops. Beautiful terraced rice-fields and Merina villages will accompany your journey. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Antsirabe, an elegant spa-town with a mix of local and European feel. After lunch, visit local ateliers by rickshaw. The city reflects the warmth of its people and traditions. Famed for its “pousse pousse”, gemstones and handicrafts, the wide tree-lined avenues invite you to discover the workshops with zebu horns, wheat straw transformed into cutlery and hats, miniature bikes and old cars made from recycled cans. Overnight at Couleur Cafe.

Day 3 - Antsirabe to Morondava

Today continue your drive south to Morondava (around 8-9 hours). On the way stop for lunch. Today is rather a long day of driving. Arrive by sunset in Morondava, the gateway to the majestic Avenue of the Baobabs. On the way to your hotel you will pass by the avenue. 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. Relax at the hotel after this long drive. Overnight at Relais du Kirindy.

Day 4 - Kirindy to Bekopaka

Today long transfers lie ahead. Getting to Tsingy de Bemaraha involves taking a long transfer, crossing two rivers. This is the only way to go there. After breakfast, head to Belo sur Tsiribinha in a 4×4 (2 hours). Here you will be taken across the river on a makeshift ferry crossing. Stop for lunch on the other side. Drive to Bekopaka (115 km / 5 hours). There will be another small river to cross on a ferry in Manambolo, just before Bekopaka. Arrive in Bekopaka around sunset time. At night you may well hear people singing in the distance. Relax by the pool after this long journey. Prepare for an exciting day tomorrow. Overnight at Olympe du Bemaraha.

Day 5 - Tsingy de Bemaraha

After breakfast, spend the whole day visiting Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park with a guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this national park is a huge massif, spectacularly eroded into a chaos of karsts pinnacles. The high rocky plateau is made of deep cracks, labyrinths, canyons, covered with a dry forest. The park is a shelter for many species of lemurs and reptiles which can only be found here. Spend the day trekking in the park with an experienced guide who will tell you about the rocks and its inhabitants, guiding you across beautiful trails. You can stop for a picnic lunch whenever you feel it is time for some rest. Overnight at Olympe du Bemaraha.

Day 6 - Manambolo & Small Tsingy

After breakfast, embark in a traditional pirogue and sail to the spectacular Gorge of Manambolo, located in the cliffs, upstream of Bekopaka. Rare combinations of unique geological colors decorate the gorges. After this refreshing morning trip, visit the Small Tsingy, located at the entrance of Bekopaka village. Here you can spot different plants, reptiles, birds and even the sifaka lemurs. The circuit lasts around 2 hours and passes through a labyrinth of limestone with two view points over the impressive pinnacles. Return to the hotel and spend the relaxing afternoon at the pool. Overnight at Olympe du Bemaraha.

Day 7 - Bekopaka to Morondava

After breakfast, take the dirt road to Morondava via Belo de Tsiribihina (225 km/9 hours). This is a whole day transfer with picnic stops and is the only way to connect to Morondava. The view of the majestic baobabs at the end of the trip will be a great reward for the long drive. Enjoy a splendid sunset at 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. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the trees. Overnigth at Chez Maggie.

Day 8 - Morondava to Belo sur Mer

At sunrise, if you wish, take another trip to the avenue. An absolutely breathtaking moment! 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 are passing wrapped in their clothes, 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. Sit at a tavern, listening to the songs escaping from the churches and enjoy the untouched landscape. Belo sur Mer gives a magical feeling of freedom. Overnight at Hotel Entremer.

Day 9 - Nosy Androvoho

Today, discover Nosy Andravoho, a tiny coral island, 2 hours by canoe from Belo sur Mer. It’s a little white drop-like sandbank in the ocean. There are no trees, no people, no houses, just sand and the ocean. The clear waters of the Mozambique Channel form a natural swimming pool on a sandy bottom, protected from the waves at mid-tide by a bar of polished rocks, ideal for swimming. Snorkel around the sandbank. You will have a fish picnic in the middle of the ocean. Continue to Nosy Tanya visiting its pristine white sand beach. From July to October you can come across dolphins and whales. Return to Belo sur Mer in the afternoon. Overnight at Belo Beach.

Day 10 - Kirindy Mitea National Park

Today visit Kirindy Mitea National Park and its fascinating bottle baobab forest (*not Kirindy Reserve). This park has plenty of baobab trees and it’s absolutely magical. Choose to hike along one of the circuits or take a pirogue trip. Discover pristine beaches, sand dunes, spiny forest, baobab trees, lakes and flamingos. Stop at the Cathedral of Baobabs for a picnic, surrounded by dozens of giant baobabs. 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 Ecolodge du Menabe.

Day 11 - 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 12 - Morondava to Antsirabe

Today prepare for a full day on the road through the rural countryside. After breakfast, leave the baobabs behind and start driving back to Antsirabe (485 km/9 hours). Zebu passing along the way, children in dark blue uniforms walking to school, women doing the laundry in the river – the life goes on in Madagascar. Stop at local markets to buy fresh fruits and for lunch at a local restaurant. You will notice that the road will start to climb, since you are driving towards the highlands. Antsirabe is located in one of the most elevated areas of the island, so the air is more refreshing and cool here. You will arrive towards the evening. Overnight at Chambre du Voyageur.

Day 13 - Antsirabe to Antananarivo

After breakfast, continue driving to Antananarivo (170 km/3,5 hours). The picturesque highlands with beautiful terraced rice-fields and Merina villages will accompany your journey. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, spend more time in Madagascar and discover the island of Sainte Marie in the East or the beautiful archipelago of Nosy Be in the North. Madagascar has a lot to offer and we invite you for a second visit to take in the other parts of the country i.e. Masoala, or, if you like camping, to hike along the Vanilla Triangle.

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