Tsingy & River Expedition

On arrival at Ivato International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. This first day is kept comfortable and flexible after your international flight, with time to settle in and prepare for the western Madagascar adventure.

Depending on arrival time, a short orientation can be arranged around Antananarivo, including panoramic viewpoints, local neighborhoods, or a relaxed introduction to the capital. Your guide will also brief you on the route, river descent, camping organization, Tsingy visit, road conditions, and luggage preparation.

Accommodation: Relais des Plateaux, Palissandre Hotel or similar

After breakfast, depart south through Madagascar’s central highlands. The road passes rice fields, red-earth villages, vegetable farms, and traditional brick houses, offering a scenic introduction to rural life.

A stop can be made in Ambatolampy to visit aluminum workshops where local artisans produce cooking pots using traditional techniques. Continue to Antsirabe, a charming highland town known for its cool climate, colonial architecture, artisan workshops, and colorful pousse-pousse rickshaws.

In the afternoon, enjoy a short city discovery by vehicle or rickshaw, with visits adapted to timing and interest.

Accommodation: Couleur Café, Plumeria Hotel Antsirabe or similar

Today the route turns west toward Miandrivazo, gradually leaving the cooler highland scenery for warmer and drier western landscapes. The drive reveals open valleys, rural villages, terraced fields, and changing vegetation as you approach the Tsiribihina River region.

Miandrivazo is the main starting point for the river expedition. On arrival, meet the river team for a practical briefing covering navigation, safety, camping, meals, luggage handling, and the rhythm of the following days.

Accommodation: Princesse Tsiribihina, Baobab Hotel or similar

Begin the Tsiribihina River descent by motorized canoe. This peaceful journey introduces the wild western landscape from the water, with cliffs, riverbanks, birds, village life, and changing scenery along the way.

The river section is deliberately simple and authentic. You travel at a relaxed pace, stopping when conditions allow for photos, wildlife observation, or a short walk near the riverbank.

In the late afternoon, arrive near Nosy Ampela and settle into camp on a sandy riverbank. Dinner is prepared by the local team, and the evening is spent under the stars.

Accommodation: Full camping, equipment included

Continue downstream through one of the most scenic parts of the Tsiribihina River. The day may include impressive cliff scenery, water birds, riverbank life, and peaceful navigation through remote landscapes.

A highlight is the stop at a waterfall and natural pool, where you can swim or relax in a refreshing setting. Later, visit Berevo village to learn about local life along the river and the Sakalava cultural environment.

Continue navigation in the afternoon before reaching the next riverbank camp.

Accommodation: Full camping

After the final river navigation, arrive near Belo-sur-Tsiribihina and meet the 4x4 team. From here, continue by vehicle toward Bekopaka, the gateway to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.

The drive is adventurous and depends on track conditions, ferry timing, and local logistics. The road crosses dry western landscapes, small villages, baobab scenery, and remote countryside.

Arrive in Bekopaka in the late afternoon or evening and prepare for the next day’s Tsingy exploration.

Accommodation: Orchidée du Bemaraha, Olympe du Bemaraha or similar

Start early with the Grand Tsingy, one of Madagascar’s most dramatic natural sites. The circuit includes limestone corridors, ladders, viewpoints, narrow passages, cliffs, and suspension bridges, with safety equipment used where required.

After lunch and a short rest, continue with the Petit Tsingy, a shorter but highly rewarding circuit with limestone formations, dry-forest pockets, accessible trails, and panoramic viewpoints.

This full day offers the best introduction to the extraordinary karst landscapes of Tsingy de Bemaraha.

Accommodation: Orchidée du Bemaraha, Olympe du Bemaraha or similar

After breakfast, leave Bekopaka and drive south toward Kirindy Reserve. The road follows remote western tracks with dry forest, baobab landscapes, villages, and ferry or local crossings depending on conditions.

A stop is made at Baobab Amoureux, the famous pair of naturally intertwined baobab trees, before continuing toward Kirindy.

On arrival, settle in at the lodge. If timing and local conditions allow, a night walk can be arranged to search for nocturnal wildlife such as mouse lemurs, geckos, chameleons, and night birds.

Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy or similar

Begin with a guided morning walk in Kirindy Reserve, one of western Madagascar’s best dry-forest wildlife sites. The forest is known for lemurs, birds, reptiles, baobabs, and the possibility of seeing the fossa, Madagascar’s largest predator.

After the visit, continue toward Morondava through baobab country. The route is timed to reach the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunset, when the trees create one of Madagascar’s most iconic landscapes.

After time for photos and quiet appreciation of the site, continue to Morondava for the night.

Accommodation: Palissandre Côte Ouest, Chez Maggie or similar

After breakfast, travel by 4x4 toward Belo-sur-Mer, following sandy tracks, salt flats, coastal vegetation, and remote Vezo fishing villages. This is a scenic off-road section that introduces the slower rhythm of the west coast.

Belo-sur-Mer is known for its lagoon, traditional boat-building, fishing culture, and peaceful seaside atmosphere. On arrival, check in at the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day by the coast.

Accommodation: Ecolodge du Menabe, Le Rocher Hotel or similar

Today is dedicated to the coast around Belo-sur-Mer. The program can be adapted according to tide, weather, and local conditions.

You may relax at the lodge, walk through the village, visit traditional boat-building areas, enjoy the beach, or join an optional island excursion with snorkeling if conditions are favorable.

This relaxed day balances the more adventurous river, Tsingy, and 4x4 sections of the expedition.

Accommodation: Ecolodge du Menabe, Le Rocher Hotel or similar

After breakfast, return by 4x4 to Morondava. The drive follows coastal tracks and western scenery, with stops made according to road conditions and timing.

On arrival, the afternoon is free to enjoy Morondava’s coastal atmosphere. You may rest at the hotel, walk near the beach, visit the local market, or enjoy a relaxed town experience before the long inland return.

Accommodation: Palissandre Côte Ouest, Chez Maggie or similar

Today is a long but important travel day from the west coast back to the central highlands. The route crosses open western landscapes, villages, dry vegetation, and gradually cooler highland scenery.

Breaks are made along the way for meals, photos, and comfort stops. Arrive in Antsirabe in the evening and settle into the hotel for a quiet night after the road journey.

Accommodation: Couleur Café, Plumeria Hotel Antsirabe or similar

After breakfast, enjoy a short final visit in Antsirabe if time allows, such as artisan workshops, gemstone shops, local markets, or a last pousse-pousse experience.

Continue north toward Antananarivo through highland villages, rice fields, and red-earth landscapes. On arrival, a short city visit or craft market stop can be arranged depending on traffic and timing.

Check in at the hotel for the final night in Madagascar.

Accommodation: Relais des Plateaux, Palissandre Hotel or similar

Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy free time for rest, souvenir shopping, or a short city stop in Antananarivo.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Ivato International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of the Tsingy & River Expedition after discovering the central highlands, Tsiribihina River, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Avenue of the Baobabs, Morondava, and Belo-sur-Mer.

Accommodation: Not included unless extra night requested