21 Days Madagascar Self Drive Safari (3 weeks Itinerary)

21 Days Madagascar Self Drive Safari takes you on a 3 weeks self drive tour in Madagascar watching Lemurs, Boababs. This 21 Days Madagascar Self Drive Safari is ideal for all travelers on self drive tour in Madagascar as they watch the stunning Lemurs, Boababs, Wildlife as well as the Rain Forest.

21 Days Madagascar Self Drive Safari is your ultimate self drive safari in Madagascar as you explore safari destinations traversing from one point to another.

Safari Overview

Day 1: Arrival at the Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo)

Day 2: Transfer from Antananarivo to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Day 3: Full Day in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Lemur Island)

Day 4: Andasibe to Antananarivo

Day 5: Explore Antsirabe then transfer to Ranomafana National Park

Day 6: Full Day at Ranomafana National Park

Day 7: Transfer to Tsaranoro

Day 8: Full Day at Tsaranoro Valley

Day 9: Explore the Chameleon peak

Day 10: Transfer to Ranohira

Day 11: Visit Isalo National Park

Day 12: Ranohira – Tulear – Ifaty

Day 13: Day at leisure at Ifaty

Day 14: Ifaty – Tulear – Tana

Day 15: Transfer from Tulear to Antananarivo then to Diego Suarez

Day 16: Explore Diego Suarez — Montagne des Français & Ramena

Day 17: Emerald Sea Boat Trip

Day 18: Car Rental & Drive to Ankarana

Day 19: Full-Day Exploring Ankarana

Day 20: Red Tsingy & Analamerana Option

Day 21: Departure via Tana

Day 1: Arrival at the Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo)

You shall arrive at the Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) where you are met and welcomed by a driver guide who transfers you on journey to explore the markets, shops as well as around the city then takes you to check-in hotel for relaxation, Dinner and Overnight. Le Chat’o Park Hotel

Day 2: Transfer from Antananarivo to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Enjoy breakfast in the morning then transfer at the farm of Pereyras where you watch the butterflies that are bred. You shall also watch chameleons, frogs, snakes and bats. After the brief visit, you shall have lunch en-route then continue on a journey of 4 hours to the famous Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

After sometime, you shall reach the Park and view the thick humid mountain rainforests consisting of 11 differing species of lemur fond of hooting, grunting and wailing. Approaching them is exceptional as these are habituated to be approached by humans. After reaching the park, continue to check-in hotel for relaxation then later you can go on an optional guided nature walk to view the nocturnal animals. Mantadia Lodge.

Day 3: Full Day in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Lemur Island)

Breakfast in the morning then embark on a full day adventure exploring Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. You shall embark on walk in the morning with a local guide watching many rare and endemic species in the rainforest like the Indri, diademed sifaka, bamboo lemur and various bird species. The guide shall inform you more about them as well as other flora. After the adventure, break off for lunch then transfer to visit the crocodile park where you approach the crocodiles in all serenity. After the adventure, you shall proceed back to hotel for Dinner and Overnight. Vakona Forest Lodge.

Day 4: Andasibe to Antananarivo

Breakfast in the morning then embark on a city tour around Antananarivo capital city of Madagascar. The City is called Tana by the local inhabitants and comprises of  rice paddies, Asian appearance, many stairs up steep hills, palaces, cobbled streets and churches. There are about 1.5 million people in the City. Explore various attractions around the City the later proceed to check-in lodge for relaxation, Dinner and Overnight. Le Chat’o Park Hotel

Day 5: Explore Antsirabe then transfer to Ranomafana National Park

You shall transfer to explore Antsirabe where you visit the imposing cathedral and crumbling white villas as well as hundreds of tiny workshops which are scattered across town, making sweets, delicate lacework and tiny model bicycles. Afterwards, you shall embark on drive for 6 hours South to Ranomafana National Park via Ambositra. On reaching the park, watch wildlife like the Mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, tree frogs. Afterwards, continue to your lodge/ hotel for Dinner and Overnight. Setam Lodge.

Day 6: Full Day at Ranomafana National Park

Morning breakfast then embark on Full day trekking in rainforest at Ranomafana National Park. On reaching the park, you shall watch 13 species of lemurs, Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, golden bamboo lemur, Lemurs, bird species like Pitta-like ground roller, velvet asity, various vangas, reptiles, Leaf-tailed geckos, orchids, ferns.

You shall also watch the rolling red hills, terraced rice paddies, eucalyptus forests, and traditional Merina villages. You shall also embark on the nocturnal visit so as to watch the mouse lemur. After it showing up, you shall watch it jump and move around then later after the adventure, you shall return back to your hotel for Dinner and Overnight. Setam Lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Tsaranoro

Breakfast then transfer on journey for a period of 4 to 5 hours to the Tsaranoro. You shall follow through rolling terrain from Ranomafana’s rainforests to Tsaranoro’s sandstone canyons.

On reaching here, transfer to check-in lodge for relaxation, Dinner and Overnight. Camp Catta.

Day 8: Full Day at Tsaranoro Valley

Have breakfast in the morning then transfer to enjoy adventures around the Valley. The adventures you shall have include; hiking and climbing for all travelers even those that are not skilled. You shall also enjoy horse back riding around the valley, visit villages as well as engage on mountain biking adventures. If you are interested in watching wildlife, you can enjoy watching the lemurs, chameleons and diverse bird species. After the adventure, you shall return to lodge/camp for Dinner and Overnight. Camp Catta.

Day 9: Explore the Chameleon peak

Enjoy breakfast then later proceed on hike to the Chameleon Peak. You shall follow through the sacred forest, a forest of palm trees that grow in high mountains, and a bamboo forest. The hike takes a period of 4 to 6 hours incluing both ascent and descent with variations depending on preferred route, pace and time spent at the summit. After the hiking adventure, you shall return back to lodge/ camp for Dinner and Overnight. Camp Catta

Day 10: Transfer to Ranohira

After breakfast in the morning, you shall leave Tsaranoro and proceed to Vohitsaoka. You shall then continue via the N7 till you reach Ranohira. Proceed on journey towards the Southwest and enter the Bara region. You shall then cross the largest plateau of Madagascar comprising of stunning beautiful herbaceous steppe topped with huge termite nests: After a while, you shall reach the village of Ranohira located close to the Isalo massif. On reaching here, continue to check in at the hotel for Dinner and Overnight. Isalo Rock Lodge.

Day 11: Visit Isalo National Park

Breakfast in the morning then embark on transfer to the Isalo National Park. You shall drive to the Isalo foothill where you leave on a quiet walk through impressive terrain landscapes, canyons, a natural pool and magic rock erosions. The Isalo ruin form massif is a continental sandstone plateau from the Jurassic era. While here, enjoy views of various rock formations with different shapes, ecosystems and flora like aloe, euphorbia, pachypodium and kalanchoe. After the adventure, check-in lodge/ camp for Dinner and Overnight. Isalo Ranch.

Day 12: Ranohira – Tulear – Ifaty

Breakfast then leave hotel and proceed Southwards passing through the remarkable Ilakaka village that is known for sapphire mining which attracted more than 100,000 people in the early 2000s. You shall then visit the Zombitse NP which stands and protects the dense, dry forest in southern Madagascar. The Park includes 72 recorded species of birds and 8 lemur species.

We then continue South, passing Tuléar and stopping for a city tour. Later, you shall transfer to the fishing village of Ifaty, an ideal place for diving and relaxation. Dinner and Overnight at La Bella Donna Hotel.

Day 13: Day at leisure at Ifaty

After morning breakfast, you transfer to visit the Reniala Reserve, a private reserve close to the sea with more than 60 bird species. You shall have leisure in Ifaty. Many activities are possible on land or water, such as boat trips, diving, walking, biking or quad biking, and visiting fishing villages. Later in the afternoon, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.la Bella Donna Hotel

Day 14: Ifaty – Tulear – Tana

Have breakfast then begin your day at a relaxed pace, enjoying a leisurely morning. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo. On  arrival, our driver guide shall warmly welcome you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. Le Chat’o Park Hotel.

Day 15: Transfer from Tulear to Antananarivo then to Diego Suarez

Breakfast early in the morning then transfer to catch a direct flight TLE → TNR (~1h 30–1h 45 m) by Air Madagascar/Tsaradia. After a period of 5 to 6 hours, you shall reach here in the late evening and proceed to check-in hotel for relaxation. After check-in, you shall enjoy a stroll and seafood dinner. Le Suarez Hotel.

Day 16: Explore Diego Suarez — Montagne des Français & Ramena

Morning breakfast then embark on hike to Montagne des Français for a period of 2 hours. You shall then have picnic lunch in town then in the afternoon, you shall proceed to visit Ramena Beach where you choose to relax, snorkel or kayak. In the evening, return back to your hotel in Diego Suarez for Dinner and Overnight. Le Suarez Hotel.

Day 17: Emerald Sea Boat Trip

Enjoy breakfast in the morning then embark on a full-day marine excursion to the Emerald Sea (Mer d’Émeraud). While on the sea, enjoy a dhow ride, snorkeling, seafood BBQ & pristine beaches. After the boat trip, you shall return back to your hotel for relaxation, Dinner and Overnight in Diego Suarez.Le Suarez Hotel.

Day 18: Car Rental & Drive to Ankarana

Breakfast in the morning then you shall rent a 4×4 in Diego Suarez or arrange pickup from Antkify/Nosy Be. You shall drive RN6 towards Ankarana Special Reserve via Ambilobe. Some of the roads are paved and others are rough. After a while, you shall reach and check-in lodge near Mahamasina for relaxation, Dinner and Overnight. Ankarana Lodge.

Day 19: Full-Day Exploring Ankarana

Early morning breakfast then transfer to enjoy a full Day exploring the beautiful Ankarana Special Reserve. On reaching here, you shall view the tsingy formations, suspension bridges, Perte de Rivière cave, Bat Cave. You shall also watch wildlife like the crowned and Sanford’s lemurs, chameleons, geckos and bird species. After the exploration for a full Day, you shall return to lodge for Dinner and Overnight. Ankarana Lodge.

Day 20: Red Tsingy & Analamerana Option

Breakfast then embark on early drive South to Tsingy Rouge for a period of 1 and a half hours. On reaching here, you shall admire the red sandstone towers then proceed on scenic drive on RN6. Alternatively, you can transfer to Analamerana Reserve to watch the rare Perrier’s sifaka & dry forest near Anivorano Nord. After the adventure, you shall return to Diego Suarez in the late afternoon. You shall then go to your hotel for Dinner and Overnight. Le Suarez Hotel.

Day 21: Departure via Tana

Breakfast in the morning then transfer to catch a return flight to Diego Suarez → TNR. On reaching the Airport board a flight back home.

Inclusions

• Accommodation
• Ground transport
• Park entrance fees & local guides
• Meals (breakfast; some include others)
• Domestic flights (featured in some tours)
• Bottled drinking water

Exclusions

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic drinks
• Extras, personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities