Big South of Madagascar

We are arriving in the land of lemurs, Madagascar. Our guide welcomes you at the Ivato airport and drives you to your hotel. Next morning right after the breakfast we hit the road and head towards the city of Antsirabe. On our way we make stop in Ambatolampy where we visit the workshop of aluminum pot foundry held by local people. After the visit we drive through a large fruit plantation and terraced rice field of the highland of Madagascar. We arrive at the hotel and go for the afternoon city tour with the possibility to make rickshaw tour.

The next day we continue till Ambositra, the capital of marquetry in Madagascar where we visit the workshops specialized in the marquetry and the sculptures. The art of these craftsmen became a UNESCO immaterial world heritage. We make our way to the village of Ranomafana-Ifanadina where we go for the night walk in the park to discover the aye-aye the nocturnal tiny lemur. Ranomafana National Park is UNESCO’s World Heritage with 15 endemic species of lemurs. After the trek in the park we continue to the village of Ambalavao where we visit the workshop of the mythic Anteimoro paper and Malagasy handmade embroideries.

The following day is dedicated to the visit of Andringitra National Park, which covers ​​31160 ha area and is also known for the highest point of Madagascar, called “Pick Boby” with 2658 m of altitude. The park is a home to many endemic species such as orchids and lemurs. After the picnic Lunch in the park we drive back to Ambalavao.

After the breakfast we drive to the village of Ranohira to visit National Park of Isalo, an exceptional nature where water and wind have carved world alien forms. We visit the park in the afternoon with one of it`s highlights “Canyon des Makis “, or ”the natural swimming pool’’. Next morning we make our way to Tuléar, the last destination of the national road number 7. Along the road we stop to visit the national park of Zombitse-Vohibasia and we have another picnic lunch near the park.

Today we drive to the port of Tulear and take the boat to Anakao, our destination for next three nights. Anakao is pleasantly bustling fishing village blessed with an entrancing semi-circle of white-sand beach, a slice of turquoise water and a fringe of emerald-green vegetation. Now it's a perfect time to relax after the long journey, doing a bit of diving or admiring the hundreds of brightly painted pirogues rocked gently by breaking waves. Next morning we go for a day trip to the park of Tsimanapetsotse. This park is dry most of the year with less rain 300mm/years. The average temperature is above 23° C. Tsimanampesotse Lake is a turquoise blue that turns green topaz. It literally translates "lake without dolphins," an oasis in this area known to be one of the driest of Madagascar. Here we have a chance to see the bird “Flamants rose”.

We say good bye to Anakao and drive to the city of Fianarantsoa, one the biggest and oldest cities in the country and a top tourist destination in Madagascar behind Antananarivo. A vibrant city, Fianarantsoa is the intellectual and cultural heart of Madagascar with a large university and many interesting events and festivals, including the traditional Betsileo folk festivals held between May and September. There are some beautiful sights in Fianarantsoa as well, as the city is home to the oldest cathedrals in Madagascar.

There is a long journey ahead of us before we reach Antananarivo. Next morning we have a possibility to do the city tour of Antananarivo, before we pack our stuff  and catch our flight back home.