Highlights of Madagascar — Self-Launched

Fly into Ivato International Airport and make your way into the city. Tana, as locals call it, is a chaotic, colourful highland capital spread across steep hills. Grab a taxi from the airport (negotiate a fixed price, roughly 30,000–40,000 Ariary / ~£6–8) and check into a budget guesthouse in the Haute-Ville district. Spend the afternoon wandering the streets and markets. The Zoma area and Analakely Market are worth exploring on foot.

🚌Taxi from Ivato Airport to city centre (~£6–8, negotiate before getting in)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Antananarivo city centre — e.g. La Maison d'Emile or similar (~£18–25/night with en-suite)

• →Arrive and check into guesthouse in Haute-Ville
• →Wander Analakely Market and the colourful street stalls
• →Optional: Book a self-guided city tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20) covering the Cathedral, Queen's Palace, and panoramic viewpoints

Take a taxi-brousse (shared minibus) or private taxi east from Tana toward Andasibe-Perinet National Park, around 3–4 hours. The route passes through lush highland scenery. Arrive in Andasibe village and check into a guesthouse near the park entrance. In the afternoon, walk around the village or take a short trail at the edge of the reserve. Book your Indri Special Reserve guided walk at the park gate for tomorrow morning.

🚌Taxi-brousse from Antananarivo to Andasibe (~£4–6 per person)

🛏Guesthouse near Andasibe park entrance — e.g. Eulophiella Lodge or Mikalo Orchidea (~£20–28/night)

• →Taxi-brousse from Tana to Andasibe (~3–4 hrs, ~£4–6)
• →Arrive and check into guesthouse near park entrance
• →Afternoon village walk and park gate orientation
• →Pre-book guided Indri Special Reserve walk for Day 3

Today is a full day in Andasibe-Perinet National Park. A mandatory guide is required to enter (available at the park gate). The Indri Special Reserve is the headline act — home to the Indri, the world's largest lemur, whose haunting calls echo through the rainforest canopy. A half-day guided walk costs around £15–20 at the gate. In the afternoon, explore the IMET mini-reserve adjacent to the main park, where nocturnal lemurs and chameleons can be spotted after dark on an optional night walk.

🚌Walking and local guide within the park

🛏Guesthouse near Andasibe park entrance (~£20–28/night)

• →Morning guided walk in Indri Special Reserve — spot Indri lemurs, chameleons, and tropical birds (~£15–20 guide + ~£8 park entry)
• →Afternoon: explore IMET mini-reserve independently
• →Optional: Night walk for nocturnal wildlife (book at gate, ~£10)

Head back to Tana by taxi-brousse and connect onward to Antsirabe, a highland colonial city about 3 hours south of the capital on RN7 — Madagascar's main southern highway. The journey passes spectacular terraced rice paddies. Antsirabe is known for its grand thermal spa and its fleet of rickety pousse-pousse (rickshaws). Arrive and check in, then take a pousse-pousse ride around the colonial centre for a few thousand Ariary.

🚌Taxi-brousse Andasibe → Tana (~£4–6), then Tana → Antsirabe (~£3–5)

🛏Budget hotel in Antsirabe — e.g. Hotel Truchet or local guesthouse (~£18–25/night)

• →Morning taxi-brousse from Andasibe back toward Tana, then onward to Antsirabe
• →Arrive and check in to guesthouse in Antsirabe
• →Evening pousse-pousse ride through the colonial town centre (~£1–2)
• →Explore the thermal spa area and craft market

Today you head into rural highlands. Visit Lake Andraikiba on the outskirts of Antsirabe — a volcanic crater lake surrounded by eucalyptus forest — before taking a taxi-brousse or arranged local transport to the small village of Fiadanana. This is one of the most immersive days of the trip: ask at your Antsirabe guesthouse to arrange an introductory dinner with a local family (many guesthouses can facilitate this for a small fee). Listen to local stories and traditions. Simple living, real connections.

🚌Local taxi-brousse or shared transport from Antsirabe (~£3–5)

🛏Basic community guesthouse or eco-lodge in or near Fiadanana (~£15–20/night)

• →Morning visit to Lake Andraikiba crater lake (entry ~£2)
• →Taxi-brousse or local transport to Fiadanana (~£3–5)
• →Village exploration on foot
• →Optional: Arranged dinner with a local family (~£8–12 including food contribution)

Continue south on RN7 to Ranomafana, a small village named after its hot springs. The journey passes through increasingly dramatic highland scenery. Ranomafana National Park, nearby, is one of Madagascar's most important biodiversity hotspots. Arrive and check in, then take a short walk down to the hot springs in the valley (small entry fee). Ask your guesthouse to help you arrange a guided park walk for tomorrow morning.

🚌Taxi-brousse via RN7 (~£5–8 per person)

🛏Guesthouse in Ranomafana village — e.g. Hotel Manja or Centrest Sejour (~£18–25/night)

• →Taxi-brousse south from Fiadanana area toward Ranomafana (~£5–8)
• →Arrive and settle into guesthouse
• →Afternoon walk to the hot springs in the valley (~£1–2 entry)
• →Book guided national park walk at the park office for tomorrow

Rise early for a guided morning forest walk in Ranomafana National Park. Guides are mandatory and hired at the park gate — a 2–3 hour circuit costs around £12–18 in guide fees plus park entry (~£8). The park is home to golden bamboo lemurs, red-fronted brown lemurs, and an extraordinary range of chameleon species. After the walk, taxi-brousse south through Madagascar's wine-producing region toward Ambalavao, a traditional town famous for its handmade Antaimoro paper and zebu (cattle) market.

🚌Walking in park; taxi-brousse Ranomafana → Ambalavao (~£4–6)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hotel in Ambalavao (~£15–22/night)

• →Early morning guided walk in Ranomafana National Park (~£12–18 guide + £8 park entry)
• →Spot golden bamboo lemurs and chameleons
• →Afternoon taxi-brousse south to Ambalavao (~£4–6)
• →Visit the Antaimoro paper-making workshop in Ambalavao (free or small donation)

Stop at Anja Community Reserve — a community-managed park that is one of the best places in Madagascar to see wild ring-tailed lemurs up close. Entry fees go directly to local communities (around £5–8 entry including a local guide). The reserve sits amid granite boulders and sacred forest, and the lemurs here are remarkably relaxed around visitors. After your wildlife fix, continue southwest by taxi-brousse through the ever-changing arid landscape to Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park.

🚌Taxi-brousse Ambalavao → Ranohira (~£5–8 per person)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Ranohira — e.g. La Reine de l'Isalo or local lodge (~£18–25/night)

• →Morning stop at Anja Community Reserve (~£5–8 entry including local guide)
• →Observe ring-tailed lemurs in their natural rocky habitat
• →Taxi-brousse from Ambalavao to Ranohira via RN7 (~£5–8)
• →Arrive Ranohira and book Isalo National Park guided day walk for tomorrow

A full day in Isalo National Park — one of Madagascar's most spectacular landscapes, with dramatic sandstone massifs, deep canyons, natural swimming pools, and prehistoric-feeling terrain. Hire a guide at the park gate (mandatory, ~£15–20/day) and pay park entry (~£10). The classic route involves trekking through a small canyon to a series of natural pools — including the famous 'piscine naturelle' — perfect for a cooling dip. Allow 5–7 hours for a full circuit. Return to Ranohira for the night.

🚌Walking and local guide within the park

🛏Budget guesthouse in Ranohira (~£18–25/night)

• →Full day guided trek in Isalo National Park (~£15–20 guide + ~£10 entry)
• →Trek through sandstone canyons and rock formations
• →Swim in the natural 'piscine naturelle' rock pool
• →Spot ring-tailed lemurs and sifaka lemurs in the park

Continue south and west by taxi-brousse to Tuléar (also spelled Toliara), a laid-back coastal city on the Mozambique Channel. The journey is long (~4–5 hours) but passes through increasingly arid, dramatic Spiny Forest landscapes unique to southern Madagascar. Tuléar is Madagascar's main southern coastal hub, with a buzzing waterfront, street food scene, and proximity to pristine beaches and coral reefs. Check in and explore the lively fish market near the port.

🚌Taxi-brousse Ranohira → Tuléar (~£6–10 per person)

🛏Budget hotel in Tuléar — e.g. Hotel Le Jardin or local guesthouse (~£18–25/night)

• →Taxi-brousse from Ranohira to Tuléar (~4–5 hrs, ~£6–10)
• →Explore Tuléar waterfront and fish market
• →Browse the street food stalls for local seafood
• →Optional: Book a snorkelling trip to Ifaty reef for tomorrow

Head north from Tuléar to the beach village of Ifaty, famous for its coral reef and Spiny Forest walks (home to giant baobabs and unique endemic plants). A shared taxi or tuk-tuk to Ifaty costs around £2–4. Spend the day on the beach, snorkelling the coral reef (gear hire ~£5, guided snorkel trip ~£10–15), or walking through the Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve (~£3 entry). Return to Tuléar in the evening for sunset over the Indian Ocean.

🚌Shared taxi or tuk-tuk Tuléar ↔ Ifaty (~£2–4 each way)

🛏Budget hotel in Tuléar (~£18–25/night)

• →Shared taxi/tuk-tuk from Tuléar to Ifaty (~£2–4)
• →Snorkelling the Ifaty coral reef (gear hire ~£5, guided trip ~£10–15)
• →Walk through Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve (~£3 entry)
• →Beach relaxation and fresh grilled seafood lunch

Fly back to Antananarivo from Tuléar Airport. Domestic flights with Air Madagascar or Tsaradia connect the two cities in around 1.5 hours, saving a gruelling 2-day overland return. Book in advance online — prices vary but budget £60–100 per person. Spend the afternoon in Tana doing any last-minute souvenir shopping at the Marché Artisanal de la Digue, which sells quality handicrafts directly from artisans. Enjoy a final dinner in the city.

🚌Domestic flight Tuléar → Antananarivo (~£60–100 booked in advance)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Antananarivo (~£18–25/night)

• →Morning flight Tuléar → Antananarivo with Tsaradia/Air Madagascar (~£60–100)
• →Check back into guesthouse in Tana
• →Afternoon shopping at Marché Artisanal de la Digue
• →Farewell dinner at a local Malagasy restaurant

Use today to explore any Antananarivo highlights you missed on Day 1. The Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace) sits on the highest hill in the city and offers panoramic views across the capital and its surrounding rice paddies. The Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie is worth a visit for cultural context. Head to Soarano Station area for street food at lunchtime — try romazava (the national stew) or mofo (street fried bread). Pack your bags for an early departure tomorrow.

🚌Walking and local pousse-pousse (~£1–2)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Antananarivo (~£18–25/night)

• →Visit the Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace) and panoramic hilltop views (~£4 entry)
• →Explore the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie (~£2–3 entry)
• →Street food lunch near Soarano Station — try romazava stew and mofo bread
• →Final souvenir shopping and packing

Check out and take a taxi to Ivato International Airport for your departure flight. Allow plenty of time — Tana traffic can be unpredictable, especially during morning rush hour. If your flight is late afternoon or evening, leave your bags at the guesthouse and explore one final neighbourhood. The Androhibe Zoo on the edge of the city is home to rescued lemur species if you can't get enough of Madagascar's iconic primates. Safe travels!

🚌Taxi to Ivato International Airport (~£6–8)

🛏No accommodation — departure day

• →Check out from guesthouse
• →Optional: Visit Androhibe Zoo for rescued lemurs (~£3–5 entry)
• →Taxi to Ivato International Airport (~£6–8)