12-Day Madagascar Tour: Natural Parks & Handicraft

Twelve days crossing Madagascar's southern reserves and craft centers

A twelve-day private tour of Madagascar's south route combines national park entry, trekking, and visits to artisan workshops in Ambositra and semi-precious stone sites near Antsirabe. The itinerary covers Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks with a live guide in English, Italian, French or German. Air-conditioned transport and pickup are included. Lunch and dinner are at your own cost. Children from age 6 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Madagascar's natural parks

• Wildlife experience with nature
• Visit National Park
• Visit National Park
• Trekking in the Park

The experience

The route moves through four regions in sequence: Antsirabe for semi-precious stone cutting and lakes; Ambositra for wood sculpture and marquetry workshops; Ranomafana National Park for wildlife and trekking; and Isalo National Park for its distinctive rock formations and trails. Entry to both parks and all workshop visits are covered. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks your language, and pickup from your accommodation is arranged.

The tour runs on a bed-and-breakfast basis, so you'll arrange and pay for lunch and dinner separately each day. Trekking happens in the parks themselves, which means a moderate level of fitness helps you keep pace with the itinerary. The mountains surrounding these areas take different forms (some steep, some gentler), and the landscape shifts noticeably as you move south.

This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours to shape within the twelve-day framework. The guide handles navigation and cultural context at each site. You decide how long to linger at a workshop or a viewpoint. Children from age 6 can join, though the walking and the length of the days should factor into your planning.

What’s included

• Entry to Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks.
• visits to semi-precious stone sites near Antsirabe and wood sculpture and marquetry workshops in Ambositra.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• live guide in your choice of English, Italian, French or German.
• pickup from your accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (20 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Child (6 to 18 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 19 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Nature & Culture Madagascar. Local Expert. Your Host in Madagascar.

Is this one for you?The tour runs twelve days with trekking in the national parks, so you'll need a moderate level of fitness and stamina for walking on forest trails and rock terrain. If you prefer shorter days or lighter activity, a seven-day version covers fewer parks. The longer fifteen-day option adds more time in each location.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 18 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of wildlife will I see in Ranomafana and Isalo?

Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks are home to lemurs, chameleons, and other species found nowhere else on earth. The parks are Madagascar's primary reserves for these animals, and trekking through the forest and rock formations gives you the best chance to spot them in their habitat.

How much walking and trekking is involved each day?

Trekking happens in both national parks, and the terrain includes forest trails and rock formations. The itinerary assumes a moderate level of physical fitness. The exact distance and difficulty depend on which trails your guide chooses within each park.

What are the wood workshops in Ambositra like?

Ambositra is known for sculptured wood and marquetry work, and the tour includes visits to active workshops where artisans create and sell their pieces. You'll see the craft firsthand and have the chance to buy directly from makers if you wish.

Can I book this tour for fewer than twelve days?

The tour operates on a twelve-day circuit designed to cover all the parks and sites on the south route. The operator offers flexibility in duration from seven to fifteen days, so shorter or longer versions are possible. Confirm the exact itinerary length when you book.

Is the guide with me the entire twelve days?

Yes, the same live guide travels with you throughout the tour and handles all navigation, cultural explanation, and logistics. You can request a guide who speaks English, Italian, French, or German.