7-day West Madagascar tour: Tsingy, lemurs, baobabs

A week crossing Madagascar's wild west: from highland rice terraces to UNESCO canyons and baobab groves

A 7-day guided tour from Antananarivo that crosses the Highlands through Antsirabe, then descends to the western reserves and national parks. The itinerary combines day and night wildlife walks in Kirindy Reserve, a canoe journey through Manambolo Gorge, hiking and suspension bridges in Bemaraha Tsingy National Park, and ends at the Alley of the Baobabs at sunset. A French-speaking or English-speaking guide leads the group. Accommodation, park entry, transport by car and canoe, and ferry crossings are included. Children from age 13 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Antananarivo to Antsirabe and city tour

• Depart Antananarivo by car to Antsirabe
• Enjoy rice-growing panoramas and landscapes
• Lunch in Antsirabe
• Visit craft workshops and ride rickshaw
• Overnight at Soa lodge Inn or similar

Day 2: Travel to Miandrivazo and prepare

• Depart Antsirabe for Miandrivazo
• Discover volcanic landscapes and rice terraces
• Lunch at Mandoto
• Arrive and check in at Miandrivazo hotel
• Stock up on food for river descent
• Overnight at Soa Lia Inn or similar

Day 3: Miandrivazo to Kirindy via Baobab Alley

• Early morning check-out from Miandrivazo
• Lunch in Morondava
• Visit Baobab Alley for photos
• Arrive and check in at Kirindy accommodation
• Night tour in Kirindy Reserve with local guide
• Overnight at Kirindy Relay

Day 4: Kirindy Reserve and travel to Bekopaka

• Morning tour of Kirindy Reserve
• Check-out and drive to Bekopaka
• Cross Tsiribihina River by ferry
• Lunch at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina
• Cross Manambolo River by ferry
• Check in at Bekopaka accommodation
• Overnight at Orchid Inn or similar

Day 5: Manambolo canoe and Petit Tsingy visit

• Morning traditional canoe trip on Manambolo River
• Visit Petit Tsingy and botanical hike
• Overnight at Orchid Inn or similar

Day 6: Grand Tsingy de Bemaraha exploration

• Morning 4x4 trip to Great Tsingy of Bemaraha
• Hike and cross suspension bridge
• Explore caves and speleology
• Overnight at Orchid Inn or similar

Day 7: Return to Morondava via Baobabs

• Depart Bekopaka after breakfast
• Cross Manambolo River by ferry
• Lunch at Karibo Restaurant in Belo sur Tsiribihina
• Ferry crossing of Tsiribihina River
• Stop at Sacred and Lovers Baobabs
• Arrive Morondava and watch sunset at Alley of Baobabs
• Check in at hotel

The experience

The route starts in Antananarivo and heads west across the Central Highlands toward Antsirabe, a city known for its craft workshops where artisans cut precious stones and shape zebu horns into decorative pieces. The drive covers 170 kilometers through rice-growing panoramas and rocky mountain landscapes, with a rickshaw ride through the city before settling in for the night. The next day pushes further west through volcanic terrain and rice terraces to Miandrivazo, the staging point for the river descent that follows.

From Miandrivazo, the tour moves toward the coast and Kirindy Reserve, stopping at the Alley of the Baobabs en route. Kirindy is a dry forest reserve famous for its endemic wildlife, and the itinerary includes both a night tour (searching for nocturnal lemurs, chameleons, geckos and the fossa), and a full day walk to observe lemur species, birds and the adapted flora of western Madagascar. After Kirindy, the group crosses the Tsiribihina River by ferry and continues to Bekopaka, the gateway to Bemaraha Tsingy National Park.

The Bemaraha section spans three days and centers on the UNESCO World Heritage limestone formations. A traditional canoe trip through Manambolo Gorge reveals the gorge's majestic cliffs and untouched landscape over roughly two hours. The Petit Tsingy walk leads through deep canyons, caves and dense dry forest. The main event is the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha, where the suspension bridge crossing is the signature moment. The route also includes cave exploration and time to absorb the unparalleled landscape of sharp limestone peaks. The final day is a long drive back to Morondava (eight hours across track and river ferries) with stops at the Sacred Baobab and Lovers Baobab before sunset at the Alley of the Baobabs.

What’s included

• Car rental and fuel for the full route.
• canoe and boatman for the Manambolo Gorge crossing.
• all ferry crossings.
• accommodation for seven nights.
• entrance fees to Kirindy Reserve and Bemaraha Tsingy National Park.
• local guide fees.
• a French-speaking or English-speaking guide for the entire stay.
• tourist stamps.
• and civil liability insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 75 years) · Child (13 to 15 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mada Diary Tour

Is this one for you?The tour runs at a steady pace with early starts, full days of driving and walking, and multiple water crossings. Plan for long hours in the car and uneven terrain underfoot, which is what makes the full arc from highlands to coast and the deep interior of Bemaraha possible in a single week.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (13 to 15 years). Children under 13 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 is the Alley of the Baobabs and when do we see it?

The Alley of the Baobabs is a natural grove of massive baobab trees in western Madagascar, famous for photographs and sunsets. You pass through it on the way to Kirindy Reserve on day 3, then return to it on the final evening to watch the sunset before heading to Morondava.

What kind of wildlife can we expect to see at Kirindy Reserve?

Kirindy Reserve is home to several species of lemurs, many bird species, and if fortunate, the fossa: a carnivorous mammal endemic to Madagascar. The night tour specifically targets nocturnal lemurs, chameleons and geckos. The day walk focuses on diurnal lemurs and the dry forest ecosystem.

How difficult is the hiking in Bemaraha Tsingy National Park?

The Tsingy walks involve navigating sharp limestone formations and crossing a suspension bridge, with routes through caves and dense forest. The terrain is uneven and requires moderate physical fitness and careful footing. The operator recommends at least a moderate fitness level for the tour.

How much time do we spend on the water?

The canoe journey through Manambolo Gorge lasts around two hours. Ferry crossings of the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers are included on days 4 and 7, though these are shorter transit crossings rather than extended paddling.

What is the longest driving day, and what do we see along the way?

Day 7 is the longest drive, covering roughly 220 kilometers and eight hours from Bekopaka back to Morondava. The route crosses the Manambolo River by ferry, includes lunch in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, another ferry crossing of the Tsiribihina River, and stops at the Sacred Baobab and Lovers Baobab before reaching the Alley of the Baobabs at sunset.