8-day South Madagascar tour: Ranomafana, Isalo, Ifaty

Eight days through Madagascar's south: rainforest, canyon hikes, and baobab forests

An 8-day tour of southern Madagascar departing from Antananarivo, traveling by private vehicle through Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, and the baobab reserves of Ifaty. Small groups with local guides explore nocturnal wildlife in rainforest, hike sandstone canyons and natural swimming pools, visit ring-tailed lemur reserves, and walk among 1,500-year-old baobabs. The itinerary includes private transport, accommodations, and expert guides who speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Antsirabe and explore city

• Arrive in Antananarivo
• Travel to Antsirabe
• Explore Antsirabe streets by rickshaw
• Visit thermal baths
• See volcanic crater lakes
• Shop local handicrafts and markets

Day 2: Night visit to Ranomafana Park

• Travel to Ranomafana
• Enjoy continental breakfast
• Take guided nocturnal walk in park

Day 3: Day hike in Ranomafana Park

• Have continental breakfast
• Visit park office and meet guides
• Hike in Ranomafana National Park

Day 4: Visit Anja Community Reserve

• Travel to Ranohira
• Visit Anja Community Reserve
• Walk Small Circuit Loop
• Observe ring-tailed lemurs

Day 5: Hiking in Isalo National Park

• Have continental breakfast
• Hike Natural Swimming Pool circuit
• Hike Namaza circuit

Day 6: Visit Zombitse Park and cultural sites

• Travel to Ifaty
• Stop at Zombitse National Park
• See Mahafaly and Antandroy tombs

Day 7: Explore Reniala Reserve in Ifaty

• Visit Reniala Reserve
• See endemic baobabs and plants
• Watch birds and wildlife

Day 8: Return to Antananarivo

• Have continental breakfast
• Fly back to Antananarivo

The experience

The route runs eight days from Antananarivo south through Madagascar's highlands and into its spiny forests, traveling by air-conditioned vehicle with the same guide and driver throughout. Day one takes you from the capital to Antsirabe, a highland city known for its colonial architecture and hot springs. From there the tour moves into Ranomafana National Park, where you'll spend two nights: one on a guided night walk to spot nocturnal lemurs, chameleons, and frogs in the rainforest, and one on a longer daytime hike through the park's dense forest that can run up to five hours (shorter walks are available on request).

The middle section swings through Anja Community Reserve, where ring-tailed lemur families live among massive granite boulders and traditional Betsileo tombs, then into Isalo National Park in the sandstone highlands. Isalo's landscape is carved into plateaus, canyons, and gorges. The main hikes follow the Natural Swimming Pool and Namaza circuits. On the way south to Ifaty, the route passes Zombitse National Park and stops to see the decorated tombs of the Mahafaly and Antandroy peoples, which are adorned with drawings and zebu skulls. The final two nights are in Ifaty, where Reniala Reserve holds the region's baobab forest, including the largest baobab in the area, a tree over 1,500 years old with a trunk more than 10 metres around. The reserve is also a birdwatching site where you can spot Madagascar harrier-hawks and sickle-billed vangas. The tour ends with a flight back to Antananarivo.

Small groups keep the experience personal, and all guides are local experts who speak your language and know the region's hidden sites and conservation work. Private transport means no shared minibus stops or schedule changes, and the vehicle stays air-conditioned throughout. WiFi is available on board. Children from age two are welcome, and the itinerary can be adjusted for shorter walks or different paces.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the eight days.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• all park entrance fees and taxes.
• accommodations in Antsirabe, Ranomafana, Ranohira, and Ifaty.
• expert local guide in your chosen language.
• hotel pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Agence de voyage

Is this one for you?The tour includes two nights of hiking (one nocturnal walk and one daytime hike up to five hours), so come ready for forest walking and uneven terrain. Shorter walks can be arranged with your guide, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels, though the pace is set by the group's needs rather than by a fixed schedule.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 5 years).

What wildlife will I see on the night walk in Ranomafana?

Ranomafana's nocturnal visit lets you spot mouse lemurs, chameleons, frogs, and insects active after dark in the rainforest. A local guide leads the walk and explains the park's ecosystems and conservation efforts protecting these species.

Can I see ring-tailed lemurs up close at Anja Reserve?

Anja Community Reserve is home to families of ring-tailed lemurs, and you'll have the best chance to see them close to the ground early in the morning when they come down from the trees. During the day they rest in the canopy to avoid heat. The Small Circuit Loop walk takes up to two hours and passes granite rocks, traditional tombs, and natural caves.

What is the baobab forest like in Ifaty?

Reniala Reserve in Ifaty holds Madagascar's spiny forest plants, including the region's largest baobab: a tree over 1,500 years old with a trunk more than 10 metres around, called the "tea pot" by locals for its shape. The reserve is also an ornithological park where you can spot Madagascar harrier-hawks, sickle-billed vangas, and other endemic bird species.