Madagascar· 18 days · Guided

The Southern Encounter

▲▲▲▲▲Moderate

This 18-day tour will take you to the south of Madagascar and will allow you to have a unique experience during the meeting with the local population. Accommodation in local homes provides a special charm to this trip, not only you will have a glimpse of daily rural life in the highlands of Madagascar, but you will also support social and environmental projects led by the local community. You will discover the skills of the handicraftsmen and will have the opportunity to explore the unavoidable parks and reserves such as: Ranomafana with its rainforest and its bamboo lemurs, Isalo with its multicolored ruinous massifs and its oases dated from the Jurassic era, the national park of Zombitse with its dancing lemurs, the private park of Anja with its cattas lemurs. You will end the tour with a relaxing stay at the beautiful beach of Sarodrano before returning to the capital to discover the city of Antananarivo with its ancient architecture and the sacred hill of Ambohimanga, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

About this trip

A trip we'd happily do again next month

This is one of our signature guided journeys in Madagascar. We've walked it many times — alone, with friends, with our own families — and we've shaped it into something we're genuinely proud of.

You'll be in a small group, led by a local guide who knows the trails, the families along the way, and the best place to stop for lunch. Nothing rushed. Nothing generic.

Glimpses of the trip

Photos from the trail

Day by day

Your 18-day itinerary

A draft of how the trip flows — every itinerary is fine-tuned around your group, fitness and pace before we book anything.

01
Antananarivo
Arrival in the capital city, where the tour begins with an airport transfer.
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Arrival in the capital city, where the tour begins with an airport transfer.
02
Antsirabe
Drive to Antsirabe in the highlands for a city tour by rickshaws and discovery of various craftsmen's workshops.
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Drive to Antsirabe in the highlands for a city tour by rickshaws and discovery of various craftsmen's workshops.
03
MATOR Association
Cultural exchange with the local association called MATOR, with an introduction to the unique Malagasy way of life and accommodation in local homes.
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Cultural exchange with the local association called MATOR, with an introduction to the unique Malagasy way of life and accommodation in local homes.
04
Zafimaniry Villages
Visit the Zafimaniry villages and meet its people, discovering their woodcarving skills and daily rural life.
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Visit the Zafimaniry villages and meet its people, discovering their woodcarving skills and daily rural life.
05
Zafimaniry — Craftsmen
Continue among the Zafimaniry, discovering craftsmen's workshops and supporting social and environmental projects led by the local community.
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Continue among the Zafimaniry, discovering craftsmen's workshops and supporting social and environmental projects led by the local community.
06
Ranomafana
Explore the rainforest of Ranomafana with its bamboo lemurs.
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Explore the rainforest of Ranomafana with its bamboo lemurs.
07
Ranomafana — Tanàla
Discover the traditional culture of the Tanàla ethnic group, the people of the forest, around Ranomafana.
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Discover the traditional culture of the Tanàla ethnic group, the people of the forest, around Ranomafana.
08
Anja Reserve
Meet the catta lemurs of the Anja reserve.
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Meet the catta lemurs of the Anja reserve.
09
Zombitse National Park
Visit the national park of Zombitse with its dancing lemurs.
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Visit the national park of Zombitse with its dancing lemurs.
10
Isalo
Hiking in the multicolored massif of Isalo with its ruinous massifs and oases dated from the Jurassic era.
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Hiking in the multicolored massif of Isalo with its ruinous massifs and oases dated from the Jurassic era.
11
Isalo
Continue hiking in the Isalo massif among its oases and canyons.
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Continue hiking in the Isalo massif among its oases and canyons.
12
Reniala Park
Visit the Reniala park with its majestic baobabs.
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Visit the Reniala park with its majestic baobabs.
13
Ifaty
Free day in Ifaty on the southwest coast.
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Free day in Ifaty on the southwest coast.
14
Sarodrano
Relaxation at the beautiful beach of Sarodrano.
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Relaxation at the beautiful beach of Sarodrano.
15
Sarodrano
Continue the relaxing stay at the beach of Sarodrano.
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Continue the relaxing stay at the beach of Sarodrano.
16
Toliara — Antananarivo
Domestic flight from Toliara back to Antananarivo.
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Domestic flight from Toliara back to Antananarivo.
17
Antananarivo
Sightseeing in Antananarivo to discover the city and its ancient architecture.
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Sightseeing in Antananarivo to discover the city and its ancient architecture.
18
Ambohimanga
Discover the sacred hill of Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, before departure.
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Discover the sacred hill of Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, before departure.

Like the look of it?

Tell us when you're thinking of coming — we'll send you a draft within 24 hours.

Plan this trip

What's included

Everything that's covered

✓Local guide throughout
✓All accommodation in selected guesthouses & hotels
✓Daily breakfast and most dinners
✓Luggage transfers between stages
✓All ground transport during the trip
✓Detailed route notes and maps

Not included

What you'll arrange yourself

—International flights to/from Madagascar
—Madagascar visa (€35 on arrival)
—Travel insurance
—Drinks, tips and personal expenses

Request this trip

Tell us a little, we'll send you a draft

Roughly when, who's travelling and what kind of pace you like — that's all we need. We'll reply within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and a price. No payment until you're happy with the plan.

Or WhatsApp us directly: +261 32 40 607 07