Essential Malagasy: The Ultimate Combo for Your Short Stay in Madagascar

Do you have little time for your trip but want to see the highlights of Madagascar? We have just what you need. This circuit can be completed in less than 10 days, but we promise it will show you why Madagascar is a unique island in the world. It’s the ultimate combo between the east and west of Madagascar, the two localities that have the most noteworthy points: the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and the Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava for an excellent sunset or sunrise on the avenue. For the more adventurous, you can extend your stay by a few days to continue to the Bemaraha National Park and its Tsingy, adding a complete immersion in the Kirindy biosphere reserve.

Why choose Andasibe-Mantadia National Park? Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is the closest national park to the capital, Antananarivo. You can easily reach it in 4 to 5 hours by 4x4 or by taking advantage of the current trend of reaching the park via helicopter expedition. The park consists of two parts: Analamazaotra, or Perinet Reserve, which is the natural habitat of the great Indri Indri, the largest lemur in Madagascar. The reserve is home to butterflies, large chameleons, parrots, and 11 species of lemurs. Then, just a few kilometres away, you’ll find Mantadia National Park, which features extensive primary forest covering several hectares, with more challenging trails than Analamazaotra. The animals are indeed harder to spot, but if you want to immerse yourself in extreme nature, this park is a must-visit. We’ve only mentioned these two parks, but there’s a whole diversity of parks and private or community reserves in the area, making Andasibe the top choice for getting introduced to Madagascar’s wildlife.

But the journey doesn’t end there. We continue our trip directly to the Malagasy Highlands to spend the night in Antsirabe, often used as a rest stop for other itineraries. Antsirabe also has its advantages to ensure you have an unforgettable stay. Trust our local guides; they know how to surprise you.

Our main destination now is the western part of Madagascar, stopping in Morondava, the economic capital of the Sakalava of Menabe. Since then, many circuits have been offered, but we will focus on the most important one: the sunset on the Avenue of the Baobabs, the most popular and photographed site in Madagascar. But be careful, the sunrise is just as spectacular. And since we don’t do things lightly, an expedition to the Kirindy Reserve will be organised for you. As a remnant of a dry primary forest in the west, you can spot dozens of white lemurs, birds, lizards, and if you’re lucky, fossa, the largest carnivore in Madagascar.

Generally, this itinerary takes place over 7 days starting from Antananarivo and covers everything you need to know about the great island. Still customisable, cultural and historical discoveries are arranged throughout your trip. But we prefer to warn you: it’s not without challenges, due to long roads and the condition of national roads, which can be difficult to navigate. It’s better to be prepared if you’re not used to it.

To learn more about this circuit, check out our page: Malagasy  Essentials and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance.