This 15-day Western Madagascar rafting and trekking adventure takes you to the incredible massif across the western region of this island nation. Imagine a river cruise with your tent and all of the amenities you need for an unforgettable camping experience. The sun is setting over the horizon, casting a beautiful orange glow across the Tsiribihina River cruise campsite. Explore the spectacular Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a natural treasure known for its carved-in-blade limestone cathedral. Spot lemurs, reptiles, and several bird species. Proceed to Morondava, passing through the renowned Baobab Avenue. Trek the Makay Massif, one of the island's last unspoiled areas, comprised of hundreds of convoluted gorges that have been home to an abundance of unique biodiversity for millions of years.
Highlights
Discover the amazing diversity of Madagascar highlands
Explore the diverse landscape of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
Visit the famous Avenue of the Baobabs
Hike the remote parts of the Makay deep forest canyons
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
After breakfast, meet your guide and continue your journey to the south passing through Antananarivo. See rice fields and typical villages of the Highlands. Ambatolampy is an excellent place to see how aluminum is used to build a pot for the entire country. In the afternoon, continue your journey towards Antsirabe. Experience "pousse-pousse" (Rick-Shaw) riding the primary mode of transportation for residents on a leisurely city tour.
After breakfast, meet your guide and continue your journey to Miandrivazo village. Make a quick stop at Mandato village to have a look at gold washers from the bridge. Embark on Masiakampy pier. Be ready to explore the Tsiribihina River by boat, a relaxing opportunity to see Malagasy wildlife in a quiet and peaceful environment. Stay overnight in small tents on the riverbanks, with a campfire and kids from a nearby village. This trip is an excellent way to travel from Miandrivazo to nearby the Tsingy National Park rocks.
Imagine a river cruise with your tent and all of the amenities you need for an unforgettable camping experience. The sun is setting over the horizon, casting a beautiful orange glow across this river cruise campsite. Witness the Malagasy wildlife as the rustling of trees in their natural habitat came to life with each gentle breeze and different kinds of birds.
Distance: 270 km with 30 km of track Duration: +/- 5h
After breakfast, continue your journey cruising along the Tsiribihina River. Following lunch, be ready to navigate the roadways that can be quite an uncomfortable experience going to Bekopaka and Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.
Continue your tour after breakfast by visiting the little town of Bekopaka. Witness the incredible Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a natural wonder featuring a limestone cathedral, a network of faults and cracks, and blocks of limestone carved into blades. Hike to the stone forest and wind your way through the park, along swinging rope bridges, climbing over jagged peaks, and squeezing through narrow crevices. At Tsingy de Bemaraha, the giant rocks are not the sole attraction. Spot lemurs, reptiles, and several bird species. Additionally, it is the home of one of the world's tiniest chameleons, the "Brookesia Perarmata."
After breakfast, drive to Morondava and cross the Manambolo and the Tsiribihina rivers by ferry. Pass through the famous Baobab Avenue or "Allée des Baobabs." Settle and rest at your hotel located in Nosy Kely on the large beach of Morondava.
Distance: 200 km Duration: 7hours and 2 ferry boats -- in total: 9 hours
Day 8: Tsiazorambo Village
1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Leave Morondava after breakfast and continue driving towards Tsiazorambo village. Spend your time traveling through lovely Savannah villages with postcard-perfect views. As you proceed through this off-road, take in the stunning views and lush flora. It's incredibly relaxing to look at the beautiful environment, seeing peaceful fields and green trees for miles!
Stay overnight in small tents and a campfire. It's also an excellent opportunity to get plenty of exposure to outdoor nature while under the stars.
Distance: 170 km + 30km of track Duration: 7hours
Day 9-13: Trekking Makay Massif
5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Prepare to explore and trek the Makay Massif following your breakfast at the campsite. It is one of the island's remaining untouched places, consisting of hundreds of intricate canyons and a natural labyrinth, and has been home to an abundance of unique biodiversity for millions of years. There is so much to discover on this rocky peak. The view from up there is breathtaking, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead on each side or in front only adds to the fascination. Explore the interior of those massive straight faults with your guide, where the sun rays rarely penetrate, resulting in high plateaus that are still partially covered in forest or bushy growth.
Cross the Sakapaly river, which winds its way through the mountains, and enter the deep canyons and gallery forests teeming with lemurs, crocodiles, and frogs. Discover several traces of massive crocodiles while observing different kinds of birds living inside the endless canyons. This trekking exploration allows you to discover unspoiled nature and wildlife. Continue to navigate inside those canyons and stay overnight in small tents and a campfire on the white sandbanks.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,7894+ travelers
Notes
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Rates are guaranteed for a minimum of 4. Pricing for less than 4 people, please contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is 30% plus 100% of internal flight costs are due at the time of booking, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Bank Transfer
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
