Madagascar itinerary

Hi All!

Just looking for some itinerary tips!

I am heading to Madagascar in April-May, for 4-5 weeks (as in, I haven't booked my ticket yet...). My focus for this trip is wildlife, probably no beaches (I don't even know how to swim!). I am keen to do the taxi-brousse, but anywhere that is difficult to get to, I probably won't take on that challenge.

Fly into Tana, head to Ankarafantsika NP, maybe stay 3 nights, then head back to Tana. Then down Rn 7, to Fianar, do Ranomafana NP, maybe stay another 2-3 nights, then onwards to Isalo NP, maybe another 2-3 nights. If time permitting, go back to Fianar & do the train. If not, then straight back to Tana. Then Tana to Miandrivazo & organize a river trip down the Tsirihina River (mayber another 3-5 nights). I think that ends in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, which means I can either head to Tsingy de Bemaraha NP or Kirindy Forest, and depending on one or two area, that would take another 7-10 days. Somehow, get back to Tana to fly out.

Is this too ambitious? I know most of the advice is take on one area, but Madagascar looks so amazing, it is hard to focus on one area! Is this doable in 4 weeks? Or be safe and aim for 5 weeks? And given my itinerary, should I bring a tent with me? I will take a sleeping bag, but unless a tent is really necessary, it is another bulky thing that I will have to take with me.

Also, I am a pretty small frame girl, but I had been advised that Madagascar is fairly safe for a lone girl travelling by herself.

Any tips on this will be great!

Thanks!!!

K

I would recommend you join a tour group to do the Tsiribihina river trip, tsingy and Baobab alley. It would be better to organise this in Antsirabe first. These places are very remote and roads are rough. I would hate to have to do this independently myself. When you end up in Morondava at the end of the trip, I would recommend you take the plane to Tulear. Then you can make your way up the RN7 visiting Isalo, Ranomafana, etc. That way you don't have to do a lot of back tracking which is your current plan. If you don't want to take the plane to Tulear, then your next best option is to take the bush taxi back to Antsirabe

Yes, your tour can be done in 4 weeks. Allow 2 weeks for the river trip/tsingy, and a week to travel up RN7. The rest in Tana and Ankarafantsika. You won't need a tent or a sleeping bag. I never needed either and I spent 2 months in Madagascar traveling all over. Just use affordable hotels.

Hi travelbug,
I agree with #1 to join group on Tsiribihina river but i wouldn't like to suggest you to do this tour on April because it's not the best time for it and i think tsingy of beamaraha still close on April, the road is not accessible even 4x4 and our river trip organisation start in Tana with local guide. So try to plan your trip to Andasibe first spend 2 nights there then drive to Ankarafantsika for 2 nights before heading to the west on Tsiribihina river , i think you can do this tour on May.After Morondava you can fly to Toliara then drive back to Tana , visit Isalo and Ranomafana.
You need 01 weeks for Tana- Andasibe-Ankarafantsika-Tana and 9days for the river trip and tsingy and 10 days back Tana from Toliara and you have a time to take train to Manakara with 10 days.
You should bring your own sleeping bag but your guide can provide you a tent.
Good luck!
Anne