Southern Madagascar Getaway

According to the flight schedule to Tuléar, meet at Ivato airport and fly to the great city of the South.

Upon your arrival in Tuléar, our team will welcome you at Tuléar airport and transfer you by car to Ifaty, a fishing village located 45km north of Tuléar.

Ifaty, Mangily, Madiorano and Ambolimailaka are small villages facing the majestic Ranobe lagoon with its turquoise waters, renowned for its coral reef. They serve as beach resorts here. Free stay, activities to see with the hotel or with your guide: hiking in the hinterland of the dry forest with its diverse varieties of endemic thorny plants, euphorbias, Didiereaceae, pachypodiums and Baobabs. The visit can be done by ox cart or on foot; or relaxation to enjoy the beach, a beautiful invitation to swim in this magnificent lagoon.

Also on the agenda: speedboat excursion, traditional outrigger canoe ride, trolling, water skiing, snorkeling or scuba diving… Or simply a stroll along the beach and meeting with the local population and discovering in depth the life of these fishing villages. Humpback whales pass through the lagoons in this region from July to September.

Meet your Détours Madagascar driver-guide in the morning who will introduce himself to you at the hotel. Departure for a day of driving on the RN7 passing through the town of Tuléar, we head back towards the village of Ranohira. At the exit of Tuléar, we make a detour to the Antsokay Arboretum which is a botanical park located 12 km southeast of the town of Tuléar. Antsokay refers to a small hamlet nearby where limestone stones are found that are used to make quicklime. Built by Swiss botanist Hermann PETIGNAT, the Arboretum spans an area of 40 hectares. More than 900 species are conserved there, of which 90% are endemic to the southwest region of Madagascar and 80% have medicinal properties.

After a visit of approximately one hour at our own pace, we embark on the iconic Southern road where we will see many beautifully decorated tombs of the Antandroy and Mahafaly ethnicities. Crossing several villages and towns of sapphire seekers, most were only created after the discovery of sapphire in the area. Before arriving at the hotel, we stop at the Isalo window, a place where you can watch the sunset through the massif. Check-in at the hotel at the end of the day.

A beautiful day of hiking discovery in the ruiniform massif of Isalo. Isalo National Park was created in 1962 and is classified in the category of exceptional parks. Extending nearly 100 km from North to South, it is unique in Madagascar for its geomorphological formation dating from the Jurassic period: this ruiniform massif of continental sandstone, carved with deep canyons, hosts endemic rupicole vegetation (Aloes, Euphorbias, Pachypodiums…). It is also home to exceptional fauna, where most species are endemic, such as rock reptiles, lemurs and other primates.

The predominant ethnic group in this region is the Bara people, living essentially from zebu herding and agriculture. Considered descendants of the Bantu, the Bara are cattle herders but also fierce warriors, proud and willing to do anything to defend their freedom.

Road to Ambalavao. Still the immense Horombe plateau until Ihosy. We leave the arid south to begin climbing the foothills of the Highlands. Stop at the small Anja reserve: a gallery forest of ficus, lianas and orchids has developed between spectacular rocky chaos, sometimes forming caves adopted as shelters by certain animals. On the slopes of the reliefs, the vegetation relay has been colonized by succulent plants, such as kalanchoes and pachypodiums. In this green paradise live in small colonies these ring-tailed lemurs which are almost the emblem of the Great Island, the ring-tailed lemurs. They spend much time on the ground, are not too shy and are therefore easily observable. The revenues from the Anja site are managed by the AMI (Anja Miray) association and returned to economic and social projects aimed at improving agricultural yields, developing crafts, health and education for local villagers.

Continuation of our journey to Ambalavao. In Ambalavao, possibility to visit the famous artisanal factory of Malagasy antemoro paper which has existed since 1936 and is world renowned. This craft, of Arab origin, uses the bark of the "ivoha" shrub, imported from the South region of Madagascar. It is transformed in Ambalavao to obtain unique paper decorated with flowers or paintings.

We resume our journey towards Fianarantsoa, historical and cultural capital of the Betsileo region. It is moreover the Malagasy city which contains the most cultural buildings and schools. Like Tana, the city is divided into three parts: The upper city, where the Merina governor's palace was located, and where one can today admire Protestant temples, a Lutheran college, the brick cathedral in Tuscan style, the Jesuit school of Ambozotany and Antsenakely square, where a small market is held. The new city, administrative district, where one also finds the zoma (Friday market), The lower city, Ampasambazaha, heart of the city where one finds Chinese and Indian commercial districts. Fianarantsoa is also known for its tea plantations and vineyards.

After a peaceful breakfast at the hotel, we head out on the western road towards the Betafo mountains, then take a small track for about thirty minutes to reach the lakes site. Walk around Lake Tritriva, the lovers' lake, sacred to the Malagasy people and therefore surrounded by numerous fady (taboos). Its mysterious dark green color and great depth (160 m) give it a strange impression, fueling legends and myths around this lake of volcanic origin, filling an old caldera surrounded by pine trees. History to discover on site with a local guide…

After a visit of about one hour, we head back towards Antananarivo. At the entrance to the Capital, there is an opportunity to visit Donné Vy: Violette and Dieudonné's ironwork workshop, which is a true model of solidarity entrepreneurship, managing a self-sufficient village of craftspeople. An unusual place to discover absolutely in Antananarivo, with the possibility of bringing back very beautiful travel souvenirs.

Transfer to your residence address in Antananarivo at the end of the day. Misaotra (thank you) and see you soon!