Madagascar Tour for Seniors

Choose this express tour to discover the island’s gems in a whirlwind adventure! Upon your arrival at the Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, aka Tana, our English-speaking driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

► Attention:
1. This tour is only feasible from May to the beginning of November since the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is closed from mid-November to April the next year. Madagascar shines brightest during the dry season (April to October), offering ideal conditions for exploration, but don’t be discouraged if rainy season (November to March) fits your schedule! We can craft an alternative itinerary that caters to these conditions. Just be prepared for potentially muddy roads and restricted access to some reserves.
2. Due to the lack of local flights, the departures for this route are only available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. (For your information, Tana and Morondava are linked by only three flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday respectively.) When booking your flight from your home country, be sure to consider the arrival date in Antananarivo of Madagascar. If your desired travel date falls outside these days, don’t worry! Just contact our travel consultant in advance. We can work with you to create a customized itinerary that fits your arrival timeframe.

► Recommended Activities for Today’s Free Time:
It your flight lands early today, take a tour on your own to experience local life! Over 80% of Madagascar’s residents live under the poverty line and Tana is where to find the epitome, with pickpocketing and begging spot from time to time. (Some beggars may be aggressive, so if you don’t feel like giving them something, don’t look at and talk to them.) But you can be sure that life here is not chaotic as you might think; on the contrary, people here would in general show you a friendly attitude. Perhaps observe facial features of locals to confirm they have Malaysian and Indonesian ancestors, explore markets for tropical fruits you’ve never seen before and handicraft souvenirs in shapes of local wildlife, and find a great spot to shoot Tana’s exotic cityscape. As required by local authorities, remember to take the passport with you when you go out to dine or drink in restaurants and bars.

Accommodation: San Cristobal Hotel - Ivato Airport, Antananarivo (3 stars) or similar

We will arrange for you a morning flight to Morondava in western Madagascar. Make sure your driver gets you to the airport two hours early so you can take your time checking in. Upon arrival, the local driver guide will pick you up at the airport and drive directly to Kirindy (75km/3h drive), passing the famous Avenue of the Baobabs on the road. You might’ve learnt about baobabs from classic titles like Little Princess or The Legend of Zelda, but it’s only when you set foot on the avenue yourself, when you are surrounded by hundreds of ancient baobabs, that you can truly feel the surreality oozed from those giants. Check in at your hotel in Kirindy on arrival.

► Please Note:
1. If any flight schedule adjustment, which often happens in Madagascar, is informed by the airport authority, to accommodate any change we will need to modify our itinerary a bit for you to have a seamless tour.
2. As you might notice yourself, while out on the dirt roads off the urban area there will be pits and grooves in various sizes that would make vehicles bounce and rattle, not to mention the more terrible conditions in rainy season. That’s why we will have you secured in an off-road vehicle; with your patient driver guide, you will find these road trips much more tolerable. Also you will be provided with masks to reduce dust inhalation along the way. Bring some motion sickness medication if necessary.
3. To cope with unexpected electricity cut-off in hotels or lodges, we recommend you to bring power banks with you in advance, as well as a flashlight (which can also be useful on our night safari). If you have special devices like breathing machine that needs constant power, let us know before you go so that we can warn the hotels where you will stay. Manage to charge your mobile devices first after you check into the hotel, and ask the hotel reception for help if you don’t find a plug in the room.

Guided Evening Walk to Spot Fossae and Lemurs
After dinner, go on to Kirindy Forest for an evening safari. Enjoy your first official chance to meet Madagascar’s national treasures of lemurs, of which we will go for night species like sportive lemur this evening. Sportive lemurs rest in tree holes in the daytime and play around at night. With your guide’s sharp eyes and professional search skills you will easily spot them leaping through the branches for food. Fossa, the semi-nocturnal apex predator in the wilds resembling cougar in small size, may also pop in sight. Also expect giant jumping rat and mouse lemur, the smallest of its genre on this planet!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy (3 stars) - the best local hotel

Continue with a 3-hour hike amid Kirindy Forest to find day lemurs among other endemic flora and fauna. The stars you will have a big chance to meet today are sifakas and red-fronted brown lemurs. Sifakas have a signature sideways-leaping movement you can’t miss to capture, while brown lemurs might be seen biting millipedes, whose poisonous secretion is said to be able to kill their intestinal parasites. This is a dry forest so if you come during the dry season, the whole landscape would be mottled by leave-shedding trees - that’s how you can also spot many conch-like beautiful snail shells, whose hosts may come sliding back during the rainy season.

► Insider Tips for Wild Safari:
1. To block bites from insects like mosquitos, although Madagascar can be intolerably hot, during wild safaris we still recommend you to wear long sleeves, which can also reduce tropical UV rays. For a sustainable tourism, eco-friendly insect repellent would be your best choice.
2. Please refrain yourself from initiating to touch or feed wild animals, as each animal has their own degree of aggression and might hurt you when you least expect. Please always listen to your guide, who are responsible for both your safari experience and safety.

Afterwards, unwind on a scenic boat ride across the Tsiribihina River to arrive at Belo sur Tsiribihina. Then, buckle up for a drive (125km/5h) to our next stop, Bekopaka, and check into the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha, Bekopaka (3 stars) - the best local hotel

This morning, we will take you to hike the spectacular stone forests of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, one of three UNESCO heritage sites in Madagascar. Tsingy, “where one cannot walk barefoot” in Malagasy, are soaring razor-sharp limestone spires, and Bemaraha has the most widespread such formations in the world. Today is for the Big Tsingy, somewhere over which spans a suspension bridge for the adventurous to cross. Apart from exploring around high above, we will also dive into the areas below where rain gathers to nurse numerous lives. There are 11 lemur species, of which Bemaraha woolly lemur - locals call it “grandfather of sifakas” - is unique to this region. Also meet clouds of bats - as there will be lots of caves for you to venture into. Enjoy a self-prepared picnic lunch before we continue to hike.

► Note on Property Safety:
As we leave hotel for the park, it’s best to take your valuables with you as we suggest you not to put too much trust in the safe of your room. This is an issue with all Tsingy hotels.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha, Bekopaka (3 stars) - the best local hotel

Bekopaka adventure will continue with an exploration of the Small Tsingy. As the name suggests, Small Tsingy has a smaller scale than the Big Tsingy you saw yesterday, but this place offers a more effortless opportunity for you to access the wondrous limestone formations. Continue to navigate the labyrinth and meet more unique plants that cling tenaciously to the weathered rock and secretly flourish underneath. Listen for the melodic calls of exotic birds flitting amongst the sparse vegetation. Of course, the rompish lemurs are still your best company here.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrange for you a thrilling canoe trip down the Manambolo River. This vibrant waterway winds its way through the heart of the park, offering breathtaking views of lush vegetation and towering cliffs. As you paddle, cast your gaze upwards. Lemurs might be swinging through the canopy, their acrobatic antics drawing a smile. Every now and then, a glint of reptilian scales catches your eyes - an occasional crocodile basking on the riverbanks. Our experienced guide will navigate the gentle current, pointing out hidden treasures and sharing fascinating insights about the unique ecosystem. As the sun bathes the landscape in a warm glow, our guide will escort you back to your hotel.

► Note: If you start this tour on Saturday, it might not allow you to catch a flight on the 7th day of this itinerary, since flights back to Antananarivo only operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. To ensure a smooth return trip, we can simply adjust your schedule. Just contact our travel consultant to remove the 5th day’s Small Tsingy tour and modify your itinerary to 7 days. No worries! We’ll work with you to find the best solution based on your preferences.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha, Bekopaka (3 stars) - the best local hotel

We will drive back to Morondava toady (200km/9h). Before reaching Morondava, make a stop in Belo sur Tsiribihina, where we will take a short boat ride across the Tsiribihina River.

Late in the afternoon, a breathtaking spectacle is waiting for you - a majestic sunset over the Avenue of the Baobabs. These iconic trees will silhouette against the fiery sky, creating an unforgettable memory. Once we arrive in Morondava, check into the hotel and unwind after a long road trip.

★ Titans of Time: Madagascar’s Ancient Baobabs
The Avenue of the Baobabs isn’t a true avenue in the traditional sense of a lined path. There are actually more baobab trees scattered throughout the surrounding meadows and rice paddies. They are all adansonia grandidieri, a species endemic to Madagascar. These giants are estimated to be between 800 and 2,000 years old! The trees have a unique adaptation to Madagascar’s dry climate. They store water in their swollen trunks, hence their nickname ‘the upside-down tree’. During the dry season, the baobabs lose their leaves, giving them a skeletal appearance. When the rainy season arrives, they sprout vibrant green leaves, completely transforming their look. One legend suggests the trees were once powerful and mischievous people who were turned upside down by the gods as punishment for their misdeeds. Another legend claims they were once too proud and were banished from the lush forests.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Laguna Beach, Morondava (3 stars) or similar

Today, our driver will escort you to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo. After landing, our driver guide based there will drive you to the hotel for check-in.

► Insider Tips:
Flights from Morondava to Antananarivo operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Flight schedules may adjust depending on the season. Most flights arrive in Antananarivo after midday, so you may have a few hours in the afternoon to explore the city on your own. Immerse yourself in Malagasy history with a visit to the Queen’s Palace (Rova - Le Palais de la Reine). This royal complex, perched on a scenic hill, offers stunning panoramic views of the city. It is also a good choice to visit the Analakely Market near your hotel to experience the vibrant local life.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Le Louvre Hotel and Spa, Antananarivo (4 stars) or similar

Today is the last day of your Madagascar tour for seniors. Let’s visit the sacred King’s Palace on Royal Hill of Ambohimanga in the morning. Once home to the great king of Andrianampoinimerina (1787-1810) who endeavored to bring the then divided island into one, Ambohimanga is now a UNESCO-honored site offering insight to local history and culture. The site selected is strategically interesting - you can stand on the viewing platform around King’s Palace atop the hill, overlooking the surrounds just like the Merina king.

Following your tour’s conclusion, our driver will take you to Ivato Airport of Antananarivo, coordinating with your flight schedule for a stress-free departure. Remind the driver to send you to the airport three hours prior to your departure. Once inside departure hall, there is no going back to the public area. There is only a small kiosk selling drinks and snacks and only charges dollars or euros, so it is recommended to dine (if you need) and spend all your Ariary (Madagascar’s official currency) before security check. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

Meals: Breakfast

★ Have Your Tour Tailored to Get More of Madagascar!

If you want to see more of Madagascar’s charms, why not let us tailor your tour for an extension? Visit the forests in eastern Madagascar to see the largest lemur Indri, or Sainte Marie or Nosy Be for white tropical sands plus a whale-watching tour during their migratory season (July-September). Perhaps just go a bit further east to check out Isalo National Park, whose desert-like sandstone terrain is paradise for every photographer.