West Madagascar Tour : Tsiribihina & Tsingy
From the wild river bivouac on the Tsiribihina to the limestone cathedrals of Bemaraha — the ultimate expedition through Western Madagascar
Fourteen days of total immersion in wild Western Madagascar. Three days of private river navigation on the Tsiribihina with sandbar bivouac nights, exploration of the Grand Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO), a nocturnal wildlife safari at Kirindy Reserve and a legendary sunset over the Avenue of the Baobabs. Private 4×4, privatised river vessel, river cook, full board — the complete expedition experience.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fourteen stages across a wild river cruise, starlit bivouacs, limestone labyrinths and nocturnal forest. Click each day for full details.
Day 1 – Arrivée à Antananarivo · Briefing de l’Expédition
Ivato airport welcome · Private transfer · Welcome cocktailPersonal welcome by the Lemur Safari team upon your arrival at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo). Private secure transfer to your superior-category hotel in the capital.
Check-in, welcome cocktail and detailed briefing with your national guide to review the full logistics of your river and land expedition: vessel, bivouacs, tracks, parks and accommodation. Dinner and overnight in Antananarivo.
Day 2 – Antananarivo → Ampefy
Itasy Volcanic Region · Analavory Geysers · Lily WaterfallDeparture by private 4×4 through the volcanic landscapes of the Western Highlands toward Ampefy. Guided visit to the impressive Analavory Geysers, unique cold mineral-water jets that have sculpted domes of ochre and clay.
Continue to the mythical Lily Waterfall, a tumbling cascade nestled in lush greenery. Check in at a comfortable lakeside lodge. Dinner and overnight in Ampefy.
Day 3 – Ampefy → Miandrivazo · Descent to the Menabe
Transition to the hot plains · Western savanna · River departure pointAfter breakfast overlooking the lake, drive south-west toward Miandrivazo. You leave the volcanic Itasy highlands behind and begin a geographic transition toward the vast, hot and arid plains of the West. Rolling green hills give way to endless savanna.
Miandrivazo is the gateway town and the starting point for your river adventure. Hotel check-in, poolside relaxation to acclimatise to the African heat. Dinner and overnight in Miandrivazo.
Day 4 – Boarding · Tsiribihina · First Wild Bivouac
River gorges · Nosin’Ampela Waterfall · Night on the sandbar under the starsEarly morning transfer to the official Tsiribihina River departure point. Board your private vessel — a chaland or large motorised pirogue — and begin the descent. You quickly enter the impressive Tsiribihina gorges, flanked by sheer limestone cliffs. First lemurs and waterbirds spotted from the deck.
Late afternoon stop at the stunning Nosin’Ampela waterfall, a hidden tropical oasis. First bivouac camp set up on a pristine white sandbar. Traditional dinner prepared by our river cook around the campfire and tented night on the river.
Day 5 – Tsiribihina: River Navigation & Sakalava Life
Endemic river wildlife · Traditional villages · Second wild bivouacSecond day of navigation at the calm rhythm of the river. You pass local fishermen’s pirogues and observe the authentic daily life of the Sakalava villages that line the banks. The landscape opens onto wide salt flats and dry forests where giant fruit bats and chameleons take shelter.
Late afternoon, second camp on a vast deserted sandbar near Ambatomisay. Campfire dinner under an exceptional starlit sky, far from any artificial light. Overnight bivouac on the river.
Day 6 – Belo sur Tsiribihina → Bekopaka · Gateway to Bemaraha
End of the river descent · 4×4 reunion · Manambolo ferry crossingFinal morning of navigation to the Belo sur Tsiribihina landing point, marking the end of the river adventure. Local lunch in Belo, then you reunite with your private 4×4 and continue by road.
Transfer along the typical red laterite tracks of the West heading north. Late afternoon, ferry crossing of the Manambolo River to reach the village of Bekopaka, base camp for exploring the Tsingy. Dinner and overnight at a charming lodge in Bekopaka.
Day 7 – Grand Tsingy de Bemaraha · UNESCO World Heritage
Suspension bridges · Limestone cathedrals · Decken’s sifakaThe highlight of the journey: a full day exploring the Grand Tsingy. Equipped with provided safety harnesses and accompanied by a certified local expert guide, you traverse this unique geological masterpiece — razor-sharp limestone cathedrals inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
You cross the famous suspension bridge spanning deep canyons and reach viewpoints offering spectacular 360° panoramas over the stone forest. Possible sightings of Decken’s sifaka lemurs hidden in the crevices. Dinner and overnight in Bekopaka.
Day 8 – Manambolo Gorges & Petit Tsingy
Traditional pirogue · Vazimba caves · Endemic succulent floraMorning excursion by traditional local pirogue through the calm waters of the Manambolo Gorges, hemmed between high ochre limestone cliffs. Visit to sacred caves housing ancient tombs of the Vazimba people, the legendary guardians of this land.
The afternoon is dedicated to a guided hike of the Petit Tsingy, a more accessible stone labyrinth rich in endemic succulent flora (Euphorbias, Pachypodiums). Dinner and overnight in Bekopaka.
Day 9 – Bekopaka → Kirindy Forest · Night Walk
Return ferry crossings · Kirindy Reserve · Night Walking · Fossa & Mouse LemursDeparture from Bekopaka by 4×4 track. You cross the Manambolo and Tsiribihina rivers again on local ferries. Late afternoon arrival in the heart of the Kirindy dry forest reserve, one of the most remarkable biodiversity sanctuaries in western Madagascar.
After sunset, set out on a torchlight nocturnal wildlife walk (Night Walk). Led by a local tracker, you search for the famous Fossa — the island’s largest predator — mouse lemurs and other rare nocturnal species. Dinner and overnight at the Kirindy lodge.
Day 10 – Kirindy → Morondava · Avenue of the Baobabs at Sunset
Morning wildlife walk · Lovers’ Baobabs · Legendary sunsetGuided morning walk through Kirindy Forest to enjoy the awakening of the diurnal wildlife, especially the leaping sifaka lemurs. Then drive toward Morondava. En route, stop to admire the extraordinary Lovers’ Baobabs, two giants entwined to form a natural arch.
The day’s crowning moment arrives late afternoon with an extended stop at the legendary Avenue of the Baobabs, where the golden light sets these centuries-old giants ablaze. Arrival at the coastal town. Dinner and overnight in Morondava.
Day 11 – Morondava · Betania Village & Free Afternoon
Outrigger pirogue · Vezo sea nomads · Free timeMorning cultural immersion. You board a traditional outrigger pirogue to cross the mangrove and visit the isolated fishing village of Betania. Discover the authentic way of life of the Vezo people, sea nomads whose entire existence revolves around the ocean and its shores.
The afternoon is completely free — Morondava’s sandy beaches, local crafts or relaxation at the hotel, as you wish. Dinner and overnight in Morondava.
Day 12 – Morondava → Antsirabe · Return to the Highlands
Long highland drive · 1,500 m altitude · Colonial thermal cityFull day drive by private 4×4 leaving the great West behind and climbing toward the cool altitudes of the Central Highlands. You cross changing landscapes of hills and terraced rice paddies before reaching Antsirabe, an elegant colonial city perched at 1,500 metres above sea level.
Hotel check-in and possible city tour by colourful pousse-pousse (rickshaw), the unmistakable symbol of Antsirabe. Dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – Antsirabe → Antananarivo · Lakes & Crafts
Tritriva crater lake · Lake Andraikiba · Ambatolampy foundryMorning devoted to the natural wonders of Antsirabe. Visit the mystical volcanic crater lake of Tritriva, its fathomless emerald waters wrapped in local legends, then Lake Andraikiba. Return drive to the capital along the RN7.
Stop in Ambatolampy to watch traditional craftsmen at work in the aluminium foundry, a smelting skill passed down through generations. Arrival in Antananarivo late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Day 14 – Antananarivo · Transfer · International Flight
Digue craft market · Private airport transfer · End of servicesLast morning dedicated to souvenir shopping at the famous Digue craft market — marquetry, embroidery, basketwork and Malagasy spices. Depending on your international flight schedule, your private driver transfers you to Ivato International Airport.
Full assistance with check-in formalities. End of Lemur Safari services.
Rates & Inclusions
Full Board · Private 4×4 + Privatised River Vessel · Fully Equipped Bivouac · All Entry Fees Included
Important : The tracks to Bekopaka may be impassable during the rainy season (January–March). This tour is strongly recommended from April to December. Should weather conditions prevent access, an alternative itinerary is provided at no extra cost.
Not included
Terms & Cancellation Policy
Deadline before departure | Conditions |
|---|---|
Booking confirmation | Deposit of 30% of the total amount |
Balance | Due on arrival in Madagascar |
Cancellation > 60 days | Deposit refunded minus file fee (€70) |
Cancellation 45–60 days | Retenue de 50% of the deposit |
Cancellation < 45 days | Deposit non-refundable |
Itinerary change | Possible up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability |
Bad weather guarantee | Alternative activity at no extra cost if weather conditions prevent the planned excursion |
Payment | Bank transfer or PayPal |
Tip : Take out travel insurance with a “cancel for any reason” option. In the event of medical cancellation, the deposit will be refunded by your insurer — this is the most effective protection for a trip of this value.
Why Lemur Safari?
Local agency vs. European reseller — an honest comparison
Criteria | Lemur Safari | European Agency |
|---|---|---|
Location | Toamasina, Madagascar | Paris, London, Brussels… |
Intermediaries | ✓ 0 — you speak directly with the field team | 1 to 2 subcontracting layers |
Price | ✓ Direct, no reseller margin | +15 to 30% commission |
Responsiveness | ✓ Reply within 24h · WhatsApp | 2–5 day email delays |
Flexibility | ✓ Changes up to D–30 | Rigid conditions |
Field knowledge | ✓ Guides who live in Madagascar | Catalogue brochures |
Local impact | ✓ 100% of spending stays in Madagascar | Margin captured abroad |
Exclusive access | ✓ Local networks | Standardised package tours |
Unique River Expedition
Our river crew knows every bend of the Tsiribihina, every sandbar for the bivouac, every hidden waterfall. An expedition logistics made smooth and safe for you.
100% Malagasy Agency
Registered in Madagascar, run by a Malagasy team. Your money directly funds local families and communities — not an office in Paris or London.
15 “Excellent” Reviews
Our travellers awarded the maximum rating across all their tours. Read their experiences on TripAdvisor before booking.
Responsible Tourism
Exclusive partnerships with eco-lodges and charming local hotels, carefully selected to support economic benefits for Malagasy communities. No international chains in our tours.
What our travellers say
Best adventure
“This has been the best adventure I’ve been on so far. Ismail showed our group things in Madagascar that we would never have discovered on our own. Best tour guide ever! :)”
Sanja M · sept. 2024
A country to explore and a local guide to recommend
“We just returned from an unforgettable 7-day private honeymoon trip to Madagascar, and it truly was a dream come true. As a couple, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring stunning natural wonders such as the Baobab Avenue…”
Luca C · nov. 2025Perfectly tailor-made trip
“Ismaël is a great guide, we had an excellent time. Breathtaking places, quality information and impeccable support. I highly recommend. We laughed a lot and discovered so much.”
Princia R · dec. 2025
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