10-Day Madagascar Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Madagascar itineraries

Compiled by

NadineMadagascar travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in Madagascar, incl. Antananarivo and Isalo National Park

  The route spans 10 days covering 7 major destinations from Antananarivo to Andasibe. Includes one domestic flight, daily guided activities, and strategic overnight stays. Perfect balance of wildlife encounters, cultural visits, and scenic drives.

  

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  • Day 1

    Antananarivo

    Arrive at Ivato International Airport and budget $30 for a mandatory PCR test. Have your hotel arrange airport pickup as current protocols require this. Spend your first day getting settled. Your guide can help you get a local SIM card and exchange currency.

    
  • Day 2

    Antananarivo to Ifaty (via Toliara)

    Fly to Toliara in southern Madagascar in the morning. Drive 25km to the Vezo fishing village of Ifaty. Visit Reniala Reserve to see the iconic baobab trees. The dry forest is perfect for bird watching, so pack binoculars if you want to spot Madagascar's native species.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Isalo National Park

    Travel north to Isalo and stop at Zombitse National Park to spot 8 lemur species. Take two days to explore the park. Spend one day hiking the Makis canyon and swimming in natural pools. Watch the sunset at the Window of Isalo the next evening. "The schedule was hectic but our guide kept us entertained through the long drives on rough roads."

    
  • Day 5

    Fianarantsoa via Anja Reserve

    Drive to Fianarantsoa with a stop at Anja Reserve to see friendly ring-tailed lemurs. Visit workshops in Ambalavao that make traditional Antemoro paper and silk. The area's terraced rice fields make great photos.

    
  • Day 6

    Ranomafana National Park

    Start early to see wildlife at its most active in this rainforest park. Join the night walk at 18:00 with a flashlight to spot nocturnal animals. Wear good hiking shoes as trails can get slippery.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Antsirabe to Andasibe

    Take a rickshaw tour of colonial Antsirabe before the 7-hour drive to Andasibe. Stop at aluminum workshops in Ambatolampy and an exotic animal breeding center in Marozevo. Wake up early to hear the indri, Madagascar's largest lemur, calling at sunrise.

    
  • Day 9

    Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

    Explore the park's trails. Visit Lemur Island for up-close encounters and take another night walk to find nocturnal wildlife. The park guides know a lot about local plants and animals.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Antananarivo

    Visit La Digue craft market for souvenirs before heading to the airport. Schedule time for a PCR or antigen test before your departure.

    

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• 10 Day Madagascar Itinerary, incl. Antananarivo and Isalo National Park

  Madagascar's highlights shine across 6 major destinations. Antananarivo's UNESCO sites, Ranomafana's rainforests, and Isalo's canyons create memorable moments, enhanced by premium hotels and guided wildlife encounters.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Antananarivo & Andasibe

    Start in "Tana" the capital city. Visit the UNESCO site of Ambohimanga for great views of the highlands. Take the RN2 highway to Andasibe where you'll see beautiful rice terraces. Keep some small bills handy if you want to take photos of the rice fields. Local farmers usually expect a small tip.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

    Get up early (before 7:30 AM) to spot the Indri, Madagascar's biggest lemur. You can hear their unique calls until about noon. Bring rain gear since the rainforest is often wet and slippery. Visit Lemur Island later in the day for some great photo chances with friendly lemurs. Take a night walk to see nocturnal animals like mouse lemurs.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Antsirabe & Ranomafana

    Travel through the highlands to Antsirabe to see colonial buildings and local craft workshops. Next is Ranomafana National Park where you might spot the rare golden bamboo lemur. The hiking is tough here so wear good boots and take lots of water. Trails can get slippery after rain.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Isalo National Park

    Head south to see Isalo's incredible sandstone formations and canyons. A recent visitor said: "The sunset at Isalo's Window is breathtaking—get there 30 minutes before sunset for the best spot and bring a jacket as it gets cool quickly."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Tuléar & Return to Antananarivo

    Drive to Tuléar through the spiny forest. Stop to look at the Mahafaly tombs but remember these are sacred so no photos. See ancient baobab trees at Reniala Reserve before flying back to Antananarivo. Plan 3 hours for the airport transfer because of heavy traffic in Tana.

    

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• 10 Days in Madagascar, incl. Antananarivo and Nosy Be

  A 10-day route through Madagascar takes in Antananarivo, Diego Suarez, Ankarana National Park, and Nosy Be. The Cave Cathedral, 11 lemur species, and optional water activities at the Emerald Sea highlight this diverse trip.

  

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  • Day 1

    Antananarivo

    Begin your Madagascar journey in the capital city, known locally as "Tana." Plan to land in the afternoon at Ivato International Airport since morning fog can delay flights. The trip to your hotel takes about 45 minutes but allow more time during rush hour.

    
  • Days 2-4

    Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)

    Book a domestic flight to Diego Suarez well in advance. Start by exploring the Three Bays: Sakalava, Pigeon, and Dune Bay. "The beaches here are pristine with powdery white sand, but bring water shoes as some areas can be rocky," a recent visitor advised. Head to the Emerald Sea for snorkeling. It's best to bring your own gear since rental quality isn't consistent. Go early when the water is calmest for the best views of fish and coral. Plan an Amber Mountain trip with an early start. Good hiking shoes and a light raincoat are essential because the mountain creates its own weather patterns with frequent afternoon rain. Keep an eye out for brook lemurs and the tiny brookesia chameleon, which fits on your fingertip.

    
  • Day 5

    Red Tsingy

    See the red limestone formations at sunrise for the best photos. The ground is uneven so wear shoes with good grip. Pack lots of water and sunscreen since it gets hot quickly.

    
  • Day 6

    Ankarana National Park

    Get ready to explore limestone formations and caves. "The Cathedral Cave was incredible, but bring a headlamp - the natural lighting only reaches so far inside," one visitor noted. Look for black parrots and 11 types of lemurs. Wear proper shoes since trails get slippery in wet weather.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Nosy Be

    Take the morning boat from Ankify to Nosy Be. The ride takes about an hour. Consider motion sickness pills if you're prone to seasickness. These days are perfect for exploring islands and beaches. "Nosy Be's beaches were the highlight of our trip - the water clarity at Nosy Tanikely for snorkeling was unbelievable," shared one traveler. Visit Nosy Komba to see lemurs or check out Nosy Iranja's famous sandbar. Schedule water activities for morning hours when the wind is calmer. If you're visiting from October to December, you might spot whale sharks.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    Get to Nosy Be's airport 2 hours before your international flight. Most flights stop in Antananarivo, so plan your connections carefully.

    

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