Wendy Wu Madagascar Untamed

Chameleons in Ranomafana
Explore Ranomafana National Park, keeping an eye out for the colourful chameleons.

Fianarantsoa
Soak in the atmosphere of this old town, admiring the architecture that reflects this city’s rich cultural heritage

Lemurs in Vakona Private Reserve
Observe the island’s famous primates in their natural surroundings

Meet the Betsileo people
Get an authentic insight into Malagasy life by meeting the Betsileo people, known for their rice farming, vibrant traditions and warm hospitality.

Days 1-2: Fly to Antananarivo
Fly to Antananarivo, the country’s capital. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Dinner

Day 3: Tamana Kitchen
Discover some of Madagascar’s culture through food today. Start at a local market where a chef will pick out fresh seasonal ingredients. Then, head to the kitchen to prepare rice (vary) and side dishes (laoka) using traditional techniques.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Travel to Antsirabe
Travel into the countryside today, passing the highlands to reach terraced fields and eucalyptus fields admiring the landscape as you go. Spend the afternoon exploring Antsirabe’s colonial architecture and craft workshops.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: ‘Garden of Madagascar’
Spend the morning in the countryside around Antsirabe where most of Madagascar’s fruit and vegetables are cultivated. While exploring the villages, stop to learn about traditional activities like brickmaking and blacksmithing. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant whose owner specialises in creating delicious cheeses with local spices.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Travel to Ranomafana
Leaving Antsirabe behind today, head south into the rain forest, reaching Ranomafana in time for an optional night walk around the edges of the National Part before dinner.
Breakfast and dinner

Day 7: Explore Ranomafana
Rise early this morning and head out into the Ranomafana National Park, created in the 1990s to protect the golden bamboo lemur which you are here spot. Keep an eye out for other creatures like Milnes-Edwards’ sifaka, chameleons and colourful insects. In the afternoon, either continue exploring the park or relax in the thermal baths.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Visit Valbio Research Centre
Today, visit the Valbio Research Centre, created to protect and conserve the island’s ecosystems through sustainable development and local empowerment. While here, take a guided tour with a researcher, join a presentation or simply wander through the botanical gardens.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Discover Fianarantsoa
This morning, take a walking tour of Finarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo people. From here, head into the countryside for a walk through traditional villages before sitting down for a typical Malagasy meal with a local family. After lunch, visit the Antemoro paper factory where you’ll see traditional paper made with the bark of the havoha tree being produced.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10: Around Ambalabvao
Take a short drive to the Anja Community Reserve. After lunch, explore the community managed forest, looking out for ring-tailed lemurs.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Into the South
Travel through the Bara region and into the desert-like scenery of the south, arriving in Ranohira
Breakfast and dinner

Day 12: Explore Isalo
Spend the day in Isalo National Park, using the easy walking trails to reach natural swimming holes, dramatic caves and hidden oases. Throughout the day, you might be able to spot lemurs, hoopoes and souimanga birds. Return to the hotel in the mid-afternoon to relax.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13: Meva Workshop
Enjoy a more relaxed day today. Following a leisurely breakfast before wandering along the hotel’s ‘Crest Trail’ for some bird spotting. There’s more free time before attending a meva workshop where you’ll learn about some of the region’s endemic plants and the products that can be made using them. Finish the day with a guided tour of the hotel’s own organic garden, followed by drinks and snacks at sunset.
Breakfast and dinner

Day 14: Travel to Ifaty
Head towards the coast today. Travel through Ilakaka, a sapphire mining town before passing through a spiny forest. Reaching the Mahafaly plateau, you’ll see the fascinating tombs here. Stop for lunch at the Antsokay Arboretum before continuing to the beach town of Ifaty
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Relax in Ifaty
Enjoy a day at leisure, with plenty of time to relax on the beach or by the pool. In the evening visit the Reniala Private Reserve where, following a twilight walk under the magnificent baobab trees, you’ll enjoy a candlelit dinner.
Breakfast and dinner

Day 16: Return to Tana
Fly back to Tana today. On arrival, head east through the Mandraka Gorge to reach Andasibe. Later, take a night walk in the Voimma Community Reserve where you can spot mouse lemurs, tree frogs and more.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17: Explore Andasibe
This morning, head into the Analamazoatra section of the Andasibe National Park. This part of the forest is home to the iconic indri lemurs as well as being a haven for birds. In the afternoon, you have the option to take a walk through the Mitsinjo Forest, a community-led reserve.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 18: Lemur Island
Today, visit Vakona Private Reserve to meet lemurs who have been rescued from captivity who cannot be returned to the wild. Drive back to Tana where you’ll have free time before a farewell dinner at a gourmet restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 19-20: Fly Antananarivo to UK
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK.
Breakfast

A Taste of Betsileo Life
Explore the villages of the Betsileo people on foot before enjoying lunch with a local family.

Nature’s Apothecary
Take part in a fascinating workshop where you’ll learn about the local flora of Isalo National Park. Plus, you’ll learn how to make cosmetic products from various species.

Dinner beneath the Baobabs
Enjoy a candlelit dinner at the foot of ancient Baobab trees after a walk through the Reniala Private Reserve

• Return international flights
• 18nts in 3+/4* accommodation
• Selected meals: 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 17 dinners
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Domestic transportation
• Visa fees for UK passport holders

Go Beyond
Venture off the beaten track to explore fascinating destinations away from the tourist trail. With smaller group sizes and greater flexibility, you will discover the local culture in depth and see sights rarely witnessed by other travellers. Wendy Wu’s Go Beyond tours may take you away from the comforts of home but will reward you with the experiences of a lifetime.

This tour has a maximum group size of 12 people per group.

This tour has a physical rating of 3. A good level of fitness is required as you need to be comfortable walking for 2-3 hours and covering longer distances. Other activities such as cycling will be at a gentle pace and will involve straightforward terrain.