Kenya & Madagascar

Today marks your departure from your selected airport, with connecting flight(s) along the way. Your journey takes you to Africa, with your first stop in beautiful Kenya.

Upon arrival in Kenya, you will be met by our local partner, who will transfer you to your hotel. You will spend two nights in Kenya’s vibrant capital, Nairobi.

Depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may choose to join an optional excursion. Of course, you are also welcome to simply unwind after your journey and perhaps take a dip in the hotel’s pool before your adventure truly begins tomorrow.

Today, look forward to discovering Nairobi, one of Africa’s most important commercial cities. Most visitors associate Kenya solely with safari, which is a shame, as this country has so much more to offer.

The first stop on today’s kaleidoscopic tour of Nairobi is a coffee farm in the Kiambu region, about half an hour’s drive from the bustle of the city centre. Here, lush coffee fields sit side by side, thriving in the fertile soil characteristic of the Great Rift Valley area. At one of the region’s renowned coffee plantations, you’ll enjoy a guided tour. Stroll among the coffee plants as you learn about the various types of beans, how they’re cultivated and harvested, and witness the roasting process first-hand. Naturally, there’s also a coffee tasting, where you’ll discover just how much the roasting impacts the flavour of your brew. This experience is both fascinating and informative—a wonderful way to start the day.

The next stop offers a completely different experience! You’ll head right into the vibrant heart of the city and dive into Nairobi’s trendy street food market. Each stall stands out for its quality, boasting stylish yet modern amenities with a distinctly local twist. We highly recommend taking some time to browse the small shops, where local artists showcase and sell their own designs in clothing, bags, and jewellery. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a truly unique souvenir to take home.

The final stop on today’s triple adventure sets the stage for tomorrow – this evening marks your very first game drive of the tour in Nairobi National Park. At just 117 km2, Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya’s smallest, but it’s the only place in the world where you can go on safari right in the heart of a capital city, with views of both rhinos and skyscrapers. Rhinos, in fact, are one of the park’s major attractions, and while nothing is guaranteed, your chances of seeing both black and white rhinos here are very good indeed. There’s also an abundance of other animals – including lions. The only classic safari animal you definitely won’t spot is the elephant, as the park is simply too small to support them.

Later in the day, you return to your hotel, where a restful night’s sleep awaits.

It’s time to leave the city behind and truly embrace the wild side of Kenya.

Your journey from Nairobi takes you towards one of Kenya’s smallest – and, in our opinion, very best – national parks: Amboseli National Park. Depending on the traffic, the drive takes between four and six hours, but all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Upon arrival in Amboseli, you’ll enjoy lunch at the lodge before heading out on your very first game drive in Amboseli. Around midday, Kilimanjaro is often shrouded in clouds, but towards the end of the day, the skies usually clear, giving you the chance to capture breathtaking photos of elephants making their way towards the forests at the base of the mountain, where they spend the night. Amboseli is renowned for its large elephant herds, many of which boast impressive tusks.

By the end of the day, you’ll return to the lodge, where dinner will be waiting for you

Amboseli truly is something special.

Of course, there’s the spectacular view of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, but even on days when the mountain is hidden behind clouds, Amboseli has its own unique, captivating charm. The landscape is a striking mix of contrasts – from dusty plains to lush, marshy patches teeming with birds and other wildlife. The park is characterised by relatively low vegetation, making wildlife spotting that much easier. The scenery in the park shifts dramatically with the seasons. There are lakes here that dry up completely during the dry season, only to fill again when the rains return.

The wildlife here is truly abundant. In addition to the impressive elephants—remarkable both for their size and sheer numbers—you’ll also find over 80 different species of mammals, including wildebeest, giraffes, and zebras, as well as, of course, lions, leopards, and hyenas.

Imagine gliding silently above the clouds, rising high to witness the morning sun casting its first light over Kilimanjaro. This is exactly the spellbinding view you could experience with a hot air balloon safari—if you choose to add this optional tour and, of course, if the weather plays along. Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely morning at your lodge before heading back to Nairobi later in the morning.

The afternoon is yours to spend in Nairobi. Unwind at your hotel or perhaps add another optional excursion, in case you didn’t have enough time to explore all of Nairobi’s sights previously.

You’ll stay one night in Nairobi.

You’ll be collected from your hotel well ahead of your departure and transferred to the airport. From here, you’ll fly out to Madagascar—the “Great Red Island” in the Indian Ocean.

Upon your arrival in Madagascar, you’ll be greeted by our local partner, who will assist you with currency exchange. If you wish to purchase a local SIM card, this can also be arranged at the airport.

Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. You’ll spend one night in the capital, Antananarivo, before your adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.

Today is dedicated to exploring Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. The city, with its famously lengthy and tricky name, is affectionately referred to as “Tana” by locals and has, for centuries, been the centre of Madagascar’s intriguing history and cultural heritage.

Tana is set in Madagascar’s central highlands, the homeland of the Merina people. The city was founded in the early 17th century by the Merina king, Andrianjaka, and was originally called Analamanga. He expelled a rival ethnic group and began steadily building his kingdom here. By the late 1600s, the city had been renamed to Antananarivo.

In 1787, through clever alliances and shrewd political manoeuvring, the Merina king, Andrianampoinimerina, succeeded in uniting the country under his rule, becoming the first king of all Madagascar.

This afternoon, you will be visiting the Queen’s Palace—not the King’s—because, in Madagascar, the queens are far more famous than the kings.

The most renowned of them all is Queen Ranavalona I, who reigned from 1828 to 1861. She was known as the ‘Mad Queen,’ and you can look forward to hearing more about her today! You’ll also discover the story of the country’s last queen, Queen Ranavalona III, who was exiled when the French invaded and colonised Madagascar at the end of the 19th century.

The guided tour of the palace is absolutely fascinating and offers a wonderful insight into Madagascar’s history. When you start feeling peckish, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local spot in town.

The afternoon is dedicated to picking up some souvenirs—Tana has several excellent souvenir shops offering reasonable prices and the opportunity to pay by credit card. There’s also time to unwind a little before you set off on your road trip adventure through Madagascar tomorrow.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel, and shortly afterwards, you’ll leave the city behind as you head east towards the stunning Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

After a few hours’ drive through rolling hills dotted with rice paddies, the landscape begins to change – the hills grow taller and the forests become more dense. Occasionally, you’ll catch a glimpse of the river winding its way through the valley below.

Upon arrival at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in the late afternoon, you’ll check in at your hotel, where you will be staying for the next two nights.

The foundation for the national park was laid in 1970, when the French established the Analamazoatra Special Reserve to protect the forest and its remarkable biodiversity. In 1989, Mantadia National Park was created next door, and today the two areas together form Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, giving you the chance to soak up the magnificent scenery surrounding your lodge.

In Madagascar, it is said to bring good fortune to be near indris – the largest of the country’s lemur species. This morning, you’ll set off in search of a little bit of luck!

Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll set off on a walk through the national park in search of the indri lemur.

Indris cannot survive in captivity, so the only way to ensure their future is by protecting their natural habitat – something your visit directly supports. The national park fee goes towards guides, forest restoration, and other conservation projects. Simply being here creates a powerful incentive to preserve and develop the park.

Chances are, you’ll hear the indris before you catch sight of them. Their calls echo for several kilometres – sometimes up to 5 km – and the sound is piercing and completely unmistakable. It’s hard not to get goosebumps as they begin to sing. In those early morning hours, it feels as if, with their haunting calls, they’re making absolutely sure everything is just as it should be after the darkness of night.

Alongside your guide, there’s often a ‘spotter’ too, who runs ahead to locate the indri families so you can find them more easily. To get a closer look, you may have to venture further into the forest. Indris usually spend their nights high up in the treetops, so it’s well worth bringing binoculars to watch as their furry arms clasp branches and trunks with hands that are strikingly similar to our own.

As with all wild animals, there are no guarantees, but Andasibe is one of the best places in Madagascar to spot the indri lemur.

The National Park is, of course, home to many other animals as well. You might be lucky enough to see bamboo lemurs, sifaka lemurs, brown lemurs, chameleons, and an abundance of birdlife.

Around midday, you’ll return to the lodge where lunch will be served. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax—perhaps you’ll fancy a gentle stroll through the surrounding forest.

As the sun sets, you’ll head back into the National Park, once again with your local guide, to search for nocturnal wildlife. Mouse lemurs are a particular highlight. These tiny creatures—no bigger than a small mouse—leap nimbly between the branches like miniature squirrels. It’s hardly surprising that one species, Goodman’s mouse lemur, was only discovered in 2005! Keep your eyes peeled as well for stick insects, frogs, and chameleons.

Back at the lodge, dinner awaits, before you settle down for a good night’s sleep.

After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Andasibe and set off back towards Tana, where lunch will be served.

The road between Tana and Andasibe is considered one of the best in the whole country. Before you point your nose southwards after lunch, allow us to introduce you to a Madagascan concept well worth remembering from here on out: Mura Mura. This phrase loosely translates to “just take it easy.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything moves slowly – rather, things simply happen at their own pace. And so it is with road trips across Madagascar, as you’ll no doubt come to experience over the next few days.

The roads vary greatly in quality, and now and again, an old Mercedes Benz lorry from the French colonial era might break down, or an ox cart will bring the traffic to a crawl. For those of us used to motorways and life in the fast lane, it can be a little frustrating to find things moving at a more leisurely pace than we’re accustomed to. But if you surrender to the beautiful scenery, the warm people, and the many unique styles of homes you’ll catch glimpses of through your window, the coming days will be filled with unforgettable impressions.

Today’s destination is the city of Antsirabe, located around five hours’ drive south of Tana. The route takes you through Madagascar’s central highlands, renowned for their rice paddies and spectacular terraced fields. Take a look into the depths of the valleys – every scrap of land has been turned into a rice paddy, with carefully dug irrigation channels delivering the vital water supply. It’s often said that the Malagasy people are among the world’s most enthusiastic rice eaters, and you’ll soon discover that rice here is a subject all of its own. It’s a true science.

Zebu cattle are everywhere to be seen. They resemble the distinctive Indian cows with a hump of fat on their backs, although, unlike in India, zebus are not considered sacred here. In Madagascar, it is perfectly acceptable to eat zebu, and they are absolutely delicious.

Late in the day, you will arrive in the town of Antsirabe, which was founded by Norwegian missionaries in the late 1800s. It was them who taught the local people how to make bricks. This skill later benefitted the French during the colonial era, resulting in a number of prominent buildings being constructed here, including hotels, a post office, a cathedral, and the town’s most elegant railway station.

You will enjoy dinner at your hotel and spend the night in Antsirabe.

You have an early start today, as another long drive awaits you. You will be travelling all the way from Antsirabe to Morondava on the west coast of Madagascar. We have planned another extended drive today so you can reach the next set of major attractions as soon as possible. In a few days, you will make the return journey along this same route, but that trip is broken up with both an overnight stay and some great sights along the way—so you’ve got plenty to look forward to.

It may be a long day, but it’s one filled with beauty!

Leaving Antsirabe, you’ll head directly west, passing through small villages and some of the most picturesque, rolling scenery. After the rains, the hills are lush and green, bearing a striking resemblance to the Irish countryside in certain places. As the dry season settles in, however, the grass turns golden-brown and the hills take on a sun-kissed hue. Today’s pace is leisurely, as the road tends to be a bit rough—but that gives you all the more time to soak up the views, and rest assured, your vehicle is more than up to the journey.

About halfway between Antsirabe and Morondava lies the small town of Miandrivazo. The name means “waiting for the princess”, and there’s a charming story behind how the town came by this name. Ask your guide if they know it—they might be able to share the tale with you. Here, you’ll enjoy lunch before continuing your journey for the day.

Shortly after leaving Miandrivazo, you’ll encounter the mighty Tsiribihina River. This river is one of the most important waterways in western Madagascar and plays a vital role in the lives of local communities, as well as the plant and animal life found in this part of Madagascar.

The hills gradually give way to a flatter landscape, and the rice fields reappear. Once you spot the first baobab trees, you’ll know that Morondava is not far off. You’ll be spending three nights here in Morondava.

You’re probably a little weary after yesterday’s long drive, so today has been set aside for you to relax. Enjoy a well-deserved lie-in, take your time over breakfast, stroll along the beach, and savour the fact that the longest driving day of your tour is now behind you.

Morondava is famous for its impressively wide sandy beach; however, despite its powdery white sand, it’s not your typical beach holiday destination. The many river estuaries in the area lead to murky waters, as silt from the rivers settles on the sea bed, making the swimming experience a touch muddy. On the plus side, the town excels at serving up delicious seafood! Every day, local fishermen bring in fresh catches of fish and shellfish, which are cooked to perfection at the town’s eateries.

The real highlight of the area is the Avenue of the Baobabs. Located about 20 km outside Morondava, this dirt road is lined with more than 20 ancient baobab trees—some nearly 800 years old. Scattered along the gravel track heading north, these trees stand like surreal natural sculptures, especially with their often bare branches. Baobab trees only sprout leaves during the rainy season; as soon as the dry season arrives, they shed them to preserve water—making their sculptural appearance even more striking.

During the day, the road lined with baobab trees is simply a route connecting various villages. But just before sunset, it transforms into the famous ‘Avenue of the Baobabs.’ The little café opens, the car park attendant takes up his post, and tourists start flocking in, eager for the sun’s last rays. You might be thinking, ‘Can twenty baobab trees at sunset really be THAT captivating?’ Absolutely. These ancient, magnificent trees, silhouetted against a pink and violet dusk sky tinged with orange from the fading day, are worth the journey in themselves. Forget the other tourists. Forget the mosquitoes. Just soak in the magic of Madagascar.

Once darkness has fallen, you’ll return to Morondava, where dinner will be ready and waiting.

Today brings another unforgettable highlight in this part of Madagascar: Kirindy Reserve. You’ll depart Morondava early this morning, heading north along the Avenue of the Baobabs. Depending on road conditions, the journey will take a few hours. The Avenue looks entirely different in the crisp daylight; often, there are hardly any people about, so it’s the perfect opportunity to capture some wonderful photos of the striking trees.

On your journey to Kirindy, you’ll pass the occasional small village, but for the most part you will be travelling through forested areas. This region boasts one of the best-preserved dry deciduous forests in all of Madagascar, which plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity—both locally and nationally. Though the forest faces severe threats from logging, tremendous efforts to protect it are taking place right here in Kirindy. The local community is deeply involved in both conservation and reforestation work, with support from several international organisations.

An astonishing 95% of the plants found in this forest are endemic to the area, naturally attracting a host of unique wildlife. One of the undoubted highlights is the fossa, Madagascar’s largest predator. It’s a curious animal, resembling something between a cat and a mongoose, and Kirindy is among the top locations in Madagascar to spot the fossa in its natural habitat. Your best chance of a sighting is in October or November, during the mating season when the animals are most active, but with a bit of luck, they can be seen throughout the year.

The forests are home to no fewer than eight different species of lemur, including the world’s smallest primate, Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, which measures just over 9 centimetres in length. You’ll need more than a stroke of luck to catch a glimpse of this tiny creature. However, your chances of spotting sifaka lemurs in Kirindy are impressively high. As territorial, daytime dwellers, they’re often quite easy to see—especially when you’re accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide who knows exactly where these adorable, white-furred animals like to spend their time. Chameleons, amphibians, and perhaps even a snake or two might also make an appearance in Kirindy—and chances are you’ll enjoy these discoveries without crossing paths with many other travellers.

On your journey back towards Morondava, you’ll once again pass the magnificent baobab trees—if you’re in luck, you might even be treated to another spectacular sunset.

After a few exciting days on Madagascar’s west coast, you’ll head eastwards once again. Many of the window views will be familiar by now, but unlike your earlier journey to Morondava, we’ve decided to break up the return trip into two stages. The first stage takes you to Miandrivazo, where you stopped for lunch just the other day. Today, you’ll check in at a hotel in this small town, where lunch will be waiting for you once again.

After lunch, you can look forward to a boat trip on the Tsiribihina River, which has probably become quite familiar to you by now. It’s a wonderfully relaxing experience, offering the perfect opportunity to get a little closer to the local people.

You will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Miandrivazo.

Today, you will have a drive of around 5–6 hours ahead of you before you arrive in Antsirabe.

Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch, and just outside Antsirabe you’ll visit the beautiful blue-green crater lake Tritriva. The lake is surrounded by numerous legends, one of which means that swimming is not permitted. One of the most famous tales tells of two lovers who, forbidden from being together, chose to throw themselves into the lake so they could remain united in death. Their spirits are said to guard the waters – which, incidentally, make it one of the deepest lakes in all of Madagascar.

Upon arrival in Antsirabe, another delicious dinner and an overnight stay in town await you.

There’s time for a leisurely morning in Antsirabe before you travel unhurriedly back towards Antananarivo. If you fancy, your guide can arrange a rickshaw tour for you around Antsirabe before setting off for Antananarivo. You’ll spend your final night in Tana before your journey home.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have the morning – and perhaps the afternoon too – free to enjoy as you wish. Tana boasts some excellent souvenir shops offering great products at reasonable prices, so if you still have a few gifts to buy for loved ones back home, this is the perfect opportunity. We can also arrange a half-day excursion for you, unless of course you’d prefer a well-deserved lie-in and some relaxation by the pool. You’ll be transferred to the airport in plenty of time for your departure, bidding farewell to Madagascar for now – though we have a feeling you’ll have fallen head over heels, already dreaming of your next visit.

Of course, you can also choose to extend your tour with a relaxing beach holiday on the stunning island of Nosy Be in northern Madagascar, or perhaps in Mauritius.

You’ll land at your selected airport after an adventure-packed tour.