Madagascar is bigger than France, and its roads are slow. The most common mistake first-time visitors make is trying to see everything in ten days and spending most of it in a car. Two weeks lets you see the island's three great experiences — the baobabs and Tsingy of the west, the rainforest lemurs of the east, and a few days of rest by the sea — at a pace you'll actually enjoy.
The Short Version
- Days 1–2: Antananarivo and Andasibe rainforest (indri lemurs)
- Days 3–4: Fly to Morondava — Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset
- Days 5–8: Tsingy de Bemaraha and Kirindy Forest (4x4 loop)
- Days 9–10: Morondava and the coast, or the Tsiribihina River
- Days 11–14: Beach time on Nosy Be or Sainte-Marie, then fly home
Days 1–2: Antananarivo and Andasibe
Most international flights land in Antananarivo. Rather than staying in the capital, many travellers drive east the next morning to Andasibe, about four hours away. This is where you hear the call of the indri, the largest living lemur, echoing through the rainforest at dawn. A night walk reveals chameleons, frogs and tiny nocturnal lemurs.
Tour by KiriTour
Andasibe 3-Day Rainforest Tour
Indri lemurs, Mantadia and a night walk
Days 3–4: Morondava and the Avenue of the Baobabs
Return to Antananarivo and take the short domestic flight to Morondava on the west coast — a completely different Madagascar of dry forests, red tracks and giant baobabs. Arrive in time for sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs, then spend the next day exploring Betania fishing village and Kimony beach.
Tour by KiriTour
Baobabs, Betania & Kimony Day Tour
Sunset at the Avenue and a day on the coast
Days 5–8: Tsingy de Bemaraha and Kirindy Forest
This is the adventure part of the trip. A private 4x4 takes you north from Morondava, across two river ferries, to Bekopaka — the gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha UNESCO site. You'll hike the Grand and Petit Tsingy with harnesses and suspension bridges, then drive back south to Kirindy Forest for a night walk and the chance to spot the fossa.
Tour by KiriTour
Tsingy de Bemaraha 4-Day Circuit
Grand & Petit Tsingy, Kirindy and the baobabs
Days 9–10: Slow Down on the West Coast
After four days on the road, keep two days flexible. Relax in Morondava, explore the mangroves by pirogue, or — if you have more energy — swap this part for a Tsiribihina River descent, floating past Sakalava villages and camping on sandbanks.
Days 11–14: Finish on an Island
End your trip with a few days by the sea. Nosy Be in the north-west has calm water and easy island-hopping; Sainte-Marie on the east coast is quieter and famous for humpback whales, mainly from July to September. Both are reached by domestic flight via Antananarivo.
Want this two-week plan with your own dates, flights and hotels? Tell us when you travel and we'll send a full itinerary and price.
What If You Have 10 Days or 3 Weeks?
- 10 days: choose one region — the west (baobabs, Tsingy, Kirindy) or Andasibe + the RN7.
- 2 weeks: the plan above, flying between regions.
- 3 weeks: add the RN7 road trip through Antsirabe, Ranomafana and Isalo.
Frequently asked questions
Ten days is the minimum for one region. Two weeks lets you combine the west (baobabs, Tsingy) with the rainforest and a beach. Three weeks or more lets you add the RN7 road trip in the south.
Written by the KiriTour team
We're a local tour team based in Morondava. We guide travellers through the baobabs, Tsingy, Kirindy and the Tsiribihina every week, and organise trips across Madagascar.
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