Three nights in the canyons of Isalo, then three on the lagoon at Ifaty, with flights from Antananarivo.
This is the best short route in the south of Madagascar. You fly to Tulear and drive to Isalo for three nights of canyons, natural pools and ring-tailed lemurs, then go to the coast at Ifaty for three nights on a turquoise lagoon, with a reef, a spiny forest and, between July and September, humpback whales offshore.
It is an easy, relaxing trip, with only two transfers by road.
Madagascar
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Pace and fitness
Relaxed, fitness: moderate.
Take the morning flight from Antananarivo to Tulear and drive to Isalo Rock Lodge, arriving in the late afternoon for a sundowner among the sandstone.
Overnight
Isalo Rock Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A stone lodge built into the sandstone above the Isalo plains.
Hike into the canyons of Isalo with your guide, with a picnic lunch by a natural swimming pool, and ring-tailed lemurs on the rocks.
Overnight
Isalo Rock Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A stone lodge built into the sandstone above the Isalo plains.
Walk to the Window of Isalo at sunset, or take an easier walk in the morning, with a long, quiet lunch at the lodge.
Overnight
Isalo Rock Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A stone lodge built into the sandstone above the Isalo plains.
Drive west to the coast at Ifaty and settle in at Les Dunes d’Ifaty, on the beach, with a first swim in the lagoon.
Overnight
Les Dunes d’Ifaty (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small boutique hotel on the beach at Ifaty, with bungalows among the dunes.
Snorkel on the reef, take a sailing trip in a Vezo canoe, or visit the Reniala spiny forest in the early morning, before the heat, with long, quiet hours on the beach.
Overnight
Les Dunes d’Ifaty (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small boutique hotel on the beach at Ifaty, with bungalows among the dunes.
A free day on the beach, with the option of a diving or whale-watching trip in season, and a last sundown over the lagoon.
Overnight
Les Dunes d’Ifaty (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small boutique hotel on the beach at Ifaty, with bungalows among the dunes.
Drive to Tulear after breakfast and take the flight to Antananarivo, landing in the afternoon.
Isalo Rock Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A stone lodge built into the sandstone above the Isalo plains.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Les Dunes d’Ifaty (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small boutique hotel on the beach at Ifaty, with bungalows among the dunes.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct) | US$5,650 | US$4,790 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | Get quote |
| Low season (Nov to May) | US$4,960 | US$4,200 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Lemurs are watched in the wild, never handled or fed, and sightings of any single species cannot be guaranteed. Madagascar’s roads are slow, and domestic flights can change at short notice, so we build in time. Whale sightings at Ifaty depend on the season, roughly July to September.
Best time for this trip May to Oct
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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