Itinerary Antananarivo, Andasibe, Morondava & Nosy Be

Seasonality: July is one of the best times to visit Madagascar: dry season, cooler temperatures, and ideal conditions for wildlife spotting, hiking, and beaches.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	2200 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1100 USD
🧳 Gear	200 USD
🗺️ On-site	900 USD
Total	4400 USD

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇲🇬 Antananarivo - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Rova of Antananarivo ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Historical palace complex; Guided tours recommended, fabulous city views.
• [ ] 🏛️ Andafiavaratra Palace ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Fascinating museum with royal artifacts.
• [ ] 🏙️ Analakely Market ⭐ (~1h)
  • Bustling local market; great for souvenirs, keep valuables secure.
• [ ] 🎨 Independence Avenue (Avenue de l’Indépendance) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Main thoroughfare, colonial architecture and lively urban vibe.
• [ ] 🌳 Lemur Park ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Sanctuary home to nine lemur species, perfect wildlife photo ops.
• [ ] 🌳 Tsarasaotra Park (Bird Lake) ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Small private park with endemic birdlife.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Glacier ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Vibrant bar and brasserie, local live bands; safe, central spot.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 La Varangue ⭐⭐⭐
  • Malagasy-European fusion; Zebu steak, ~15 USD per person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Antaninarenina Hill (~1h)
  • Classic city viewpoint.

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🇲🇬 Andasibe (Analamazaotra) - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌳 Andasibe-Mantadia National Park ⭐⭐⭐ (~6h)
  • Best place for Indri lemur sightings, gentle hiking circuits; take a local guide.
• [ ] 🌳 Vakona Forest Reserve & Lemur Island ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Interactive lemur experiences; bring mosquito repellent.
• [ ] 🌳 Analamazaotra Special Reserve ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Early morning walks for rare birds and amphibians.
• [ ] 🌳 Village walk ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Learn about Betsimisaraka community life.
• [ ] 🏛️ Mitsinjo Community Reserve ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Community-run conservation area, night frog walks.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🌳 Night walk in Andasibe ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Guided nocturnal tour to spot chameleons and endemic creatures.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Feon’ny Ala Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Grilled fish, ravitoto; mains ~12 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Visit Moramanga town (~2h)
  • Colonial town, WWII history.

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🇲🇬 Morondava - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌳 Avenue of the Baobabs ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h, sunrise/sunset)
  • Iconic, photogenic trees; best at dusk.
• [ ] 🌳 Kirindy Forest Reserve ⭐⭐ (~5h)
  • Spot fossa, lemurs, and giant jumping rats; arrive early morning.
• [ ] 🌳 Baobab Amoureux ⭐ (~1h)
  • Twin entwined baobabs, unusual natural sight.
• [ ] 🛕 Belo-sur-Mer village ⭐ (~5h, day trip)
  • Remote fisher village, beautiful empty beaches.
• [ ] 🏙️ Morondava town market ⭐ (~1h)
  • Local crafts and vanilla.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Chez Maggie Bar ⭐ (~2h)
  • Oceanfront bar, relaxed beach vibe.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Le Sun Beach ⭐⭐
  • Grilled seafood trays, ~10 USD per person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Mangrove canoe tour (~2h)
  • Serene water landscapes, birdlife.

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🇲🇬 Nosy Be - 6 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏝️ Andilana Beach ⭐⭐⭐ (~half-day)
  • Powder-white sand, safe swimming, beach bars.
• [ ] 🤿 Snorkeling at Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve ⭐⭐⭐ (~half-day)
  • Top snorkeling/diving; turtles and vibrant reef fish.
• [ ] 🏝️ Lokobe Reserve hiking ⭐⭐⭐ (~5h)
  • Rainforest trek to see black lemurs and rare flora.
• [ ] 🚤 Nosy Iranja boat tour ⭐⭐ (~full day)
  • Stunning sandbar and turtle nesting.
• [ ] 🧑‍🦯 Hell-Ville walking tour ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Colonial history, lively markets, spice stalls.
• [ ] 🏄 Water sports at Madirokely Beach ⭐ (~2h)
  • Surf, paddleboard, and jet-ski rental.
• [ ] 🛕 Dzamandzar village visit ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Discover ylang-ylang distilleries, meet locals.
• [ ] 🌳 Mont Passot sunset viewpoint ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Panoramic island views, unforgettable sunsets.
• [ ] 🏝️ Nosy Komba & turtle sanctuary ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Meet local artisans, small primate reserve.
• [ ] 🧑‍🍳 Spice farm visit ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Scented tour with tastings.
• [ ] 🏙️ Ambatoloaka nightlife strip ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Vibrant café-cocktail scene after dark.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Baobab Café ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Fun, social vibe with sea views – great for cocktails and live music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Chez Nono ⭐⭐⭐
  • Seafood brochettes, coconut rice; mains ~14 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Nosy Sakatia sea turtle snorkel (~4h)
  • Additional guided snorkel trip.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇲🇬 Antananarivo

• [ ] 🎬 Ady Gasy (2015) — ⭐ 7.2 — Insight into Malagasy resilience and ingenuity — Vimeo
• [ ] 🦎 Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014) — ⭐ 7.0 — IMAX documentary; wildlife and conservation — Prime Video

🇲🇬 Andasibe

• [ ] 🎬 Madagascar: Lemurs (2010) — ⭐ 7.5 — In-depth focus on rainforest lemur species — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 BBC Madagascar (2011) — ⭐ 8.5 — Superb docuseries on the island’s unique nature — BBC iPlayer

🇲🇬 Morondava

• [ ] 🎬 Baobabs between Land and Sea (2016) — ⭐ 7.8 — Exploring baobab ecology — Vimeo
• [ ] 🎬 Life on Madagascar (2015) — ⭐ 7.6 — Stories of daily life and wildlife — Arte

🇲🇬 Nosy Be

• [ ] 🎬 Island of the Sharks (2005) — ⭐ 7.1 — Marine life documentary — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 Nosy Be, l’île aux parfums (2022) — ⭐ 7.0 — Island culture, ylang-ylang industry — France TV

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🍜 Local specialties

🇲🇬 Antananarivo

• [ ] Romazava (beef stew with leafy greens)
• [ ] Akoho sy voanio (chicken with coconut)
• [ ] Koba (peanut-rice sweet cake)

🇲🇬 Andasibe

• [ ] Tilapia à la Malagasy (fish dish)
• [ ] Ravitoto (pork with cassava leaves)
• [ ] Mofo gasy (rice-flour breakfast cakes)

🇲🇬 Morondava

• [ ] Grilled seafood platters
• [ ] Crab in coconut sauce
• [ ] Banana fritters

🇲🇬 Nosy Be

• [ ] Langouste (fresh lobster)
• [ ] Coconut rice
• [ ] Mango and ylang-ylang desserts

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇲🇬 Antananarivo

1. Rova of Antananarivo
2. Le Glacier
3. Analakely Market
4. Hotel Palissandre
5. La Varangue

🇲🇬 Andasibe

1. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
2. Vakona Forest Lodge Restaurant
3. Moramanga town center
4. Mantadia Lodge
5. Feon’ny Ala Restaurant

🇲🇬 Morondava

1. Avenue of the Baobabs
2. Chez Maggie Bar
3. Morondava town market
4. Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa
5. Le Sun Beach

🇲🇬 Nosy Be

1. Andilana Beach
2. Baobab Café
3. Ambatoloaka nightlife strip
4. Andilana Beach Resort
5. Chez Nono

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Antananarivo
• [ ] 🚅/🚌 Antananarivo → Andasibe
• [ ] ✈️ Antananarivo → Morondava
• [ ] ✈️ Morondava → Nosy Be (via Antananarivo)
• [ ] ✈️ Nosy Be → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Antananarivo	2	Hotel Palissandre	200 USD
Andasibe	3	Mantadia Lodge	330 USD
Morondava	3	Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa	285 USD
Nosy Be	6	Andilana Beach Resort	540 USD
Total	14		1100 USD

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