Ranomafana National Park: bamboo lemurs, steep trails and how to visit
The golden bamboo lemur and Ranomafana's other lemurs, how hard the trails are, guided night walks, the fees, Centre ValBio and how many nights to stay.
Classic South, Expanded Version: Andasibe and the RN7 in 11 Days
Andasibe first, then back through Antananarivo and south on the RN7: rainforest at Ranomafana, ring-tails at Anja and a full walking day in Isalo. Stay two nights at Ifaty before the day-11 transfer to Tulear airport. The flight back to Antananarivo is extra.
Is this the right route for your trip?
Choose this for rainforest lemurs and the road south, with a full day walking in Isalo and two nights by the sea. You change hotels along the route, including two nights at Ranomafana and two at Ranohira. In your request, tell us your month, number of travellers, total days in Madagascar, approximate budget per adult and comfortable walking time. Include any flights already booked so we can discuss how the first and last days fit.
Highlights of the tourWhat the eleven days cover
- A morning looking for wild indri in Analamazaotra National Park
- Guided night walks around Andasibe and along the forest edge at Ranomafana
- Ranomafana National Park, looking for golden bamboo lemurs and other forest wildlife
- A visit to Centre ValBio and a lunch stop; lunch is paid separately
- Anja Community Reserve, looking for ring-tailed lemurs among granite boulders
- A full day in Isalo National Park: canyons, natural pools and sandstone formations
- Zafimaniry woodcarving in Ambositra and Antemoro paper in Ambalavao
- Two nights at Ifaty, with a free day by the sea
Day by day
Day 1
Antananarivo to Andasibe
Leave Antananarivo in the morning and drive east towards Andasibe. Stop at Peyrieras Reserve to look for chameleons, geckos, frogs and other small wildlife, then continue to Andasibe for lunch.
The afternoon visit is to Vakona Reserve or VOI Mitsinjo. Ask which is proposed in your itinerary. Vakona has habituated lemurs accustomed to people; this differs from the wild forest visit the next morning.
After dark, a guided night walk looks for nocturnal wildlife such as mouse lemurs and frogs. Ask us to confirm the reserve and authorised circuit when planning the evening.
Overnight: Andasibe
Day 2
Andasibe to Antananarivo
Spend the morning in Analamazaotra National Park, looking for indri and other lemurs in the rainforest with a park guide. Wildlife sightings are never promised.
After lunch, return to Antananarivo for the night. The RN7 journey south starts the following morning.
Overnight: Antananarivo
Day 3
Antananarivo to Antsirabe
The adventure continues south along the RN7, passing highland villages, rice terraces and rolling landscapes. Lunch is enjoyed in Antsirabe, a town known for its cool climate, thermal history and artisanal culture.
In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the scenic Lake Tritriva, a volcanic crater lake with deep blue water and panoramic viewpoints.
Overnight: Antsirabe
Day 4
Antsirabe to Ranomafana
Continue south with a stop at woodcarving workshops in Ambositra. After lunch, drive to Ranomafana, where you stay for two nights.
In the evening, a guided walk along the forest edge looks for nocturnal wildlife such as mouse lemurs, chameleons and frogs.
Overnight: Ranomafana
Day 5
Ranomafana
Spend the morning exploring Ranomafana National Park, looking for golden bamboo lemurs and other rainforest wildlife.
The itinerary includes a visit to Centre ValBio, a research and conservation centre, and a lunch stop there. Lunch is paid separately, in line with the trip's meal exclusions.
In the afternoon, visit a nearby vanilla plantation to learn how vanilla is grown, hand-pollinated, dried and prepared.
Overnight: Ranomafana
Day 6
Ranomafana to Ambalavao
Drive towards Ambalavao, stopping in the old upper town of Fianarantsoa. After lunch in Ambalavao, visit an Antemoro paper workshop.
Later in the afternoon, visit Anja Community Reserve to look for ring-tailed lemurs among the granite boulders.
Overnight: Ambalavao
Day 7
Ambalavao to Ranohira
The road continues south toward Ranohira as the scenery gradually changes to wide open landscapes, desert-like vegetation and impressive rock formations. Lunch is taken in Ranohira and the afternoon is free for rest or exploration.
Before sunset, a visit to the Window of Isalo offers one of the most beautiful sunset viewpoints in the region.
Overnight: Ranohira
Day 8
Isalo National Park
A full day walking in Isalo National Park, among sandstone canyons, dry forest and natural pools. Ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas are sometimes seen along the trails.
Tell us how long you are comfortable walking and how you manage climbs and descents so we can discuss the circuit before you book. Our Isalo guide compares the walks.
Overnight: Ranohira
Day 9
Ranohira to Ifaty
Continue towards Tulear and the south-western coast, through spiny forest, baobabs and sandy plains. From Tulear, continue to Ifaty for two nights.
The afternoon is free to rest by the sea.
Overnight: Ifaty
Day 10
Ifaty
A free day at Ifaty. You can discuss snorkelling, a visit to the spiny forest or time in nearby villages, or leave the day free. Ask which activities fit your dates and what the quote covers.
Overnight: Ifaty
Day 11
Ifaty to Antananarivo
Transfer from Ifaty to Tulear airport for the flight back to Antananarivo. The airport transfer is part of the itinerary; the flight ticket is not included in the trip price and can be arranged on request.
Send your onward flight time when you enquire. A pickup in Antananarivo or an extra hotel night can be discussed if needed.
Included
- Private comfortable vehicle
- Accommodation as mentioned (bed & breakfast)
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Local guides and park entrance fees
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Domestic flight from Tulear to Antananarivo
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
Questions
Questions about the Classic South
Before we quote, tell us your month, traveller count, total days available, budget per adult and walking preferences. Include the dates of any flights already booked.
What is the RN7 in Madagascar?
The RN7 is the road south from Antananarivo to Tulear. The Classic South starts with Andasibe, east of the capital on the RN2, then returns to Antananarivo for the second night. Day 3 begins the RN7 journey through Antsirabe towards Ranomafana, Anja, Isalo and the coast. Our RN7 guide follows the stops in order.
How much walking and driving is involved?
This route combines driving days with forest visits at Andasibe and Ranomafana, a visit to Anja and a full walking day at Isalo. There are two nights at Ranomafana, two at Ranohira and two at Ifaty; other stops change each night.
Tell us your comfortable walking time, how you manage slopes and whether you want a slower pace for photography. We can discuss the route before you book. The Isalo guide compares its walks, and the Ranomafana guide explains its forest trails.
When is the best time to travel the RN7?
May to October is our usual starting window for walking on this route, with May to mid-November our published window for lemur trips. Send your travel month so we can discuss the route for your dates. Our month-by-month guide explains the differences between the eastern rainforest and the south-west.
Where does the Classic South start and end?
Day 1 leaves Antananarivo in the morning for Andasibe. The route returns through the capital before travelling south on the RN7 to Ifaty. On day 11, the itinerary takes you to Tulear airport for a flight back to Antananarivo.
The domestic flight is not included in the starting price, but can be arranged on request. Send your arrival and onward flight times with your enquiry so we can discuss the first and last days, including any extra nights needed.
Where do you stay on the Classic South?
Hotels on a bed and breakfast basis: one night at Andasibe, one in Antananarivo, one at Antsirabe, two at Ranomafana, one at Ambalavao, two at Ranohira and two at Ifaty. Tell us the hotel level and budget per adult you have in mind. Hotels can be upgraded or downgraded, and the named hotels and final price are confirmed in your written quote.
Can I combine the Classic South with the west or make it longer?
Yes, the itinerary can be reshaped. Tell us the total days you have in Madagascar, including arrival and departure days, and which stops matter most. Extra walking days at Isalo or Andringitra can be discussed, as can more time at the coast.
For a longer route through the west and south, compare the 20-day Ultimate Madagascar trip. If you have only one night for the rainforest, compare the 2-day Andasibe trip. A changed route needs its own written itinerary and price.
What does the Classic South include?
The starting price is €1,730 per adult, from two people. It includes your private vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide, bed and breakfast accommodation, park entrance fees and local guides. Lunches and dinners, the domestic flight from Tulear to Antananarivo, drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included.
A lunch stop listed in the day-by-day itinerary, including Centre ValBio, does not make that meal included. Your written quote confirms the hotels, final price and any separately arranged flights or activities. No payment is required to enquire.
Before you go
Guides for this trip
Isalo National Park: hikes, pools and how to visit
How the Isalo walks compare, how many days to give it, when the heat bites, the 2026 park fees and where it fits between Anja and the coast.
Getting around Madagascar: car hire with a driver, self-drive or flights
Car hire with a driver-guide, self-drive, domestic flights or taxi-brousse: the trade-offs, drive times in 2026, and why the west needs a 4x4.
The RN7: Madagascar's classic road trip, stop by stop
Antsirabe to Ifaty stop by stop: 2026 road times, the zebu market day, Ilakaka and Zombitse, night driving, self-drive or a driver-guide, and how many days to allow.
Where to see ring-tailed lemurs in the wild
Where ring-tailed lemurs live, how a visit to Anja works, Isalo and the Tsaranoro valley, when babies ride on their mothers' backs, and how close you should get.
Ifaty and Tulear: the reef, the spiny forest and the end of the RN7
Ifaty's lagoon, the Reniala spiny forest, Tulear and its flight connections, and how many nights to allow at the coast.
