The wild lands along the Southern coast
An extraordinary journey, between ocean and savannah…
From the shores of Morondava to the southern tip of Fort-Dauphin, set off on a 4×4 expedition like no other, an odyssey of nearly 1,250 km through untouched lands where endless beaches, turquoise lagoons, and remote villages paint a landscape that feels like a waking dream.
Your adventure begins in Belo-sur-Mer, a charming coastal village renowned for its traditional wooden schooner shipyards. Following the coastline, you’ll reach Andavadoaka, a jewel resting on a crystalline lagoon, and Salary, a hidden Vezo village nestled in the dunes, where the disarmingly warm welcome of the locals offers a rare sense of authenticity.
Further south, time slows down in Ifaty, a peaceful fishing village where the sea can be admired from the comfort of beachfront bungalows. Then comes Anakao, homeland of the Vezo people, a paradise for divers and water sports enthusiasts. Not far away, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park reveals its treasures: endemic flora, countless waterbirds, crater lakes, and mysterious caves accessible with surprising ease.
The road then leads to Itampolo, radiant in its untouched beauty, a pristine seaside haven, before reaching Lavanono, a remote “end-of-the-world” surf spot where waves crash against a mythical coastline. At the very southern tip of Madagascar, the Cape Sainte-Marie Special Reserve shelters rare birds and sea turtles, before the journey concludes in Fort-Dauphin, an oasis of freshness framed by mountains, lush forests, and the ocean.
This once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where raw wilderness meets unforgettable encounters, is an invitation to experience Madagascar in its purest splendor.
Best avoided during the rainy season.
Extraordinary experiences :
- Remote, authentic villages
- Spectacular wildlife and birdwatching
- Pristine and wild natural beauty
Description
A great expedition to discover in depth an isolated region known as the Wild South, a strange world where zebu
breeders, great warriors of the savannah, live between dream and reality …
A seaside destination of about 1.250 Km onboard 4×4,following the coastal track from Morondava to Fort-Dauphin,
and offering a succession of huge virgin beaches decorated with colorful boats and canoes :
– Belo sur Mer, a charming village known for its small artisanal wooden schooner shipyards.
– Andavadoaka, a small fishing village lying on the edge of a shallow lagoon and nestled in a heavenly cove
– Salary, a remote Vezo village set on the sandy dunes where inhabitants are so not used to foreigners…
– Ifaty, a quiet fishers’ village where you can relax from the long driving and sleep in comfortable bungalow with
a view on the sea.
– Anakao, composed of Vezo fishermen, an ideal place for diving or doing other nautical activities
– Tsimanampetsotsa National Park : This special reserve will offer you the opportunity to observe different
species of aquatic birds, and the richness of the flora is a pleasure to discover. You will also discover many
caves with easy accessibility. In addition, numerous crater lakes are present.
– Itampolo, a seaside resort unlike anything else in the world, with its natural beauty. A site virgin and clear, far
from any pollution.
– Lavanono, a small village at the end of the earth, very well experienced by surfers
– Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve : located in the most South of the island, home to 14 species of birds and 2
species of turtles.
– Fort-Dauphin, a true oasis of freshness.
This expedition is to avoid during the rainy season.
Itinéraire
Arrival at Ivato International airport from your international flight. Welcome and transfer to BOIS VERT.
Transfer back to Ivato airport, fly to Morondava with Tsaradia regular flight.
Upon arrival, drive to Belo sur Mer (80 Km/4h). It is a pleasant Vezo fishermen village located some 80 km south of Morondava. Visitors that come here are greeted by a wonderful kilometer long beach of bright white sands and an amazing transparent sea of emerald waters. You will enjoy the laid back atmosphere, the great red sunsets and the adorable locals that have known to keep the authenticity of an ancestral way of life. It is also here that pirogues and large wooden boats are built. Accommodation at ECOLODGE DU MENABE.
Day at leisure at Belo sur Mer.
The beloved activity in Belo sur Mer is diving. The diving centre offers great diving excursions that will show you the abundant undersea life of this coast. Reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, barracudas, shellfishes, and even unexpected encounters with humpback whales on their way to their birthing grounds are some of the fascinating experiences of this paradisiacal spot of earth.
Overnight at ECOLODGE DU MENABE.
Departure after breakfast for Morombe, a 269 km drive through desert landscapes and past traditional Sakalava tombs, decorated with the famous aloalo, a symbolic representation of the deceased person’s life. The road is challenging, but the wild landscape is beautiful and makes you feel far removed from everything.
Late arrival in Morombe, overnight at PALETUVIER.
Today we have less distance to do than the previous days (52 Km / 2H), and we will easily arrive for lunch at the very pleasant beach destination of Andavadoaka. It is a small fishing village lying on the edge of a shallow lagoon protected from the open ocean by a series of fringing and submerged barrier reefs that support substantial coral growth, providing a vital resource base for local traditional and artisanal fisheries.
Accommodation at LAGUNA BLU.
Free day at leisure. different activities are available, such as diving, high sea fishing or windsurfing. Some sea excursions are on offer as well. A short walk to the village in the afternoon will also be the opportunity to see the fishermen coming back from their fishing day… Suddenly the village get very animated!
Accommodation at LAGUNA BLU.
After breakfast, departure to the village of Tsiandamba. The journey showcases stunning dune landscapes, a turquoise blue sea, baobabs, and stretches of dry forest; highlights typical of this scenic coastal region. Afternoon at leisure.
Accomodation at ANKASY LODGE.
This peaceful remote village offers crystal-clear emerald waters, soft white sand beaches, and colorful coral reefs. The nearby Vezo community lives in harmony with the sea- fishermen head out in traditional dugouts, singing as they go. Children may curiously greet visitors, adding to the charm of this timeless place. Ankasy is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy Madagascar’s natural beauty.
Ovrnight at ANKASY LODGE.
Departure today to Tulear (95 Km / 3h). The road is easy, and nobody is in a hurry, so take your time and enjoy!
Accommodation at AUBERGE DE LA TABLE.
From Tulear, you will reach Anakao by boat along the Mozambique channel. Anakao is composed of Vezo fishermen and is ideal for diving or for doing other nautical activities. During high tides, you can contemplate the return of the fishermen on their multicoloured sailing boats offering a unique spectacle. Life, white sand and sun, enough to satisfy farniente lovers.
Accommodation at SAFARI VEZO.
Day at leisure in Anakao, where several activities can be organised: canoe trip to explore the island of Nosy Ve, a paradise for lovers of both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, the island of Nosy Satrana, …
Accommodation at SAFARI VEZO.
Continuation of the 4WD expedition along the cost, crossing area inhabited of plants with strange shapes. We will reach the village of Ambola after 2 hours.
The field of Ambola is like a desert island at the end of the world. The hotel has 1 km of private beach and is situated 3km from the National Park Tsimanapetsotsa.
Visit the National Park of Tsimanampetsotsa is planned today. This special reserve will offer you the opportunity to observe different species of aquatic birds, and the richness of the flora is a pleasure to discover. You will also discover many caves with easy accessibility. In addition, numerous crater lakes are present.
Accommodation at DOMAINE D’AMBOLA.
Today heading to Itampolo, a seaside resort unlike anything else in the world, with its natural beauty. A site virgin and clear, far from any pollution. On the way, you will see some estates baobabs, and along the trail you will be able to admire many tombs decorated with aloalo.
Afternoon at leisure at Itampolo with its beach of spotlessly white sand, which seems to extend to infinity and where it’s possible to observe the whales between July and September, a turquoise blue sea, a lobster paradise which you can eat grilled with other fresh seafood.
Accommodation at VILLA MILAHEHE.
Continuation of the journey until Lavanono. Today is a difficult stage of alternating sandy and rocky trails, especially on the slopes of the plateau Mahafaly. Crossing of a spiny forest. By the end of the day, you will discover this another small village at the end of the earth, very well experienced by surfers: Lavanono.
Accommodation CHEZ EVELYNE.
Today you will leave Lavanono through fascinating scenery and the magnificent sea cliffs along the coast, and you reach the special reserve of Cap Sainte Marie by a well-maintained trail. Wildlife we can discover here is composed of 14 species of birds and 2 species of turtles. Cap Sainte Marie is the most south of the island. You can find on the beach many pieces of egg shells Aepyornis (prohibited for export).
The journey continues inland through remote southern landscapes, gradually transitioning from coastal dunes to dry spiny forest.
Arrival at Berenty in the afternoon. Overnight at BERENTY LODGE.
Today is dedicated to discovering the Berenty Private Reserve, one of Madagascar’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries. Located along the Mandrare River, the reserve is especially known for its ring-tailed lemurs (makis) and the graceful dancing Sifakas.
Accompanied by a local guide, you will walk through both spiny forest and gallery forest, observing not only lemurs but also Bats, Chameleons, and a wide variety of bird species. The reserve also features a small museum highlighting local Antandroy culture and regional biodiverstity.
Overnight at BERENTY LODGE, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.
After breakfast, depart Berenty and drive toward Fort-Dauphin. Along the way, you may encounter Baobabs, thihedral palms, and local wildlife. By the afternoon, you arrive in Fort Dauphin, a coastal town between the mountains and the Indian Ocean, offering a refreshing climate and relaxed atmosphere.
Overnight at CROIX DU SUD.
Transfer to Fort-Dauphin airport and fly back to Antananarivo with Tsaradia regular flight.
Meet and transfer to BOIS VERT.
Transfer to Ivato International Airport for your international return flight.
The wild lands along the Southern coast
