Madagascar Whale Watching Tour
- 18 Days
- From Antananarivo (Ivato International Airport).
- Private Tours
Overview
In short: Madagascar Whale Watching Tour is a 18-day private tour of Madagascar starting in Antananarivo (Ivato International Airport)., visiting Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Ranohira, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Ambositra, Ifaty and Sainte Marie Island. Price: from €1,290 per person. Guiding: English or French-speaking driver/guide.. Best season: July – September (for whale watching).. The itinerary can be adapted to your dates and interests.
Madagascar Whale Watching Tour – South Circuit & Sainte-Marie Island (18 days)
Combine the best of southern Madagascar with the magic of humpback whale watching on this unforgettable 18-day Madagascar tour. From the highlands of Antsirabe and the rainforests of Ranomafana to the canyons of Isalo, the beaches of Ifaty and the tropical paradise of Sainte-Marie Island, this itinerary is the perfect mix of nature, culture, wildlife and beach romance — making it an ideal Madagascar honeymoon tour or couples' getaway.
Humpback Whales in Sainte-Marie – the Highlight of the Tour
The big attraction from late June to mid-October is the arrival of humpback whales in the Sainte-Marie channel. Each year, these majestic cetaceans — measuring up to 15 meters and weighing 40 tons — travel more than 5,000 km to give birth in Madagascar's warm tropical waters. Between July and September, around 2,000 to 3,000 whales gather along the coast, offering an extraordinary spectacle visible right from the beach: the songs of the males, spectacular jumps, breaching, mating clashes and the birth of calves.
Once a female whale has chosen her partner for the season, she will eventually leave the icy southern oceans to give birth in Madagascar's warmer waters around Sainte-Marie Island. When the calf emerges, the mother gently brings it to the surface for its first breath — one of the most moving wildlife encounters you can experience on a Madagascar tour.
A Complete Madagascar Discovery
Beyond the whales, this South Madagascar and Sainte-Marie tour offers an immersive journey through the island's most iconic landscapes: meet ring-tailed lemurs at Anja Reserve, hike the dramatic canyons of Isalo National Park, discover the rainforest biodiversity of Ranomafana, encounter the legendary indri-indri at Andasibe, and unwind on the white-sand beaches of Ifaty and Sainte-Marie. A perfectly balanced 18-day adventure for nature lovers, photographers, and honeymooning couples seeking an authentic and romantic Madagascar experience.
Highlights
- Witness humpback whales in Sainte-Marie (best season: July – September)
- Explore Ranomafana National Park – lush rainforest with lemurs, orchids & chameleons
- Hike Isalo National Park – canyons, natural pools & sandstone landscapes
- Relax on the beaches of Ifaty & Sainte-Marie Island
- Experience Malagasy culture in Antsirabe, Ambositra & Fianarantsoa
- Meet the legendary Indri-Indri lemur in Andasibe National Park
- Spot ring-tailed lemurs at Anja Community Reserve
- Panoramic drives across Madagascar's Highlands & East Coast landscapes
- Romantic atmosphere – an ideal Madagascar honeymoon tour
Itinerary
Day 01ANTANANARIVO
Arrival at Ivato. Steps for the visa. Guests are welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. Installation at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02ANTANANARIVO - ANTSIRABE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Antsirabe. On the road, panoramic view of the rice fields in steps and the tombs of the Highlands of Madagascar. Stop in Ambatolampy, to visit manufacturing aluminum pots. In the afternoon arrival in Antsirabe. Visit the City of Waters and some Malagasy craft workshops.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03ANTSIRABE - RANOMAFANA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Before departure to Ranomafana, visit Avenue Antsirabe in rickshaw. Stop in Ambositra, the capital of the Malagasy handicrafts and wood carving. Visit a few craft shops in the city of Ambositra. Affter
continuation to the village of Ranomafana. On the road, admiration of the Betsileo ethnic group landscape with architecture and culture of the rice.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04RANOMAFANA - FIANARANTSOA
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning visit of Ranomafana National Park. Ranomafana rainforest is characterized by the presence of several endemic faunas and floras of the island. There are different types of flowers such as orchids and ferns. A great varieties of faunas also are found in this park as different as lemurs and chameleons. A visit will take 2-3 hours approximately. In the afternoon transfer to the capital of the Betsileo, Fianarantsoa. Visit of the old city classified world patrimony of UNESCO
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05FIANARANTSOA - RANOHIRA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Ambalavao to visit the workshop paper making Antemoro and silk. Then visit the private reserve Anja in Iaritsena for admiring the famous lemur catta. Then continuation to Ranohira through Ihosy the town of Bara ethnic. Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Ranohira.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06RANOHIRA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Leaving the hotel for a visit of the National Park of Isalo. One day dedicated to visit and to admire the fauna and flora in the park with natural swimming pool, black and blue pool. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, and the Grand Canyon. Late in the afternoon, sunset in the famous ``window of Isalo``.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07RANOHIRA – TULEAR - IFATY
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to the southern of Madagascar. View of the first south baobab. Admiring the arid landscape and tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic group. Stop in the national park Zombitse Vohibasia to see the southern baobabs. Then, continue to the fishermen's village where the most beautiful beach in the south is, Ifaty.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 08IFATY - TULEAR - ANTANANARIVO (domestic flight)
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport of Tulear to take the flight TULEAR - ANTANANARIVO.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 09IFATY
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day off
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 10ANTANANARIVO - ANDASIBE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Andasibe. On the road, panoramic view of the east of the red island. Stop in Marozevo to visit the private reserve Peyreiras. Then visit the market and the city of Moramanga. Continuation to Andasibe National Park. Nocturnal visit in the national park of Andasibe.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11ANDASIBE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure early in the morning to visit the National Park Analamazaotra. It is the only national park where we can find the biggest lemur of Madagascar, the Indri indri. The park is also located in a wetland, so several floras and fauna found there are endemic to this region. In the afternoon, visit Vakona reserve. Opportunity to see other species of lemurs and other animals.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12ANDASIBE - TAMATAVE
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure to the capital economic of Madagascar, Tamatave. On the road, panoramic view of the East landscapeof the Big Island. Visit of the city.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13TAMATAVE –MAHAMBO – SAINTE MARIE
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure to Mahambo. Transfer by boat to the island of Sainte Marie. We make a trip of 2-3 hours. Arrival on the island, transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 14SAINTE MARIE
Breakfast at the hotel
Free days
Accommodation at the hotel
Day 15SAINTE MARIE
Breakfast at the hotel
Free days
Accommodation at the hotel
Day 16SAINTE MARIE
Breakfast at the hotel
Free days
Accommodation at the hotel
Day 17SAINTE MARIE - ANTANANARIVO (domestic flight)
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the Sainte Marie airport to take the flight to the capital. Arrival in Antananarivo, the clients are received by the representative of the agency.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 18ANTANANARIVO - DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit of Antananarivo. Last purchase in the craft market. Transfer to the hotel.
Transfer to the Ivato airport to take the international flight. Boarding formalities
Cost
The Cost Includes
- 4x4 car (2-4pax) with French or English speaking driver
- Minivan (4-6pax) - bus (from 7pax) with driver
- All the fuel along the circuit
- Tourist taxes.
- Transfer airport - hotel - airport.
- Transfer hotel - port - hotel
- Local guides in national parks and nature reserves.
- Entry fees into national parks and nature reserves mentioned in the circuit.
- Rooms with breakfast.
- Transfer by public boat from Mahambo to Sainte Marie
- Half board in Sainte Marie with superior category hotel
- Half board from 7pax
- Picnic on day 6
The Cost Excludes
- The visa
- Tips
- International flights and domestic flights
- Personal expenitures
- Drinks
- Lunch and / or dinner
- Airport taxes
FAQs
How long is the Madagascar Whale Watching Tour?
18 days and 17 nights. The day-by-day programme is in the Itinerary section above.
How much does the Madagascar Whale Watching Tour cost?
From €1,290 per person. The final price depends on the number of travellers, dates and hotel level; send us your request for an exact quote.
What is included in the price?
- 4x4 car (2-4pax) with French or English speaking driver
- Minivan (4-6pax) - bus (from 7pax) with driver
- All the fuel along the circuit
- Tourist taxes.
- Transfer airport - hotel - airport.
- Transfer hotel - port - hotel
- Local guides in national parks and nature reserves.
- Entry fees into national parks and nature reserves mentioned in the circuit.
- Rooms with breakfast.
- Transfer by public boat from Mahambo to Sainte Marie
- Half board in Sainte Marie with superior category hotel
- Half board from 7pax
- Picnic on day 6
Not included: The visa; Tips; International flights and domestic flights; Personal expenitures; Drinks; Lunch and / or dinner; Airport taxes
Where does the tour start?
Antananarivo (Ivato International Airport)..
When is the best time to do this tour?
July – September (for whale watching)..
Customize this tour
You can send your enquiry via the form below.









