NOMADE SUD

Transfer to Ivato airport for your flight to the southern capital. One-and-a-half-hour flight and welcome on arrival, then direct connection to Ranohira. We take the 07 national road north to reach the Isalo massif and its African open spaces.

Crossing the thorny bush zone of the south, the landscape is semi-arid and the vegetation is less dense than in other regions of the island. This is reflected in the temperature.

Arrive at the lodge and settle in for the rest of the day.

A day to discover the mythical Isalo mountain. The National Park, located in the heart of Madagascar's south-west region, is a veritable masterpiece of nature. Nicknamed the "Malagasy Colorado", it reveals astonishingly shaped sandstone massifs, deep canyons and crystal-clear natural pools surrounded by lush vegetation. This sanctuary is home to a rich fauna, including lemurs, rare birds and chameleons, as well as fascinating endemic flora such as aloes and pachypodiums.

The tour takes us through the massif on a short, easy 5-hour loop; the natural pool, the ridge path, the Namazà canyon, the Nymphs waterfall and the evocatively-named pools.

Leave the park mid-afternoon and return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest in an enchanting setting.

Free day to enjoy the unique setting of the lodge. Rated the best Ecolodge on the island on several occasions and internationally renowned, the Relais de la Reine offers exceptional surroundings and service.

Day trip back to Toliara. First visit to the Ilakaka sapphire mines. You'll be accompanied by a guide to help you understand the workings of this very large mining village. Ilakaka is one of the world's largest sapphire deposits, and draws some 10,000 people to this southern square of land.

Continuing southwards, stopping en route to discover the local rum distillers of Andoharotsy. Arrive in Toliara in the early afternoon and visit the town with your guide. Check-in at the lodge before the end of the day.

A day to discover the daily life of a Vezo. We leave the lodge for the Sarodrano peninsula and discover the village and culture of these sea nomads. Continue on to Saint Augustin to experience the beautiful limestone landscapes. Lunch on the terrace of a small restaurant overlooking the Mozambique Channel and return to the lodge for the rest of the day to enjoy the setting sun.

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, we head north along a sandy track to Salary. The journey takes around 03 hours. The landscape changes radically as we pass north of the Fiherenana river, where the vegetation is thick and adapted to the almost constant heat of the Malagasy southern sun. Possibility of lunch in Ifaty (free) before rejoining the runway for Salary.

We cross the traditional territory of the "Vezo", the villages of these skilled fishermen scattered along almost the entire length of the island's south-west coast. Stops along the way to enjoy the coastal scenery and the fine sand of the white dunes.

Arrive in Salary in the middle of the day and settle into your bungalow.

After lunch, enjoy the sea and the fresh air. Sunset and aperitif on the terrace and overnight at the lodge.

We'll spend a quiet morning in the oh-so-so-soothing setting of Salary's blue lagoon. You have the whole morning to enjoy this timeless place.

After lunch, we load our luggage and set off for Andavadoaka. Nearly 3 hours of track awaits us before we reach another idyllic corner of this white beach coast.

We pass the entire baobab-bottle zone, with its varied and rather amusing shapes. Some of the lichens growing on the baobab have given rise to natural tattoos with highly artistic designs. We also pass through the territory of the famous Mikea, a people many consider to be savage, but in truth, they are the holders of unheard-of ancestral knowledge.

Before reaching Andavadoaka, we pass through the Baobab Garden, a very surprising place where dozens of bottled baobabs have decided to gather.

Arrive in Andavadoaka and check into your lodge.

Andavadoaka is a very large Vezo village, with around 2,500 inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are Vezo, a semi-nomadic fishing community using fishing techniques that have remained traditional (harpoons, spikes, nets, sailing pirogues). The Vezo community is highly dependent on the marine environment for food, transport, income and cultural identity.

There are many excursions to choose from. Here are just a few: Baobabs at dawn - Visit the salt flats and discover the region's birds - Excursion to Nosy Hao by traditional pirogue - Discover the coral reef by snorkeling - Big-game fishing by motorboat.

Overnight stays with breakfast

After breakfast, we're off on a trail to Ambatomilo. We retrace our steps in the opposite direction. We cross the sandy Befandefa track again and arrive at Mamirano lodge by midday, where we can settle straight into our rooms and enjoy this exceptional setting for the rest of the day.

To finish our tour of this beautiful coastline, a detour to Ambatomilo is unavoidable: one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and a structure that's as tall as a man - the perfect cocktail to round off a trip in total serenity.

Known for its dream beaches and crystal-clear waters, Ambatomilo also abounds in places to discover, such as its islet, where you'll spend half a day enjoying a unique marine experience. On the way back, take advantage of the low tide to walk on fine sand decorated with starfish. The traditional Vezo village also offers an authentic setting for a moment of immersion in this culture.

Two days at leisure, punctuated by the sea, the beach, the wind and the unique setting of the lodge. Many excursions are programmable from the lodge. Whether by sea or inland, there's something for everyone.

Depart the lodge after breakfast and enjoy a three-hour transfer to Toliara airport for your return flight to the capital, Antananarivo.

Assistance with check-in and flight to Antananarivo. Welcome and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in the capital.