Horse riding in Madagascar means experiencing pure nature, diving into magnificent landscapes and discovering a unique world!
On horseback you will explore the Red Island with its incredible variety of species. Many endemic species were able to develop here, including the famous lemurs, when the island separated from the African continent 150 million years ago. Researchers like to call the fourth largest island in the world a museum of living fossils.
Life on Madagascar is determined by a great variety of landscapes and populations. Inland, the highlands rise impressively with mighty volcanic cones and craters, rivers carry red laterite and small, traditional mud huts nestle in gentle hills. The more than 4,800 km of coastline also offer a lot of variety and beautiful tropical beaches - perfect for horseback riding!
Madagascar has so far been spared from mass tourism and can therefore be discovered individually. In addition, Madagascar is increasingly focusing on nature conservation and sustainable tourism. Here, Indonesian, African and French influences, among others, mix together to form a colourful mixture of traditions. Let yourself be fascinated and inspired by the natural wonders, the rich flora and fauna as well as the joy of life and diversity of the island.

Itinerary

16 days trail riding Madagascar
On this trip you will discover the mid-west of the island as well as the east coast and the famous Canal des Pangalanes, a 645 km long waterway on the east side of Madagascar. On this horseback riding tour you will get an ideal impression of some of the most beautiful landscapes of the country. This is a very varied tour, both in terms of horseback riding and scenery, with quiet but challenging stages in the lonely mountains and brisk gallops on white dream beaches.

Day 1: Arrival at the airport of Antananarivo. Short transfer (about 15-20 minutes) to your accommodation.

Day 2: After breakfast you will travel together to the mid-west of Madagascar to the starting point of your riding tour. On the way you will visit the Lemur Park, where you can observe these cute animals. More than 12 different species of lemurs live here, all of which are unique to Madagascar. On the way you will enjoy a first lunch to get closer to the habits of the country. Afterwards you will be taken to the ranch and get to know the horses. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Today you will experience Madagascar from horseback for the first time. You will ride way north, then south, and have the opportunity to relax, try out your horse in peace and prepare for the adventure you will experience in the next few days. Dinner and overnight at the ranch.

Day 4: Ride to Babetville
From Ranch , you set off through the plains of Sakay and along the river in a westerly direction. You will spend your lunch break in Babetville, which was founded in the 1950s by immigrant families from Réunion. Enjoy a beautiful sunset in the late afternoon before you are taken back to the farm. There you will make yourselves comfortable around the campfire and enjoy your evening meal. Experience the impressive starry sky!

Day 5: Antambahoaka- Soavinandriana (approx. 5-6h riding time)
You leave the farm and cross the river Lily. You to ride over rocky paths and volcanic rock to a small crater lake. A picnic awaits you on the shores of Lake Mananasy. Afterwards, you descend to Soavinandriana on partly steep paths and ride on horseback through the small town, past market stalls and amazed inhabitants. You then reach the camp, where you leave your horses to be taken to Ampefy, on the shores of Lake Itasy. Overnight stay either in a small guesthouse or in a tent camp with an impressive view of the lake Itasy.

Day 6: Soavinandriana - Manazary/Lac dAmparihikely (approx. 5-6h riding time)
The route follows the ridge through rice fields and narrow plantation paths up to 1,500 m. You reach the impressive area around the lake Itasy, where you can enjoy a fantastic 360° panorama. You canter along the dam. You set up camp to the east of Manazary, on the shores of Lake Amparihikely, where the fishing boats sway in the evening sun and you round off the riding day with a drink around the campfire. 

Day 7: Manazary - Ampefy (approx. 6-7h riding time)
You follow winding paths above the lake of Itasy. You pass through small villages with cute clay houses with beautifully decorated wooden balconies. The route continues briskly through extensive banana plantations on wonderful sandy paths - another opportunity for lively gallops! After riding past an idyllic crater lake, you find yourself back in civilization and reach the lush green town of Ampefy. Here you will spend the night in a very cozy and idyllic accommodation.

Day 8: Ampefy - Geysers (approx. 5-6h riding time)
Today's riding stage takes you through the volcanic landscape along the banks of the River Lily. You can admire the Lily waterfalls, where the water plunges over 25 m into the depths. You also have the opportunity to buy a few souvenirs made of pumice stone, which are produced by the locals. After crossing the river Lily, you follow paths made of black volcanic rock until you reach the geysers. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot springs, geysers and pools of iron water. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner. Overnight stay in a tented camp. 

Day 9: Geysers - Andranomenabe lake - Devil's Cauldron (approx. 4h riding time)
You go on an excursion to the lake of Andranomena, for which you first have to climb the foothills overlooking the plain of the rice fields of Anosibe Ifanja. Over 3,000 hectares of irrigated rice fields - Madagascar's rice paddies! Enjoy wonderful gallops along the lake. Later you reach the gorge La Marmite du Diable - the Devil's Cauldron - deep where the river Mazy with its picturesque waterfall has carved itself into the rock. You leave the horses behind and drive back to Antananarivo (3-4 hours). On the way you will stop off at a restaurant. You spend the night at the hotel. 

Day 10: Antananarivo - Andasibe
After breakfast, you will head east together, the starting point for the second part of your Riding tour journey. On the way, you will stop for lunch and, if there is still time, visit a park with crocodiles and various reptile species. The climate changes - it becomes more humid and dense forests with moss, ferns, trees and orchid species appear. Today you will spend the night in a Lodge - go in search of lemurs in the reserve as they shimmy from branch to branch. Travel time approx. 4 hours.

Day 11: Andasibe - Brickaville - Canal des Pangalanes - Ambila (approx. 3-4h riding time)
The animal morning greeting from the neighboring forest reserve might sound a little strange - good morning in a completely different world! Then it's on to the horses that were brought to Brickaville the day before. Not far from Route Nationale No. 2, you wind your way down towards the cliffs in the east. Lunch on your own in Brickaville before getting back on the saddle for the second stage of the day. You to ride to Bac, on the Canal des Pangalanes. Depending on the weather, you can also swim across the canal on horseback! Afterwards, the beach of Ambila lies at your feet. You are greeted by the waves of the Indian Ocean! You set up camp under palm trees close to the beach and enjoy the magnificent view, the sound of the sea and the tropical atmosphere.

Day 12: Ambila - Andevoranto (approx. 5h riding time)
Fantastic riding trails await you today, as well as encounters with the locals. But first to ride you will ride along the beach. Unforgettable gallops to lead towards the mouth of the Rianala River and to Andevoranto - at the end of the world! Lunch under coconut palms in the restaurant. The river mouth is impressive, where the fresh and salt water mingle. Then return to Ambila. In the afternoon, you can swim, choosing between salt or fresh water. Overnight stay in the tented camp near Ambila.

Day 13: Ambila - fishing village Vavony (approx. 4h riding time)
An excursion on horseback takes you north today. Wonderful paths and a brisk pace make the rider's heart beat faster. You reach Vavony, a fishing village at lake from Rasoabe. Take a short walk through village to get to know the life of the locals and enjoy the delicious fresh coconut juice on offer. Return to Ambila in the late afternoon. In the afternoon there is time to swim and relax. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

Day 14: Around Ambila 4-5 hours on horseback
We head north again, across the bridge and along winding, narrow paths along the Pangalanes river. The paths through the dense vegetation to lead lead to a dead end. After a break, you return to the camp. In the afternoon, you will discover the Pangalanes and the village Ambila from a new perspective on a trip on a traditional boat. Dinner and overnight stay in Ambila.

Day 15: Ambila and return to Antananarivo (approx. 3h riding time) 
You to rear into the saddle one last time and cross the lake Rasoabe again in the direction of Vavony. Horses and riders are now a well-rehearsed team and enjoy another great gallop along the rushing ocean! In the late morning you return to the camp, where you say goodbye to the horses. Around midday you will drive back to Antananarivo, lunch on the way (approx. 6 hours!).

Day 16: Breakfast and departure or time in Antanarivo (market visit, city tour etc.)

9 days Riding tour Madagascar's highlands
You explore the volcanic highlands with lakes, rivers, geysers and hot springs. There are also some typical villages along the way. Route as above, ends on day 9 in Antananarivo.

8 days Riding tour Madagascar's beaches
This trail brings you closer to the dazzling diversity of the island - this is Madagascar at its best: lemurs, beaches and unforgettable gallops! The riding tour takes you through the mid-west of the island, through wide, lonely landscapes to the beach. The itinerary corresponds to days 9-16 (see above).
Arrival and overnight stay in Antananarivo on day 1. On the drive to the starting point of Riding tour (your 2nd day) you will also visit the Lemur Park.Additional dates at any time on request!

Accomodation
You will stay in simple hotels (double rooms with bath, shower/WC, single rooms available on request), private guesthouses and mobile tent camps (Igloo tents). At noon there will be a picnic, either as a saddlebag picnic or provided by the accompanying vehicle. In the evening, a sumptuous dinner awaits you, always lovingly prepared with fresh, regional ingredients, partly made over an open fire (in the tent camp).

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and bridles, western saddle uppon request.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of riding experience is required with feeling comfortable in all gaits and in all terrain. The terrain (mountain stages) is partly demanding, therefore a good physical condition is necessary as well, riding time daily approx. 5-6 hours. Riding speed: On the beach and on some paths with brisk riding speed, in the mountains a calmer pace. Maximum rider´s weight 90 kg.

Horses: Mares, geldings and stallions from local breeds, forward going, sociable, reliable, sure-footed trail horses.