Day01
Antananarivo
Our expeditions
Expedition 02 · Deep South of Madagascar
The Deep South of Madagascar, from the Isalo sandstones to the Anosy coast
A 23-day geoscientific and territorial crossing.
Discover Madagascar on a great scientific crossing that links the Highlands, the eastern forests, the sandstone massifs, the sedimentary basins, the limestone plateaus and the coastal landscapes of the South.
- Duration
- 23 days
- Route
- From Antananarivo to the Anosy coast
- Leading discipline
- Geosciences
- Fitness level
- Specified in the offer
The seven great landscapes of the expedition
This expedition follows one common thread: understanding how geological history and the availability of water shape ecosystems, human activities, resources and ways of life. Geology is the leading discipline, enriched by four other scientific perspectives.
Antananarivo and Andasibe
Precambrian basement, RN2 landscapes, water and rainforest.
Central Highlands
Antsirabe, Ankaratra, granitoids, farming and local produce.
Anja, Ihorombe and Isalo
Granites, the structural setting towards Ihosy and sedimentary sandstones.
Ilakaka, Sakaraha and Toliara
Gemstones, basin architecture and petroleum geology on documents.
Anakao and Nosy Ve
Coastal ecosystems, reefs and maritime societies.
Mahafaly and the far South
Limestones, arid soils, hydrogeology, dunes and cliffs.
Androy and Anosy
Metamorphic terrains, Berenty, landforms and the Fort-Dauphin coast.
Grouped scientific itinerary: 23 days
Days are grouped by area, with the main theme of the program. Activities, fitness level, logistics and fallback options are detailed in the program sent on request.
Day 1Antananarivo
Day 1/Antananarivo
Click a stop to jump to its day.
Days2–3
Andasibe
Basement, rainforest and biodiversity
Indri, Andasibe
Days4–5
Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa
Landforms, granitoids, soils and local produce
Day06
Anja and Ihorombe
Crystalline rocks and regional transition
Day07
Isalo
Sedimentology, sandstone and geomorphology
Isalo National Park
Day08
Ilakaka, Sakaraha, Toliara
Gemstones, basins and petroleum systems on documents
Days9–10
Anakao, Nosy Ve
Coastline, coral island and seabirds
Days11–13
Ambola, Itampolo
Arid environments, water, soils and coastal geomorphology
Canoes at Itampolo
Days14–16
Lavanono, Cape Sainte-Marie
Hydrogeology, cliffs, dunes, biodiversity
Days17–18
Berenty
Dry landscapes and gallery forest
Ring-tailed lemurs, Berenty
Days19–21
Fort-Dauphin, Anosy
Metamorphic basement, coasts and beach minerals
Libanona coast, Fort-Dauphin
Days22–23
Back to Antananarivo
Scientific atlas, review and departure
Five possible scientific workshops
Read the ancient basement and the major regional structures; tell the visible landscape from the map interpretation.
Understand the Isalo sandstones, sedimentation and erosion landforms.
Study the South’s sedimentary basins, petroleum systems and resources on documents.
Compare wet, arid and marine environments along the crossing.
Link natural resources, economic activities and land use.
Petroleum and gas geology: a documentary presentation
Sedimentary basins, stratigraphy, reservoir rocks, traps and regional hydrocarbon potential are explained on documents. The program includes no access to wells, concessions or oil installations.
Five fields, led by geosciences
Geology is the leading discipline; four other scientific perspectives shed light on the water, life, societies and farming of the South.
Lead field
Geoscience, mineralogy and palaeontology
Explore the history of rocks, landforms, sedimentary basins and mineralisation. Palaeontology may remain document-based.
In the Deep South: Basement, Isalo, sediments and gemstones.
Biodiversity, evolution and forest ecology
Observe adaptations, endemic species, rainforests and dry forests, and conservation.
In the Deep South: Andasibe, Anja, Berenty.
Marine science, oceanography and reefs
Read lagoons, tides, reefs, beaches, mangroves and coastal environments.
In the Deep South: Anakao, Nosy Ve, Anosy.
Human sciences, anthropology and territorial economics
Understand local knowledge, trades, resource use and value chains.
In the Deep South: Crafts, the Vezo, livestock, resources.
Agronomy and local produce
Explore the links between water, soils, crops, agricultural supply chains and climate.
In the Deep South: Highlands, soils and dryland farming.
The field experience
- Scientific notebook
- Cross-sections
- Observation sheets
- Debriefing workshops
- Illustrated atlas
No sampling is planned in the standard educational offer.
Logistics and conditions
The Deep South has specific constraints, taken into account in the offer:
- Long days on the road and isolated tracks
- Water and fuel
- Boat crossings
- Communications
- Heat and safety
- Possible changes to the itinerary
Prices and air transport to be confirmed in the quote.
Receive the program or organise your expedition
Request the detailed 23-day program, or tell us about your group to organise a Deep South expedition.
Let’s plan your scientific expedition to Madagascar
Would you like to join one of our expeditions, organise a university trip or explore a field program tailored to your group? Tell us what you need: MDCBridge can prepare a proposal based on your goals, the format you want and the services that have been confirmed.
- contact@mdcbridge.mg
- Ground partner
- sifaka-voyages.com
Indicative programs: activities, access, transport, safety and support are adapted to field conditions and confirmed in the final offer.