Popular Destinations

Our Destinations

Holiday Types

More Holiday Types

About

Our Content

Travelling Safely

When to Go

Best time to Go

All best time to visit guides

Lookout, Isalo National Park, Madagascar, CJ

Isalo

A combination of sandstone rocks, cut by deep canyons and eroded into strange shapes, and unique flora and fauna make this quite unlike any other park in Madagascar – and one of its most striking.

The stark and arid landscape begs to be explored on foot. Its dry scenery is softened by rich vegetation, concentrated around small streams which wind through canyons – home to a surprising amount of wildlife.

Isalo Park Landscape, Madagascar — Isalo, Madagascar

A little more about Isalo

The Isalo massif provides a spectacular view of a huge sandstone mountainous backdrop and is best visited during colourful sunrise and sunsets for spectacular photography. The area is sacred to the local Bara tribe, who have used the natural caves in the canyon walls as burial sites for hundreds of years, so tread carefully.
Alternatively, visit the little known Cascade des Nymphes – a deep pool in the shadow of black cliffs, covered in ferns, where you can find the rare Madagascar hoopoe.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Cave, Isalo, Madagascar

Ancient Burial Caves

Visit ancient Bara burial caves set in canyon walls in Isalo National Park.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Isalo National Park, look out, Isalo, Madagascar

Hiking in Isalo

Experience superb hiking trails in remote valleys and canyons.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Elephant's foot, Madagascar

Elephant’s Foot

Discover rare and unusual plants species including the endemic elephant’s foot.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Isalo Park Landscape, Madagascar

Isalo National Park

Discover Isalo’s dramatic and barren sandstone landscapes, dotted with small pools.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Relais De La Reine £££££

Madagascar
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

The spectacular Relais De La Reine is one of a handful of beautifully designed lodges in the Isalo area, seeming to grow out of the spectacular rocky landscapes. Sitting amongst the canyons in lush gardens and dramatically lit paths feel like the grounds of a medieval castle.

Jardin du Roy £££££

Madagascar
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

A favourite haunt of the sapphire traders in the area, who add glamour to what is already a very stylish place to watch the ever-changing colour of the dramatic landscapes of Isalo. Seeming to grow out of the surrounding sandstone, this family-run lodge offers stylish bungalows within four “houses” dotted around the garden, filled with locally designed rosewood furniture and expansive verandas from which to soak up the view.

Isalo Rock Lodge £££££

Madagascar
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Isalo Rock Lodge is without a doubt, the most luxurious property in the area, in the most traditional sense. All of the 60 rooms take full advantage of the areas spectacular sandscapes with the lodge seeming to grow out of the ground, especially around the pool area. The rooms are large and minimalist, but the ochre-coloured walls reflect the landscape and feel natural, offering plenty of space. This contemporary feel flows throughout the entire lodge, from the sleek and modern bar areas, the exclusive fine dining and clever use of coloured lights at night.

More luxury accommodation

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

View Profile

Illona Cross

Before joining Steppes Travel over 25 years ago, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager across Southern and East Africa. It’s also a deeply personal place for me: I got married in Africa, honeymooned in Africa and still return every year with my family – proof that my love for the continent runs far deeper than just professional experience.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

View Profile

Chris Johnston

Having trekked through rainforests, searched for ancient tombs and been mistaken for a priest, I continue to travel the length and breadth of this beautiful, baffling country. Whilst many people consider Madagascar a wildlife destination, I find the culture and landscapes just as captivating.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Idea

From Tana to Tulear: A Journey Down the RN7

Take a journey along Madagascar’s spine, travelling through some of the country’s most beautiful and prolific national parks, following the winding Route Nationale 7 (RN7). Visit mist-shrouded Andasibe, colourful Ranomafana and the dramatic canyons of Isalo.

12 days from £3,625pp

Andringitra National Park, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Sacred Spiny Forests and Coastal Jungle

Explore southern Madagascar, based at two beautifully designed camps. At Mandrare River Camp, walk through sacred spiny forests, spot ring-tailed lemurs and visit ancient tombs. At Manafiafy Rainforest Lodge, search for chameleons, meet local communities and even spot whales swimming offshore.

10 days from £5,290pp

Manafiafy Beach, sunset

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Lemurs, Chameleons and the Tropical Coast

Combine Madagascar’s most prolific tranche of rainforest with a secluded coastal escape. Begin in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, home to countless lemurs – including the indri – as well as chameleons, frogs and birds. Then fly to the remote beach-side lodge of Anjajavy,…

9 days from £3,450pp

Anjajavy lagoon river, Anjajavy, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Tropical North: Tsingy, Jungle and Islands

The less-visited northeast of Madagascar is tropical and wild. Discover beautiful rainforests full of lemurs and orchids, spot inch-long dwarf chameleons and hike between dramatic tsingy pinnacles. Once you have had your fill of wildlife and landscapes, escape to a desert island,…

10 days from £3,165pp

Tsingy in west Ankarana, Ankarana Special Reserve (2)

View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Madagascar holiday ideas.

Our Madagascar experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea

From Tana to Tulear: A Journey Down the RN7

Take a journey along Madagascar’s spine, travelling through some of the country’s most beautiful and prolific national parks, following the winding Route Nationale 7 (RN7). Visit mist-shrouded Andasibe, colourful Ranomafana and the dramatic canyons of Isalo.

12 days from £3,625pp

Andringitra National Park, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Sacred Spiny Forests and Coastal Jungle

Explore southern Madagascar, based at two beautifully designed camps. At Mandrare River Camp, walk through sacred spiny forests, spot ring-tailed lemurs and visit ancient tombs. At Manafiafy Rainforest Lodge, search for chameleons, meet local communities and even spot whales swimming…

10 days from £5,290pp

Manafiafy Beach, sunset

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Lemurs, Chameleons and the Tropical Coast

Combine Madagascar’s most prolific tranche of rainforest with a secluded coastal escape. Begin in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, home to countless lemurs – including the indri – as well as chameleons, frogs and birds. Then fly to the remote beach-side lodge…

9 days from £3,450pp

Anjajavy lagoon river, Anjajavy, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Tropical North: Tsingy, Jungle and Islands

The less-visited northeast of Madagascar is tropical and wild. Discover beautiful rainforests full of lemurs and orchids, spot inch-long dwarf chameleons and hike between dramatic tsingy pinnacles. Once you have had your fill of wildlife and landscapes, escape to a…

10 days from £3,165pp

Tsingy in west Ankarana, Ankarana Special Reserve (2)

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Madagascar holiday ideas.

Our Madagascar experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea

From Tana to Tulear: A Journey Down the RN7

Take a journey along Madagascar’s spine, travelling through some of the country’s most beautiful and prolific…

12 days from £3,625pp

Andringitra National Park, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Sacred Spiny Forests and Coastal Jungle

Explore southern Madagascar, based at two beautifully designed camps. At Mandrare River Camp, walk through sacred…

10 days from £5,290pp

Manafiafy Beach, sunset

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Lemurs, Chameleons and the Tropical Coast

Combine Madagascar’s most prolific tranche of rainforest with a secluded coastal escape. Begin in Andasibe-Mantadia National…

9 days from £3,450pp

Anjajavy lagoon river, Anjajavy, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Tropical North: Tsingy, Jungle and Islands

The less-visited northeast of Madagascar is tropical and wild. Discover beautiful rainforests full of lemurs and…

10 days from £3,165pp

Tsingy in west Ankarana, Ankarana Special Reserve (2)

View Holiday Idea

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Where would you like to go?(Required)

Name(Required)

Title First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes

01285 880 980