Best of Madagascar

Arrive into the quirky Malagasy capital Antananarivo and transfer to your hotel, a restored colonial mansion.

Maison Gallieni | Meals: D

Head east out of the city today to Andasibe through a panorama of rice fields, redbrick houses and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables. Andasibe is a stunning rainforest park comprising two protected areas — the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park.

After settling into your lodge, visit Mitsinjo Forest Reserve, a private reserve operated by a local NGO funding reforestation, community education and Madagascar’s first amphibian captive-breeding facility. Enjoy a guided night walk, keeping an eye out for the endemic lemur species, spectacular insects, floral marvels and other natural wonders.

Mantadia Lodge | Meals: BLD

Visit the nearby Mantadia National Park known for its rare orchids, waterfalls and wildlife including the indri, considered to be the largest lemur in the world. There are another 10 species of lemur to spot as you walk along the forest trails, as well as an abundance of birds including the scaly ground roller, the pitta-like ground roller and the red-breasted coua amongst other diverse flora and fauna. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and see the Rianasoa waterfall.

Mantadia Lodge | Meals: BLD

Spend a day in the 810-hectare Perinet Reserve in search of the numerous species of lemur, including the indri, grey bamboo lemur, common brown lemur, diademed sifaka and black and white ruffed lemur. Birdwatchers should look out for the velvet asity, blue coua and nuthatch vanga and many more endemic species. Perinet is also home to many reptiles, invertebrates, and some of Madagascar’s thousand orchid species.

Return to the lodge for lunch before your afternoon transfer by road back to the capital.

Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo | Meals: BLD

Transfer for the flight to Fort Dauphin and on by road to Mandrare River Camp in the Ifotaka region. This afternoon head out on a walk to the sacred community forests filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe.

Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD

Two days to enjoy all the activities on offer. Drive to the sacred forests, home to an abundance of wildlife, in particular large groups of ring-tailed lemurs. Visit nearby markets to see the rich tapestry of valley life. Travel to the forest of Zenavo, a rewarding spot for night walks and head out in search of sifakas and sleeping white-foot sportive lemurs.

Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD

Return by road to Fort Dauphin airport for your flight back to Antananarivo. Transfer to your hotel.

Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo| Meals: BLD

After an early breakfast, transfer to Ivato Airport in time for your scheduled charter to Anjajavy. Anjajavy Lodge is located within a 450 hectare nature reserve on Madagascar’s north-west coast. The surrounding forest is alive with lemurs, chameleons, malachite kingfishers and hummingbirds. As the sun sets you will depart for a night walk in the reserve to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs. While the reserve’s show-stoppers are undoubtedly the charismatic coquerel’s sifakas, the hours of darkness also have their star performers. Other mammals to spot are the endemic tsingy tuft-tailed rat, Commerson’s leaf-nosed bat, or Madagascar’s largest predator – the rare and elusive fossa.

Anjajavy Lodge | Meals: BLD

This morning, depart for a walk along the ‘Chemin des Crabes’ to see the fabulous birdlife, beautiful baobabs and of course, the famous hairy crab. Even if bird watching isn’t your thing, you can’t help but be enchanted by the kaleidoscope of colours and shapes of the reserve’s common birds, from the vibrant red fody and Souimanga sunbird to the exotic paradise flycatcher and sickle-billed vanga. At the end of the walk, you will visit a small cave where you will find a fossilized lemur skull, stalactites and sharks’ teeth.

Afterwards, explore the mangroves, forests and extraordinary formations known as tsingy located in the Anjajavy Reserve. Travelling by kayak or vehicle, you will learn about the first project aimed at repatriating the Giant Tortoise back into Madagascar, visit a young coconut grove, as well as a number of small caves featuring an animist culturalite and open ancestral Sakalava burials sites.

Anjajavy Lodge | Meals: BLD

Board a boat for an exploration of the mysterious islands of Moramba Bay. Discover the centuries-old marine baobabs, the sandy beaches, and the mushroom shaped tsingy islands. Search for one of the rarest raptors in the world, the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, and if the water is clear, enjoy some snorkelling.

This afternoon, head out on a long walk along the Giant’s Causeway and King’s Alley. You will discover ancient baobab trees, tsingy rock formations found only in Madagascar, along with a variety of lemurs including the Coquerel’s sifakas.

Anjajavy Lodge | Meals: BLD

Transfer to the airstrip for your morning flight to back to Antananarivo where your Madagascan adventure ends.

Meals: B