Madagascar: Otherworldly Marvels - A Limited Edition Small Group Journey (2022)

On arrival into the hilly Malagasy capital you are met by A&K and transferred to your hotel in the embassy district of Haute-Ville (upper town). This part of the city is a tangled assortment of steep, partly cobbled streets, red-tiled rooves and pastel-coloured houses with a lovely cool climate. After time to settle in, gather with your fellow travellers for a festive welcome drinks and dinner. 
Hotel Colbert | 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. Perinet is world famous for its population of Indri, which is the largest living lemur species. During your stay take a guided night walk in the forest surrounding the reserve on the look out for a variety of nocturnal species: mouse lemur, white footed sportive lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, as well as the woolly lemur.

Spend a day in the 810-hectare Perinet Reserve in search of the comical Indri. With a barely visible tail, black and white markings and a surprised teddy-bear face, this lemur is one of the few animals in the world that cannot survive in captivity. There are another 11 species to spot as you wander through the rainforest. You may find a troop of 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.

This evening 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 wonders and other natural wonders.
Mantadia Lodge | Meals: BLD

Prepare to be amazed as you venture to explore Lemur Island, a small private reserve that protects a number of habituated lemurs. There are four species to see: bamboo lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, brown lemur and one diademed sifaka, with plenty of space for them to play, forage and rest. Afterwards, return to the capital. 
Relais des Plateaux | Meals: BLD

This morning take a flight to Fort Dauphin located in the far south of the island. Head into the interior by road to Mandrare River Camp, a classic tented safari camp offering majestic views over the Mandrare River. 
Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BD

Today, immerse yourself in this incredible region. Set out for the stunning Sacred Gallery forest, travelling on foot or by boat across the Mandrare River. See inquisitive groups of ring-tailed lemurs and the always entertaining Verreaux sifaka, in addition to many species of birds and more than one hundred other species including reptiles, turtles, and bats.

Later today, venture on foot for a second foray into the Sacred Gallery forest and its spectacular variety of plants and animals, with your expert guide, a tracker from the local community.

Returning to your luxurious lodge, savour sundowners on the river bank, watching the dusky light bathe the beautiful landscapes surrounding you. 
Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD

Your day is off to an active start, exploring the Spiny Forest on an early morning walk. A place bursting with natural wonders, see the sunlight break through the octopus trees and look out for endemic birds such as crested coua, a variety of vangas and the running coua. Afterwards, make your way to the local village for an encounter with members of the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Explore the tombs of the ancestors and absorb the vibrant village life.

This afternoon, relax in camp and sip sundowners amidst the baobabs as the sun sets and the moon rises. 
Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD

Return by road to Fort Dauphin. Nestled at the end of a promontory at the foot of Saint Louis’ peak, the city offers breathtaking scenery, and numerous historical and cultural sites. Following lunch, your afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel facilities, or explore the city at leisure before dinner with your fellow travellers. 
Talinjoo Hotel | Meals: BLD

This morning travel by road north to Manafiafy Beach, a secluded tropical paradise. Manafiafy is a beautiful sandy bay, fringed with forest covered mountains and wildlife rich mangroves. Before dinner, head out on a night walk to explore the last untouched block of coastal rainforest in southern Madagascar with an expert local guide. Keep an eye out for some of the five species and three sub-species of lemur, over 80 bird species, and an abundance of geckos, chameleons and other insects. 
Manafiafy Lodge | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, take a boat across the bay to explore the DeHaulme forest. Keep your eyes peeled for groups of red-collared lemur as they leap through the rainforest canopy, or the critically endangered Southern Woolly Lemur resting above you. Return to the lodge for lunch, before exploring the nearby mangroves by motorboat to enjoy some birdwatching and photography. 
Manafiafy Lodge | Meals: BLD

Today you can choose your own adventure with Design Your Day activities:

• Set Out on a Sunrise Rainforest Walk
  Before breakfast, head for a sunrise walk in the coastal rainforest home to an abundance of endemic plants, lemurs, birds, and reptiles.
• Partake in a Local Village Visit 
  Depart for the local village, the traditional wooden houses and pirogues lining the beachfront. Here you will learn about the local customs and interact with the fishermen and their families. 
• Take a Guided Walk to seek out Flying Foxes 
  Set out on a late afternoon excursion to see Madagascar’s largest bat, the flying fox. With huge colonies of about 500 large, fruit-eating, flying foxes can be seen roosting in the forest adjacent to the mangroves network.

Return to the lodge for a sumptuous farewell dinner on the beach, accompanied by a performance from a local musical group.
Manafiafy Lodge | Meals: BLD

Return by road to Fort Dauphin for your return flight to Tana. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner and drinks with local entertainment. 
Hotel Colbert | Meals: BD

After breakfast, transfer to the international terminal for your onward flight. 
Meals: B

Internal air included: Antananarivo-Fort Dauphin/Fort Dauphin-Antananarivo
Maximum Group Size: 10
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Tour Inclusions

• All accommodation as detailed with private facilities
• Fast Track on arrival to Antananarivo Airport
• Meals as specified in itinerary, including a welcome and farewell dinner
• Internal flights as mentioned in itinerary
• Bottled water during transfers and touring
• Wine & beer during lunches and dinners (selected by Resident Tour Director), imported wines and spirits at Mandrare River Camp & Manafiafy Lodge
• Airport welcome  
• Porterage
• Group transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle or 4 wheel drive
• Services of English speaking A&K Resident Tour Director
• All entrance fees
• Planning, handling, operational and communication charges
• All tipping
• Laundry at Mandrare & Manafiafy

Tour Exclusions

• International flights to the tour start point and from the tour end point
• Visas and other border fees
• Insurance coverage of personal loss, injury, illness or damages incurred during your trip
• Items of a purely personal nature such as drinks (unless specified), laundry, dry cleaning, internet, fax or phone charges
• Transfers/ sightseeing or meals not specified in itinerary
• Excess baggage charges

Please Note
Accommodation Standards:
Accommodation in Madagascar is not luxurious. While the hotels used by Abercrombie & Kent in Antananarivo are of a solid 4-star standard, accommodation throughout the rest of the country is 3-star at best, from an infrastructure and service perspective. This is due to a genuine lack of choice and the relative under-development of Madagascar and its tourism industry. 

We do request that guests understand in advance that the more basic nature of accommodation in Madagascar (which can sometimes be very atmospheric) can make for a unique, memorable stay. Please do note that at all times, Abercrombie & Kent endeavours to use the best accommodation available.

Transport and roads:
It is important to know that roads in Madagascar (outside main towns) are among the worst in Africa; often unsealed, poorly maintained, and bumpy.  It will still be necessary to travel on a poor quality road between Fort Dauphin & Manafiafy. For this sector we use best-available and well-maintained four-wheel drives. 

For further information please contact A&K and speak to one of our groups specialists.

Tailor-Made Travel with A&K

If scheduled departure dates don’t work for you, or you would prefer to travel privately, please talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey for you, or your own small group with family or friends.