Madagascar's wildlife ploughed its own evolutionary furrow, resulting in a range of unique species, the most notable being the lemur.
These charismatic creatures survive in various different habitats, despite the depredations of deforestation and population growth, and on guided day and night walks you can expect to see mouse, dwarf and woolly lemurs, black and white ruffed lemur, diademed sifaka, common brown lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur and red-bellied lemur, amongst others. Of course, there is also a wealth of chameleons and frogs to see during your visit.
Madagascar is also richly endowed in cultural terms, and your visit wouldn’t be complete without delving into the country’s tribal structure and complex system of fady, or taboos.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Day2: Arrive Antananarivo & transfer to Andasibe
On arrival at Antananarivo you will be met by your driver and transferred by road to Andasibe, a drive of around 160 kilometres (three to four hours) with a stop en route. In Andasibe you will head directly to your accommodation and then the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax and recover after your journey.
In the evening you take a guided night walk to see Goodman's mouse, Crossley's dwarf and eastern woolly lemurs, chameleons, frogs and other nocturnal species.
Day3: Mantadia National Park & Vakona Private Reserve
This morning, enjoy a guided walk in Mantadia National Park in search of indri, whose haunting cry echoes through the forest, before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, head to Vakona Private Reserve to see lemurs and other endemic fauna and flora. In the evening you take another guided night walk to see further lemur species, chameleons, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
Day4: Analamazaotra National Park, transfer to Antananarivo
This morning you go for a guided walk in Analamazaotra National Park to see diurnal species such as the indri, black and white ruffed lemur, diademed sifaka, common brown lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur and red-bellied lemur. In the afternoon drive to Antananarivo for an overnight stay. On the way back, you stop at Peyreiras to see some of Madagascar’s endemic reptiles.
Days5-7: Fly to Fort Dauphin, visit Berenty Private Reserve
After a short flight to Fort Dauphin, transfer to Berenty Private Reserve for an intimate - and in some cases - approachable wildlife experiences. A night walk will give you the chance to try and see nocturnal species such as the grey mouse lemur and white-footed sportive lemur.
Accommodation: 3-nights shared between Berenty Lodge and Croix du Sud (Fort Dauphin), half board basis (the number at each accommodation will depend on flight schedules).
Days8-9: Fly back to Antananarivo, city tour
A full day in Antananarivo gives you the opportunity to unveil the city’s treasures, including the local market, main streets, administrative quarter, old town and Ambohimanga Palace.
Days10-11: Fly to Morondava, drive to Marofandilia
After a short flight to Morondava you transfer to Marofandilia and visit Kirindy, well-known for its high density of fosa and its diverse nocturnal lemurs such as Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, Coquerel’s dwarf lemur and lepilemur to name a few.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is Camp des Amoureux, a tented camp situated in the conservation area of Marofandilia. There are two walking trails from the camp where you can see baobabs, lemurs and several bird species.
Day12: Visit the Allée des Baobabs
Lying between Morondova and Belon'i Tsiribihina, the Allée des Baobabs (Baobab Alley) is one of the most photographed sites in Madagascar. The alignment of its majestic trees, Andasonia grandidieri, make it a beautiful sight, particularly at sunset. After your visit, continue the transfer to Morondava where you spend the night.
Day13: Return to Antananarivo
Day14: Depart Antananarivo
Day15: Arrive UK
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 15 daysfrom £3,575 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 13 daysfrom £2,975 pp
Single supplement:
From £425
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go: Jan-Dec: Daily throughout the year, as your itinerary suits
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is arguably Madagascar’s premier rainforest reserve, combining Analamazoatra Reserve with the forests of Mantadia. The extensive network of trails throughout the reserve offers frequent sightings of spectacular wildlife and virtually assured views of the fabulous indri.
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Established in 1991 to protect the then newly-discovered golden bamboo lemur, Ranomafana is a World Heritage Site and one of the island’s most important wildlife sites and best rainforest reserves. Its pleasant climate, misty forest slopes, picturesque river and huge species diversity make it a deserved favourite.
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Where: Haute Matsiatra Region
Ideal for viewing: giraffe-necked weevil, golden bamboo lemur, Malagasy striped civit, Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur
Quite unlike anywhere else in Madgascar, Isalo is a remarkable landscape of eroded sandstone outcrops and canyons dotted with rare plants. There are spectacular vistas at every turn, and wildlife includes several species of lemur, a variety of birds and a couple of locally endemic frogs.
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Where: Ihorombe Region
Ideal for viewing: Benson’s rock thrush, Madagascar cuckoo roller, ring-tailed lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted lemur
The spiny forests near Ifaty are of great interest to birdwatchers and botanists alike. The area includes two of the island’s most threatened birds; the long-tailed ground roller and sub desert mesite. You will also find bizarre flora such as spined octopus trees, a sharp contrast to the ancient baobab trees.
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Madagascar’s vibrant capital city is the beginning and end point of any trip to the island. Built on a series of hills, many of the old buildings and narrow, cobbled streets retain an almost medieval quality. Walking around the city, you will find evidence of several cultures, neither exclusively African nor Asian.
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Where: Antananarivo Province
Excellent for: City stopover
Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
Please
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for further recommendations.
This charming and remote resort sits right on the gorgeous Ifaty beach in south-western Madagascar, and makes a wonderful spot to relax after visiting the interior, or for diving off the local reef. It offers comfortable, rustic bungalows, an infinity pool, kayaking and good birding trails.
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Setam Lodge occupies a lovely location above the river at the edge of Ranomafana National Park, with fine views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest. Ten chalets, each of which has two bedrooms and a terrace, are scattered across the hillside above the main building.
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Located between the two parts of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Vakona is set in a natural amphitheatre that echoes with birdsong. Its cottages are built on a hillside, and a short walk from the lodge, four or five habituated lemur species live on a private reserve occupying a small island.
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