DISCOVER MADAGASCAR’S MARVELOUS RAINFOREST

Discover Madagascar's marvelous Rainforest
(10 Days)

Highlights

Explore Madagascar’s last remaining primary forests to see and “hear” lemurs, especially the Indri Indri, the country’s largest lemur. Also admire the famous Aye-Aye in a corner of paradise nestled between lakes, land, and sea. Finally, take the time to enjoy the heavenly beaches and whales of Sainte-Marie Island.

Accommodation options

Midrange to luxurious

Parks and Sites Visited

Andasibe National Park, Community Reserve in Andasibe, and Palmarium Reserve

Price

From 1250€ per person (Based on 4 people)

Day 1: Arrival in Madagascar

You have landed in Antananarivo Airport, Welcome to Madagascar ! Before heading to your hotel on your transfer car, you can convert the amount of money you need into local money. Overnight in a charming boutique-hotel.

Day 2: Antananarivo-Andasibe

This day, you will drive for about three hours and a half on the famous National Road n°2. This journey will take you through one of the last rainforests of Madagascar, the Andasibe National Park. Pass from the mountainous landscape of the highlands to the verdant landscape of the eastern part of Madagascar while admiring some of the endemic trees of the island, to mention only the Ravinala, commonly nicknamed the traveler’s tree. After a few hours by car, here you are in Andasibe! After settling in at the hotel, you will enjoy a night visit to discover some of the nocturnal animals endemic to this part of the island: lemurs, amphibians, birds, etc. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 3: Andasibe National Park

Today, inside the Andasibe National Park, get yourself ready to meet and to “hear” the biggest lemur of Madagascar: the Indri Indri. Living only in this part of the island, the Indri Indri is an endemic lemur, which is highly endangered due to massive deforestation in this region. Apart from this majestic lemur, the Andasibe National Park is also home to some endemic frogs, birds, snakes, lemurs or insects. Indeed, during your tour, you may meet some brown lemurs, some giraffe weevil and many other endemic animal species. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 4: Andasibe-Akanin’ny Nofy

Heading eastward, you will leave Andasibe early in the morning so that you can get your boat transfer from the remote village of Manambato to your next destination: Akanin’ny Nofy. Before arriving there, you will have to sail through three lakes on which you can encounter some endemic birds. After one hour of sailing, you will finally reach the village of Akanin’ny Nofy. Literally meaning “Nest of Dream”, this peaceful village is a home to a rich endemic biodiversity, including a strange night lemur: the Aye Aye. Indeed, this lemur is a mix between a rabbit and a bat and has long fingers used to catch some insects or fruits. Before your night visit to meet this lemur, get some rest at your peaceful hotel and meet some other lemurs wandering in your hotel, implemented in the Palmarium reserve home to more than 7 lemur’ species. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 5: Akanin’ny Nofy

You will enjoy a free day in Akanin’ny Nofy. Apart from wandering in the Palmarium reserve, you can visit the surrounding villages, make a quick excursion to the sea or visit some local plantations. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 6: Akanin’ny Nofy-Tamatave-Mahambo

Today, you will leave this peaceful place to head to Tamatave, the economic capital and first harbor of Madagascar. You will sail on the famous Pangalanes Channel for two hours. This 600km-long artificial channel connects the towns along the east coast of Madagascar, thus becoming a trade route for foodstuffs and products from the region. On this channel, there are still some rainforests in which you can find lemurs, orchids, carnivore plants, endemic amphibians, precious wood and birds as well. Once in Tamatave, you will be taken for a road transfer for a two-hours trip to the Mahambo village. This spot is well known to be a surfing spot, thanks to its huge waves, yet not dangerous. Also, as an eastern village, you will encounter some lemurs in this area, including brown lemurs and wool lemurs. Overnight in a charming hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 7: Mahambo to Sainte-Marie

On this day, you will sail the Indian Ocean in order to reach a marvelous island with its paradise-like beaches: Sainte-Marie. This journey will take you about three hours. Once in Sainte-Marie, you will be able to rest in your hotel or book some whale-watching safari at your charge during whale season. Indeed, from July to September, you can enjoy admiring some majestic whales during their migration. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 8-9: Sainte-Marie

During two days, you will relax in Sainte-Marie and will enjoy its beaches and its marine activities. You can book some activities at your charge at your hotel: whale-watching, snorkeling, quad tours, paddle, etc. Also, this little island is an historical place and a designed place for adventure. Hence, you can visit the marvelous Iles aux Nattes, the pirates’ cemetery, the first catholic church of Madagascar or historical lighthouses. As far as nature is concerned, you can also visit the white-sand beaches of the Ampanihy Bay, the Antanandava waterfall or the zoological park of Ambodiforaha. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal included: Breakfast

Day 10: Back to Antananarivo

What's included in the trip

-All airports transfers

-All accommodation

-All breakfasts

-Private 4-wheel-drive transportation with an English-speaking driver-guide (fuel included) from Day 2 to Day 4 and on Day 6

-National Parks and reserves entrance fees: Andasibe National Park and Palmarium Reserve in Akanin’ny Nofy

-All boat transfers (Manambato to Akanin’ny Nofy; Akanin’ny Nofy to Tamatave and Mahambo to Sainte-Marie)

-Domestic flight from Sainte-Marie to Antananarivo

EXCLUDED

-International flights

-Visa fees

-Personal travel insurance

-Drinks

-Lunches and dinners

-Tips

-Guiding fees in mentioned parks (Guiding fees depend on walk type and duration)

-Activities not mentioned in the included

-Personal expenses and souvenirs