MARVELOUS MADAGASCAR 2025, TBA
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL ANTANANARIVO
Meet and greet at the airport upon arrival. Time permitting, we may get to explore the ancient city of Antananarivo with a visit to the Queen’s Palace, Former Prime Minister’s Palace, and other magnificent historical buildings. We will be staying in the charming historical Pavillon de l’Emyrne. Taking in the stunning views, while enjoying a sunset cocktail and appetizer, is the perfect way to relax after travelling.
DAY 2 – ANTANANARIVO TO ANDASIBE
After breakfast, a scenic journey takes us to Andasibe driving through villages and viewing the Malagasy traditional lifestyle. We visit Peyrieras Farm en route to the eastern tropical lowlands. The Peyrieras farm affords a unique opportunity to view some of Madagascar’s endangered reptiles. We eat a delicious and unique lunch en route at a quaint local restaurant in Moramanga. After settling in at the Vakôna Forest Lodge with dinner, a nocturnal forest walk ends a busy day.
DAY 3 – ANDASIBE
After breakfast, the morning is devoted to exploring Andasibe National Park. We roam Analamazaotra Special Reserve looking for lemurs, birds, orchids, and tree ferns. We have lunch at Vakôna Lodge, before heading for Mantadia National Park, home to the Diademed Sifaka and many unique, endemic birds. Next, we visit a private reserve called the Islet of Lemurs before we head back to Vakôna Forest Lodge for sundowners and dinner.
DAY 4 – ANDASIBE TO ANTSIRABE
An early morning start sees us on the road, heading southwest through typical highland scenery with rice paddies and traditional red clay houses.
We stop in the town of Ambatolampy at the foot of the Ankaratra Massif for lunch before moving on to Antsirabe, which is well known for its rickshaws and artisans. At the end of the day, we get settled at the beautifully appointed Couleur Café where we spend the night.
DAY 5 – ANDASIRABE TO MIANDRIVAZO
After breakfast, with a picnic lunch at the ready, we head towards the mid-west, passing through the village of Betafo and eventually arriving at the town of Miandrivazo. We will be spending the night at the Princesse Tsiribihina and preparing for our river voyage.
DAY 6 – MIANDRIVAZO TO MASIAKAMPY
After breakfast, we drive to Masiakampy, about 30km from Miandrivazo, where we board our private river boat and begin a 3-day, 2-night expedition into the remote reaches of western Madagascar. In the late afternoon, we enjoy a refreshing stop and swim at the waterfall of Nosy Ampela (women’s island), a small corner of paradise that houses families of lemurs. At the end of the day our crew pitch camp for us on the riverbank and prepare our three-course dinner.
DAY 7 – TSIRIBIHINA RIVER
After breakfast we travel downriver. The landscape changes from primary forest to dry forest and we begin to see the first endemic baobabs. Visiting small Sakalava villages gives us the opportunity to meet some of the people and learn more about their culture. Further along the river, camp is pitched for us on an isolated sandbar.
DAY 8 – TSIRIBIHINA RIVER TO TSIMAFANA TO BEKOPAKA
We enjoy our final morning and lunch on the boat. After bidding farewell to the crew, we head to Tsimafana where our driver/guides for the next adventure await. Continuing the journey through the most spectacular deciduous forests on a winding track towards Bekopaka, the gateway to Bemaraha Tsingy. We arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to Soleil des Tsingy Hotel.
DAY 9 – THE GREAT TSINGY BEMARAHA
An early breakfast and we’re off to the Tsingy Bemaraha National Park where we will enjoy a challenging but enthralling walk to Andamozavaky in the center of the park. Here we must keep our eyes open for the Decken’s Sifaka which is endemic to just this forest. On our walk we will cross a suspension bridge with lookout points offering magnificent views across the park. A picnic lunch will keep us going until we return to our hotel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
DAY 10 – THE GORGE OF MANAMBOLO AND THE SMALL TSINGY
After an early breakfast we’re off in dugout canoes down the Manambolo Gorge where we explore some of the limestone caves and an ancient Vazimba burial site. We then walk the Small Tsingy, the unusual and ancient exposed limestone formations created at the time of continental shift. We return to our hotel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
DAY 11 – MAROFANDILIA
Early morning departure as today’s journey is a long drive to Marofandilia, which is at the heart of the protected area of Menabe Antimena. This protected area is located North of Morondava, in the Menabe region. An amazing adventure awaits in the Sakalava territory of savannah pasturelands and forests with a picnic lunch along the way. Settle into Akiba Lodge and join a nocturnal tour of the reserve.
DAY 12 – ALLÉE DES BAOBABS
Morning visit of the Marofandilia reserve which hosts a unique biodiversity of wildlife such as the Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the largest carnivore in Madagascar. After lunch, a drive to Morondava. Time permitting, we will enjoy a sundowner and watch the sunset at the famous Allée des Baobabs. Overnight at Palissandre Côte Ouest hotel.
DAY 13 – MORONDAVA TO ANTANANARIVO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Tana. Meet and greet and transfer to Combava Hotel near the airport.
DAY 14 – DEPARTURE OR NOSY BE ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
After breakfast at your hotel, a transfer to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively transfer to the airport and boarding the flight to Nosy Be. Welcome by the local representative in Nosy Be and check-in to Nosy Lodge.
NOSY BE ADD-ON
DAY 15 – NOSY KOMBA
Today, you’ll have an excursion to Nosy Komba. The second largest island after Nosy Be in the area. Visit the Lemurs, the fishing village and its traditional pirogues. Walks to the local market, then cross the village for a bit of shopping and sightseeing of the famous sculptures of Nosy Komba, its craft stalls, smiling faces and colorful culture. Back to Nosy Lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 16 – TURTLE SAFARI OF NOSY TANIKELY
Morning departure for a turtle safari to the Marine Reserve of Nosy Tanikely and the islet of Nosy Sakatia. Accompanied by a specialized guide, you will go by boat to reach Nosy Tanikely and observe the marine flora and fauna of this reserve. You will then go to the islet Nosy Sakatia for lunch on an idyllic beach. In the afternoon we will take you swimming with the turtles as they meander in their natural aquatic environment.
DAY 17 – NOSY BE TO ANTANANARIVO AND DEPARTURE
After breakfast, pick-up at your hotel and transfer back to the Nosy Be airport and boarding on the flight back to Antananarivo. Meet and greet with your driver-guide. Transfer to Combava Hotel for one last night before your flight back home the following day.