Explore a forgotten world unlike any other, on an itinerary only offered by MTS!

Isolated by millions of years and 250 miles of Indian Ocean, Madagascar’s exotic wildlife, cultures, and landscapes transport the intrepid traveler into a strange and wonderful world. Madagascar is often called the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”—all of the island’s mammals, most of its birds, and over eighty percent of its plants are found nowhere else on earth. Just as Madagascar is unlike anyplace else, our journey to this otherworldly destination differs from any other tour. Instead of viewing the Malagasy wonders only from vehicles, we’ll get out and hike deep into the river valleys and rainforests. You’ll see the famous Andasibe (Perinet)-Mantadia and Masoala National Parks, visit an endangered lemur breeding program in Ivoilona Zoological Park, take a night walk on Aye-Aye Island (where you have a 75% chance of spotting the extraordinary nocturnal lemur that gives the island its name), ride the historic Micheline “Viko Viko” train, and enjoy a stay at exclusive Mandrare River Camp, where you’ll interact with the fascinating Antondroy tribe. This is Africa’s most unique safari, and an ideal trip for active travelers who long to experience Madagascar’s unparalleled wonders firsthand! So bring your spirit of adventure and be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime expedition!

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Activities

Nature walks, forest hikes, wildlife viewing, optional snorkeling, cultural touring

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• See strange and wonderful mammals, birds, amphibians and plants found nowhere else on earth!
• Encounter the island’s famous lemurs: listen to the eerie, wailing cry of the indri (the world’s largest lemur), watch the “dancing” sifakas sashay across trails, and spot the extraordinary, long-fingered aye-aye
• Discover remote regions and intimate camps that other companies miss
• Enjoy exclusive experiences such as a visit to the Save the Lemur Foundation, cultural encounters with the fascinating Antondroy tribe, and a ride on the “Viko Viko,” a refurbished Micheline rail car from the 1930s
• Spend three days exploring Masoala National Park, the most extensive rainforest in Madagascar, and three days in Andasibe (Perinet)-Mantadia National Park, renowned for its incredible biodiversity

Duration: 12 days Start Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar End Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Antananarivo

  Arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

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  Day 2 : Train to Andasibe National Park

  4-hour train journey on the "Viko-Viko" to Andasibe, then transfer by 4WD to Eulophiella Lodge.  Afternoon visit to a local community conservation project near the Andasibe Reserve (formerly known as Perinet Reserve).

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  Days 3 - 4 : Mantadia National Park and Lemur Island / Indri Indri Walk and Drive to Tamatave

  Morning walk in Mantadia National Park in search of lemurs and waterfalls, followed by and afternoon visit to Lemur Island.

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  Day 5 : Fly to Mananara and visit Aye-Aye Island

  Morning visit to Ivoilona Zoological Park to learn about endangered lemurs, then fly to Mananara and visit Aye-Aye Island.

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  Day 6 : Masoala National Park

  Boat ride from Mananara to Masoala National Park and the Tampolo Marine Reserve.

• Day 7 : Masoala National Park

  Another full day to hike, kayak, snorkel and explore both Masoala National Park and the Tampolo Marine Reserve.

• Day 8 : Nosy Mangabe Reserve

  Full day boat excursion to Nosy Mangabe Island Reserve.

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  Day 9 : Tomato frogs and Return to Antananarivo

  Early morning excursion to see the rare tomato frogs before flying back to Antananarivo.

• Day 10 : Fort Dauphin and Mandrare River Camp

  Fly to Fort Dauphin, then transfer to Mandrare River Camp.

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  Day 11 : Mandrare River Camp

  Full day to explore the spiny forest surrounding Mandrare River Camp, including a visit with the "warrior" tribe of the Antandroy.

• Day 12 : Depart Antananarivo

  Drive back to Fort Dauphin and fly to Antananarivo in the afternoon.  Dayrooms available before evening flights home.  Or join our 2-day Extension to Manafiafy Lodge (call us for details)!

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  La Varangue

  Antananarivo, Madagascar

  The hotel is an oasis of calm, set behind a high wall down a quiet cobbled road just by the presidential palace. The décor is late 19th century French and you really feel you could have been transported back to French colonial times. There are only 8 rooms and the hotel has the feel of an intimate boutique hotel.  They also boast an excellent French restaurant on the terrace with great views of the city.

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  Eulophiella Lodge

  Madagascar

  Eulophiella Lodge is located close to the Andasibe and Mantadia Reserves.  There are seventeen rooms at Eulophiella in individual chalets with ensuite facilities. There is also a lounge and dining area with a large verandah, on which meals can be taken.

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  Sharon Hotel

  Madagascar

  The Sharon Hotel is in the middle of Tamatave a port town on the east coast of Madagascar.  There are 35 rooms within the Sharon Hotel, all air-conditioned with ensuite facilities. The restaurant "Colosseo” is set within the hotel grounds and offers Italian cuisine. There is a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi room and solarium.

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  Chez Roger

  Madagascar

  Located in the center of Mananara, Chez Roger is the best place to stay in order to visit nearby Aye-Aye Island, which is also owned by Roger.  A simple hotel consisting of 6 bungalows, with ensuite bathrooms and bucket showers.

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  Mandrare River Camp

  Madagascar

  Mandrare River Camp is located on the Mandrare River, near the village of Ifotaka 3.5 hours drive north of Fort Dauphin in Madagascar's far Southern province. This luxury tented camp is beautifully situated on the banks of the river with views of open countryside towards the mountains and the sacred ancestral forests of the Antandroy Tribe.  There are six large luxurious en-suite tents spread along the banks of the river under the shade od Tamarind trees. Each tent is well furnished and has everything you need from a four poster bed to a good sized bathroom with bucket showers and flush toilets.

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  Relais du Masoala

  Madagascar

  Madagascar at its most authentic...untouched, unspoiled, undiscovered. An oasis of peace...of warmth...and of charming simplicity combine to create a wealth of unforgettable memories.

  Perfectly integrated in its lush environment, each spacious thatched-roof "case" (pronounced: kaaz) has  been lovingly crafted by local artisans...the charm of authenticity yet all the comforts of home.

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  Petit Masoala

  Madagascar

  Consisting of just 8 bungalows, the lodge is discreetly set just behind a mile-long private beach of golden sand extending along Tampolo Marine Park from the village of Ambodiforaha to the South up to the very entrance to Masoala National Park to the North. Built out of local baobao, bararata, falafa, hintsina and hazovola, each bungalow has a floor area of about 560 square feet, and offers unimpeded views onto the sea as well as the surrounding forest, blending seamlessly with the environment. The spacious suites are totally private yet open onto the outside at your discretion, thanks to floor-to-ceiling plantation shutters on three sides.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.  Conrad will be leading the first departure.

• Conrad Hennig

  Conrad Hennig grew up in the farming area of northern KwaZulu-Natal, where an early passion for the outdoors was simply a way of life. Conrad completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoology and completed a thesis in marine inter-tidal ecology. At 23, he started his own dive school, promoting and running environmental, shark and cetacean specialty courses and has subsequently been privileged to dive much of Africa's eastern coastline, from the Cape to the Somali border. Conrad then went on to manage a lodge in Malawi and began guiding safaris across Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, and South Africa. Over the last five years Conrad has fallen in love with the Polar Regions of our planet, particularly Antarctica and northern Canada. He now leads expeditions to these last great wildernesses of our planet, as well as participating as a lecturer on expeditions to the North Pole. Madagascar is one of his favorite destinations, and he is excited to train our local guides and hone our exciting new itinerary to this special "8th continent." He is fluent in English, German and Afrikaans. Conrad's natural, infectious enthusiasm makes his trips highly stimulating, rewarding and a lot of fun.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File