Wildlife Wonders from Andasibe to the Spiny Forest
Marvel at Madagascar, a land of intoxicating nature, exotic wildlife, and unique flora — where 90% of species are endemic. Get up-close views of the island's many wonders, from the baobabs to the spiny forest, spotting lovable lemurs along the way. Travel by boat, private vehicle, regional flights, and on foot, taking in Madagascar's most famous national parks and special wildlife reserves. End the trip at a luxury eco-resort nestled on the Northern coast, where an array of exciting adventures await. This is Madagascar at its best!
Marvel at Madagascar, a land of intoxicating nature, exotic wildlife, and unique flora — where 90% of species are endemic. Get up-close views of the island's many wonders, from the baobabs to the spiny forest, spotting lovable lemurs along the way. Travel by boat, private vehicle, regional flights, and on foot, taking in Madagascar's most famous national parks and special wildlife reserves. End the trip at a luxury eco-resort nestled on the Northern coast, where an array of exciting adventures await. This is Madagascar at its best!
Welcome to Antananarivo (a.k.a. "Tana" from the French colonial era), the vibrant capital of Madagascar. Marvel at the rich tapestry of cultural heritage nestled within its rolling hills and terracotta-roofed houses. Meet an MT Sobek representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Tana. In the evening, enjoy your first dinner in Madagascar and relax at your hotel, complete with a panoramic rooftop bar.
Accommodation: Novotel Madagascar
Meals: Dinner
Take a Scenic Drive & Spot Lemurs in Andasibe
Day 2
From Tana, head out for a scenic drive to Andasibe, a stunning rainforest park with two protected areas: the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. Perinet is world-famous for its population of indri, the largest living lemur species. En route to Andasibe, take in the rural life - rice fields, redbrick houses, roadside fruit, and vegetable stands. After check-in and lunch, visit the private Mitsinjo Reserve. Operated by a local NGO, the reserve helps to fund conservation efforts and is home to a stunning array of wildlife. You can even plant indigenous flora along its reforestation trail!
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Activity: 2-hour wildlife excursion
Transportation: 4-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Mantadia National Park
Day 3
Discover the biodiverse haven of Mantadia National Park. Follow rainforest trails in search of lemurs, including diademed sifakas, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, red-bellied lemurs, and indris. Be amazed by the abundance of endemic birds, from scaly ground rollers to red-breasted couas. This is a naturalist's goldmine with many seldom-seen species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to the vehicle and returning to the lodge. In the evening, you may choose to go on a night walk with your local guide to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Activity: 5 hours of walking
Transportation: 1.5-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Go Deep into Perinet Reserve
Day 4
After breakfast, explore the lush Perinet Reserve with a local guide. Search for indri lemurs, with their distinctive black-and-white markings and surprised teddy-bear faces, and 11 other species, including grey bamboo lemurs and white-ruffed lemurs. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting the velvet asity, Nuthatch vanga, and other fascinating birdlife. Perinet Reserve is also home to some of Madagascar's thousand orchid species. Head back to the lodge for lunch and return to Tana this afternoon.
Accommodation: Novotel Madagascar
Activity: 3 hours of walking
Transportation: 4-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to Mandrare River Camp
Day 5
Rise for an early flight to Fort Dauphin on Madagascar's southeast coast, where your local guide awaits. Enjoy an early lunch, then transfer to Mandrare River Camp, home to a mini Avenue of the Baobabs—far from the crowds. Settle into your tent and take in the majestic views over the Mandrare River. In the late afternoon, set out for a night walk in the Forest of Analoalo or Ambovo to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs waking in the eerie and prehistoric spiny forest.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp-Madagascar
Activity: 1 hour of walking
Transportation: 2-hour flight; 4-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Gallery Forest
Day 6
In the morning, explore the stunning sacred gallery forest south of the camp. This largely deciduous forest is inhabited by inquisitive groups of ring-tailed lemurs and the ever-entertaining Verreaux sifaka. Enjoy a lunch at the camp and a relaxed afternoon by the pool. In the late afternoon, take a walk through the spiny forest, one of the world's most important ecological regions. Dotted with ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, it also offers insights into Antandroy culture and customs. Round off the day with sundowners on the Mandrare riverbanks.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp-Madagascar
Activity: 3 hours of walking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spiny Forest Walk & Soak Up Local Culture
Day 7
Walk in the spiny forest early in the morning to hear the song of endemic birds and witness the sunlight break through the octopus trees. After breakfast, visit a local market and meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, then set out for a sundowner spectacle amidst baobabs on a mountainous backdrop. In the evening, get a glimpse into local culture with a showcase of traditional dances and songs that are used daily to accompany the major rituals of the Antandroy people.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp-Madagascar
Activity: 3 hours of walking and cultural touring; optional traditional dance performance
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Tana
Day 8
In early morning, drive to Fort Dauphin in time for your flight back to Tana. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy an easy-going rest of the day and spend some time on your own exploring Madagascar's capital city.
After an early start, fly out to Anjajavy in the northwest of Madagascar. Transfer to Anjajavy Lodge, located within a nature reserve alive with lemurs, chameleons, malachite kingfishers, and hummingbirds. In late afternoon, head out for a night walk in the reserve to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs. Keep an eye out for the charismatic coquerel's sifakas, light-weight (2.2 ounces!) danfoss mouse lemurs, and also endemic tsingy tuft-tailed rat, Commerson's leaf-nosed bat, or Madagascar's largest predator - the rare and elusive fossa.
Accommodation: Anjajavy Le Lodge
Activity: 1 hour of walking
Transportation: 1.5-hour flight; 0.5-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walk the Path of Crabs
Day 10
Follow the Chemin des Crabes trail to see wonderful birdlife, beautiful baobabs and the famous hairy crab. Even if bird watching isn't your thing, it's hard not to be enchanted by the kaleidoscope of the reserve's common birds, from the vibrant red fody and Souimanga sunbird to the exotic paradise flycatcher and sickle-billed vanga. This is one of the best places to spot the regal Madagascar fish eagle, shy crested Ibis, or rare Madagascar sacred Ibis. Round off the walk with a visit to a small cave that holds a fossilized lemur skull, stalactites, and sharks' teeth. Enjoy a lunch at the lodge and a leisurely afternoon.
Accommodation: Anjajavy Le Lodge
Activity: 2 hours of walking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stroll Giant's Causeway & King's Alley
Day 11
Take a long walk along the Giant's Causeway and King's Alley to discover ancient baobab trees, tsingy rock formations found only in Madagascar, and the Coquerel's sifakas, remarkable animals that live in family groups of up to 10 individuals. Even though perfectly adapted to living in the trees they often descend to the ground too, bouncing across the earth like mini kangaroos. After returning to the lodge, enjoy a lunch and a leisurely afternoon.
Accommodation: Anjajavy Le Lodge
Activity: 2 hours of walking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Antananarivo & Depart
Day 12
After breakfast, fly back to Tana and connect to your outbound flight. Bid farewell to Madagascar.
This trip has seasonal pricing so please call for an exact quote.
Peak Season: September-October Shoulder Season: June-August, November 1-19 Green Season: November 20-May
This trip must begin on a Friday and is not operational from January - March.
Internal Flights Please note that Tsaradia flight schedule changes occur on a regular basis and we always adapt on the ground to these changes, which can be made at very short notice. Should these changes necessitate an unexpected hotel overnight we commit to covering the cost of this on your behalf as part of our commitment to ensuring you are looked after to the best of our abilities during your stay.
Dates & Prices
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Josefa R.
Josefa has worked as a naturalist guide in Madagascar since 2007. With over 15 years of experience guiding travelers throughout the island, his knowledge of Madagascar’s wildlife, ecosystems and culture is encyclopedic. He has a Masters degree in linguistics and started his career as an English teacher before discovering his passion for guiding. His goal is to provide guests with the best experience the island has to offer through revealing its ecological and cultural diversity. He is an avid photographer and continues to explore Madagascar in search of the perfect shot even when he is not on tour.
Ludovic R.
Ludovic has been working in the tourism industry since 2017 and holds a certification from the Tourism Ministry of Madagascar. He loves the natural world, especially the birds, lemurs and botany of Madagascar. He strives to help guests have a memorable experience while traveling, and enjoys the exchange of information, sharing his knowledge of Madagascar, its people and ecological diversity while honing his English fluency and learning more about his home country.
Eperlan Z.
Guiding since 2007, Eperlan previously worked with Habitat for Humanity and has been in his current role since 2014. He has a keen interest in birding and his favorite weird and wonderful creature on the island is the leaf tailed gecko, with its incredible ability to blend in to its natural surroundings. He truly enjoys meeting and getting to know guests from all over the world, and showing them Madagascar’s cultural and ecological diversity.
Welcome to Antananarivo (a.k.a. \"Tana\" from the French colonial era), the vibrant capital of Madagascar. Marvel at the rich tapestry of cultural heritage nestled within its rolling hills and terracotta-roofed houses. Meet an MT Sobek representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Tana. In the evening, enjoy your first dinner in Madagascar and relax at your hotel, complete with a panoramic rooftop bar.
From Tana, head out for a scenic drive to Andasibe, a stunning rainforest park with two protected areas: the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. Perinet is world-famous for its population of indri, the largest living lemur species. En route to Andasibe, take in the rural life - rice fields, redbrick houses, roadside fruit, and vegetable stands. After check-in and lunch, visit the private Mitsinjo Reserve. Operated by a local NGO, the reserve helps to fund conservation efforts and is home to a stunning array of wildlife. You can even plant indigenous flora along its reforestation trail!
Discover the biodiverse haven of Mantadia National Park. Follow rainforest trails in search of lemurs, including diademed sifakas, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, red-bellied lemurs, and indris. Be amazed by the abundance of endemic birds, from scaly ground rollers to red-breasted couas. This is a naturalist\'s goldmine with many seldom-seen species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to the vehicle and returning to the lodge. In the evening, you may choose to go on a night walk with your local guide to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs.
After breakfast, explore the lush Perinet Reserve with a local guide. Search for indri lemurs, with their distinctive black-and-white markings and surprised teddy-bear faces, and 11 other species, including grey bamboo lemurs and white-ruffed lemurs. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting the velvet asity, Nuthatch vanga, and other fascinating birdlife. Perinet Reserve is also home to some of Madagascar\'s thousand orchid species. Head back to the lodge for lunch and return to Tana this afternoon.
Rise for an early flight to Fort Dauphin on Madagascar\'s southeast coast, where your local guide awaits. Enjoy an early lunch, then transfer to Mandrare River Camp, home to a mini Avenue of the Baobabs—far from the crowds. Settle into your tent and take in the majestic views over the Mandrare River. In the late afternoon, set out for a night walk in the Forest of Analoalo or Ambovo to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs waking in the eerie and prehistoric spiny forest.
In the morning, explore the stunning sacred gallery forest south of the camp. This largely deciduous forest is inhabited by inquisitive groups of ring-tailed lemurs and the ever-entertaining Verreaux sifaka. Enjoy a lunch at the camp and a relaxed afternoon by the pool. In the late afternoon, take a walk through the spiny forest, one of the world\'s most important ecological regions. Dotted with ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, it also offers insights into Antandroy culture and customs. Round off the day with sundowners on the Mandrare riverbanks.
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Walk in the spiny forest early in the morning to hear the song of endemic birds and witness the sunlight break through the octopus trees. After breakfast, visit a local market and meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, then set out for a sundowner spectacle amidst baobabs on a mountainous backdrop. In the evening, get a glimpse into local culture with a showcase of traditional dances and songs that are used daily to accompany the major rituals of the Antandroy people.
In early morning, drive to Fort Dauphin in time for your flight back to Tana. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy an easy-going rest of the day and spend some time on your own exploring Madagascar\'s capital city.
After an early start, fly out to Anjajavy in the northwest of Madagascar. Transfer to Anjajavy Lodge, located within a nature reserve alive with lemurs, chameleons, malachite kingfishers, and hummingbirds. In late afternoon, head out for a night walk in the reserve to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs. Keep an eye out for the charismatic coquerel\'s sifakas, light-weight (2.2 ounces!) danfoss mouse lemurs, and also endemic tsingy tuft-tailed rat, Commerson\'s leaf-nosed bat, or Madagascar\'s largest predator - the rare and elusive fossa.
Follow the Chemin des Crabes trail to see wonderful birdlife, beautiful baobabs and the famous hairy crab. Even if bird watching isn\'t your thing, it\'s hard not to be enchanted by the kaleidoscope of the reserve\'s common birds, from the vibrant red fody and Souimanga sunbird to the exotic paradise flycatcher and sickle-billed vanga. This is one of the best places to spot the regal Madagascar fish eagle, shy crested Ibis, or rare Madagascar sacred Ibis. Round off the walk with a visit to a small cave that holds a fossilized lemur skull, stalactites, and sharks\' teeth. Enjoy a lunch at the lodge and a leisurely afternoon.
Take a long walk along the Giant\'s Causeway and King\'s Alley to discover ancient baobab trees, tsingy rock formations found only in Madagascar, and the Coquerel\'s sifakas, remarkable animals that live in family groups of up to 10 individuals. Even though perfectly adapted to living in the trees they often descend to the ground too, bouncing across the earth like mini kangaroos. After returning to the lodge, enjoy a lunch and a leisurely afternoon.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Enjoy a mix of scenic drives and forest walks to view endemic species. Some paths may be steep and slippery, and look out for sharp rocks in some locations. Guided night walks allow you to uncover the secrets of nocturnal wildlife. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
2-hour wildlife excursion
Day 3
5 hours of walking
Day 4
3 hours of walking
Day 5
1 hour of walking
Day 6
3 hours of walking
Day 7
3 hours of walking and cultural touring; optional traditional dance performance
Day 9
1 hour of walking
Day 10
2 hours of walking
Day 11
2 hours of walking
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Boutique hotels and eco-lodges with deluxe amenities, all in the midst of pristine nature.
Mandrare River Camp is beautifully situated on the banks of Mandrare River near the village of Ifotaka in Madagascar's southern province. The large deluxe tents along the riverbed offer splendid views of the sacred ancestral forests of the Antandroy tribe. Shaded by tamarind trees, each tent comes furnished with four-poster beds and bathrooms with bucket showers and flush toilets.
This lodge is a beautiful accommodation built on a hill with views of the surrounding forest. The Mantadia has an onsite restaurant offering 3 meals per day, in addition to a gorgeous turquoise pool and spa with a variety of treatments available. The rooms have private terraces, wood burning stoves, satellite TV, and Wi-Fi. The staff is very helpful, and the hotel has a boutique where guests can find gifts unique to the region including natural silk, and a variety of souvenirs from local artisans.
Situated in an idyllic nature reserve on the outskirts of Anjajavy Forest, the Anjajavy Le Lodge is a Relais & Chateau property and relaxing getaway for travelers. The hotel boasts beautiful, rosewood villas atop a vast sandy beach, each with a private terrace overlooking the sea. Savor delicious local cuisine made with high-quality ingredients from the island or relish a tranquil moment in the stunning garden, adorned with an array of exotic flora and fauna. The Anjajavy Le Lodge is a wonderful place to refresh the body and spirit!
The Novotel Madagascar is a 5-star paradise for travelers seeking comfort! Boasting 180 spacious rooms with panoramic views of Antanarivo, each come equipped with modern amenities. Take your pick from the rooftop Skybar, spa, indoor pool, and fitness area to relax and unwind. Savor international cuisine at Trio or indulge in a Japanese meal at Le Teppanyaki. This hotel is 15 minutes from downtown and a few minutes away from popular tourist landmarks like the Queen's Palace and Lake Anosy!
Weather
Expect a tropical maritime climate with cooler temperatures in the highlands and warmer temperatures from 70-90°F on the islands.
Jul
Aug
Sep
Antananarivo
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Antananarivo
70
49
72
49
76
51
Nosy Be
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Nosy Be
87
67
88
67
89
68
FAQs
Why should I consider Madagascar?
From magnificent mountains to idyllic islands, to triumphant trees, it's an exotic sanctuary packed with unique species you will just not find anywhere else in the world. The diversity of wacky and wonderful wildlife that reside here is just unparalleled.
Do I need a visa for Madagascar?
No, but U.S. citizens staying less than 15 days may obtain a 'landing authorization' on arrival for US $11. You also need 3 blank passport pages. Please note fees could change without notice at any time.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
We always recommend you speak to your doctor or a health professional about vaccinations and malaria tablets well in advance of your safari. At present, certain areas of Madagascar are affected by malaria.
Can I drink the water in Madagascar?
Drinking tap water is not recommended in Madagascar. We advise that you only drink bottled water, or treated water, which is readily available. It is also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and to peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
How safe is Madagascar?
Madagascar is a relatively safe country. Petty crime is high in big cities. Avoid showing off personal objects in crowded places, as you would any big city in the world.
Why is the internal air so high for this trip?
We are utilizing a combination of local airline and charter flights for your adventure. Fuel costs have risen in recent years but we strive to keep costs consistent, regardless of group size.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The minimum age for this private trip is 10 years old.