Madagascar Baobabs & Lemurs Private Safari Tour
Wildlife Wonders from Andasibe to the Spiny Forest
- Available: July, August, September, October, November, December
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Luxury Lodges
Highlights
- Explore Madagascar coast-to-coast and discover one of the world's most distinctive ecosystems
- Encounter incredible endemic wildlife, including playful lemurs, on thrilling rainforest walks
- Stay in unique luxurious lodges in the heart of nature reserves
Itinerary
Arrive at Antananarivo
Day 1
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.
Accommodation: Novotel Madagascar
Transportation: 3-hour private transfer; 2.5-hour flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Anjajavy & Spot Lemurs
Day 9
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.Transportation: 1.5-hour flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Why Travel With Us?
This Madagascar adventure expertly blends the country's diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures.
Our carefully crafted adventure showcases lemurs day and night and takes you from end to end on the island!
MT Sobek has been running intrepid nature adventures in Africa for over 4 decades, working with expert guides for an immersive insider experience.
Know Before You Book
This trip has seasonal pricing so please call for an exact quote.
Shoulder Season: June-August, November 1-19
Green Season: November 20-May
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
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Looking for a private family adventure?
This trip can accommodate guests with a
minimum age of 6.
Private Trip Pricing: 2024
2 to 10 guests from $8,945 per person double occupancy
Included Costs:
Internal Airfare: $1,950
Private Trip Pricing: 2025
2 to 8 guests from $11,090 per person double occupancy
Included Costs:
Internal Airfare: $2,095
*Seasonal rates may apply.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
July, August, September, October, November, December
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted in the Trip Planner)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Internal Airfare (shared charters)
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
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.
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
Accommodations
Boutique hotels and eco-lodges with deluxe amenities, all in the midst of pristine nature.
Weather
Expect a tropical maritime climate with cooler temperatures in the highlands and warmer temperatures from 70-90°F on the islands.
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?
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