The Land of Lemurs and Island Endemics
Madagascar
April 23 to May 15, 2027
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
Discover Madagascar’s cultural richness and astonishing biodiversity on a journey that weaves together iconic landscapes, rare wildlife, and meaningful conservation. Begin in Antananarivo’s historic highlands before exploring the spiny forests of the south, where Berenty Private Reserve offers exceptional lemur photography and insight into Antandroy traditions. Travel onward into lush eastern rainforests in search of the indri—the island’s largest and most hauntingly vocal lemur—then continue north to experience Madagascar’s remarkable ecological variety. From volcanic forests and limestone massifs to innovative conservation hubs like Black Lemur Camp, you’ll encounter endangered species including Perrier’s and Tattersall’s sifakas, with opportunities to seek out the elusive aye-aye on guided night walks. This immersive adventure highlights Madagascar’s most compelling natural and cultural treasures, offering a deep connection to one of the world’s most extraordinary biodiversity hotspots.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?
- Madagascar’s Cultural & Natural Richness: Immerse yourself in vibrant communities and explore some of the island’s most striking and diverse landscapes.
- Track Perrier’s Black Lemur: Seek out one of the world’s rarest primates in its remaining northern habitat.
- Night Walk for Tattersall’s Sifaka: Search for Madagascar’s elusive white lemur on guided nocturnal excursions.
- Leaf-tailed Gecko Discovery: Look for all six species of these remarkable masters of camouflage in rainforest habitats.
- Extraordinary Biodiversity: Encounter a wide array of lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, and endemic birds across Madagascar’s lush forests.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A fantastic trip that far exceeded any expectations. Rafael is an amazing guide and his colleagues, especially Alan at Porto Jofre were incredible too. We were always wherewe needed to be for the best wildlife experience. I can not say enough about Rafael and how knowledgeable, dedicated and forthcoming he was in every lodge and situation. You could not ask for or imagine a better guide and human being.” – Daniel Sands |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Want to learn more? Check out our blog post from our 2023 trip!
Itinerary Updated: January 2026
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23–24 | Travel to Antananarivo, Madagascar. Welcome to Antananarivo. Arrive in Madagascar’s capital and enjoy a warm Malagasy welcome. | ||
| Apr 25 | Welcome to Antananarivo. Arrive in Madagascar’s capital and enjoy a warm Malagasy welcome. | La Varangue, Antananarivo | |
| Apr 26 | Discover Historic Antananarivo. Spend the day exploring Old Town – Queen’s Palace and Musée de la Photo. | La Varangue, Antananarivo | B, L, D |
| Apr 27 | Fly South to Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin). Take an early flight, followed by afternoon city sightseeing and a visit to either Nahampoana or Saiadi Reserve. | Croix Sud Hotel[KH1.1], Fort Dauphin | B, L, D |
| Apr 28 | Journey to Berenty. Drive to Berenty Nature Reserve, exploring tamarind gallery forest and spiny forest. | Berenty Lodge, Berenty Nature Reserve | B, L, D |
| Apr 29-30 | Wildlife of Berenty. Discover Berenty’s lemur-rich landscapes, search for sifakas and ring-tailed lemurs. Optional night walk. | Berenty Lodge, Berenty Nature Reserve | B, L, D |
| May 1 | Mandrare River & Andohahela. Experience sunrise at Mandrare River. Visit Lake Anony, and Andohahela National Park on route back to Fort Dauphin. | Croix Sud Hotel, Fort Dauphin | B, L, D |
| May 2 | Lokaro Bay & Return to Antananarivo. Take a scenic boat excursion on the bay before your flight back to Antananarivo. | La Varangue Hotel, Antananarivo | B, L, D |
| May 3 | Drive to Andasibe. Travel east to Andasibe National Park, stopping along the way at Peyreiras Reptile Park. | Manjarano Lodge, Andasibe | B, L, D |
| May 4-5 | Explore Andasibe–Mantadia. Analamazaotra Indri Reserve, Mantadia National Park, community parks, and Vakona Lemurs Island. | Manjarano Lodge, Andasibe | B, L, D |
| May 6 | Final Morning in Andasibe. Enjoy a morning walk and visit to Lemur Island before returning to Antananarivo. | Nosy Manga Hotel, Antananarivo | B, L, D |
| May 7 | Fly North to Diego Suarez. Fly to Diego Suarez, then drive to Ankarana to explore its unique ecosystems. | Iharana Bush Camp, Ankarana | B, L, D |
| May 8 | Daraina Reserve. Visit Mandresy Caves before continuing to Daraina Reserve for Tattersall’s Sifaka and Aye-Aye. | Iharana Bush Camp, Ankarana | B, L, D |
| May 9 | Anjahakely Forest. Drive to Anjahakely Forest and enjoy an evening walk in search of nocturnal wildlife. | Anjahakely Forest. Drive to Anjahakely Forest and enjoy an evening walk in search of nocturnal wildlife. Black Lemur Camp (Akiba Lodge), Anjahakely | B, L, D |
| May 10 | Black Lemur Camp. Spend a full day exploring Black Lemur Camp, searching for Perrier’s Sifaka and other rare wildlife. | Anjahakely Forest. Drive to Anjahakely Forest and enjoy an evening walk in search of nocturnal wildlife. Black Lemur Camp (Akiba Lodge), Anjahakely | B, L, D |
| May 11 | Return to Diego Suarez. Make stops along the way to striking Red Tsingy formations and scenic limestone landscapes of Montagne des Français. | Allamanda Hotel, Diego Suarez | B, L, D |
| May 12 | Amber Mountain National Park. Enjoy a full day discovering the lush forests and rich biodiversity of this park. | Allamanda Hotel, Diego Suarez | B, L, D |
| May 13 | Return to Antananarivo. Morning in Diego Suarez before the flight back to Antananarivo, where you’ll gather for a group farewell dinner. | Relais des Plateaux, Antananarivo | B, L, D |
| May 14 | Departure Day. Depending on your flight time, relax at the hotel in the morning before your transfer to the airport. | B, L, D | |
| May 15 | Arrive Home. Return home with unforgettable memories from your Madagascar adventure. | B, L, D |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
![]()
Tojo"Lytah" Razafimahefa
Tojo"Lytah" RazafimahefaTojo "Lytah" Razafimahefa, from Antananarivo, Madagascar, has over 18 years of experience in tourism. Beginning with organizing tours for Americans in 2005, he later established his consultancy business specializing in ecotourism and mentoring. As a seasoned guide, he has led tours worldwide. Currently, he serves as a Special Advisor to Madagascar's Guide Associations, and he facilitates dialogue with the government on matters of tourism advocacy as Chairman of the Confederation of Tourism. Additionally, as a co-founder of Wildlife Madagascar, he advocates for conservation and community welfare.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $14,400 |
| Single Supplement | $1,800 |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for four internal flights), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Final | November 14, 2026 | Remaining Balance |
Remaining Balance
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Four internal flights.
- Accommodations for the nights of April 25 through May 13.
- Meals from breakfast on April 26 through breakfast on May 14.
- Transfers on April 25 and May 14 between the hotel and the Antananarivo airport.
- Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, and park and reserve guides.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Late April/May marks the beginning of the dry season. Afternoons are pleasant with temperatures reaching 75˚F (24˚C), but evenings and early mornings are cooler with temperatures around 55˚F (13˚C).
Fitness Level
This Madagascar tour requires a reasonable level of fitness, and you should be in good general health. Most of the wildlife viewing and birding is done on foot and may require walking for several hours; locating some of the endemic species may require a few longer walks. A few forest trails can be steep and slippery, especially after rain. We strive to spend maximum time in nature, and days are long and demanding, though you have some flexibility to opt out of certain activities. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights we book
- Four internal flights are included in the trip cost.
FAQ
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Ecotourism and Conservation Madagascar.
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International or to an organization of your choice.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.