Madagascar

Explore Antananarivo

April 26

Enjoy a relaxed morning with a coffee talk led by your Malagasy tour leader for a general introduction and information briefing. Subsequently, take a leisurely sightseeing tour of the old town, exploring the Queen's Palace perched atop the hill. This stroll provides insights into Madagascar's colonial history, blending past and present. By midday, visit the Musée de la Photo and indulge in the exquisite cuisine of the Café du Musée Restaurant. This sightseeing adventure continues as you gradually drive back to your hotel for a well-deserved and restful night.

Black Lemur Camp, Diego Suarez

April 27-28

Hop on an early morning flight to Diégo Suarez, the far northern city of the island. Upon arrival, board a 4WD vehicle for a direct journey to the Andrafiamena/Andavakoera region and the secluded Anjahakely protected area. Along the scenic drive, witness captivating landscapes—limestone rocks adorned with dry deciduous vegetation, volcanic ash cones, mountain rainforests, and picturesque rice paddies.

Diverge from the main road, traversing grassy hills until reaching the Anjahakely forest, home to the well-nested Black Lemur Camp. Begin with a general briefing, then relax for a bit before for a night walk featuring nocturnal mouse lemurs, captivating chameleons, intriguing leaf-tailed geckos, birds, and more.

The next day, explore the habitat of the critically endangered black sifaka lemur, a strictly endemic species and one of the world's 25 most endangered mammals. Two-thirds of Perrier's sifaka are exclusive to the Andrafiamena/Andavakoera area. Discover various attractions, including vanga birds, hawks, and Petter's chameleon with its distinctive nose-horns and the striking red patch on mature females' heads. Another nightwalk awaits the adventurous. By staying at Black Lemur Camp, you contribute to the protection of this unique area and support the local community, including the lodge staff.

Ankarana National Park

April 29-30

Leaving the game reserve, you venture into the distinctive landscape of the Tsingy kingdom within Ankarana National Park. Explore the enchanting east side of Ankarana discovering its hidden wildlife amidst limestone forests, grottos, and deciduous dry forests. Witness lemurs in the treetops, nesting birds, and camouflaged reptiles. Highlights include the Ankarana sportive lemur, northern sportive lemur, northern bamboo lemur, crowned lemur, and Sanford brown lemur. Marvel at exceptional reptile species like Paroedura geckos, the giant green-day gecko, golden hog-nosed snake, and other colubrid snakes.
In the mid-afternoon, travel to the west side of Ankarana, where the Iharana Bush Camp lies in the cultural cradle of the Antakarana ethnic group. Enjoy captivating sunsets and rejuvenating sunrise moments in this spectacular haven.

You will choose from various on-site activities or embark on a captivating 2-hour drive to Daraina. Special day and night walks offer a unique encounter with Madagascar's critically endangered lemur, the white Tattersal's sifaka, and the fascinating aye-aye, the most peculiar of all lemurs. Daraina's dry forest hosts other locally or regionally restricted species, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Montagne D’Ambre National Park

May 1–2

As you reminisce about the enchanting moments of the past few days, you journey back along the RN6, leaving the arid landscapes behind and ascending to the lush green mountains of Joffreville, a vital water source for the region. Along the way, encounter another masterpiece of nature: the breathtaking red tsingy, where Madagascar Buzzards and Yellow-Billed Kites gracefully soar above, and Olive Bee-eaters add a vibrant contrast to the delicate red eroded soil.

Continuing your drive, you reach the Montagne d'Ambre National Park, a haven where rainforest blankets the entire area. This verdant and evergreen protected forest, one of the country's most humid, fosters an opulent evolution of wildlife. Witness an extraordinary array of leaf-tailed geckos (including 6 different species), the diminutive brookesia tuberculata chameleon, native carnivores, and an array of Madagascar's iconic lemurs, each ready to showcase their beauty.

Over the next two days, take day and night walks, enhancing our opportunities to capture the untamed beauty of this natural masterpiece through our lenses and eyes.

Return to Tana

May 3

Following an early breakfast, drive back to the city of Diego Suarez. Depending on your flight schedule, you may explore the surroundings of Antsiranana and the commanding Montagne des Français overseeing the expansive Bay of Diego and its iconic loaf-shaped rock. This mountain is adorned with remarkable plant life, featuring the strictly endemic Suarez's baobab and the region's native aloe.
After the flight back to Tana, check into the hotel, and then explore the oasis garden Ramsar site of Tsarasaotra Bird Park. This 27-hectare haven of peace nestled amidst the bustling city of Tana continues to offer high-class birdwatching opportunities.

Berenty Reserve

May 4-6

With another an early morning departure, board a flight to Fort-Dauphin, and upon arrival, your journey takes you directly towards the remarkable Berenty Reserve. The drive unfolds unbelievable life and nature scenery with 60 miles of ever-changing vegetation. As you approach the mighty Mandrare River and its expansive sisal plantation, the varying landscape guides you to Berenty, the distinctive home of the dancing lemur.

Lemurs abound here; their curious eyes follow your every move. The Berenty Lodge boasts an unparalleled location at the heart of the lemurs' habitat. The reserve encompasses two primary forest habitats: one featuring one of the country's few remaining tamarind gallery forests and the other showcasing the native spiny forest. Home to five different lemur species, including the energetic dancing sifaka and the globally renowned ring-tailed lemur, Berenty provides the ideal setting for spectacular lemur photography.

Imagine day walks within the gallery forest and night excursions through the spiny forest where lemurs skillfully navigate from tree to tree. Renowned for its diverse birdlife, yet the richness extends beyond animals and plants; the local Antandroy people, inhabitants of the spiny bushes, hold incredible life stories and traditions they are eager to share. Their presence is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity, illustrating a perfect balance between socio-economic survival and nature conservation.

Andohahela National Park and Taolagnaro

May 7-8

Embarking on an early morning departure, you will savor the sunrise by the Mandrare River bridge. The progressing sunlight paints a mesmerizing scene as life unfolds along the riverbanks. Continuing off-road, your journey takes you to Anony Lake, surrounded by spectacular sand dunes hosting groups of pink flamingos and various water birds, creating a picturesque landscape.

The region between the Anosy (seashore) and the Androy (land of spikes) unfolds a dramatic panorama, featuring cliff-ranged rainforest mountains, dense spiny bushes, spiny forest, and transitional forests. Your exploration continues with a walk within the Andohahela National Park, where you will encounter the Ankazofotsy forest and its blooming pachypodium, towering triangle palms, and nocturnal lemurs nestled in their tree holes.

Driving back to the beautiful city of Fort-Dauphin, you should arrive by sunset. The discovery of Taolagnaro and its historical remnants proves fascinating with the port city preserving volumes of books reflecting Madagascar's precolonial life. A visit to the Anosy Museum in the military camp offers a delightful contrast to a half-day nature retreat at Nahampoana Private Reserve. Nahampoana warmly embraces visitors in a haven of healthy lemurs thriving in their natural habitat presenting an opportunity to expand our wildlife list on this journey, encountering the elusive collared-brown lemur and the southeastern bamboo lemur.

Andasibe Rain Forest

May 9-12

You depart the southeastern part of Madagascar and its awe-inspiring Anosy cliff-range mountains and fly back to Antananarivo to proceed directly towards the lush eastern forest. The drive along winding hilly roads is not just scenic, it unveils the absorbing livelihoods of the central highlanders, showcasing their agricultural plots and livestock. It's also an opportunity to witness the ongoing challenges faced by Madagascar's biodiversity in the face of anthropic actions.
Depending on the domestic flight schedule and road conditions, you may make a high-interest stop at the captivating reptile park of Peyreiras. This sanctuary offers a close-up encounter with species that are challenging to find in the wild. Reptile and amphibian enthusiasts will discover a paradise with the world's largest chameleon and the world's largest moth.

Continuing the road drive, you head towards the Andasibe Forest and settle into the hotel. What better way to conclude this Madagascar nature adventure than in its most renowned rainforest? You spend four days and four nights enjoying the symphony of the rainforest.

Andasibe is an award-winning rainforest teeming with natural wonders for passionate wildlife enthusiasts, captivating with its diverse fauna and flora, offering a variety of hikes. Renowned for its special reserve of indri, the star inhabitant with its large white and black body and haunting call that resonates through the entire forest. Over these four days, you explore at least four different parks and reserves in the area, adding layers to your wildlife curiosity.

Mantadia National Park features diverse wild and pristine lodges, allowing you to observe the same species of lemurs in different habitats. This exploration also provides opportunities to discover more species of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and beyond. With the VOI community-based park offering an intriguing forest nightwalk, and the Vakona private reserve with its "Lemur Island," you'll be thoroughly immersed in the field of biodiversity.

Back to Antananarivo

May 13

After a final morning listening to the rainforest, return to Antananarivo.

Depart for home

May 14

Arrive home

May 15