Itinerary Details
African Travel: Madagascar Adventure (New)
Day 1 Arrive Antananarivo, Madagascar
Welcome to Madagascar! Experience a charming French-Malagasy welcome as you settle into your first night in Antananarivo, the historic capital with over 500 years of rich cultural heritage. Maison Gallieni is a restored colonial mansion with an elegant mix of modern and traditional décor. Take a dip in the pool and enjoy the lovely views over the city before dinner.
Maison Gallieni
Meals: (D)
Day 2 Antananarivo / Mandrare River
Fly to Ifotaka, where you’ll be met by our guide and transferred to the camp. Settle into your tent and enjoy majestic views over the Mandrare River. In the evening, embark on a night walk in the Forest of Zenavo, an incredible opportunity to witness diurnal lemurs bedding down and nocturnal lemurs waking in the eerie, prehistoric spiny forest. You’ll spot sifakas, sleeping white-foot sportive lemurs, and after sunset, you’ll encounter two species of mouse lemurs, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls, and active sportive lemurs.
Mandrare River Camp
Meals: (BLD)
Day 3 Mandrare River
After breakfast, explore the stunning sacred gallery forest, where you’ll encounter inquisitive ring-tailed lemurs and the entertaining Verreaux’s sifaka. Return to camp for lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Later, take a walk through the sacred spiny forest, home to the ancestral tombs of the Antandroy tribe and a remarkable array of unique flora and fauna. Your guide and a local tracker will introduce you to Antandroy culture and customs, followed by sundowners on the banks of the Mandrare River.
Mandrare River Camp
Meals: (BLD)
Day 4 Mandrare River
Head to the Spiny Forest at sunrise, where the light filters through octopus trees as you spot endemic birds like the crested coua, various vangas, and the running coua. Return to camp for breakfast, then visit the local market to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Later, enjoy a sundowner with views of the sunset and moonrise across the baobabs. Local villagers may perform traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.
Mandrare River Camp
Meals: (BLD)
Day 5 Mandrare River / Antananarivo
After breakfast, take your scheduled charter flight to ntananarivo. In the evening, your guide will accompany you to Le Marais, Madagascar’s top restaurant, where Chef Lalaina, who has received numerous culinary awards in Europe, offers a unique blend of Malagasy and European cuisine, using the finest Malagasy ingredients.
Novotel Convention & Spa
Meals: (BLD)
Day 6 Antananarivo / Anjajavy
Upon arrival in Anjajavy, relax before heading out for a night walk in the reserve to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs. The charismatic Coquerel’s sifakas are the reserve’s main attraction, but the darkness reveals other star performers as well. If you hear a strange squeal from the treetops, you might have found a Grewcock’s sportive lemur. Look for other unique mammals such as the endemic tsingy tuft-tailed rat, Commerson’s leaf-nosed bat, and Madagascar’s largest predator, the rare and elusive fossa.
Anjajavy Lodge
Meals: (BLD)
Day 7 Anjajavy
This morning, enjoy a walk along the ‘Chemin des Crabes’ trail to see the vibrant birdlife, beautiful baobabs, and the famous hairy crab. Even if birdwatching isn’t your main focus, the kaleidoscope of colors from the reserve’s common birds, like the vibrant red fody and Souimanga sunbird, is captivating. During your signature adventure at Anjajavy Reserve, learn about the project to repatriate the Giant Tortoise to Madagascar. Explore a young coconut grove and small caves at the base of the stunning tsingy formations, including one cave with an animist cultural site and another with ancestral Sakalava burial sites.
Anjajavy Lodge
Meals: (BLD)
Day 8 Anjajavy
This morning, depart by boat to Moramba Bay and be enchanted by the northwest coast’s beauty. Discover centuries-old marine baobabs, sandy beaches, and the mushroom-shaped tsingy islands. Search for the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, one of the rarest raptors in the world. If the water is clear, enjoy some snorkeling before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take a long walk along King’s Alley to explore ancient baobabs, unique tsingy rock formations, and a variety of lemurs, including the Coquerel’s sifaka, which moves across the ground like a mini kangaroo.
Anjajavy Lodge
Meals: (BLD)
Day 9 Anjajavy
Today enjoy a birdwatching excursion in the reserve. As one of the best spots in Madagascar for birdwatchers, Anjajavy is home to 135 bird species, many of which are listed vulnerable. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in the beautiful Oasis Gardens.
Anjajavy Lodge
Meals: (BLD)
Day 10 Anjajavy / Depart
This morning, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, a staff member will assist you with checking in for your outbound flight.
Meals: (B)
