-
Arrive
-
Day 1 Arrive in Antananarivo
Upon arrival in Madagascar's capital city (known to locals as Tana) you will be met by your driver and privately transferred to your hotel, located in the heart of Antananarivo's historic centre. Spend the evening at leisure to recover from your journey.
Overnight: Maison Gallieni
-
Day 2 To Andasibe
Following an introduction to the highlights of Antananarivo's historic centre and the Queen's Palace, you will depart the capital on a scenic journey east in the direction of Andasibe, Madagascar's largest national park. Along the way, you will make a stop at a butterfly farm and private nature reserve, which offers fine opportunities to observe and photograph chameleons, geckos and lemurs in close proximity. This evening check in to your comfortable lodge set in an elevated location overlooking the expanse of the Andasibe National Park.
Overnight: Mantadia Lodge
-
Day 3 Andasibe Village & Mantadia National Park
This morning you will set out to explore the rich primary forests of the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which house countless species of birds, reptiles and 14 species of lemur. The endemic indri lemur, the largest in Madagascar, can be observed here, as well as the smallest. Andasibe-Mantadia is also a haven for orchids, which play a vital role in the delicate ecosystems of the park. Later this afternoon there will be an opportunity to visit the colourful village of Andasibe, strolling through the cobbled streets and small local market.
Overnight: Mantadia Lodge
-
Day 4 Lemur encounters
Venture into the Analamazaotra Reserve on a nature walk offering further opportunities to spot Madagascar's iconic indri lemur, as well an array of colourful birds, chameleons and medicinal plants. Travelling north to Vakona Lodge, spend some time in the property's private reserve which is often referred to as 'lemur island' due to its population of habituated lemurs which include the black and white ruffed lemur, the bamboo lemur and the diademed sifaka. This afternoon you will retrace your steps back to Antananarivo in preparation for your flight to Anjajavy tomorrow.
Overnight: Maison Gallieni
-
Day 5 To Anjajavy
This morning you will take a scenic charter flight north to Anjajavy, a spectacular peninsula and coastal reserve comprising dry deciduous forest, limestone rock formations, wildlife-rich mangroves and pristine expanses of coastline. Your base for the coming days is Anjajavy Le Lodge, a superb Relais & Chateaux property surrounded by a 960-hectare protected reserve overlooking the deep blue waters of the Mozambique Channel. Upon arrival you may wish to begin sampling some of the lodge's extensive array of activities, explore the paradisical landscaped gardens or simply recline by the sparkling swimming pool.
Overnight: Anjajavy L'Hotel
-
Day 6 Anjajavy - landscapes & coast
Your first full day at Anjajavy begins with a fascinating immersion into the dazzling natural landscapes of the peninsula. Following the 'crab path walk' you will pass towering baobab trees and the shards of tsingy limestone walls through an area of lush mangrove swamps. You will eventually reach a cave which houses fossils of extinct giant lemurs. After lunch back at the lodge, perhaps take a coastal walk keeping a lookout for the Madagascar fish eagle, and take the opportunity to snorkel in a pristine and deserted cove.
Overnight: Anjajavy L'Hotel
-
Day 7 Anjajavy - nature & relaxation
Today you may wish to balance beach and pool relaxation at Anjajavy with explorations of the different types of natural habitat found within the reserve. This evening, set out on a night safari in the forest, where you may encounter mouse lemurs, sleeping birds, tiny sportive lemurs as well as one of Madagascar's few predators, the fossa.
Overnight: Anjajavy L'Hotel
-
Day 8 Anjajavy - baobabs & tsingy limestone forest
After breakfast today you may wish to visit Anjajavy village, where the lodge has played an active role in the development of its secondary school, library and market. Sundays are a particularly lively day to visit due to the village's colourful local market. This afternoon, follow a stunning trail through the dry forests observing endemic jajavy trees and enormous baobabs. You will eventually reach a clearing offering striking vistas of needle-like tsingy limestone forest.
Overnight: Anjajavy L'Hotel
-
Day 9 Depart
After a final breakfast at the lodge, you will take a charter flight back to Antananarivo. You will be met in the domestic arrivals hall and driven to the international terminal, in plenty of time for your flight home.
-
Depart
