Beaches & Lemurs

Madagascar Trip Highlights:

• Beach stay at the picturesque volcanic island of Nosy Komba
• Visit the V.O.I..M.M.A community reserve, reforestation projects that provide a sustainable way to  preserve local rainforests through creating a livelihood for the local communities
• The sacred ancient forest of the Antandroy tribe, discovering their traditions and ceremonies and the ornate tombs of Ifotaka
• Nocturnal wildlife adventure in Andasibe
• Stay in a luxury tented camp in Ifatoka on the river banks

Note: Travel in peak season 9 July – 31 Aug 2023 and 19 Dec 2023 – 9 Jan 2024 follows a different 12- day version of this itinerary with 2 additional nights at Nosy Be.

Day 1: Arrive Nosy Be, Madagascar

Welcome to the Nosy Be archipelago, you will be met on arrival at Nosy Be Airport and transferred to Hell-City, where you will continue by boat to your boutique luxury  lodge.

Meals included: Dinner

Days 2-3: Nosy Komba, Nosy Be Archipelago

Enjoy a couple of days in Nosy Komba arguably the most beautiful island in the Nosy Be archipelago, also known as “Lemur Island”. This eco-paradise is an ideal place to relax and there is also a myriad of activities available for adventure seekers such as diving, snorkelling, hikes as well as visits to the local villages.  This volcanic island offers magnificent views from its 622-metre high peak.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Nosy Be to Andasibe

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight from Nosy Be to Antananarivo (flight additional price). Upon arrival in Antananarivo, transfer to Andasibe. This warm tropical part of the country is filled with forests, lakes, rice fields, waterfalls and scarce forest stations. Along the way you will see villages of the local Merina people scattered through the mountains. This evening, enjoy a night walk to observe night active lemurs and other nocturnal animals.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Andasibe National Park

After breakfast, take a morning visit to the Special Reserve of Andasibe, a 810 ha. reserve with unique fauna and flora. Search for the Indri Indri, the largest lemurs on the island.  There is also a wide variety of orchids, canopy and endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs and many birds. In the afternoon, visit the V.O.I.I.M.A community reserve, where local rainforestation projects create a livelihood for local communities and work to sustainably preserve the remaining rainforests in the area. Here you will also come across a variety of wildlife, ranging from brown lemurs, indri, chameleons, geckos and birds.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Andasibe to Antananarivo

After breakfast, travel to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city also called the ‘City of Thousands’. It is where the first King started to unify the kingdoms of the island and the city is perched on top of a mountain range close to several nature reserves. Founded in 1625, it has a rich historical heritage that is complemented by scenic landscapes traversed with a multitude of hiking routes. The city is also known for its bubbly nightlife with live music played regularly at various clubs, bars and hotels.  On arrival, enjoy a short city orientation tour of Antananarivo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Antananarivo to Ifatoka

Transfer to Ivato airport for a 2 hour flight to Fort Dauphin on the southeast coast of Madagascar (flight additional cost).

On arrival you will be met by your guide and drive west towards Antandroy Spiny Forest.  This 3-hour journey offers a contrast of landscapes ranging from the rice paddies over the lush tropical plateau to the drier region of sisal plantations and “spiny forest”. Arrive at your luxury tented camp late afternoon, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the breathtaking views across the Mandrare River. Your camp is situated under the Tamarind trees on the river banks and is in the grounds of an old colonial sisal plantation.  You will stay just a few kilometres from the local village and opposite the sacred ancestral forest of the Antandroy Tribe.  Dining here is also a real treat!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Mandrare, Ifatoka & The Antandroy Forest

After a relaxed breakfast on the banks of the river, take a trip to the sacred Antandroy Forest, crossing the river on foot to observe lemurs and many bird species. You will also be able to see the tombs of the Antandroy ancestors.

This afternoon, you can either rest at camp and enjoy the serenity of the river or head off on a trip to the giant sand dunes of Lake Anony, watching the sun set at the baobabs, night walks (gallery and spiny forest), watching various species of lemurs and birds, watching traditional dancers, and a visit to the village or local school.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Ifatoka

Enjoy the various activities around your camp, based on the suggestion of your guide and tailored to your interests. Activities from the camp take place in the early mornings and late afternoons and evenings to avoid the heat of the day. There are a number of designated forest areas in close proximity to the camp, where if you gain permission to be accompanied by one of the local village chiefs it is possible to explore this unique and fascinating natural paradise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Ifatoka to Antananarivo

Drive drive to Fort Dauphin to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo.

Meals included: Breakfast

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Africa Road Trips

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