15-Day Best of Wildlife of Madagascar

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Home - Antananarivo

Today, we arrive at Antananarivo Airport. Tana, as the capital is universally known, has been the home of Malagasy power for 3 centuries. There's a huge amount of history and culture to discover, as well as some unexpected wildlife species. There are also some excellent markets and shops that stock products and crafts from across the country at very competitive prices. Upon arrival, we meet our local team and transfer to the hotel.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Le Chat'o Park Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Antananarivo - Andasibe

After breakfast, our first stop is at the Farm of Pereyras. This farm is dedicated to butterfly breeding but is also home to chameleons, frogs, snakes and bats. Have lunch at a restaurant on the way, then continue to the park of Andasibe. The thick, humid mountain rainforests are filled with the hooting, grunting and wailing of 11 different species of lemur, including the fabled indris. Many lemurs here are so well-habituated to human visitors that they barely acknowledge approaching people. This makes for some wonderful wildlife encounters.

This Unesco-protected area comprises 2 distinct parks. Upon arrival, we will check into a hotel. Then, we will head to a local community-run reserve for a night walk to spot the nocturnal animals.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Best Time To Visit April, May, October and November (Best weather, less rain)

High Season July, August and December holidays (The park is busy)

Best Weather April, May, October and November

Wildlife in Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Indri Common

Common
brown lemur Common

Other
chameleons Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Diademed sifaka Occasional

Show more

Red-bellied
lemur Occasional

Grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

Mouse lemurs Occasional

Sportive lemurs Occasional

Parson's
chameleon Occasional

Painted mantella Occasional

Black-and-white
ruffed lemur Rare

Madagascar tree boa Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Vakona Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Andasibe National Park - Lemur Island

In the early morning, we walk with a local guide to discover this protected area. It is mainly covered with primary forest peculiar to the east side of Madagascar. Many rare and endemic species can be found in this rainforest. The biodiversity is amazing; we can encounter Indri indri, the largest of the lemurs, here. His behaviour is fascinating, and your guide will explain everything about him.

Many other species live there, such as the grey bamboo lemur and the woolly lemur. The flora is also very interesting; there are several species of medicinal plants. After lunch, we visit the crocodile park, which allows us to approach the crocodiles in all serenity and the island with the lemurs to observe the lemurs in their natural habitat. We will then return to the hotel.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Accommodation:

Vakona Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Andasibe - Antananarivo

After breakfast, we drive back to Tana. On arrival, we will go on a city tour. Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar and the largest city on this big island in the Indian Ocean. Antananarivo means "the city of a thousand", a reference to the 1,000 soldiers who supposedly protected the newly founded city during the reign of the revered King Andrianjaka in 1610.

Antananarivo is nowadays called Tana by the local inhabitants. It will surprise you with its rice paddies, Asian appearance, numerous stairs up steep hills, palaces, cobbled streets and churches. Antananarivo has a population of about 1.5 million people. In the evening, we will enjoy the sunset at Royal View.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Le Chat'o Park Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Antananarivo - Antsirabe

After breakfast, we continue our journey to the South by the national road N7. We will stop to visit the foundry and the city of Ambatolampy. Then, we continue to Antsirabe. We cross the region of the Highlands, which offers a mosaic of colors between its rice terraces, cultures and traditional red brick houses of its many villages. Here, the warm and communicative population is undoubtedly another great encounter on our way. We reach Antsirabe in the late afternoon.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Arotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Antsirabe - Ranomafana

We stay on road N7 and progress towards the south. We shop around Ambositra and visit the Zafimaniry artisans' workshop, seeing carved wood or a piece of marquetry box made with care. We stroll around town and then continue to Ranomafana. We are in the heart of the local area of Betsileo, the highest part of the Madagascar Highlands, and the road is winding more and more. We turn to the east and arrive in the rainforest in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel.

Main Destination:

Ranomafana National Park

Best Time To Visit April, May, September and November (Less rain)

High Season July, August and December holidays (The park is busy)

Best Weather April, May, September and November

Wildlife in Ranomafana NP

Golden
bamboo lemur Common

Red-fronted
brown lemur Common

Red-bellied
lemur Common

Greater
bamboo lemur Common

Grey
bamboo lemur Common

Show more

Giraffe-necked
weevil Common

Parson's
chameleon Common

Milne-Edwards’
sifaka Occasional

Rufous
mouse lemur Occasional

Satanic
leaf-tailed gecko Occasional

Painted
mantella Occasional

Spotted
fanaloka Rare

Ring-tailed
mongoose Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Centrest Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Ranomafana NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore Ranomafana National Park

After breakfast, we enter the Ranomafana National Park. This is one of the most beautiful sights the primary forest and rainforest in Madagascar can offer. We walk in the park with a local guide in this humid environment. It would be best if you took your waterproofs for the visit.

Here, we can find many species of lemurs, such as the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus), the red-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus), the red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer). We can also meet some rare and endangered species, such as the greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus). In botanical terms, the park is a genetic reservoir of some rare and endemic plant species, as well as many medicinal plants. We will have lunch nearby.

During the nocturnal visit, we first wait for the mouse lemur to show up. After a few minutes of watching them jump and move around, we walk along the roadside to search for other nocturnal animals, such as chameleons, frogs, and birds.

Main Destination:

Ranomafana National Park

Accommodation:

Centrest Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Ranomafana NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ranomafana - Tsaranoro

After breakfast, we depart for the village of Ambalavao (where there is a new enclosure) for a tour of the vineyard and the manufacturing workshop of the famous Antemoro paper. We will also visit the Anja Private Reserve, held by the village community. We continue our tour until Vohitsaoka. We take the track to the village of Tsaranoro. This beautiful valley is behind the Andringitra Massif. We will overnight at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Ambalavao (City)

Accommodation:

Camp Catta

• Budget lodge located outside Andringitra NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore the Chameleon peak

After breakfast, we begin our walk through this beautiful valley. Varied circuits are designed for travellers. In each circuit, you will admire different landscapes: a sacred forest, a forest of palm trees that grow in high mountains, and a bamboo forest. You will overnight at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Andringitra National Park

Accommodation:

Camp Catta

• Budget lodge located outside Andringitra NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Tsaranoro - Ranohira

After breakfast, we leave Tsaranoro and proceed to Vohitsaoka. Then, we join the N7 and continue our trip until Ranohira. We continue towards the southwest and enter the Bara region. We cross the largest plateau of Madagascar, constituted by a beautiful herbaceous steppe topped with huge termite nests: Ihorombe. We arrive in the village of Ranohira, which is close to the Isalo massif. Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Isalo National Park

Best Time To Visit April to October (Cooler, sunny days)

High Season July, August and December holidays (The park is busy)

Best Weather June to August

Wildlife in Isalo NP

Ring-tailed
lemur Common

Western
plated lizard Common

Verreaux's sifaka Occasional

Red-fronted
brown lemur Occasional

Oustalet's
chameleon Occasional

Show more

Jewel chameleon Occasional

Stump-tailed
chameleon Occasional

Merrem's
Madagascar swift Occasional

Grey
mouse lemur Rare

Red-tailed
sportive lemur Rare

Painted
burrowing frog Rare

Blue-legged
mantella Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Madagascar
tree boa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Isalo Ranch

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Visit Isalo National Park

We take a short drive to join the Isalo foothill. We start the walk quietly with a small rucksack through impressive landscapes, canyons, a natural pool and magic rock erosions. The Isalo ruin form massif is a continental sandstone plateau from the Jurassic era. There are many rock formations with different shapes. Nature has adapted to dry climates. This park has a different ecosystem; endemic rupicolous flora such as aloe, euphorbia, pachypodium and kalanchoe. We will picnic in the Tapia Forest. Some walks around here are possible, and going to the summit offers a splendid view. We will enjoy the sunset at Isalo Windows.

Main Destination:

Isalo National Park

Accommodation:

Isalo Ranch

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ranohira - Tulear - Ifaty

We leave our hotel, progress to the south, and pass through the surprising Ilakaka village. It was a rush related to sapphire mining, which attracted more than 100,000 people in the early 2000s. Now, the enthusiasm is down. We will visit the Zombitse NP. This park protects one of the last stands of dense, dry forest in southern Madagascar, a bird-rich island of foliage in the heart of a denuded semi-desert landscape.

The park's 36,300 hectares shelter an astounding 72 recorded bird species and 8 lemur species. We then continue south, passing Tuléar and stopping for a city tour. Then, we transfer to the fishing village of Ifaty, an ideal place for diving and relaxation.

Main Destination:

Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Accommodation:

La Bella Donna Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Ifaty (Town & Beach)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day at leisure at Ifaty

After breakfast, we will visit the Reniala Reserve, a private reserve near the sea that lists some 60 bird species. We have a day of leisure in Ifaty. Many activities are possible on land or water, such as boat trips, diving, walking, biking or quad biking, and visiting fishing villages. These are offered by providers on site, and therefore, they negotiate their pay directly. Later in the afternoon, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Accommodation:

La Bella Donna Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ifaty - Tulear - Tana

Start your day at a relaxed pace, enjoying a leisurely morning. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, our representative will warmly welcome you and assist with the transfer to your hotel, conveniently located close to the airport. Please note that the itinerary for today may vary depending on the domestic flight schedule. Take this opportunity to settle in and enjoy the comfortable amenities of the hotel as you prepare for the adventures ahead.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Le Chat'o Park Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Antananarivo - Departure

Start your day with a visit to the local handcraft market, where you can explore a wide variety of unique souvenirs and handmade goods. Take your time to shop for mementos that capture the essence of your journey. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for check-in, preparing for your flight home.

As your adventure comes to an end, we say "veloma" and hope that you leave with unforgettable memories of your stay. Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!

Main Destination:

Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.