9-Day Masoala Safari Adventure

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

Antananarivo to Maroantsetra-Farankaraina

You'll begin your journey with a flight from Antananarivo to Maroantsetra. Upon arrival, you'll meet your guide and transfer to the harbor, where a boat ride awaits to transport you to the secluded Farankarainana Reserve. Along the way, you'll pass through Andanofotsy village and embark on a scenic coastal walk, crossing rivers by traditional pirogue. At the campsite, keep an eye out for the ring-tailed vontsira (mongoose) that often greets new visitors. As dusk falls, you'll set out on a night walk to discover the nocturnal world of Farankarainana, encountering elusive species like the aye-aye, brown mouse lemur, and big-nosed chameleon.

Main Destination:

Farankaraina Reserve

Accommodation:

Aye-Aye Forest Camp

• Budget lodge located just outside Farankaraina Reserve

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Faranakaraina Reserve

Today, you'll spend a full day exploring the wilderness of Farankarainana. A guided morning trek offers a deeper glimpse into the reserve’s diverse ecosystems, home to unique flora and fauna. You'll hike through dense rainforest and open your senses to the sights and sounds of Madagascar's untouched wilderness. You'll watch for birdlife, reptiles, and possibly the rare Fosa, Madagascar’s largest carnivorous mammal. In the evening, you'll take another night walk to encounter additional nocturnal species and witness the vibrant activity that takes place under the cover of darkness.

Main Destination:

Farankaraina Reserve

Accommodation:

Aye-Aye Forest Camp

• Budget lodge located just outside Farankaraina Reserve

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Farankaraina to Masoala National Park

After breakfast, prepare for the return hike to the jetty and a scenic three-hour boat ride along Madagascar's northeastern coast to Masoala National Park. Between July and September, you may spot dolphins and migrating humpback whales. Upon arrival at Masoala, you'll check in to your lodge and unwind in these serene surroundings. You'll enjoy the beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, or explore the lodge’s surroundings. As night descends, you'll embark on a guided forest walk to glimpse Masoala’s nocturnal inhabitants, including lemurs and chameleons.

Main Destination:

Masoala National Park

Best Time To Visit August to November (Less rain)

High Season July, August and December holidays (The park doesn’t get busy)

Best Weather August to November

Wildlife in Masoala NP

Red ruffed lemur Common

Humpback
whale Common

White-fronted
brown lemur Common

Masoala
sportive lemur

Common

Leaf-tailed
geckos Common

Show more

Masoala
woolly lemur Occasional

Masoala
fork-marked lemur

Occasional

Mouse lemurs Occasional

Tomato frog Occasional

Panther
chameleon Occasional

Lowland
streaked tenrec Rare

Greater
hedgehog tenrec Rare

Aye-aye Very Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Dounia Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Masoala NP

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Masoala National Park

Today, you'll journey deep into the Masoala rainforest, renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. The red ruffed lemur, found only in this region, is a highlight for wildlife enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for the white-fronted lemur, Masoala woolly lemur, and other inhabitants of this lush forest. Birdwatchers may spot the Helmet Vanga with its striking blue beak, a true icon of Masoala. After an active morning, you'll enjoy some free time on the beach in the afternoon. In the evening, you will set out for another night walk, a final opportunity to encounter the forest’s nighttime residents.

Main Destination:

Masoala National Park

Accommodation:

Dounia Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Masoala NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Masoala National Park

You will start the day early with a birdwatching excursion in Masoala’s biodiverse rainforest. Look for Madagascar’s unique avian species, such as the red-breasted Coua, brown mesite, and the elusive Bernier’s Vanga. After lunch, you'll spend a relaxing afternoon on the beach or take a final exploratory walk through the forest, soaking in Masoala’s natural beauty. A last-night walk offers an intimate view of the forest’s nocturnal species, rounding out your stay in Masoala.

Main Destination:

Masoala National Park

Accommodation:

Dounia Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Masoala NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Tampolo River Canoe Excursion

Today, you'll embark on a tranquil canoe journey along the scenic Tampolo River, flanked by mangrove forests. This river leads to a protected marine reserve, where a snorkeling adventure unveils coral reefs, colorful fish, and, if fortunate, sightings of green sea turtles and dolphins. You'll enjoy a beachside picnic before visiting a local plantation to learn about Madagascar’s celebrated vanilla, coffee, clove, and pepper. Later, you'll join a festive gathering with traditional Malagasy music and dance. You'll cap off the day with an evening walk to observe lemurs, frogs, and perhaps even a sleeping kingfisher.

Main Destination:

Masoala National Park

Accommodation:

Dounia Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Masoala NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exploration of Nosy Mangabe Island

You'll board a boat for the two-hour journey to Nosy Mangabe, a pristine rainforest island home to black-and-white ruffed lemurs and white-fronted brown lemurs. The island’s dense forest shelters a variety of reptiles and amphibians, such as Panther chameleons and Antongile leaf chameleons, as well as the incredible Uroplatus geckos, masters of camouflage. You'll wander Nosy Mangabe’s forest trails, discovering hidden wildlife and photographing the rich biodiversity that thrives in this untouched haven.

Main Destination:

Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve

Best Time To Visit August to November (Less rain)

High Season July, August and December holidays (It doesn’t get busy)

Best Weather August to November

Wildlife in Nosy Mangabe SR

Black-and-white
ruffed lemur Common

Humpback whale Common

White-fronted
brown lemur Common

Leaf-tailed
geckos Common

Greater
hedgehog tenrec Occasional

Show more

Panther
chameleon Occasional

Climbing
mantella Occasional

Webb's
bridge frog

Occasional

Madagascar
tree boa Occasional

Green
sea turtle Occasional

Antongil
leaf chameleon Occasional

Speckled
day gecko Occasional

Aye-aye Rare

Hawksbill
sea turtle Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Nosy Mangabe SR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Nosy Mangabe to Maroantsetra

You'll begin your day with a visit to the Betsimisaraka tombs, which commemorate Nosy Mangabe’s first inhabitants. You will explore “Plage des Hollandais” (Dutchman’s Beach), where rock carvings from 16th-century Dutch sailors reveal intriguing fragments of the island’s history. Following a beach picnic, you'll board a boat back to Maroantsetra. In town, you'll enjoy a final evening in the lively atmosphere of Maroantsetra, where you may catch a last glimpse of the vibrant Tomato frog, an iconic species of the region.

Main Destination:

Maroantsetra (Town)

Accommodation:

Manga Beach Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Maroantsetra (Town)

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Maroantsetra to Antananarivo

After breakfast, you'll bid farewell to Maroantsetra and transfer to the airport, returning with memories of Madagascar’s captivating landscapes and its extraordinary wildlife.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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