Wild Madagascar in Comfort

Arrive Antananarivo. Met on arrival at the airport and transfer (15 minutes) to your hotel.

Today depart for the 5 hour drive to the rainforest reserves of Andasibe, stopping for lunch en route by the riverside at Mandraka Park.

In the late afternoon and evening take a night walk in the community managed VOIMMA Reserve to spot nocturnal wildlife including Goodman's mouse lemur, Eastern woolly lemur and sleeping Parson's chameleons.

Today take a morning walk in the Perinet Reserve to enjoy some close sightings of the magnificent tail less indri. This is also the best location to encounter the stunning diademed sifaka, Eastern grey bamboo lemur and common brown lemur.

In the afternoon explore the community managed VOIMMA Reserve where the indris are habituated and often allow an exceptionally close approach and a very intimate sighting. Continue the walk once darkness falls to spot more nocturnal species.

An early drive (1 ½ hours) to Mantadia National Park to the north. Enjoy a full day with a packed lunch to explore the wonderful primary rainforest of this large National Park in search of its special wildlife.

Highlights include the agile and often vocal black-and-white ruffed lemur is often found here on the ridgelines and other wildlife includes the colourful painted mantella frog and bizarre giraffe-necked weevil.

Among the birdlife includes 4 species of ground roller and the shy red-breasted coua is another speciality of this forest. Take another night walk in the evening for nocturnal wildlife.

Morning excursion to the Mitsinjo Reserve where the wonderful indri can again be observed at close quarters, they will often feed only a few feet away here. Perhaps also focus on some of the other lemurs today such as the Eastern grey bamboo lemur or the interesting range of endemic reptiles and frogs.

After lunch return 5 hours by road back to Antananarivo.

Morning transfer to the airport to take the Tsaradia flight TZ 716 at 1250 to Fort Dauphin arriving 1440.

Met on arrival at the airport and commence the interesting drive (4 hours) through transitional and spiny forest to the Mandrare River Camp.

Activities from the camp include fascinating guided walks to see the endemic wildlife found in the different forest types including the bizarre spiny forest and riverine gallery forest, home to a large population of ring-tailed lemurs.

The strange spiny forest in particular contains many endemic plants adapted to the arid conditions and is dominated by the thorny Didiereacae, or octopus, trees and the local baobab, Andansonia rubrostipa (fony).

This is an excellent location to see the iconic Verreaux’s sifakas leaping between the trees. Birdlife includes sickle-billed vanga, running, green-capped and giant couas and if lucky you may also find a rare radiated tortoise.

Today enjoy a full day of guided excursions in a small group with a local guide (maximum 6 in a group).

The area is home to the Antandroy tribe, considered one of the most traditional tribes in Madagascar. During your stay you will have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of the area as well as view the wonderful wildlife including large groups of ring-tailed lemurs and dancing Verreaux’s sifakas.

Night walks will be offered to see nocturnal lemur species such as gray and grey-brown mouse lemurs and the range restricted white-footed sportive lemur, Madagascar scops owls, warty chameleons, large-headed geckos and much more.

Enjoy another full day of guided activities in a small group

The local Antandroy tribe that inhabits this region are fascinating to interact with and are largely unaffected by the outside world, holding on to their strong beliefs and living very naturally. The forest and associated wildlife here is preserved by the people themselves who hold them sacred as resting places for their ancestors.

This evening depart for a selection of sundowners, around a fire amidst the baobabs before enjoying a lively tribal dance performance.

Today perhaps visit the local spiny forest at dawn for more wildlife viewing, followed by a visit to a local village. Later in the morning return to Fort Dauphin stopping to admire the spiny forest along the journey. After lunch check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Morning transfer to the Fort Dauphin airport. Take Tsaradia domestic flight to Antananarivo. Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today enjoy a guided city tour of Antananarivo (Tana) with your private guide and a vechile at your disposal.

The highlights of Tana include sites such as the old Prime Minister’s Palace, Presidential Palace, the Queen's Palace, several museums, the historical old town, train station, independence square, the La Digue market and some of Tana’s impressive Catholic churches. You can explore different areas based on your interests.

Later perhaps visit the Ambohimanga Hill, about 20 km from Tana to see the old royal palace complex (now the last surviving example of Malagasy royal residences since the Rova sadly burnt down), which is very atmospheric.

Take an early transfer (15 minutes) back to Tana's airport for your scheduled charter flight to the remote Anjajavy peninsula. You will arrive around 0900 in the morning with the rest of the day at leisure. You can choose from a range of included or optional activities on offer or simply just relax or explore independently.

Day at leisure in Anjajavy to enjoy the wildlife of the private dry forest reserve, wonderful beach and various activities on offer.

The surrounding dry forest reserve contains endemic species of trees and plants and is a refuge for many lemur species including the charming Coquerel’s sifakas that visit the lodge grounds each day. The nocturnal fat-tailed dwarf lemur, grey mouse lemur and Milne Edwards sportive lemur are among those seen on night walks. Madagascar's top predator, the fossa, is also found in the reserve as are tenrecs, many chameleons and ground boas, and the very rare Madagascar fish eagle nests on this coast.

If lucky you may catch a glimpse of the mysterious aye aye on a night walk in the lodge’s private reserve thanks to a successful reintroduction programme.

Day at leisure in Anjajavy. Optional activities include: boat trips, guided forest walks, kayaking and snorkelling.

There is a swimming pool to augment the warm sea bathing, and other water sports available include catamaran sailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing and water skiing. Four wheel drive and boat excursions, hiking and cycling are also possible.

Nearby there are two local villages that may be visited, where you can see the benefits accrued to the populations from their proximity and involvement with the hotel.

Final day at leisure at Anjajavy. Optional activities include: boat trips, guided forest walks, kayaking and snorkelling.

Today take the scheduled charter flight at 0930 back to Antananarivo arriving at 1100. On arrival transfer to your hotel or enjoy exploring some of the city of Antananarivo with a guide and vehicle at your disposal. Perhaps visit the Lemurs Park or Tsarasotra Lake or enjoy a traditional Malagasy cookery class.

Morning transfer to the international airport to depart on your onward flight.