Madagascar Family Holiday- Easy Going
Tour Introduction
This diverse yet gentle paced holiday is the perfect introduction to natural wonder of Madagascar for both families and those looking for an easy paced, accessible and comfortable wildlife holiday.
The itinerary takes you to three key regions to reveal the fascinating wildlife, landscapes and cultures of Madagascar’s eastern rainforests, the rocky canyons of Isalo and the unique spiny forest, coral reefs, mangroves and beaches of the south. Discover what makes Madagascar unlike anywhere else on earth.
There will be giant chameleons, colourful geckos and spectacular lemurs including the largest of all the indri, in the tropical rainforests of Andasibe. Then comes the iconic ring-tailed lemurs and other unique fauna and flora in the ancient limestone massif of Isalo National Park, which is also full of tribal history and culture. A visit to the transitional forests of Zombitse and the other-worldly spiny forests of Ifaty add leaping Verreaux’s sifakas, nocturnal sportive and mouse lemurs, impressive baobab and spiny octopus trees, rare birdlife and striking reptiles and orchids.
Then enjoy a restful stay at a friendly seaside lodge with plenty of snorkelling, diving, whale watching, mangrove exploration, kayaking, independent exploration, and time to relax. Each accommodation offers a swimming pool and good amenities for children as well. Return home full of magical memories.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Antananarivo (Tana). Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes No Meals.
Today your Madagascar holiday starts with the interesting journey through rice growing lands (5 hours in total but with stops) from Tana to Andasibe.
In the late afternoon and evening, you can explore the community managed VOIMMA Reserve, part of the large Analamazaotra reserve which is particularly good for night walks. This walk may reveal the nocturnal Goodman’s mouse lemur, the Eastern woolly lemur, and the furry-eared (Crossley’s) dwarf lemur, plus sleeping chameleons and frogs.
Staying at Andasibe Lemurs Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today explore the gentle rainforest trails of the Analamazaotra (Perinet) Reserve to enjoy some close sightings of the magnificent tail less indri. This section of forest is also the best location to see the stunning diademed sifaka as well as the common brown and eastern grey bamboo lemurs.
You have some time at leisure during the middle of the day to perhaps visit the Lemur Island or the discover the village of Andasibe and learn about local life. In the late afternoon enjoy another walk, this time in the community-managed Mitsinjo Forest Reserve. Here you can hope to spot the giant Parson's chameleon, the unique looking giraffe-necked weevil and maybe a tenrec.
Staying at Andasibe Lemurs Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today rise early to drive 1 hour 30 minutes north on a bumpy track to Mantadia National Park. Spend the morning walking through the incredible primary rainforest of this vast protected area with its special wildlife.
The lush old growth rainforest of Mantadia is the best location to spot the endagered black-and-white ruffed lemur and is also home for many special frogs, bright green day geckos and rare chameleons. Birdlife is also a highlight of Mantadia with many of the unique endemic bird families such as couas, vangas and ground rollers all possible to find.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, or return to your hotel for some time to relax by the pool. If interested a visit to the Lemur Island can be arranged this afternoon.
Staying at Andasibe Lemurs Lodge. Includes All Meals.
A final morning to explore the community managed Mitsinjo Reserve where you have an excellent opportunity for a particularly close and memorable indri sighting. Over the years, the local guides at Mitsinjo have habituated several indris which often come lower in the trees to take a closer look at curious visitors.
In the afternoon transfer (5 hours) back to Tana with stops at points of interest to break up the journey.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes Breakfast.
Morning flight to Tulear in the arid south of the country.
Met on arrival and transfer 4 hours north through the dry open plains of the Horombe Plateau to the wonderful Isalo National Park, one of the most impressive landscapes in all of Madagascar. Arrive at your comfortable hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy some downtime or a sunset walk as well as the large swimming pool.
Staying at Le Jardin du Roy. Includes All Meals.
This morning explore the spectacular Isalo National Park. The park is a vast limestone massif, with dramatic scenery, peculiar plants like the endemic ‘elephant’s foot’ Pachypodium rosalatum and is a sacred burial ground for the local Bara tribe.
Perhaps walk the gentle trail through the Namahaza canyon where families of the iconic ring-tailed and curious red-fronted brown lemurs can be found. This is also a great spot for birdwatching and to discover the geology of the park.
After some lemur watching and a picnic lunch, you could perhaps take a refreshing dip in one of the natural pools or return to the hotel.
Staying at Le Jardin du Roy. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy another full day to explore the fascinating Isalo National Park. There are plenty of exciting trails to choose from some with waterfalls, ancient burial sites and panoramic viewpoints to discover.
Staying at Le Jardin du Roy. Includes All Meals.
This morning depart the hotel for a drive (1.5 hours) south to visit Zombitse National Park which acts as a transition zone between the dry and the humid forests of Madagascar. The flora is especially diverse with bottle baobab trees and many orchids, while fauna includes the highly localised Zombitse (Hubbard's) sportive lemur and acrobatic Verreaux's sifaka which make huge leaps between the trees.
Reptiles to look for include the giant Oustalets's chameleon and colourful standing's day gecko, while birds include the giant coua, blue and rufous vangas and the rare Appert's tetraka, unique to the area.
After a guided walk, continue to drive south to the Antsokay Arboretum for lunch and a chance to learn about the medicinal uses of the local plants. In the afternoon drive on (45 minutes) to your sea-side hotel in Ifaty.
Staying at Les Dunes d'Ifaty. Includes All Meals.
Morning to explore the local spiny forest habitat, dominated by the thorny Didiereacae, (octopus, trees) and the local baobab, Andansonia rubrostipa.
As well as learning about the flora, this is a superb birdwatching and reptile area with a number of special endemic bird species to see including the sub-desert mesite and the brilliant long-tailed ground roller. There are also many reptiles ranging from the three-eyed lizard and warty chameleon to the blonde hog-nosed snake.
Later in the morning take a boat trip (July - Sep) to hopefully spot humpback whales offshore.
Relax for the rest of the day. In the early evening perhaps return to the unique spiny forest to watch the sunset over the baobabs and stay till dark to spot the fascinating nocturnal wildlife of this forest. Large eyed sportive and tiny grey-brown mouse lemurs weighing just (50g on average) can be seen.
Staying at Les Dunes d'Ifaty. Includes Breakfast.
This morning take a snorkelling excursion to the nearby coral reef, full of colourful reef fish. Return to Ifaty and your hotel, calling in at the Ifaty tortoise village en route. Home to numerous radiated and spider tortoises, rescued from the illegal pet trade, the centre provides a safe place for rehabilitation back to the wild.
After lunch transfer 20 minutes to the Honko Mangrove Project for a guided tour of the sustainably managed and restored mangrove ecosystem of the Bay of Ranobe. On your leisurely and interpretative walk on boardwalks through the mangroves look out for mudskippers, mangrove crabs, dragonflies and coastal birdlife.
Staying at Les Dunes d'Ifaty. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
This morning transfer to the Tulear airport. Take Tsaradia flight to Tana, where on arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon relax or take a city tour with a local guide and visit the Children’s orphanage Akany Avoko which provides a home for abandoned and vulnerable babies, children, and teenagers.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes Breakfast.
This morning pick up and transfer 1 hour 30 minutes to the Lemurs Park on the outskirts of Tana. Enjoy walking through the gardens which are a refuge of lemurs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. This is a great finale to your time in Madagascar before transferring to the airport to take onward flights.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Au Bois Vert
Overview
Located a short drive from the airport and set in three hectares of peaceful and attractive gardens, accommodation is in rooms constructed using natural materials dominated by chunky wood and granite. All rooms have private bathrooms, satellite TV and safe. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.
The hotel is only 20 minutes from the airport so is an ideal location for a stopover.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, TV, room safe, restaurant, swimming pool, Wi-Fi available in the lobby
Optional Activities
City tours can be arranged. Activities including mountain and quad biking, village tours and walking trips can be arranged offsite.
Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
Overview
Situated just outside the village of Andasibe and next to the Sahatandra River, this friendly lodge is bordered by the Andasibe rainforest where the indri can be heard singing at dawn.
The Lodge was built in 2017 and offers a good standard of accommodation with 10 bungalows and 10 standard rooms.
All the rooms are clean and comfortable with modern private bathrooms and small terraces. The 10 bungalows offer more comfort with satellite TV, mini fridges, mosquito nets above the beds and are more spacious. All the rooms though feature mosquito screening, a safe, telephone and Wi-Fi.
Electricity is supplied by solar power and is available 24 hours a day. There is a welcoming restaurant with a menu that changes daily and includes plenty of fresh local produce. Meals are mostly of a European style and special diets can be catered for.
In front of the bungalows is a swimming pool available to all the guests of the lodge, which is very welcome after a morning walking in the rainforest. The lodge accepts Euros, US dollars and local Ariary as well as Visa and MasterCard’s with a 5% surcharge.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
All rooms feature modern private bathrooms, fans and Wi-Fi in the rooms. The bungalows also feature a satellite TV, kettle, telephone, mosquito netting above the bed and a mini fridge. There is a restaurant and swimming pool and 24-hour hot water and electricity supplied by solar power and generators.
Local Wildlife
The Andasibe area is one of the best examples of Madagascar’s Eastern rainforests and is home to a fantastic selection of wildlife. In the Andasibe (Perinet) Reserve and its adjoining Mitsinjo and VOIMMA Reserves, the indri is one of the highlights, being the largest species of lemur. Other diurnal lemurs include the diademed sifaka, common brown lemur, Eastern grey bamboo lemur and the black-and-white ruffed lemur only in the nearby Mantadia National Park. Nocturnal species include the Goodman’s mouse lemur, furry-eared dwarf lemur and Eastern woolly lemur. In the community managed VOIMMA Reserve, the Parson’s chameleon can often be found along with the blue-legged chameleon and tiny brown leaf chameleon: Brookesia superciliaris. The smaller creatures of the rainforest are spectacular here with mossy leaf tailed geckos, colourful frogs and insects such as the giraffe-necked weevil. Birdlife is another highlight especially in the Mantadia National Park with scaly, pitta-like and short-legged ground rollers, velvet asity, red-fronted and blue couas, nuthatch vanga, Madagascar blue pigeon and pygmy kingfisher. The wonderful helmet vanga can also be found in the more remote Antavalobe Reserve.
Optional Activities
Walking in the wildlife rich rainforest reserves of Andasibe, VOIMMA, Mitsinjo, Mantadia and Antavalobe. Interpretive village visits are also available.
Le Jardin du Roy
Overview
Located on the edge of Isalo National Park near the village of Ranohira and about a three-hour drive from Tulear in the far south west of Madagascar, Le Jardin Du Roy is an impressive luxury hotel constructed from beautiful granite stonework with traditional wooden flooring.
It is one of the best lodges in the area, with good service, a dramatic setting and delicious food. There are a selection of air-conditioned twin and double rooms located around the lush gardens and swimming pool, all with en suite bathrooms and showers, mosquito nets and the added luxury of a private veranda. The meals are offered in a spacious dining room with open fire, as it can get cool at night.
Isalo National Park is an eroded sandstone massif blessed with dry weather, stunning scenery, unusual plants and isolated oases: it is excellent both for long hikes and shorter walks.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, air conditioning, veranda, swimming pool: the Brigitte Spa offers massages, facials and other treatments using natural Malagasy oils.
Local Wildlife
The endemic Benson’s rock thrush is one of the top birds to see and lemurs include ring-tailed, Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur and mouse. There is some exceptional botany, including pachypodium, pandanus, endemic feather palm and various aloes, one of which is endemic.
Optional Activities
Wildlife watching and hikes in Isalo National Park; use of the hotel facilities such as tennis court, horse riding and massage treatments.
Les Dunes d’Ifaty
Overview
One of the best hotels in Ifaty, this comfortable and well positioned accommodation is both near the spiny forest and good beaches. The hotel overlooks the Mozambique Channel and is ideally located for watching sunsets over the sea. Accommodation is 19 villas or the 22 standard rooms, all built using local materials with traditional Malagasy interior designs they all offer comfortable beds with mosquito nets, TVs and private bathrooms with 24 hour electricity. The rooms and villas are scattered throughout the gardens which feature many beautiful flowering plants.
There is a large swimming pool with deck chairs for relaxing when the tide is out and it is not suitable for swimming from the beach. The main building has a nice restaurant serving plenty of fresh seafood and tropical fruit and a variety of international dishes. Meals can be enjoyed in both the restaurant and outside on the patio area for al fresco dining with a sea breeze. There is also a friendly bar, small library and free Wi-Fi throughout the main building.
Ifaty has a number of diving operations where both diving and snorkelling trips can be arranged. For example there is an excellent shark dive at 31 metres on the Grand Recife and excursions to the Rose Garden and south pass are excellent for snorkelers.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Rooms are all ensuite with TV and air-conditioning. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar and Wi-Fi and swimming pool on site too.
Local Wildlife
The local spiny forest supports many endemic bird species such as sub-desert mesite, Lafresnaye’s, red-shouldered and sickle-billed vangas, Archbold’s newtonia, Madagascar nightjar, banded kestrel and the spectacular long-tailed ground roller are all possible to see. While mammals include the localised black-shouldered sportive lemur, gray and gray-brown mouse lemurs and lesser hedgehog tenrecs. While reptiles include the impressive Dumeril's ground boa, three-eyed lizard and warty chameleon. ,
Optional Activities
Excursions on offer include visits to the local spiny forest both during the mornings for birdlife and in the evening for nocturnal wildlife. There are also many dive operators that can arrange snorkelling and scuba diving and also whale watching between July and September when humpback whales are present. Watersports can also be arranged.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly to Antananarivo with Air France, Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines.
Best Visited:
April to November
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
For those with more time, an extension to the north such as the islands of Nosy Sakatia or Nosy Be for more marine life, beaches and black lemurs or to Diego Suarez for its emerald sea and wildlife of Montagne De Ambre National Park are good options.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
“It was a fab trip. Everything went very well in Madagascar. All the local guides were really good but special praise goes to [our guide] at Andasibe – so knowledgeable and interesting. He, like all the guides, showed a real love for the wildlife and environment. Excellent wildlife: highlights – fosas in daylight within 10 mins of the first rainforest walk, diademed sifakas, golden bamboo and ringtailed lemurs and giraffe necked weevil.
