15 Days Fly in Madagascar Wildlife and Beach Safari
15 Days Fly in Madagascar wildlife and beach safari
Madagascar is unlike any other country; a bizarre and intoxicating mix of extraordinary landscapes, whose diverse habitats include rainforest, deciduous forest, High Mountain and desert. Wildlife enthusiasts brim with excitement at the thought of its extraordinary array of wildlife, the majority of which is found nowhere else in the world.
Safari highlights
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Perinet Reserve
- Isalo National Park
- Zombitse National Park
- Mandrare River Camp
- Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge
Detailed safari itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo and transfer to your hotel for relaxation
You’ll be met on arrival at Ivato International Airport by our guide and transferred to Maison Gallieni, a restored colonial mansion with elegant décor in the upper town of Antananarivo. Relax in the pool, enjoy the views of the city or venture out to explore the colourful architecture of Antananarivo, locally known as ‘Tana’.
Day 2: Drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Enjoy breakfast before meeting your guide and making the four-hour drive east to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a stunning rainforest park with two protected areas including Mantadia National Park and the Perinet Special Reserve, renowned for its families of indri, the largest living lemur species in the world. The journey to Andasibe offers a great insight into rural life in Madagascar, with redbrick houses, rice fields and roadside stalls along the route.
You’ll arrive at Mantadia lodge in time for lunch and in the afternoon; you’ll visit Lemur Island, a private reserve with a population of habituated lemurs including the bamboo lemur, brown lemur, black and white ruffed lemur and the one diademed sifaka. Tonight, you’ll venture out on a thrilling night walk with your local guide to see the nocturnal creatures become active after dark.
Day 3: Full day exploration of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide and begin the 1.5 hour drive to Mantadia National Park, where you’ll go in search of lemur species including the indri lemur, grey bamboo lemur, white ruffed lemur, red-bellied lemur and diademed sifaka. The trails are slightly more difficult but well worth it as the rainforest here are more impressive and less crowded than Perinet. Keep watch for many rare species of mammals and reptiles and a myriad of birds including the scaly ground roller, the breasted coua and the pitta-like ground Roller; you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by the beautiful Rianasoa Waterfall before walking back to the vehicle and returning to the lodge. Tonight, you’ll venture out on a night walk to see the region’s nocturnal lemurs including the mouse lemur, woolly lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur and white-footed sportive lemur.
Day 4: Morning Hike at Perinet Reserve and transfer to Antananarivo
Enjoy an early breakfast, before meeting your guide and driving to the Perinet Reserve, famous for its population of indri, the largest living lemur species on earth, characterised by its surprised teddy bear face. You’ll walk through this 180-hectare expanse of rainforest in search of 11 other species of lemur including the diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemur, black and white ruffed lemur and common brown lemur. You can also spot many species of reptiles, orchids and birds including the velvet asity, blue coua and the Nuthatch vanga. You’ll have lunch in Andasibe before driving back to Antananarivo and checking into Maison Gallieni for the night.
Day 5: Flight from Antananarivo to Isalo National Park
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Ivato International Airport where you’ll board a domestic flight to Toliara. You’ll be met on arrival in Toliara airport by your driver and English-speaking guide, before making the four-hour drive to Jardin Du Roy. This afternoon you can relax in the pool and soak up the spectacular views of Isalo National Park. Jardin Du Roy is located on the edge of the national park, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the stunning sandstone rock formations, natural pools with sparkling water and deep canyons used for centuries by the Bara tribe as sacred burial sites.
Day 6: Full day exploration of Isalo National Park
Enjoy breakfast before heading out a day of guided walking through the vast plains and peculiar rock formations of Isalo National Park, one of Madagascar’s most diverse parks. Depending on your interests and fitness levels, your guide will recommend various trails. One of the most popular trails is the ‘Canyon des Singes’, which winds through the lush forest and colourful rock formations before reaching an enchanting rock pool known as the ‘Piscine Naturelles’. Isalo National Park is also renowned for its rare endemic plants such as the local Aloe and it’s resident wildlife including the ring-tailed lemur, brown lemur, sifakas, 14 nocturnal lemur species, 35 reptile species, several endemic frogs and 80 bird species including the crested ibis and the rare Benson’s rock-thrush.
Day 7: Morning Visit to Zombitse National Park and transfer to Toliara
After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide for the one-hour drive to Zombitse National Park, a 36,300-hectare biodiverse forest that transitions between the western and southern habitats of Madagascar. It’s an incredible place for birdwatchers as it’s the only forest where you can spot the Appert’s greenbul, one of the rarest endemic species on the island. There are a number of other bird species to find including the giant coua and crested coua. You’ll enjoy a two-hour walk through the forest, before making the four-hour drive to Bakbuba Lodge with a stop for lunch. After checking in to Bakuba Lodge, you’ll enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the beach or swimming in the sparkling blue waters of the Mozambique Channel. You can also go snorkeling and scuba diving at an extra cost.
Day 8: Flight from Toliara to Mandrare River Camp
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Toliara airport for your morning flight to Fort Dauphin, which will take around three hours. You’ll be met on arrival by a guide from Mandrare River Camp, who will escort you to a nearby restaurant in Fort Dauphin for lunch, before making the four-hour drive to Mandrare River Camp. This afternoon, you can settle into your luxury tent with beautiful views over the Mandrare River, before heading out in the evening on an exciting night walk in the Forest of Zenavo. You can spot diurnal lemurs nodding off, while the nocturnal lemurs begin to wake up including sifakas, mouse lemurs and sleeping white footed sportive lemurs, as well as birds and chameleons.
Day 9: Full exploration around Mandrare River Camp
After breakfast, you’ll head towards the south of the camp to the Sacred Gallery Forest. Depending on the Mandrare River’s water levels, you’ll walk or take a boat across the river to reach this magnificent forest, filled with playful groups of ring-tailed lemurs and curious Verreaux’s sifaka. You’ll return to the camp for lunch and a relaxing dip in the pool, before heading out in the evening for a walk with a local tracker through the Sacred Spiny Forest. Your guide will take you to the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, Antandroy culture and customs and pointing out plant and animal species that can only be found in this forest. You’ll end your adventure with a refreshing sundowner on the banks of the Mandrare River.
Day 10: Full day exploration around Mandrare River Camp
You’ll rise early this morning for magical sunrise walk through the Sacred Spiny Forest, where you’ll see the sunlight streaming through the octopus trees as the wildlife begins to wake up. You can spot a variety of endemic birds including the crested coua, running coua and a number of vangas. You’ll return to the camp for a delicious breakfast, before visiting the local market (open on Thursdays and Saturdays) or the local village to meet the Antandroy tribe. Enjoy lunch at the camp and a relaxing afternoon before heading out in the evening for sundowner among the ancient baobab trees. You may also be treated to a wonderful show of traditional music, song and dance, performed by the local village.
Day 11: Flight from Mandrare River camp to Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge
Enjoy an early breakfast, before taking a 25-minute flight to Fort Dauphin, where your guide will greet you for the three-hour drive to Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge. Manafiafy, also known as Sainte Luce, is a beautiful sandy bay, surrounded by forested mountains and rich mangroves. After settling in at the lodge, you’ll head out in the evening for a night walk in the Coastal Rainforest. As you roam through the last untouched part of coastal rainforest in southern Madagascar, you can spot five species and three sub-species of lemur, over 40 endemic bird species and a variety of geckos, chameleons and forest reptiles. You can also spot nocturnal lemurs, satanic leaf-tailed geckos and the Madagascar Scops Owl, before returning to the lodge for a well-earned dinner.
Day 12: Full day exploration of Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge
Enjoy breakfast before visiting the Stitch project and local woodworking shop to meet the Antanosy community. The Stitch project provides local women with sustainable livelihoods by teaching business skills, English and embroidery, a traditional Malagasy skill. You’ll enjoy a three-course lunch before venturing to a section of the 40km mangrove network that stretches from Manafiafy to Fort Dauphin, with the rolling Anosy mountain range as the backdrop. You’ll board a motor boat to explore the mangroves, with plenty of fantastic photography opportunities and a variety of endemic birds to spot including the Madagascar Crested Ibis, the Blue Coua, the Madagascar Harrier Hawk and Madagascar kingfisher species.
Day 13: Full day exploration of Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge
Enjoy an early morning coffee or tea before heading out for a beautiful sunrise walk in the coastal rainforest. It’s a spectacular time of the day to see active wildlife including the red-collared lemur which is mostly active at dawn and dusk. It’s a great time for bird watching, with the chance to spot the Hook-billed Vanga, Crested Coua, Giant Coua and Vasa Parrots. You’ll return to the lodge for a tasty breakfast before spending the afternoon relaxing or exploring the surrounding beaches. In the evening, you’ll see the Flying Fox, Madagascar’s largest bat, which lives in a nearby community forest and fills the sky each night as they fly off on the hunt for food.
Day 14: Flight from Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge to Antananarivo
Enjoy an early breakfast before meeting your guide for the 2.5-hour drive to Fort Dauphin. On arrival at the airport, you’ll board your three-hour flight back to Antananarivo, where you’ll be met by your English-speaking guide and transferred to Maison Gallieni. Spend the afternoon soaking in the pool or exploring the beautiful streets of Tana.
Day 15: Departure from Madagascar
Sadly, your Highlights of Madagascar holiday has come to an end. You’ll enjoy a final breakfast this morning, before meeting your guide for your transfer to Ivato International Airport, where you’ll board your return flight home.
Trip includes
- All activities included on your final itinerary
- Accommodation
- Vehicle, guide and Fuel
- Domestic flights
- All transfers
- Enroute, Meals and drinking water
Trip excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Madagascar tourist Visa
- Tips for guides and hotels
When to book this safari package
We recommend booking this safari package 9 months to 1 year in advance.
Best time to visit Madagascar
September to October is the best time to travel to Madagascar as the weather is a little warmer and the lemurs are more active.
