Small Group
Madagascar
Details
14 DAYS FROM 7400 PP
Best time to go
September
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Wonders of the Red Island
Madagascar Small Group Safari
Experience one of the most biodiverse destinations on Earth on this expertly guided Madagascar small group safari, travelling through rainforest, highland plateaus and dramatic sandstone canyons in search of the island’s extraordinary endemic wildlife. Designed for just 6–8 guests, this immersive 14-day journey explores the most wildlife-rich regions of Madagascar, including Andasibe National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Anja Community Reserve and Isalo National Park.
Track indri in misty montane forest, search for the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur, walk among ring-tailed lemurs in granite reserves, and discover chameleons, rare birds and nocturnal species on guided night walks. Combining conservation-led reserves, scenic light aircraft transfers and in-depth guiding by experienced local naturalists, this Madagascar wildlife tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the Red Island.
Why You’ll Love This Madagascar Safari
- Unmatched Lemur Encounters Search for indri, diademed sifaka, golden bamboo lemur, ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka across multiple ecosystems.
- Diverse Landscapes in One Journey : From the geysers of Ampefy and rainforest waterfalls to the sweeping gorges and natural pools of Isalo National Park.
- Expert Wildlife Guiding : Travel with English-speaking naturalist guides and local park specialists for deeper insight into Madagascar’s endemic biodiversity.
- Conservation & Community Focus : Visit Anja Community Reserve and Mitsinjo Forest, supporting grassroots conservation and habitat restoration.
- Small Group Experience : Maximum 8 guests ensures personalised guiding and flexible wildlife viewing opportunities.
Madagascar Small Group Safari: Day by Day
Travel across Madagascar’s most wildlife-rich regions, from the rainforests of Ranomafana and Andasibe to the dramatic canyons of Isalo National Park. Track iconic lemurs, search for nocturnal species on guided night walks, and explore community-led reserves protecting some of the island’s rarest endemic wildlife.
Day 1 – Arrive Antananarivo
Arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s vibrant highland capital. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel near Ivato. Depending on arrival time, relax after your international flight or enjoy a short orientation of the city, where red-brick houses climb the surrounding hills and markets bustle with Malagasy life.
Accommodation: Relais des Plateaux
Day 2 – Antananarivo – Ampefy
Travel west into the volcanic landscapes surrounding Lake Itasy. In Ampefy, explore the striking mineral-rich geysers, where iron deposits stain the limestone formations vivid red and orange. The surrounding countryside offers rolling hills, crater lakes and fertile farmland — a scenic introduction to Madagascar’s diverse geology.
Accommodation: Farihy Hotel
Day 3 – Ampefy – Antsirabe
Begin the day with a walk to Lily Waterfall before visiting Îlot de la Vierge, a hilltop viewpoint overlooking Lake Itasy. Continue south into the Malagasy Highlands toward Antsirabe, known for its thermal springs and colonial architecture. The journey reveals terraced rice paddies, traditional villages and daily rural life.
Accommodation: Antsirabe Hotel
Day 4 – Antsirabe – Ranomafana National Park
Drive through the Betsileo highlands, stopping in Ambositra, Madagascar’s centre for Zafimaniry woodcarving. Continue east as the landscape transforms into dense tropical rainforest. Arrive at Ranomafana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed reserve. After dark, optional guided night walk to search for mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, chameleons and other nocturnal wildlife.
Accommodation: Hotel Thermal Ranomafana
Day 5 – Exploring Ranomafana National Park
Spend a full day trekking through Ranomafana’s 41,000 hectares of montane rainforest. This park is internationally significant for lemur conservation and home to 12 lemur species. Look for the golden bamboo lemur, discovered here in 1986, and the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur. Other species include Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, red-bellied lemur and red-fronted brown lemur. The park also supports over 100 bird species, reptiles and rare amphibians. Waterfalls, river rapids and mist-covered forest create a dramatic setting for wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Hotel Thermal Ranomafana
Day 6 – Ranomafana – Ambalavao (Anja Reserve)
Drive south to Ambalavao, stopping in Fianarantsoa to explore the Betsileo region’s cultural heritage. Visit the Anja Community Reserve, a successful conservation initiative managed by local villagers. Here you will enjoy close encounters with habituated ring-tailed lemurs set against striking granite rock formations and dry forest habitat.
Accommodation: Anja Reserve Lodge
Day 7 – Anja Reserve – Isalo National Park
After a final walk in Anja Reserve, continue to Isalo National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as lush rainforest gives way to open savannah and sculpted sandstone massifs. Arrive at your lodge positioned along the park’s southern boundary.
Accommodation: Jardin du Roy
Days 8–9 – Exploring Isalo National Park
Spend two full days exploring the dramatic sandstone landscapes of Isalo National Park, trekking through sculpted canyons and along panoramic Massif trails to La Piscine Naturelle, a palm-fringed natural pool fed by a clear waterfall. Watch for Verreaux’s sifaka leaping between rocks, ring-tailed lemurs basking on warm sandstone ledges and endemic birdlife adapted to this arid terrain, with time to enjoy sweeping viewpoints, learn about Bara cultural heritage or relax back at your lodge pool or spa.
Accommodation: Jardin du Roy
Day 10 – Isalo – Antananarivo – Andasibe
Board a scheduled charter flight back to Antananarivo, offering a rare bird’s-eye view of Madagascar’s contrasting landscapes — from arid plateaus to central highlands. Continue east to Andasibe National Park. In the evening, enjoy a guided night walk in VOI MMA community reserve, searching for woolly lemurs, dwarf lemurs and chameleons.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Day 11 – Andasibe National Park
Explore Analamazaotra Reserve, one of Madagascar’s premier wildlife destinations. This humid montane forest is the best place to see the indri, the largest living lemur. Their haunting territorial calls echo through the canopy at dawn. Other species include diademed sifaka, bamboo lemur and brown lemur, alongside colourful birds such as the nuthatch vanga and Madagascar flufftail.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Day 12 – Mantadia National Park
Venture deeper into primary rainforest in Mantadia National Park. Trails are steeper but wildlife rewards are significant. Look for black-and-white ruffed lemurs, diademed sifaka and rare bird species such as ground rollers and couas. The forest here remains largely untouched, offering a more remote and immersive trekking experience.
Accommodation: Mantadia Lodge
Days 13–14 – Andasibe to Departure
Return to Antananarivo for a farewell tasting menu celebrating Malagasy cuisine and local ingredients, with the option to join a chocolate workshop highlighting Madagascar’s world-renowned cacao. After your final overnight in the capital, transfer to Ivato International Airport for your onward international flight, concluding your Madagascar small group safari.Accommodation: Relais des Plateaux
Staying in Madagascar
Relais des Plateaux
Offering comfortable, modern and economical motel-style accommodation with spacious rooms, close to the airport in Tana.
Farihy Hotel
The Ampfey region is the perfect stop enroute south from Antananarivo. This is a truly tranquil setting overlooking lake Itasy with a sunlit mountain backdrop. Farihy Hotel is the best of the accommodation in this area, a simple property with all the necessary amenities for your stay. The options range from double bungalows, family suite, duplex suite and a villa. All are equipped with queen-sized beds and additional single beds in the family suites. All benefit from an ensuite bathroom, work desk and a private terrace with lake views. Keep connected to home with in-room wifi. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, as well as offering a great breakfast. This is an excellent base to explore the geysers in the area as well as the lake and some fantastic hiking.
Couleur Cafe
A small friendly guesthouse in the centre of the town offering delightful ensuite bedrooms set around a courtyard. The main attraction here is the superb French restaurant with its wonderful cuisine. There is a small shop should you wish to purchase locally made handicrafts.
Hotel Thermal Ranomafana
Hotel Thermal Ranomafana, conveniently situated just a 20-minute drive from the Ranomafana Park headquarters, is an ideal base for exploring the natural wonders of the region. The hotel offers 21 comfortable and simply furnished rooms, all equipped with air conditioning to ensure a pleasant stay. One of the hotel's highlights is its spacious restaurant, complete with an outdoor terrace. Here, guests can indulge in a variety of cuisines and choose from a generous selection of wines, creating a delightful dining experience. Additionally, the hotel provides WiFi access throughout the property, allowing guests to stay connected during their stay. After days spent exploring the stunning landscapes and biodiversity of the Ranomafana region, Hotel Thermal Ranomafana offers a welcoming retreat where guests can relax and unwind in comfort.
Anja Reserve Lodge
Located at the entrance to the Anja Community Reserve, near Ambalavao, with rolling rocks and bright pink bougainvillea as your panoramic view. The spectacular colours of the surrounding Malgasy nature welcome you to Anja Reserve Lodge. Each of the five suites has incredible views of the granite mountains of Anja, the cool polished concrete floors reflect the nature outside. Enter through a hand-carved door to your soothing surrounds, linen curtains, hand woven raffia lamp shades and beautiful black and white images of local villages. Dine at Tongasoa - a fine culinary experience with a compassionate twist. Their aim is to promote the protection of the biodiversity in the area, as well as contributing to social development. Each dish contributes to projects in the region, providing medical care, education and sustainable development to local communities.
Jardin Du Roy
Jardin du Roy is a luxury lodge set on the southern boundary of Isalo National Park in the south west of Madagascar. Built from granite to blend in with the landscape, it is a great place to take time to relax and enjoy great views or explore the local surroundings. It has 40 luxury rooms set across from a large swimming pool and 8 bungalows. There are great horse riding and hiking opportunities. The onsite biofarm provides fresh fruit, vegetables and fish for the restaurants delicious meals.
Mantadia Lodge
Mantadia Lodge is a contemporary rainforest lodge located near Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in eastern Madagascar, overlooking lush forested hills. The lodge offers around 25 stylish rooms and suites, including bungalows and family units, all with en-suite bathrooms and private terraces with forest views. Facilities include a restaurant and bar, an infinity swimming pool, a spa and wellness area, and comfortable lounge spaces, all designed to blend with the natural environment. Its location close to the Analamazaotra Reserve makes it an ideal base for exploring Madagascar’s unique wildlife, including indri lemurs, while enjoying modern comfort in a tranquil rainforest setting.
Dates & Prices Wonders of the Red Island
| Date | Passengers | Trip Length | Trip Style | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th - 17th September 2027 | 8 | 14 Days | Small Group | 7000 |
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Client Reviews
- —Elizabeth Wood, Madagascar, July 2025
Excellent and prompt communication. Tailored the trip to our needs. Great guides and wildlife enclunters. Guides accommodating guests needs. Wonderful choice of accommodation.
- —Terry G who travelled on Madagascar: Small Group Safari 2022
Everything that was shown to me and described to me before the trip was exactly as it played out and I can humbly say that this trip exceeded my expectations. The guide we had was fantastic. He was not only knowledgeable with answers for every question and concern but his passion, pride, and love for his home was quite evident which made it easy to learn about Madagascar regarding the wildlife, the cities, the countryside, the people and everything else in between. Thank you for this experience and a special thanks to Toky, our guide who made this trip very special and to be quite honest, the best trip I have been fortunate to enjoy.
- —Valerio Reggiani, Madagascar, October 2024
We had the most amazing experience of our lives. Madagascar played a big role in this, as it’s an incredible country with equally incredible people who have a culture very different from ours. Every moment you spend on the island stays in your heart, whether you’re on land or underwater. It’s a beautiful place, and it will all remain unforgettable.
On the other hand, the company helped us organize a flawless trip, even though it could have been full of challenges. It was a 25-day journey with numerous hotels, transfers, private flights, and luggage shipments. There were many things that could have gone wrong. Instead, thanks to the company’s organization, everything went perfectly. There were no issues whatsoever, and the planning was impeccable.
I had dedicated 24/7 support from a contact in the UK, a contact in Madagascar, and a local guide who was with us 24/7. We also had a private driver always at our disposal, as well as another local guide who knew every single village we visited in detail. It was a perfect trip. Our honeymoon was truly unforgettable. I want to thank everyone involved in organizing this incredible journey.