Sights & Sounds of Madagascar

Antananarivo

Today you will be met upon arrival into Madagascar by your driver and professional guide who will show you to your private vehicle. A short transfer brings you to the atmospheric centre of Antananarivo and your boutique hotel for the night. Enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure.

Overnight: Relais des Plateaux

Antananarivo - Palmarium

Meet your Malagasy naturalist guide, befor departing on a 7 hour road transfer to Manambato and then travel by boat to the magical Palmarium Reserve along the Pangalanes Canal. After an hour or so of passing local fishing villages, you will arrive at the private reserve of Palmarium. The rest of the afternoon is yours at leisure to relax and explore your new surroundings.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge (B, D)

Palmarium

Enjoy today with a forest walk with one of the lodge guides. Here it is possible to see a family of indri, Coquerel's sifakas, black lemurs, crowned lemurs, black and white ruffed lemurs and red lemurs. This reserve provides excellent photograph opportunities as you can get very close to the lemurs. The afternoon is all yours, enjoy at your own leisure to relax or explore the reserve independently. At 17:30, go is search of the mysterious aye-aye, where currently 6 live on an nearby island. This elusive lemur has been long persecuted as an omen of evil and death, with its rodent-like teeth and special middle finger. Hunted by the Malagasys, they are now seldom seen in Madagascar , so this opportunity is very rare and is the best place in the country to see them.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge (B, L, D)

Palmarium - Andasibe

Today you will make your way to the renowned reserve of Andasibe by boat through the Pangalanes Canal and then by road. This is a stunning rainforest with some truly wonderful wildlife. This afternoon, enjoy your first exploration of the park. For those a little more adventurous, try your first night walk to see the nocturnal flora and fauna of the forest! Overnight: Mantadia Lodge

Andasibe - Mantadia National Park

Spend two days exploring Andasibe/Perinet National Park and Mantadia National Park with your local wildlife guide. A montane forest park offering the chance to spot a variety of lemurs, reptiles and birds. One of the most famous inhabitants here, is the largest of all lemurs, the Indri. You will hear the Indri before you see one, waking up to their songs of communication in the early hours of the morning with the mist still hugging the rainforest canopy. Other lemurs which can be seen here include the red-bellied lemur, brown lemur and lesser bamboo lemur. Whilst nocturnal species include the brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur (seen Sep/Oct - May), Eastern wooly lemur, sportive lemur and the aye-aye. Overnight: Mantadia Lodge

Andasibe - Antananarivo

Enjoy one final excursion into the park this morning, before transferring to Tana. A chance to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel this afternoon or alternatively explore this atmospheric city!

Overnight: Relais des Plateaux (B, D)

Antananarivo -Ile Sainte Marie

Today you will fly from Tana, into the tropical island of Sainte Marie, located off of the east coast of Madagascar. This is a fantastic location for some beach relaxation and/or marine and land based exploration.

Overnight: Princesse Bora Lodge (B, D)

Ile Sainte Marie

Relax for the next few days in this idyllic setting. Enjoy a variety of activities including driving, snorkelling and relaxing by the pool. A highlight of your stay here is the opportunity to go whale watching. During the months of July to September, hundreds of humpback whales come to this area for breeding. Up to 15 metres in length, this is a spectacular experience for an up close and personal encounter as you visit the whales with a research team and help them to collect vital research data. Breeching whales is an experience not to be missed!

Overnight: Princesse Bora Lodge (B, L, D)

Ile Sainte Marie - Antananarivo

Today you will depart this idyllic paradise. You will be met and transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Antananarivo for your onward flight home.