August 8 – 21, 2012

Madagascar is a world apart. Its forests are home to indri indri, diademed sifakas, aye-ayes, tenrecs, fossa, didiera and pachypodia. Even the best-traveled nature lover will make a kaleidoscope of discoveries here—upwards of 80 percent of Madagscar's plants and animals exist nowhere else on Earth.

Note: Because of the challenges presented by a truly wild destination like Madagascar, this trip is ideal for flexible travelers with a sense of adventure and expeditionary travel experience. Please review the "What to Expect" section of our Terms & Conditions page for more details.

Trip Itinerary

The dates below do not include travel time to and from the destination. Please consult our tour operator, Natural Habitat Adventures, to discuss your best flight options.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012: Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrive in Johannesburg and gather for a welcome dinner. Southern Sun Hotel (D)

Thursday-Saturday, August 9-11: Antananarivo / Pèrinet, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, and drive to Pèrinet Reserve in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Madagascar has more than 15 species of lemur, and the world’s largest is found here, the indri indri, whose arresting call sounds like loud, eerie wailing. We may also spy diademed sifakas or the palm-sized brown mouse lemurs. We stay at Vakona Forest Lodge and spend two days exploring the park, a critical component of Madagascar’s efforts to conserve its biodiversity. This threatened biome contains a thousand different orchid species, a plethora of medicinal plants, and a neon spectrum of chameleons. One evening we take a night walk to spot nocturnal creatures.

We will also plan to visit Lemur Island, a small island sanctuary near Vakona Lodge which has allowed orphaned lemurs to thrive. There are regularly several species of lemur, which have become quite habituated to visitors allowing for amazing close-up encounters and great photo opportunities. Vakona Forest Lodge (B,L,D daily)

Sunday & Monday, August 12 & 13: Ranomafana National Park
Take a charter flight to Fianarantsoa, where we meet our vehicle and drive to Ranomafana National Park. Characterized by a mountainous and steep terrain, the range of altitudes covered in the park allows for forest types ranging from lowland rainforest, to cloud forest, to high plateau forest. Waterfalls and verdant green cliffs abound in this rugged wilderness. The park hosts 12 species of lemur, a variety of chameleons and other reptiles, the fascinating but rarely-seen fossa, and more than 100 bird species. Setam Lodge (B,L,D daily)

Tuesday, & Wednesday, August 14 & 15: Isalo
Southern Madagascar is a profound contrast to the lush northeast, an arid zone of odd spiny forests and rocky canyons. Otherworldly trees pepper the landscape, including massive baobabs, spindly didiera and the swollen-footed, bottleshaped pachypodia. Drive south to look for ring-tailed lemurs among the cacti in Isalo National Park. And cool off in the secret swimming holes set deep in ancient canyons. Relais de La Reine (B,L,D daily)

Thursday, August 16: Zombitse & Vohibasia National Parks / Ifaty
Drive to Tulear and then to Zombitse and Vohibasia National Parks, offering some of Madagascar’s finest birdwatching. In the dry forest we look for the rare Appert’s greenbul, iridescent souimanga sunbird and, always, lemurs. Continuing to Ifaty, we check-in to our lodge before exploring nearby Reniala Reserve, one of the world’s most endangered biomes. Many resident species are found nowhere else on earth, including incredibly rare birds and octopus trees. In Ifaty we stay at Le Paradisier, a collection of thatched bungalows tucked along a beach on the Mozambique Channel. Le Paradisier (B,L,D daily)

Friday, August 17: Ifaty / Antananarivo
After another early morning visit to Reniala, drive to Tulear and fly back to Antananarivo. Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B,L,D)

Saturday-Monday, August 18-20: Anjajavy
Board a charter flight to Anjajavy Forest in the northwestern region of Madagascar. This remote area boasts a large number of endemic species, and we’ll look for Coquerel’s sifaka and the common brown lemur during our forest walks, as well as a wide variety of bird and reptile species. Our lodge allows us access to a private white-sand beach and excellent snorkeling opportunities for those interested. Anjajavy Hotel (B,L,D daily)

Tuesday, August 21: Antananarivo / Johannesburg
Enjoy a final morning at the lodge, then fly to Johannesburg for connecting flights homeward.