Itinerary Highlights
- Exquisite, wildlife-rich rainforest at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park - see Lemurs, Chameleons and rare birds
- Sample Malagasy culture in Antananarivo
- Sublime, sunny Baobab Beach
- Rare Sambirano Domain wildlife - lemurs, chameleons and more
- Superb snorkelling and chance to see Green turtles
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
14 nights from £4,275 - £4,675 per person
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
This is an easy two-week tailor-made holiday in Madagascar combining stunning wildlife-rich eastern rainforests and a lovely eco-sensitive hotel at a reef-protected beach on the tropical Baobab Beach, opposite Nosy Be island.
The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park protects 11 species of lemur as well as many reptiles including the enormous Parson's chameleon, and most of the country's rainforest-dependent endemic birds, such as the Blue coua and Nuthatch vanga. In th 10,000ha primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park, you can see the Diademed sifaka and a select band of other rarities not necessarily found at Andasibe ('Perinet').
Night walks may reveal the localised Goodman's Mouse lemur and a host of other nocturnal denizens of the central-eastern rainforests. This area holds a world record for number of frog species among rainforests of comparable size.
End the holiday on the balmy, tropical Baobab Beach, where Eden Lodge, one of our favourite properties is discreetly located on a wooded peninsula accessible only by means of speedboat from Nosy Be island.
Nearby, Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve is a must for any visitor - its an uninhabited reserve islet near Nosy Be which is easily reached by speedboat. Around Tanikely, the marine life beckons snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts from around the globe. You're very likely to see large Green turtles and a myriad of colourful reef fish. Back at Eden Lodge, in the surrounding Sambirano woods, you may well encounter some Black lemurs and by night, Fork-marked lemurs too.
This trip is perfect for couples, or for families with children over age 10. It can be undertaken any time from the latter half of April through to early December.
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - Antananarivo
Fly overnight with Ethiopian Airlines*** from London (or selected regional airports) via Addis Ababa
On arrival into Antananarivo. you will be met and transferred to the Relais de Plateaux for a one night stay. This comfortable hotel, which has one of Madagascar's best restaurants, is just 5 - 10 minutes drive from the airport so very conveniently located.
**** Should you prefer to fly with another international carrier, please do let us know and we can advise and quote accordingly.
Day 1 Arrival into Antananarivo
Tonga Soa - a warm welcome to Madagascar!
On arrival into Antananarivo off your international flight, you will be welcomed and transferred to the boutique hotel La Varangue where you stay overnight with breakfast.
Day 3 Antananarivo & Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Pe
After a leisurely breakfast, your professional wildlife expert guide and driver collect you at your hotel. You will be driven 5 hours eastwards along winding tarmac roads to Mantadia Lodge Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
Begin your exploration of the reserve in search of the iconic, ape-like Indri along with a plethora of other rainforest-dependent wildlife. Evening walk in the Station Forestier de Analamazaotra rainforest concession managed by proactive NGO Association Mitsinjo, for nocturnal wildlife. Stay 3 nights in Mantadia Lodge, breakfast, dinner included.
Day 4 Maromizaha Rainforest Reserve OR Mantadia National Park
Explore the beautiful rainforest of either Maromizaha Reserve OR Mantadia National Park to seek Diademed sifaka, Red-bellied lemur, insectivorous tenrecs and the rainforest-dependent ground rollers.
In 2022, many clients reported superb wildlife experiences at Maromizaha, so currently that is our choice. (The few who did make it to Mantadia in 2022 reported very reduced wildlife sightings). Both Maromizaha and Mantadia are 10,000 ha tracts of mid-altitude rainforest where trails are graded as moderate, so are not as easy as those in Andasibe or Analamazaotra.
Day 5 Andasibe and Amalamazaotra ('Perinet')
Your guides will take you to explore the rainforest of Andasibe, where groups of Indri and other iconic rainforest species are readily seen along paths mostly graded as 'easy'.
Make a second night stroll after dark, to chalk up more nocturnal critters.
Day 6 Andasibe - Antananarivo
Morning walk to explore more of either Andasibe (the national park), or visit the rainforest of Analamazaotra Special Reserve across the road, administered by Association Mitsinjo which works with Money for Madagascar.
After lunch, set off with your guide and driver in your comfortable, private, air-conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicle on the 5 hour journey back to Antananarivo, where you arrive late afternoon at Relais des Plateaux Hotel & Spa to stay overnight with breakfast included.
Day 7 Antananarivo - Nosy Be (flight)
You will be driven to the airport for the flight*** to Nosy Be, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the Exora Beach Hotel to stay overnight in a double room, dinner and breakfast included.
*** The daily flights to Nosy Be tend to operate in the late afternoons, so for safety reasons (sea conditions), it is best to spend your first night on Nosy Be.
Day 8 Nosy Be - Baobab Beach (speedboat)
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Nosy Be Port for the 45 minute speedboat transfer to Baobab Beach, where you enjoy a 6-night stay in an en-suite East Africa Meru-styled tented chalet at delightful Eden Lodge, with all meals included.
Complimentary lodge activities include snorkelling and kayaking.
Activities with a surcharge include spa treatments, day excursions by boat to sites such as Nosy Tanikely and also, scuba diving.
Day 9 Baobab Beach - Eden Lodge
Enjoy lovely, palm-lined Baobab beach, or discover the nearby islands such as Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, famed for its coral formations.
You can explore the coastal Sambirano woods around the lodge with the on-site guide, who can point out locally endemic wildlife by day and after dark. Further afield, there is the protected Sambirano forest of Lokobe on Nosy Be, where, among other critters, you can easily see the critically endangered Hawks' (Nosy Be) sportive lemur (pictured here).
In season, it is possible to arrange unforgettable whale shark and humpback whale watching excursions through the lodge. (Ask us for details).
Please note that whales and whale sharks are wild animals so sightings can never be guaranteed: officially the whale watching season is 01 July - 30 September, but global weather patterns can result in unforeseen changes of seasonal movements - our recommendation for those who want to see the whales, is to travel in July or August.
The whale sharks tend to arrive by September and stay through December. Green turtles are commonly seen year round.
Day 10 Baobab Beach - Eden Lodge
Relax at the lodge or partake in various activities which can be arranged at the lodge.
Eden Lodge can arrange scuba diving at an excellent diving centre on Nosy Be. The centre has quality equipment and qualified instructors and the area offers world class scuba diving opportunities.
Day 11 Baobab Beach - Eden Lodge
With Eden Lodge as your secluded base, you can either relax by the lodge, or venture out and explore the Nosy Be archipelago - or, arrange excursions in the vicinity of the lodge, to locations seen by very few tourists.
Each chalet has private massage bed at the back.
The wildlife in this remote outpost is interesting - by day, species unique to north-west Madagascar such as Black lemur are commonly seen in the grounds, as are brightly coloured Panther chameleons. By night, the site is known to be excellent for the likes of Fork-marked lemur.
Day 12 Baobab Beach - Eden Lodge
Another day to savour the delights of the balmy North-western Sambirano coast.
Some surprisingly rare and even Critically Endangered species have been recorded in the area around Eden Lodge, including Madagascar fish eagle and at night, even the bizarre Aye Aye has been spotted a few times during nocturnal strolls in the surrounding woods!
Day 13 Baobab Beach - Eden Lodge
Day to enjoy Baobab Beach - as is shown here in the drone view, the property is small and in season, our guests have even reported seeing Green turtles coming right up to their chalets to deposit eggs.
Day 14 Baobab Beach - Nosy Be - Addis Ababa
You will be transferred by speedboat and road back to Nosy Be Airport, to check in for the afternoon flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa, arriving in the evening.
We will provide details so you can arrange access to one of the new lounges in Bole International Airport.
Day 15 International flight back to UK
Connect with the Ethiopian Airlines flight departing around 01h00 to London (or Manchester). Arrive back into the UK around 07h00 after a wonderful holiday!
If you prefer to fly internationally on other airlines, please call us for a tailor-made quotation.
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £4,275 - £4,675 per person
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Ethiopian Airlines international flights via Addis Ababa (economy class seating from London or Manchester)
Departure taxes
Air Madagascar domestic flights
Accommodation and meals as specified
Park entry permits
Exclusive services of a qualified driver and a professional English-speaking wildlife expert guide for Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and Antananarivo
Transfers by road (private transportation) and by speedboat
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Visa fee (€18)
Drinks, items of a personal nature, additional meals and any activities not mentioned.
Pricing Notes
If you prefer to fly on another international carrier, please let us know so we can quote accordingly.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
