Madagascar Contrasts in Style

Enjoy more activities around Mandrare River Camp today - and we'll weave in a visit to the famed Berenty Private Reserve nearby, as there you'll be able to see high concentrations of southern Malagasy wildlife, which makes it a photographer's dream.

Morning to enjoy more activities around Mandrare River Camp. You will be transferred to Fort Dauphin after lunch at camp, to stay overnight in the Talinjoo Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.

You will be transferred from Talinjoo Hotel to Fort Dauphin Airport to check in for the Madagascar Airways flight to Antananarivo. On arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to Relais des Plateaux to stay in a superior double room with breakfast. During the balance of the day your guide and driver will take you to the Royal Village of Ambohimanga, where you can see beautifully restored summer homes of departed Merina monarchs. This picturesque hilltop village is a spiritual centre for the Merina people. Time allowing you can also visit Banana Rova, one of the country's best restaurants.

Transfer to Antananarivo Airport for the twice-weekly scheduled charter flights to Maroantsetra, the access airport. Flight duration is about 90 minutes and there is no irksome check-in, as you go straight to the private lounge. On arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the boat pickup point. Set off on the speedboat transfer to Masoala Forest Lodge, at a beautiful, quiet beach on the wild Masoala Peninsula. Stay 3 nights in a tree-house-styled tented en-suite room on an all-inclusive basis*** During this approximately two hour journey, you will be overawed by the dramatic rainforest backdrop, especially where lowland rainforest still extends unbroken to clear waters. You might see dolphins, flying fish and from July to September, Humpback whales. Once you have settled comfortably into your treehouse, meet the other guests for sundowners around a fire on the beach. After dinner, your guide meets you to discuss possible excursions for the rest of your stay here. **** The lodge rates include: • Road transfers in Maroantsetra (airport to boat, boat to airport) • Speedboat transfers from Maroantsetra to the Masoala Forest Lodge, return • National Park permits and fees for every day of your stay • Private guide for every day of your stay • Accommodation and all meals • all non-alcoholic drinks • home made flavoured rums and other locally manufactured spirits • activities at Masoala Forest Lodge as per itinerary • one free massage per guest • sunset cruise on the sailing pirogue • laundry service

Awaken early for coffee and breakfast on the sea deck before setting off on the day’s adventure with your guide. Take a quick boat ride up the coast to the primary rainforest in search of the Red ruffed lemurs, Dwarf chameleons, Helmet Vangas, and other wildlife endemic to the forest. After some hours in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns, return to camp by boat for a well - earned lunch and rest . Your afternoon activities could range from snorkelling on the nearby, highly diverse coral reefs to a sunset paddle out to a scenic outlook (and the chance of a close encounter with Green Turtles) to relaxing in a hammock underneath the beach After dinner, a guided night walk provides the only opportunity to spot some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife, such as Dwarf and Mouse lemurs, Leaf - tailed geckos, or even the elusive Aye Aye

After breakfast on the sea deck, traverse the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point by kayak. Stop for a swim on the beach at the “Sacred Island” and then continue your paddle into a pristine mangrove and forested river, with the chance of spotting Blue- spotted stingrays in the shallow water or perhaps the Lesser Bamboo lemurs crossing the river. Paddle back to the lodge for lunch and spend another afternoon lounging in our beach hammocks or exploring the lodge’s various reefs. Enjoy sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.

You will be transferred by speedboat back to Maroantsetra Airport where you will be checked in quickly for the scheduled charter flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, you'll be welcomed and transferred back to Relais des Plateaux to stay overnight with breakfast included. We can arrange a sightseeing trip for you during the balance of the day and highly recommend for our clients to visit the Cafe de la Musee, where if you wish, you can even have a Malagasy cooking class with the renowned Chef Johary.

You'll be transferred to Antananarivo Airport to check in for the scheduled MTA flight to Anjajavy (these operate Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings both ways). On arrival into Anjajavy's airstrip, you will be welcomed and transferred to Anjajavy Le Lodge to stay for 5 nights in a sea-facing, airconditioned villa on an all inclusive basis**** Being here completes your experience of Madagascar's three chief floristic zones, so you can truly appreciate their dramatic contrasts and enjoy what they have to offer in terms of biodiversity. *** Lodge rates includes: full board and non-premium drinks (hot beverages, Malagasy rum cocktails, table wine, national soft drinks and sparkling mineral water during at mealtimes.

Enjoy remote Anjajavy, where aside from excellent accommodation in an idyllic location, you can see plenty of wildlife, much of it unique to the highly threatened west Malagasy tropical deciduous woodlands. Among the non-motorised activities included in the rates are the following walking excursions: • From Cove to cove • The Salt Wells Path • The ;King’s Alley • The Sakalava path • The Tsingy Enclosure • The 'Alley of Baobabs' Marobozo

More time to explore the fantastic tropical dry deciduous forest of Anjajavy Reserve, which during recent years was doubled in size and protects one of the very few remaining tracts of this highly threatened forest type on the island. The total protected area of the Reserve is 10,803ha, including 1,030ha of Private Reserve and 9,773ha of IUCN V Protected Area Harmonious Landscape). As terrain is generally flat and gentle, walks are graded as 'Easy' and there are good guides, who will point out rare wildlife along the way. Additionally, the area includes a healthy mangrove system in which boat excursions are on offer.

Another day which can be spent either exploring more of the wonderful forest reserve, or perhaps relaxing on one of the sunny beaches. There's snorkelling to be had especially around Moramba Bay, which is certainly a place all guests should visit as a day trip. Night walks too, are very interesting and rewarding - you may see (and certainly hear) vociferous Milne-Edward's sportive lemurs, and encounter many tiny Mouse lemurs of two species - the Gray mouse lemur which is very common here, and the larger Danfoss' mouse lemur. In spring and summer, look for Fat-tailed dwarf lemurs, which aestivate in winter.

Your last day in this remote, secluded and wonderful place. Savour the delights of Anjajavy, where you'll also be assured of top-notch hospitality and great food. Many of our clients who have travelled here with us, return for more visits. Contact us if you'd like to arrange optional extras, such as a Star Bed night in a discreet cove.

Take the scheduled light aircraft transfer from Anjajavy back to Antananarivo, arriving at 11h00. You will be transferred to Relais des Plateaux where you have the use of a day room and can freshen up. You will then be transferred back to the airport to check in for your flight*** home after an extraordinary and wonderful trip! *** This sample itinerary and costing is based on Air France international flights (economy class seating) between UK and Antananarivo. Should you prefer to fly on another carrier, do let us know and we can tweak your itinerary accordingly.

Arrive back home with a wonderful catalogue of memories and a smorgasbord of wildlife observations and experiences to treasure.