Itinerary Highlights
- Aye ayes and Ruffed lemurs; Indris & Diademed sifakas
- Fosa and Baobabs; Leaf-tailed geckoes & Chameleons
- Critically endangered Perrier's black sifakas at Andrafiamena
- Ground-rollers, Vangas, Couas and other endemic birds
- Whale sharks, turtles and colourful coral formations
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
(Single person supplement from £1,240)
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
We are proud to offer another of our annual Madagascar Wildlife small group departures with Daniel Austin, author of Madagascar: Bradt Guide and Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitors Guide.
An accomplished tour-leader, Madagascar expert Daniel has been leading very successful small group departures for us for several years now, taking guests to seek a wide variety of Madagascar's most unusual and spectacular protected areas. Through the years these tours have delivered a stunning catalogue of wildlife sightings - participants can expect to be left with with a smorgasbord of wonderful memories and lengthy checklists including some of the island's rarest and most sought-after species.
The tour begins with a journey to the Eastern escarpment, with a stay in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, so guests can explore the wildlife-rich Eastern rainforests and enjoy observing iconic species such as Indri, Parsons chameleon and others. From Andasibe, continue down to the Eastern lowlands where people come to the Palmarium Private Reserve primarily to see Aye ayes, and to photograph numerous other lemurs resident there.
The second part entails a visit to Kirindy Forest in the hot Western plains, where sought-after mammal attractions include Fosa, Verreaux's sifaka and Fork-marked lemur, among others. Kirindy also represents an example of the island's most endangered forest type, i.e. its Western tropical dry deciduous forests and what makes this area particularly special is the presence of three of the 6 endemic Malagasy Baobabs. (Uniquely, this tour allows for participants to see ALL of Madagascar's six endemic Baobab species).
The third leg of the tour starts with a flight up to the far North (Diego Suarez) for the 'Northern Parks Loop': the first stop, Montagne d'Ambre National Park, is especially excellent for herpetologists, with various species of Uroplatus, the famed Leaf-tailed geckoes, being present. After having explored Montagne d'Ambre, continue southwards to the seldom visited Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Protected Area, a community-managed initiative where the key mammal attraction is the critically endangered Perrier's black sifaka. We have been the leading specialist tour operator bringing ecotourists to Andrafiamena-Andavakoera to appreciate the rare wildlife and the work being done to protect it.
Still in the Northern parks loop, the tour then continues to the remarkable Ankarana National Park, one of the distinctive raised limestone karst plateaux in the western half of the island, topped with fields of razor sharp pinnacles called 'tsingy'. After having explored this incredible place, the trip continues to remote and secluded Baobab Beach, just opposite Nosy Be island. Here, participants can enjoy a breather with some world class snorkelling at Parc Marin Nosy Tanihely and see the wildlife of the 'Sambirano' Domain, where rainforest and deciduous forest types merge. Also in the programme is a visit to Lokobe Reserve, which protects a fine stand of Sambirano Forest. Swimming with Whale sharks and marine Turtles is also on the cards, here.
As ever, Daniel will be accompanied by ace Malagasy guide, Harry Rakotosalama, who also has superb experience when it comes to showing natural history enthusiasts around his country's incredible wild places.
Group size is restricted to a maximum of 8 guests.
DATES: 11 - 31 October 2025
Itinerary
Day 1 10 October 2025: International flight to Antananarivo
Day 2 11 October 2025 - Welcome to Madagascar!
Day 3 12 October 2025: Antananarivo - Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Day 4 13 October 2025: Andasibe-Mantadia National Park - Maromizaha
Day 5 14 October 2025 - Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 6 15 October 2025: Andasibe-Mantadia - Le Palmarium (Pangalanes)
Day 9 18 October 2025: Antananarivo - Morondava (flight) - Kirindy Forest (drive)
Day 10 19 October 2025 : Kirindy and Marofandilia Forests
Day 12 21 October 2025: Antananarivo - Diego Suarez - Montagne d'Ambre
Day 13 22 October 2025: Montagne d'Ambre
Day 14 23 October 2025: Montagne d'Ambre - Andrafiamena-Andavakoera
Day 15 24 October 2025 - Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Protected Area
Day 16 25 October 2025 Andrafiamena - Ankarana National Park
Day 17 26 October 2025: Ankarana National Park
Day 18 27 October 2025 - Ankarana National Park - Baobab Beach
Day 19 28 October 2024 - Lokobe Reserve & Nosy Tanikely
Day 20 29 October 2025 - Whale Sharks & Turtles!
Day 21 30 October 2025: Nosy Be - Antananarivo
Day 22 31 October 2025: Departure
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
(Single person supplement from £1,240)
Craig Kaufman
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
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
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