Join this 15-day Madagascar wildlife and rainforest expedition from western Madagascar to the eastern region of this island nation. Experience Madagascar's rainforest firsthand with its unique ecosystem and incredible biodiversity! Your journey begins in the hillside capital of Antananarivo, Morondava, and its famous baobab trees. Visit local communities, watch for wildlife, and walk or canoe along the banks of the paradise island of Sainte Marie. Enjoy a collection of unique towns and native villages, extraordinary landscapes, and traditional cultures. Spot diverse wildlife from Kirindy Reserve and its different species of lemurs, Perinet National Park & Vakona private reserve, Palmarium Reserve, and to the very south of Sainte Marie seaside beaches.
Highlights
Discover Madagascar highlands' amazing variety of landscapes
Explore Kirindy Reserve, home to a variety of endemic wildlife
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Depending on your flight schedule, meet with your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in town. Visit the natural wonders of the famous Baobab Avenue and learn about the flora, fauna, and unusual natural landscape of Madagascar. Drive-by vehicle and by foot to spot the endemic animals and plants of Kirindy. Witness one of the most endangered ecosystems and the famous giant jumper rat.
After your breakfast, meet your guide and continue your visit to the Kirindy Reserve. Explore the reserve and witness the large numbers of endemic animals that dwell within this reserve. The forest reserve is the home of different kinds of lemurs, birds, chameleons, mongooses, iguanas, and frogs. Keep your eyes peeled and, who knows what you might spot. Take a ferry to cross the Manambolo river before getting to Bekopaka village in the late afternoon.
Distance: 160 km Duration: 2h visit and +/- 6h of the track (depending on the ferry boat)
After your breakfast, continue your adventure and visit the small town of Bekopaka. Witness the mind-blowing Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a natural wonder park. Discover a cathedral of limestone, a network of faults, cracks, and blocks of limestone carved in blades. Next, hike to the stone forest and walk along swinging rope bridges, clamber over jagged peaks and squeeze through narrow crevices as you make your way through the park. Giant rocks are not the only point of interest at Tsingy de Bemaraha. Species of lemurs, reptiles, and varieties of birds. It is also the home of one of the smallest chameleons, the “Brookesia Perarmata.”
After breakfast, drive back to Morondava and cross the Manambolo and the Tsiribihina river by ferry. Pass through the famous Baobab Avenue “Allée des Baobabs.” Settle and rest at your hotel located in Nosy Kely on the large beach of Morondava.
Distance: 180 kmtrack Duration: +/- 7h
Day 6: Fly to Antananarivo | Andasibe National Park
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport back to Antananarivo. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in town. Then, head east towards Andasibe National Park, a true paradise for nature lovers. Enjoy its rich and incredible flora and fauna. Located in the Rural Municipality of Andasibe, this protected area is the most visited in Madagascar because of its proximity to the capital.
Distance: 150 km Duration: +/-1h flight and +/- 3h30 drive
Day 7: Andasibe National Park | Vakona Private Reserve
Continue your day exploring the Andasibe National park again. The park is a protected rainforest area in eastern Madagascar that includes the Analamazaotra Reserve, home to the large indri lemur, known for its distinctively loud song. The park’s rich biodiversity includes native species like the Parson’s chameleon, plus rare orchids and ferns. Trail circuits weave through dense forest, past lakes, and the Sacred Waterfall.
In the afternoon, visit the private reserve of Vakona. Discover the unique and different fauna and flora, crocodile park, and observe the lemurs in their natural habitat.
After your breakfast, continue your journey towards the east to Akanin'ny Nofy. Akanin'ny Nofy means "the nest of dreams" located in the eastern region, pass through to the hut village called Manambato and reach the reserve by boat. This peaceful and relaxing haven is home to white-sand beaches, forests, scattered orchids, botanical gardens, strings of lakes, and mangroves. This place has been famous for its very tame lemurs, ten species of lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, and crocodiles. Spend your days to continue discovering the Ankanin'ny Nofy and Palmarium Reserve. Explore the small hut villages, delicious foods, and sandy beaches. The reserve offers an excellent opportunity to spend time observing lemurs at close range. The most conspicuous species are black-and-white ruffed, black, brown, red-bellied, and crowned lemurs.
Distance: 140 km Duration: +/- 3 h drive and +/- 1-hour navigation
The Pangalanes Channel was established at the beginning of the 20th century; it stretches along the east coast for more than 400 km from Toamasina to Manakara, passing through the Rasoabe, Rasoamasay, and Ampitabe Lakes. It connects rivers, ponds, and lakes. Toamasina is where you navigate the waterway. Arriving at Toamasina River Port, car transfer is waiting at the river port and travels straight to Mahambo.
After breakfast, transfer to Sainte Marie via boat. The island is a popular destination in Madagascar, Nosy Boraha. Located northeast of Madagascar, Sainte Marie Island is a tropical paradise. An island is a place of soft-sand beaches backed by palms and fishing villages where old traditions are still alive and well. The island is full of history and activities to discover. Find extraordinary diving spots, dreamy beaches, and forest trails that delight nature lovers. Staying in a small beachside lodge, you can fill your days with as much activity as you like.
Continue your relaxing and peaceful stay in Sainte Marie. The best way to move around is by renting a mountain bicycle or motorbike to go east coast and visit the pirate graveyards or ride along the beach and villages. Visit “Ile aux Nattes” at the very south of Sainte Marie. It is a classic tropical island with curving white beaches and overhanging palms, a turquoise sea with waves breaking over the reef, a gentle breeze, and a lush green interior.
Day 15: Return home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Antananarivo.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30% plus 100% of internal flight costs are due at the time of booking, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Bank Transfer
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
