“The southern section of Madagascar offers some of the best whale sightings, many different types of endemic lemurs, the unparalleled Spiny Forest and incredible cultures. This itinerary offers a snapshot of what this most unique island has to offer. If you have time, add a visit to Andasibe for more lemurs and unique rainforests.”
Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a private guide and escorted by car to your accommodation in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana.
The remainder of your day will be spent at leisure.
This morning, you’ll be transferred back to Ivato Airport to board your flight to Ifotaka, a journey of around 2–3 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and escorted to your luxury riverside camp.
In the evening, depart for a guided night walk through the Forest of Zenavo, where you can watch lemurs, sifakas, and a variety of nocturnal species including mouse lemurs, chameleons and owls.
After breakfast, your guide will take you south across the Mandrare River to the Sacred Gallery Forest to explore the wildlife and plants – highlights of this excursion include Verreaux’s sifaka and ring-tailed lemurs.
After lunch and an afternoon around the pool, you’ll walk through the Sacred Spiny Forest to witness its unique flora and fauna, and see the ancestral tombs of the Antandroy tribe.
Round off your day with sundowners overlooking the river.
It’s an early start this morning as you visit the Spiny Forest at daybreak. Look out for endemic birds, such as the crested coua, various vanga species, and the running coua. Head back to camp for breakfast, before visiting either the local market or an Antandroy village to meet local tribespeople.
After lunch and an afternoon at leisure, sip a sundowner among the baobab trees, before enjoying a live music and dance performance from the Antandroy tribe.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to Lac Anony, a saltwater lake separated from the Indian Ocean by a series of sand dunes. You’ll witness salt-water birds including greater flamingos; tuck into a picnic lunch on the lakeshore; and climb the dunes for panoramic views, before refreshing with a dip in the lake.
Today begins with a 25-minute flight to Fort Dauphin, where you’ll be greeted by a guide and escorted to the Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge, a journey of around 2.5 hours.
Check into your beach bungalow and refresh before a guided evening walk in South Madagascar’s coastal rainforest, home to five species and three sub-species of lemurs and around 80 species of birds.
After breakfast at camp, you’ll head to the Stitch Project. Set up by a local NGO, the project aims to provide local Antanosy women with a sustainable income by training them in embroidery, English and business skills. You’ll meet the women, watch them at work, and have the opportunity to buy their wares.
Enjoy a three-course lunch and relaxing afternoon at camp, before exploring the local mangrove network by motorboat – a fantastic trip for birdwatchers, botanists and photographers.
It’s another early start today, as you take a sunrise walk through the coastal forest. Here you may see groups of red-collared lemurs and numerous bird species, including giant coua, hook-billed vanga, and greater and lesser vesa parrots.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before your late afternoon excursion to see Madagascar’s largest bat, the flying fox, in a nearby forest.
Enjoy a morning at leisure at the lodge. You have the option of two excursions at additional cost: whale watching or deep sea fishing.
After lunch, you’ll visit a local Antanosy village, where you’ll learn about their customs and interact with the fishermen and their families. Round off the excursion with sundowners overlooking Manafiafy Bay.
Today you’ll be escorted to Fort (Douglas) Dauphin Airport for the flight to Tana, where you’ll catch your onward flight.
AUTHENTICITYWe won't take you to the usual tourist traps, instead we'll introduce you to people that show you the true side of a country. With our contacts in each destination, we can arrange for you to meet locals away from the crowds and ensure an authentic experience.
EXPERTISEYou can rely on our extensive first-hand knowledge and years of experience in the country you’re visiting. We use only the best expert guides, and provide insider tips on the local customs, and everything from vibrant festivals to hidden Himalayan monasteries
PERSONAL SERVICEYour vacation will be as unique as you are. By getting to know you and what makes you tick, we fuse our wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of our destinations to create unique day by day itineraries that are built around you.
