Madagascar Wildlife Adventure

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Antananarivo, via Addis Ababa, with Ethiopian Airways. (N)

Early morning arrival. Drive to Andasibe. Transfer to Andasibe Hotel (or similar) and stay for 3 nights. Afternoon introductory walk in Andasibe rainforest, home to the largest living lemurs, the indri. After dinner, take a night walk to Analamazaotra Reserve. Here you may spot nocturnal lemur species, including mouse, greater dwarf and eastern woolly lemurs. Welcome drinks reception before dinner. (B, L, D)

Morning walk in Andasibe. Return to the lodge for lunch. Visit Lemur Island in Vakona Private Reserve, a small island sanctuary for lemurs. Afternoon walk in Andasibe. After dinner, take a second night walk to the Analamazaotra Reserve. (B, L, D)

Full-day walk through the primary forest of Mantadia National Park. The beautiful scenery is home to the black and white ruffed lemur, the diademed sifaka, Parson’s chameleon and a wide variety of frogs. Alternatively, for the less active, walk in Mitsinjo Reserve and plant an endemic tree as part of the forest’s reforestation project. (B, L, D)

Morning drive back to Antananarivo. Stay 1 night at Le Royal Palissandre (or similar). Afternoon city tour including the hills of the royal palaces and the botanical and zoological garden of Tsimbazaza. Special chef’s dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)

Drive to Antsahabe, a village typical of the Merina tribe. After lunch, continue to the spa town of Antsirabe and stay 1 night at Couleur Café Hotel (or similar). Afternoon tour of Antsirabe, centre of the gem trade and home to hundreds of poussepousse (rickshaws), a legacy of Chinese labour imported to work on the railways. (B, L, D)

Continue south to Ambositra, known as Madagascar’s handicraft and wood-carving capital. Following a typical Malagasy lunch accompanied by folklore entertainment, continue to Ranomafana. Stay 3 nights at Thermal Hotel (or similar). Evening walk in search of nocturnal species. (B, L, D)

Morning walk in the Ranomafana National Park where you can spot three species of bamboo lemur: the grey, the golden and the greater. Endemic birding in the park is also excellent. Afternoon visit to Tanala village. (B, L, D)

Morning walk in Ranomafana National Park. Afternoon talk at the ValBio Research Centre by a specialist guide. Second evening walk in search of nocturnal species. (B, L, D)

Morning drive via Fianarantsoa, the Betsileo tribe’s capital, to the vineyard of Lazan’ny Betsileo. Continue to Ambalavao. Visit the Antemoro paper factory and the Anja Reserve, where ring-tailed lemurs are often spotted. Continue to Ranohira and stay 3 nights at Relais de la Reine (or similar). (B, L, D)

Full day to explore the breathtaking eroded sandstone landscapes of Isalo National Park. In the morning, visit the natural swimming pool where there is a crystal-clear waterfall that tumbles into a deep-green pool. In the afternoon continue to the Cascade des Nymphes where you may spot ring-tailed lemurs, Verreaux’s sifakas and the dumpy Elephant’s foot’ plant (flowers in September). Birdlife that you may see includes Malagasy hoopoes, white-browed owls, Madagascar nightjars and juvenile long-eared owls. (B, L, D)

Morning walk in Isalo National Park to explore the viewpoint. Enjoy a break at the hotel in the mid-afternoon to rest before an early evening traditional music performance against a view of the sunset. (B, L, D)

Continue towards the west coast. Stop en route at Zombitse-Vohibsia National Park. It may be possible to spot Appert’s tetrakas, one of the most endangered endemic birds on the island. The region is known for its large baobabs and traditional family tombs, central to Malagasy beliefs and culture. Stay 1 night at Les Dunes d’Ifaty (villa room) (or similar) in Ifaty, a quiet coastal fishing village known for its long beach. Evening farewell dinner. (B, D)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight from Toliara to Antananarivo. Transfer to Le Royal Palissandre (or similar) for 1 night. (B, L, D)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airways, arriving the following day. (B) (N)