Madagascar Wildlife Adventure

Take an overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Antananarivo, via Addis Ababa.

Arrive early this afternoon and transfer to your hotel. After welcome drinks and dinner, take a night walk to Analamazaotra Reserve. Here you may spot nocturnal species, including mouse, greater dwarf and eastern woolly lemurs. Overnight at Andasibe Hotel (or similar).

Enjoy a morning walk in Andasibe, returning to the lodge for lunch. Visit Lemur Island in Vakona Private Reserve, an island sanctuary for lemurs, ahead of an afternoon walk in Andasibe. After dinner, embark on a night walk to the Analamazaotra Reserve. Overnight at Andasibe Hotel (or similar).

Spend the day walking through Maromizaha Reserve. Lemur species that can be spotted include the Indri and the diadem sifaka alongside an array of orchids, chameleons and bird species. Alternatively, for a less strenuous option, walk in Mitsinjo Reserve and plant an endemic tree as part of the area’s reforestation project. Overnight at Andasibe Hotel (or similar).

Drive back to Antananarivo for an afternoon city tour, including the hills of the royal palaces and the botanical and zoological garden of Tsimbazaza. Enjoy a special chef’s dinner in the evening. Overnight at Le Royal Palissandre (or similar).

Drive to Antsahabe, a village typical of the Merina tribe. After lunch, continue to the spa town of Antsirabe for an afternoon tour. Antsirabe is a centre of the gem trade and home to hundreds of pousse pousse (rickshaws), a legacy of Chinese labour imported to work on the railways. Overnight at Couleur Cafe Hotel (or similar).

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. In the evening, walk in search of nocturnal species. Overnight at Hotel Thermal (or similar).

During your morning walk in Ranomafana National Park, see if you can spot the three resident species of bamboo lemur: the grey, the golden and the greater. Endemic birding in the park is also excellent. This afternoon, visit Tanala village. Overnight at Hotel Thermal (or similar).

Enjoy a morning walk in the National Park, before an afternoon visit to the Ranomafana Arboretum, home to hundreds of rare tree species. This evening, search for nocturnal species during an evening walk. Overnight at Hotel Thermal (or similar).

This 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).

Spend the next 2 days exploring the spectacular sandstone landscapes of Isalo National Park. Seek out flora and fauna including ring-tailed lemurs, Malagasy hoopoes, Verraux’s sifakas and the elephant’s foot plant, and enjoy a traditional music performance as the sun sets. Stay at Relais de la Reine (or similar).

Continue the exploration of the Isalo National Park. (B, L, D)

Continue towards the west coast. Stop en route at Zombitse-Vohibasia 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 baobab trees and traditional family tombs, central to Malagasy culture. Transfer to Ifaty, a quiet coastal fishing village boasting a long beach, for your evening farewell dinner. Overnight at Les Dunes d’Ifaty (or similar).

Spend your morning at leisure. Late this afternoon, fly from Toliara to Antananarivo. Overnight at Palissandre Hotel & Spa (or similar).

After a morning at leisure, take an afternoon flight to the UK via Addis Ababa, arriving the following day.

Arrive in London (N).

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.