A family of Ring-tailed Lemurs resting on a branch
A family of Ring-tailed Lemurs resting on a branch
Sunny views down the Canal des Pangalanes  | Ian Williams

Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar

Experience Madagascar’s wildlife, nature and culture on a perfectly paced seven-day guided adventure.

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 4 reviews

7 Days from

$1810 USD

Trip Code: CWM
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement
$620 USD
Child price 6-11 years (sharing with 2 adults)
$1290 USD
Solo Traveller Supplement
$1400 USD
Child price 12-16 years (sharing with 2 adults)
$1440 USD
Child price 6-16 years (sharing with 1 adult)
$1980 USD

Duration

  • 7 Days

Activities

  • Family Adventures
  • Wildlife Safari
  • Day Walking

Accommodation

  • 6 nights hotel

Meals

  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

55kg of CO2-e PP per day

(330kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Explore Madagascar’s eastern highlands and coast on a short, rewarding itinerary that captures the island’s natural and cultural highlights
  • Search for lemur and chameleons on guided walks in Andasibe’s Perinet Reserve
  • Journey by small boat along the Pangalanes Canal, a tranquil network of lakes and lagoons
  • Spend two nights at Ankanin’ny Nofy, where lemurs roam freely in a private forest reserve
  • Enjoy a night excursion in search of the rare Aye-Aye, one of Madagascar’s most elusive primates

Overview

Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and one of its most biologically unique. Around 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, from lemurs and chameleons to towering baobabs and rainforest orchids. Beyond its natural wonders, the island’s diverse cultures, French influences and rural charm make it an ideal destination for travellers seeking an active yet comfortable introduction to Africa’s most unique island nation.

This seven day guided journey explores the country’s eastern highlands and coast, combining rainforest walks, a gentle river cruise and time in small, welcoming hotels.

Begin in the capital, Antananarivo, before travelling east to the Andasibe region for your first encounters with lemurs in the Perinet Reserve. Continue to the tranquil Pangalanes Canal, a network of lakes and lagoons lined with tropical forest and traditional fishing villages, where you’ll stay in lodges set in nature and visit reserves rich in wildlife.

With comfortable accommodation, private transport and an experienced Malagasy guide, this short, family friendly adventure provides an engaging overview of Madagascar’s landscapes, wildlife and way of life.

Itinerary

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If you are arriving in Antananarivo on Day 1 you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight. If you are arriving on any other day, private airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. Overnight Hotel Belvédère or similar.

Meals: Nil

After breakfast, you will meet your driver-guide and afterwards we will drive to Andasibe. We journey towards the spectacular tropical coast, passing through scenery and villages that few get to see, and arrive in Andasibe in the afternoon. Later, we can take a night walk, searching for nocturnal species in the Mitsinjo Reserve. Overnight Hotel Eulophiella or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 145 km; 4 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we take a walk deep into the rainforest of Perinet Reserve, home to more than 9 species of lemurs, including the largest, the almost mythical Indri Indri, the most revered of all the species. But these explorations are not only about lemurs. There is a host of spectacular plant life, and the magical chameleons that are found throughout Madagascar. We will return to the hotel in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel Eulophiella or similar.

Meals: B,L,D

We drive to Manambato passing ravinala, which is one of the iconic plants of Madagascar. The ravinala, which is native to Madagascar and also known as the Travellers Palm, becomes more common as we travel east and enter the coastal zone. Arriving at Manambato, we board our boat to travel along the Pangalanes (approx 1 hr boat crossing). The Pangalanes are a series of coastal lakes and canals along the east coast that are one of the wonders of Madagascar, but have not yet been “discovered”, except by more adventurous travellers and expats resident in Madagascar. These placid backwaters are verged by tropical forest and are home to the Betsimi sararka people, who still lead a traditional fishing lifestyle. We travel to Ankanin’ny Nofy where we stay in a simple hotel where the lemurs come to visit. Overnight Hotel Palmarium or Bush House Hotel or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 135 km; 4 hrs.

Meals: B,L,D

We spend the morning exploring a private reserve. It is a small forest station that is home to many species of wildlife, including lemur species we have not yet seen. The afternoon is free to swim, visit the local fishing village, walk on the beach or continue wildlife viewing. The fishing village faces the Indian Ocean and the canal, and a visit here (boat fare) costs around US$7. The fabled Aye Aye live in the nearby forest, and there will be a short excursion this evening. Overnight Hotel Palmarium or Bush House Hotel or similar.

Meals: B,L,D

After an early breakfast, we travel on the Pangalanes canal and return to Manambato and our vehicle (approx 1 hr boat crossing). We drive past coastal ravinala and pandanus and enter the forest, climbing to the highlands. After the visit we continue to the capital, Antananarivo. Overnight Hotel Belvédère or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 280 km; 7 hrs

Meals: B,L

You may like to take a walk around the city centre this morning, or depart earlier for the airport to visit the large craft market near the airport entrance and shop for last minute items. (It is an approx. 90 minute transfer to the airport for your International departure). Trip arrangements end after breakfast with a transfer to the airport for onward travel. Please ask your reservations consultant for details if you would like additional nights in Antananarivo or airport transfers on any other day (extra cost applies).

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 6 nights in 2 star hotels on a twinshare basis (3 star upgrade for Antananarivo and Andasibe on request)
  • English speaking local driver-guide (Groups of 1-5 will have an English speaking local driver-guide; groups of 6-12 an English speaking local guide and a local driver will accompany group)
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Airport transfers (day 1 and 7 only)
  • Permits, entry fees and local guides in parks and reserves
  • Private vehicle transport throughout
  • Tourist taxes

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa
  • Arrival and departure transfers if not arriving/ departing on Days 1 & 7
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • Optional activities and sightseeing

About your guide

Please note that for groups of 6 or more people, an English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout, in addition to a local driver. For groups of up to 5 people, your local English-speaking guide will also be the driver.

Reviews (4)

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