Leaping Lemurs, Rare Birds, and Exotic Flora
Magical Madagascar
Overview
Watch long-limbed sifaka lemurs “dance” down a forest trail in front of you, see playful ring-tailed lemurs, and listen to the hauntingly eerie calls of the indri in treetop canopies. These lemurs, along with many other species, are completely unique to Madagascar. Separated from Africa and the Indian subcontinent millennia ago, this island-nation's animals and plants evolved in such isolation that literally four out of five of all its species are found nowhere else on the planet! Wilderness Travel has created a fascinating journey that explores this distinctive island in depth. You'll hike through the lush rainforest at Amber Mountain and otherworldly landscapes like the Dr. Seussian spiny forest at Berenty Reserve and surreal tsingy pinnacles at Ankarana, see an exotic display of orchids, photograph colorful chameleons up close, and observe fascinating birdlife, such as songbirds that forage in mixed-species flocks. No place on earth surpasses Madagascar's combination of unusual species, extreme biodiversity, and unique habitats. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime natural history adventure!
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Inspiring journey brings you to the most astonishing wonders of Madagascar
- Hike through the Dr. Seussian spiny forest at Berenty and amid the surreal sandstone tsingy of Ankarana
- Excellent opportunities to photograph Verreaux's “dancing” sifaka lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, and red-fronted brown lemurs
- Spot crowned lemurs, Sanford's brown lemurs, and many species of chameleons endemic to the north at Amber Mountain National Park
- Choice of hiking options, plus early morning outings for birders and fascinating night walks
- Extensions include Isalo National Park in southern Madagascar, South Africa game viewing, Rwanda gorilla tracking, and a stay at Anjajavy, a private nature reserve with amazing lemur viewing and a pristine beach
Itinerary
From Antananarivo ("Tana"), Madagascar's capital, we head to Diego Suarez and explore Amber Mountain, a biologically diverse reserve whose montane rainforests are filled with huge green tree ferns, crystal-clear crater lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a wealth of wildlife. Walk forested trails in search of lemurs and a varied flora—over 1,000 species, a botanist's delight!
Explore Ankarana, a reserve with spectacular landscapes, including the eroded limestone towers known as “tsingy,” and many species of lemurs, including crowned lemurs, endemic to northern Madagascar. We fly back to Antananarivo on Day 6.
Fly by private charter to Berenty Reserve, home to the unique “spiny desert” habitat. This small private park preserves a third of Madagascar's remaining tamarind forest and is a superb place to see friendly ring-tails and incredibly acrobatic sifakas, known for their death-defying tree leaps and the sideways hops they use to get around on the ground. We fly back by private charter to Antananarivo on Day 9.
We head to Andasibe, famed as the home of the indri, a lemur whose haunting treetop song carries for miles as one troop calls to another. Their Malagasy name is babakoto, or “Father of Man.” These three-foot-tall primates are renowned treetop acrobats. Red-fronted lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs, and woolly lemurs are also found here, along with colorful reptiles including huge Parson's chameleons. We'll visit a school, see ring-tailed lemurs on Lemur Island, and go for a night walk. Return to Antananarivo in the afternoon of Day 13 and depart on Day 14, or join our Isalo Extension.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. While this trip is not expected to be physically strenuous, the long travel days, poor infrastructure, and transportation conditions can be quite demanding. You will need to be comfortable driving 5+ hours in a day over rough, bumpy roads. You should be fit, healthy, and prepared for adventure, as some walking trails in Madagascar’s parks can be slippery, muddy, and uneven, with tree roots, tall steps, and off-trail paths through brush to spot wildlife. Depending on the season and region, trips may experience very hot or cold weather conditions. We believe the most important requirements are a spirit of adventure and the understanding that you are visiting a remote and fascinating region.
Review Trip Level Details
Madagascar has a tropical climate with many microclimates, so the weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year and region of the country. Temperatures can be quite cold in certain regions such as the highlands, including the capital, Antananarivo, especially during July and August, while other areas such as the north and south may experience intense heat waves, requiring greater effort, particularly for departures between September and November. Daily temperatures typically range from the low 60s to the high 80s, however there may be days that are far higher or lower than those averages. Our departures are set for the dry season (April-November), where you can expect warm weather (don't forget your sun protection), but also some rain and muddy road conditions.
Accommodations are chosen for their location and charm, they are the best available in the places we will be visiting. They range from city hotels to basic wildlife lodges. Most properties have a fan but do not have A/C.
Several of the travel days involve long drives and some poor road conditions on bumpy dirt roads. We have added private charters to help reduce drive times as much as possible. However, this trip is designed to take you to regions that experience very little tourism and therefore have basic infrastructure. Ground transportation is by small bus and SUV. We have taken local travel times into account in planning the itinerary, though road conditions can change from week to week. While traveling in rural areas, there are few decent public bathroom facilities. We do what the locals do and opt for a “bush bathroom” when on road journeys. Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.).
Traveling in Madagascar is always an adventure! Changes and delays are all part of the experience. We will make every effort to follow the Detailed Itinerary as described, but please note it may be rearranged due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, including internal flights that are often subject to delay, cancellation, and last-minute schedule changes. In addition, travelers should be aware that there is a scarcity of medical facilities outside of Antananarivo and they may not be up to international standards. A spirit of adventure and a flexible, cooperative attitude are musts. Your reward is an unparalleled experience of one of the world's most intriguing countries and its fascinating wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"This is a wonderful wildlife trip that I highly recommend. Playing with lemurs was fantastic!"
Bobbie B.
Acworth, GA
"The trip was a good overall introduction to the few remaining areas of the country where one can see the rich flora and fauna. It exceeded my expectations."
James K.
Murray, UT
"It was a true adventure! Madagascar was gorgeous to see and experience, the people were all so friendly, and the experience with the lemurs was off the charts!"
Jennifer R.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
"We saw a remarkable variety of wildlife, beautiful scenery, enjoyed good hikes, and stayed in very good accommodations. The charter flight was a treat since it flew lower than commercial flights so we had a "tour" of the country."
Judy K.
Acton, MA
"Beyond expectations on all fronts!"
Karin E.
San Jose, CA
"Wilderness Travel did a great job finding the well-hidden gems in rural Madagascar."
Melissa K.
Fairfield, CA
"Madagascar is an amazing place, and seeing some of its special wildlife, and its culture, felt like a very special privilege. And the people were wonderful—our guides, lodge, and hotel staff, and others we happened to interact with."
Rob C.
Concord, MA
"This was a fabulously planned trip, not just for the logistics, but for how it was shaped, building experience on experience."
Sandra M.
Rome, GA
"The food, staff, accommodations, adventures (climbing down into a cave with lemur fossils, kayaking the mangroves until moonrise) were AMAZING and we would visit again in a heartbeat."
Shelley V.
Reno, NV
"This was our first experience with a group tour—what a great introduction! We did this trip to see wildlife, and were delighted with what we got to see. Beautiful country, wildlife, and people—thank you for making our first group trip unforgettable!"
Susanna F.
Lincoln, MA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.