An Ecological Hotspot with Thrilling Endemic Species
Madagascar: Off the Beaten Path
Overview
Isolated from mainland Africa since the time of the dinosaurs, Madagascar hosts life forms found nowhere else, including more than 100 species of lemur and wildly colorful chameleons ranging from thumbnail-sized to two feet long! In this unique world, we bring you into seven different environments, from sandstone canyons to mountain rainforests, with your choice of guided walks each day, whether a photo-paced stroll or an invigorating hike. You’ll hear the haunting calls of the “singing” indri deep in the forest, meet wildlife researchers, visit reforestation projects—and even plant a seedling on the famed Avenue of the Baobabs!
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Choose among daily hiking options and morning birding outings
- Watch sunrise and sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs
- Fly on three private charter flights to maximize time in the best parks and reserves in Madagascar
- Marvel at “dancing” sifakas, “singing” indris, giant chameleons, and exotic birdlife
- Travel to a fishing village by canoe, meet weavers, dance to live Malagasy music
Itinerary
From “Tana,” the capital, we head to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a montane rainforest reserve for the indri, the largest living lemur species, whose treetop calls carry for miles. Common brown, grey bamboo, and woolly lemurs are also found here. We’ll take a pontoon boat to Lemur Island, a sanctuary for orphaned lemurs. The five species of lemurs here are habituated to people, allowing great photo opportunities.
Flying by private charter to seaside Morondava, we visit the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs. Here we’ll plant a baobab seedling and sip Malagasy sundowners as the sun sets over these majestic 800-year-old natural monuments. In the Menabe Antimena Protected Area, a rare habitat of dry forests and succulent shrublands, we look for the cat-like fossa, endemic chameleons, and primates including Verreaux’s sifaka.
A charter flight and road journey bring us to remote Ranomafana National Park. Twelve lemur species have been recorded here, including the rare golden bamboo lemur. One evening, we enjoy a private talk with a wildlife researcher. At community-run Anja Reserve, we’ll get eye-to-eye with the friendly ring-tailed lemurs.
Isalo’s landscape is dominated by a Jurassic sandstone massif eroded into surreal ridges with impressive canyons and stalagmite pinnacles. After our hikes here, we fly by private charter to Antananarivo and depart on Day 15, or join one of our extensions.
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
"I liked seeing the flora and fauna first and foremost but I also enjoyed the other activities...seeing the queen's palace, the reptile farm, the botanical garden and zoo, the isle of lemurs, and others. it made a nice mix!"
Bonnie A.
San Angelo,Texas
"This was an excellent experience. We learned a lot and were able to observe the distinctive animals and plants that we had only read about."
Doug M.
Providence, RI
"Both pre-trip preparation and on the ground trip management were excellent, which translated out to make an overall delightful fulfilling experience"
Elsie M.
Providence, RI
"A very interesting trip, with a great variety of sights and experiences and a very knowledgeable guide."
Joe C.
Escondido, CA
"The trip was excellent, I'd highly recommend it. Really fun—the local guides and Trip Leader were all wonderful. I am so glad Wilderness took care of everything."
Kathy W.
Minneapolis, MN
"Our trip leader was amazing. We couldn't figure out how he timed everything so perfectly! He's a treasure and a fabulous representative of WT and Madagascar."
Laurie B.
Washington, NJ
"The trip was interesting and a lot of fun. A great adventure!"
Linda H.
Olympia, WA
"Madagascar truly is a world of its own! The guides taught us so much and made sure we saw as many species as possible. The itinerary was excellent and even managed to give us a little free time to enjoy the wonderful grounds of places we stayed. The flexibility to get up and go birding was a huge plus as was the night walk."
Lynette H.
Marble Falls, TX
"Wilderness Travel has done a superb job of creating an enjoyable and memorable experience. Not only were the accommodations excellent and the transportation seamless, but more importantly, providing knowledgeable and enthusiastic local guides was greatly appreciated. "
Marcia G.
Lincoln, MA
"I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. There was a great mix of experiences in Madagascar. Obviously a lot of planning went into making it a memorable trip. Thank you!"
Marilyn G.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
"From the quality of the hotels and food to the professionalism of the main and subsequent guides, I can't think of anything I would have changed. We saw so many different lemurs and other critters from frogs and butterflies to snakes and tortoises. My two personal favorite experiences were photographing the fossa and seeing a mom and baby mouse lemur in Kirindy Forest—two species on my bucket list checked off. The indri were just mind blowing with their size and amazing calls, the cheeky ring tailed lemurs, and the expressive sportive lemurs! Just can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this trip."
Rita S.
Knoxville, TN
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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.