WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP SPECIAL?
Madagascar's Most Comprehensive Itinerary — With ample time to explore parks and encounter endemic wildlife.
Avenue of the Baobabs — We visit both at sunrise and in the afternoon, so you can get great photos of these magnificent trees.
Rare Wildlife Experiences — Our expert local guides know where to find rare birds, chameleons, lemurs, and other endemic species.
Participate in Cultural Activities — Visit a school; travel to a fishing village; talk with weavers, wood carvers and paper makers.
Flexible Hiking and Photo Options — Choose from challenging hikes, leisurely photo walks, early morning birding outings, night walks.
Expert Trip Leaders — Experienced Malagasy naturalists who delight in sharing their perspectives and environmental understanding.
Overview
Isolated from mainland Africa since the time of the dinosaurs, Madagascar shelters 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 treasure trove of nature, we bring you into seven national parks, and from sandstone canyons to mountainous rainforests. We maximize your experience with a choice of guided walks each day, whether a photo-paced ramble 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!
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
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-5
Antananarivo / Andasibe / Lemur Island
We explore “Tana,” the capital, then head to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a rainforest reserve created to protect the indri, the largest living lemur species, whose treetop calls carry for miles. Common brown lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs, and woolly lemurs are also found here. One of our visits is to Lemur Island, a sanctuary for orphaned lemurs.
Days 6-7
Avenue of the Baobabs / Kirindy Reserve
Flying by private charter to seaside Morondava, we visit the Avenue of the Baobabs. Here we plant a seedling and sip Malagasy sundowners as the sun sets over these majestic natural monuments, some more than 800 years old. In Kirindy Reserve, we look for the elusive cat-like fossa, a host of endemic chameleons, and primates including Verreaux’s sifaka.
Days 8-10
Ranomafana Rainforest
By private charter flight and by road, we head into stunning Ranomafana National Park, one of the most biodiverse rainforests on the planet. Twelve lemur species have been recorded here, including the rare golden bamboo lemur. One evening, we enjoy a private talk with a wildlife researcher.
Days 11-15
Anja / Isalo / Antsokay Arboretum
We’ll get eye to eye with the ring-tailed lemurs at community-run Anja Reserve, hike in the sandstone gorges of Isalo National Park, and a stop at the Antsokay Arboretum, with its display of Madagascar’s southern flora, including vegetation from the spiny forest. Depart on Day 15 via Antananarivo.
Madagascar: Off the Beaten Path
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Custom-Tailored Adventure in the Land of Lemurs
Experience the wildlife wonders of Madagascar on a Private Journey with exclusive accommodations, private flights, top-notch guides, and flexible activities each day, from sundowners among the baobabs to early morning bird walks and exciting night excursions into the forests.
Download Brochure
Download a PDF of our Magical: Off the Beaten Path Detailed Itinerary to learn more about our day-to-day itinerary, prices and dates, lodging, and leaders.
