Madagascar Reef and Rainforest
Fully Escorted Tour
Introduction
The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park protects 11 species of lemur as well as many reptiles including the enormous Parson’s chameleon, and most of the country’s rainforest-dependent endemic birds, such as the Blue Coua and Nuthatch Vanga. In the 10,000ha primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park, you can see the Diademed sifaka and a select band of other rarities not necessarily found at Andasibe (‘Perinet’).
Night walks may reveal the localised Goodman’s Mouse lemur and a host of other nocturnal denizens of the Central-Eastern rainforests. This area holds a world record for number of frog species among rainforests of comparable size.
End the holiday on the balmy, tropical Baobab Beach, where Eden Lodge, one of our favourite properties is discreetly located on a wooded peninsula accessible only by means of speedboat from Nosy Be island.
Nearby, Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve is a must for any visitor – its an uninhabited reserve islet near Nosy Be which is easily reached by speedboat. Around Tanikely, the marine life beckons snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts from around the globe. You’re very likely to see large green turtles and a myriad of colourful reef fish. Back at Eden Lodge, in the surrounding Sambirano woods, you may well encounter some black lemurs and by night, fork-marked lemurs too.
This trip is perfect for couples, or for families with children over age 10. It can be undertaken any time from the latter half of April through to early December.
14 Nights from £4,155pp
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Highlights
- Exquisite, wildlife-rich rainforest at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park – see lemurs, chameleons and rare birds
- Sample Malagasy culture in Antananarivo
- Sublime, sunny Baobab Beach
- Rare Sambirano Domain wildlife – lemurs, chameleons and more
- Superb snorkelling and chance to see Green turtles
What's included?
- Return international flights
- Accommodation throughout
- Various meals
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
Itinerary
After a leisurely breakfast, your professional wildlife expert guide and driver collect you at your hotel. You will be driven 5 hours eastwards along winding tarmac roads to Mantadia Lodge Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Begin your exploration of the reserve in search of the iconic, ape-like Indri along with a plethora of other rainforest-dependent wildlife. Evening walk in the Station Forestier de Analamazaotra rainforest concession managed by proactive NGO Association Mitsinjo, for nocturnal wildlife. Stay 3 nights in Mantadia Lodge with breakfast and dinner included.
Explore the beautiful rainforest of either Maromizaha Reserve OR Mantadia National Park to seek Diademed Sifaka, red-bellied lemur, insectivorous tenrecs and the rainforest-dependent ground rollers. In 2022, many clients reported superb wildlife experiences at Maromizaha, making it our top choice (the few who did make it to Mantadia in 2022 reported very few wildlife sightings). Both Maromizaha and Mantadia are 10,000 ha tracts of mid-altitude rainforest where trails are graded moderate, so are not as easy as those in Andasibe or Analamazaotra.
Your guides will take you to explore the rainforest of Andasibe, where groups of Indri and other iconic rainforest species are readily seen along paths mostly graded as ‘easy’. Make a second night stroll after dark, to chalk up more nocturnal critters.
Morning walk to explore more of either Andasibe (the national park) or visit the rainforest of Analamazaotra Special Reserve across the road, administered by Association Mitsinjo who work with Money for Madagascar. After lunch, set off with your guide and driver in your comfortable, private, air-conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicle on the 5 hour journey back to Antananarivo, where you arrive late afternoon at Relais des Plateaux Hotel & Spa to stay overnight with breakfast included.
Staying at Relais Des Plateaux Hotel & Spa
You will be driven to the airport for the flight*** to Nosy Be, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to Nosy Be Port for the 45 minute speedboat transfer across to Baobab Beach. Stay 7 nights in an en-suite East African Meru-styled tented chalet at delightful Eden Lodge, with breakfast and dinner included. Complimentary lodge activities include snorkelling and kayaking. Activities with a surcharge include spa treatments, day excursions and scuba diving. *** If the domestic flight arrives at Nosy Be after lunch, we recommend staying in Nosy Be for the first night because sea conditions are generally calmer in the mornings.
Enjoy the palm-lined beach; go discover the nearby islands such as Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve and explore the coastal woods and the mangrove system. Go snorkelling, get to know Malagasy culture and in season, arrange unforgettable whale watching excursions or whale shark spotting through the lodge. Please note that whales and whale sharks are wild animals so sightings can never be guaranteed: officially the whale watching season is 01 July – 30 September, but global weather patterns can result in unforeseen changes of seasonal movements – our recommendation for those who want to see the whales, is to travel in later July through August. Whale sharks tend to arrive in October and stay through December. Green turtles are commonly seen year round.
Aside from rest and relaxation time, you could explore some of the islands of the nearby Nosy Be archipelago, where attractions include Lokobe National Park, Nosy Tanikely and of course, Nosy Be.
Relax at the lodge or partake in various activities which can be arranged at the lodge. (Activities are payable directly). Eden Lodge can arrange scuba diving at an excellent diving centre on Nosy Be. The centre has quality equipment and qualified instructors.
With Eden Lodge as your secluded base, you can either relax by the lodge, or venture out and explore the Nosy Be archipelago – or arrange excursions in the vicinity of the lodge, to some remote locations seen by few tourists. Each chalet has private massage bed at the back.
Another day to savour the delights of the balmy North-Western Sambirano coast. Some surprisingly rare and even Critically Endangered species have been recorded in the area around Eden Lodge, including Madagascar fish eagle and at night, even the bizarre Aye Aye has been spotted during nocturnal strolls in the surrounding woods! But on a daily basis, guests are far more likely to see the resident black lemurs – such as this female pictured in the garden.
Day to enjoy Baobab Beach – as is shown here in the drone view, the property is small and in season, our guests have even reported seeing green turtles coming right up to their chalets to deposit eggs.
You will be transferred by speedboat and road back to Nosy Be Airport, to check in for the afternoon flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa, arriving in the evening. We will provide details so you can arrange access to one of the new lounges in Bole International Airport.
How it works
Call us on 01730 711 010 or enquire online about your dream holiday
Our team will work with you to put together a tailor- made package
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