A member of our team will welcome you at the international arrival hall, please look out for a sign with your name after you exit the restricted area with your luggages.
You will then be led to your vehicule for your private transfer and chauffeured to your hotel.
We start our journey towards the Eastern part of the island. After exiting the busy and colorful city ofAntananarivo, we reach the “Route Nationale 2”, the main commercial road of the country, leading to the East coast of Madagascar and its main harbour.
During our 150 km (3.5 hour) long journey, we will see various landscapes, small traditional villages perched on hill sides, paddy fields... We will also stop at the Peyrieras Butterfly Farm, where you will see butterflies, chameleons, iguanas and other reptiles. The adjacent forest is home to Verreaux's Sifaka and Common brown lemur
A twisty,steep and lush portion of the road will announceour arrival in a totally different part of Madagascar. You will arrive in Andasibe, known for its National Park, home of the primary and secondary forest.
In the evening, a night walk in the Mitsinjo reserve will give you the opportunity to discover the nocturnal wildlife of the Andasibe Rainforest.
We will visit the Analamazaotra special reserve and look for biggest lemur of Madagascar's famous "Indri Indri”, endemic to that specific region.
We also find other species of lemurs, birds, chameleons, as well as endemic flora, including orchids and medicinal plants.
The day will continue in Vakona Special Reserve, an island surrounded by fresh water and home to various species of lemurs. This will be a rare opportunity to get upclose and interact with some of them, giving you amazing photo opportunities.
We leave the region of Andasibe and begin our ascent towards the highlands and the capital.
This journey will give you an impressive perspective about the difference of altitude between the two regions.
This elevation is exploited by the hydroelectric power station which you will drive by.
You will arrive in Antananarivo after a 150km journey lasting about 3.5 hours.
Transfer to the private charter terminal for your private flight.
As the sun rises over rugged mountains, the distant singing of the local tribe as they fetch water from the river and the morning calls of the Coucal and Crested Coua welcome you to another glorious day on the banks of the Mandrare River.
Enjoy luxury en-suite tents, generously spread out in the shade of Tamarind trees, all with breathtaking views across the tranquil water to the sacred mountains beyond.
The seclusion of the camp affords intimate access and insight to the spiny forest; home to an abundance of unique wildlife and the fascinating Antandroy tribe that inhabit this arid and otherworldly landscape.
In late afternoon, head for a walk through the Sacred Spiny forest filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, as well as an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, unique to the spiny forest.
Your English-speaking guide and a tracker from the local community will give you an introduction to Antandroy culture and customs.
Your visit is followed by sundowners on the Mandrare River banks.
After breakfast, we keep on with the discovery of the stunning Sacred Gallery forest, at the south of the Camp.
Depending on the river depth, you will walk or take a boat across the Mandrare River to reach this largely deciduous forest.
Inquisitive groups of ring tailed lemurs and the always entertaining Verreaux sifaka are the highlight of this excursion.
Return to the Camp for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.
Around 5pm depart for a night walk in the Forest of Zenavo.
This is a fantastic way to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs begin to wake in the eerie and prehistoric Spiny Forest.
You will spot Sifakas and sleeping White-foot Sportive lemurs, then once the sun has set, two mouse lemur species, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls and now active Sportive lemurs.
After a cup of tea or coffee head to the Spiny Forest for an early morning walk.
Witness the sunlight break through the octopus trees while looking out for the many endemic birds such as Crested Coua, a variety of
Vangas and the Running Coua.
Head back to the Camp for a sumptuous breakfast followed by a visit to the local market (on Thursdays and Saturdays) or the local village to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe.
Lunch will be served at the Camp followed by a relaxed afternoon watching life along the river from your tent terrace.
At 5pm, depart for a sundowner amidst the baobabs.
In the evening the local village may come to perform beautiful traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.
Song and dance is at the heart of Antandroy culture and is used to accompany the major rituals and events of every day life.
Morning transfer to the private charter terminal for your private flight to Fort Dauphin, where you will be met by a vehicle and guide from
Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge and escorted to one of the many lovely restaurants in town for lunch.
In the early afternoon continue by road to Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge (2 1⁄2hrs).
Manafiafy, also known as Sainte Luce, is a beautiful sandy bay, fringed with forest covered mountains and wildlife rich mangroves.
Upon arrival check into your luxury bungalow and at 4:30 pm head for a night walk in the Coastal Rainforest. Explore the last untouched block of coastal rainforest in southern Madagascar to spot some of the 5 species and 3 sub-species of lemur, over 80 bird species, over half of which are endemic, and an abundance of geckos, chameleons and other reptiles present in the forest.
You’ll see nocturnal lemurs leaping through the trees, Madagascar Scops Owl, satanic leaf-tailed geckos and other masters of camouflage.
Return to the Lodge for dinner around 8pm.
After a mouthwatering breakfast with fresh fruit, pain au chocolat, breads, cereals and eggs, head to the Stitch project and local woodworking shop to interact with the local Antanosy community.
Stitch was created by the NGO Azafady to provide local women with sustainable livelihoods by training them in embroidery, English and business skills.
Embroidery is a traditional Malagasy skill which the women have used to make beautiful purses, belts, and more.
After a sumptuous 3-course lunch and a bit of a rest, head to the nearby mangrove network at 4pm for birdwatching and photography.
Ideal for botanists, landscape photographers and adventure seekers, this 40 km network stretches from Manafiafy to Fort Dauphin with the magnificent Anosy mountain range in the backdrop.
Motorboat or kayak excursions last anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days.
Today you will be exploring the mangroves by motorboat. Endemic birds include the Madagascar Malachite Kingfisher, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Madagascar Harrier Hawk, Madagascar Crested Ibis and Blue Coua.
Before breakfast, head for a sunrise walk in the coastal rainforest. On this walk you will see groups of redcollared lemur foraging for food as they leap through the rainforest canopy.
The red-collared lemur is endemic to south-eastern Madagascar, lives in groups of up to 20 individuals and is actives largely at dawn and dusk.
This is a great time for birding, some species to see are Crested Coua, Giant Coua, Hook-billed Vanga, Lesser and Greater Vassa Parrots.
Return to the Lodge for a well-deserved breakfast.
Relax until your late afternoon excursion to see Madagascar’s largest bat, the Flying Fox, roosting in a nearby community forest, then filling the sky at dusk as they fly off on search of food.
Return to the Lodge for storytelling on the beach. Immerse yourself in Malagasy oral history and culture as the stars form a canopy overhead.
Fly back to the capital city of Madagascar.
Depending on what you are looking for to bring home, we will take you to the appropriate market.
Among them, The Marche artisanal Digue is considered as the biggest market local handicrafts in Antananarivo.
This bustling market sells everything from embroidery items to wood carvings.
You can also find creations made of smooth leather and a special paper called ‘Antaimoro paper.’
Apart from the handicrafts, the Digue also offers semi-precious items like colored stones and homedecor creations.
Transfer to the international terminal on time for your departure flight.
We wish you a safe flight home.
