Highlights of this tour...
- Whale watching
- Andasibe wildlife reserves
- Night wildlife walks
- Cruise the Pangalanes Canal
- A chance to see Aye-Aye lemurs
- Luxury accommodation available
- Relaxation in Sainte Marie
- English-speaking guides throughout
Tour details and itinerary
Enjoy Madagascar’s wildlife with this exciting tour along the east coast of Madagascar, including the chance to see the enigmatic Aye-Aye, whale watching, cruising along the Pangalanes Canal, the Palmarium reserve and more.
Day 1: Antananarivo arrival and welcome
Arrive in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, where our dedicated team member will help you with tasks like currency exchange, obtaining a local SIM card, setting up data on your SIM, and addressing any other requirements you may have.
Transfer to the Sakamanga hotel in the center of town which has a snack bar/pizzeria, a bakery/patisserie, a pool bar/garden restaurant, and the Sakamanga restaurant (up to 80 seats) offers French cooking and Malagasy specialties.
Accommodation
- Sakamanga Hotel
Day 2: Antananarivo - Andasibe
After a delightful breakfast, you’ll depart from Antananarivo and embark on a captivating journey to Andasibe. Along the way, you’ll traverse numerous charming villages, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Malagasy people. The picturesque landscape will captivate you with its golden grasslands, while the lush rice paddies will leave you in awe. The roadside markets will beckon you with an array of handicrafts, fresh fruits, and enticing local delicacies.
On the way, stop for a visit to Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic (Marozevo reserve). Founded and owned by André Peyreiras, a French entomologist and naturalist, the park is also known as the Reserve Peyrieras or Peyrieras Butterfly Farm. Here, you’ll have the chance to witness the feeding of chameleons and observe a range of other fascinating reptiles, including iguanas, geckos, frogs, and crocodiles. The park is also home to the giant Atlas Moth, as well as a variety of butterfly species and tenrecs.
After dark, your guide will collect you from your lodge for your night walk in the small rainforest parcel of VOIMMA, which is protected by a local guides association. Grading of the trails is easy. Be sure to pack a strong torch with some spare batteries for night walks.
Located a few kilometres from the village in an eucalyptus plantation and on the doorstep of the Andasibe National Park, Vakona Forest Lodge is a nature lover’s paradise. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a peaceful and natural setting. The food is excellent and produces international and Malagasy style.
Accommodation
- Vakona Forest Lodge
Day 3: Wildlife in Andasibe
Guided visit to Analamazaotra Special reserve.
Be captivated by the wonders of Analamazaotra, home to the most popular park within the reserve. This enchanting destination holds a special allure, primarily due to the presence of the rare indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur. Throughout the misty forest, the indri’s haunting and unforgettable wail resonates, creating an otherworldly ambiance that can be experienced throughout the day, but most prominently in the early morning. With approximately 60 resident family groups, each consisting of two to five indris, you’ll have ample opportunities to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
While the indris steal the spotlight, the park is teeming with an array of other remarkable lemur species. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of woolly lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs, red-fronted lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and diademed sifakas, which are among the largest lemur species. In 2005, the Goodman’s mouse lemur, identified as a distinct species, was discovered here, further adding to the park’s biodiversity. As you explore, you’ll also encounter eleven species of tenrec, the vibrant and immense Parson’s chameleon, and an impressive array of seven other chameleon species. Additionally, the park boasts over 100 bird species, 20 species of amphibians, and the endemic Ravenea louvelii palm tree, which is found exclusively within its boundaries.
After lunch, spend the afternoon with lemurs at the private Lemur Island (Vakona reserve). A short walk from the hotel, it offers up close and personal encounters with lemurs, suspended walkways above a river teeming with crocodiles, and marvelous endemic birdlife.
Accommodation
- Vakona Forest Lodge
Day 4: Andasibe - Manambato - Ankanin'ny Nofy
After breakfast, we drive to Manambato. The road trip from Andasibe to Manambato is a breathtaking journey that offers stunning views of the country’s lush and varied landscape. The route takes you through rural villages, rice paddies, and verdant rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife. After the junction close to Brickaville we take 4×4 for the 7 km bumpy road for to join the lake of Ravelobe (Manambato), where the boat will wait for us for the transfer to Ankany ny Nofy (the nest of dreams).
Boat transfer from Manambato to Ankanin’ny Nofy. A scenic cruise along the Pangalanes Canal. Through great lakes with beautiful green landscapes, sandy beaches and remote villages. The Pangalanes is a chain of natural and man-made lakes connected by canals that runs parallel to the east coast.
Dinner, bed and breakfast at the Palmarium Hotel.
The Palmarium Hotel has a privileged setting, located on 50 hectares of nature reserve on the shores of Lake Ampitabe and the Pangalanes canal, on the east coast of the island. It consists of 15 spacious bungalows, decorated in a traditional style and all equipped with a bathroom, hot water and a mosquito net. Each bungalow is bordered by a large terrace with hammock.
Cheeky lemurs share the garden around the hotel, and can be pesky at mealtimes.
Accommodation
- Palmarium Hotel
Day 5: Palmarium Reserve & Aye-Aye Island
Guided visit to Palmarium Reserve. Ankanin’ny nofy is known as nest of dreams, offers a perfect place for relaxation with its beautiful beaches and interesting tours with its private natural reserve. The isolation of the reserve means it is one of the few places in Madagascar where it is possible to come close to some of the least timid, free-ranging and tame lemur species on the island, including the largest lemurs, the Indri. The area is also home to the emblem of Madagasacar, the Ravinala, as well as frogs, reptiles, orchids, palm trees and the carnivorous pitcher plant.
In the afternoon, you are free to make your own arrangements with the Palmarium, such as a half-day trip to Andranokoditra to discover the fishing village located on the east coast. You can also embark on a canoe ride through the picturesque Pangalanes Channel, or board a boat to explore the Vohibola forest, one of the few remaining primary forests in eastern Madagascar.
Night: nocturnal Aye-Aye visit. We board on a speed boat and ride to a small island to spot the Aye Aye owned by the Palmarium Hotel. The Aye Aye is a rare and endangered lemur species that is often considered a bad omen by local people due to its nocturnal nature. In the past, the species was hunted for meat and as a result, it became endangered and close to extinction. However, thanks to the Palmarium reserve, some Aye Aye species were relocated to a small island where they are now protected. A guided tour of the reserve offers a unique opportunity to see these fascinating creatures up close and in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
- Palmarium Hotel
Day 6: Cruise the Pangalanes Canal to Tamatave
This is a lazy journey on river boat, from the secluded “nest of dreams”, the Palmarium Hotel to Toamasina (also known by it’s French name, Tamatave).
Embark on a thrilling adventure as you travel on the Pangalanes Canal by river boat. As you journey along the picturesque and calm canal, you’ll be mesmerised by the breathtaking scenery, which is teeming with lush vegetation.
The river boat offers a comfortable and convenient mode of transportation, allowing you to sit back and relax as you cruise along the calm waters. Along the way, you’ll pass by quaint fishing villages, where locals can be seen going about their daily routines.
You will be picked up at Toamasina port, then transfer to your hotel to freshen up. Then lunch at Table d’hôtes Chez Christian.
Toamasina, the capital of the Antsinanana region, gets its name from “toa” and “masina,” meaning “salty.” As the home of the largest port on the island, Toamasina is the economic capital of Madagascar. The city boasts wide, tree-lined avenues adorned with magnificent flamboyant palm trees, making it a charming and picturesque destination. A stroll along the boulevard next to the white sandy beach is a must, and the local market offers a fascinating insight into the region’s culture, where visitors can discover local products and meet friendly locals.
Accommodation
- Le Calypso Hotel
Day 7: Tamatave - Mahambo - Sainte Marie
After breakfast, we are heading to Mahambo. The drive is approximately two and a half hours and takes you through the lush green hills of the east coast. Along the way, you’ll pass through small villages. You’ll drive along the coast, with views of the Indian Ocean, and pass through the tropical forests of the region.
After the administrative formalities, we get on the El Condor, the best craft for linking the great land to Sainte Marie. Three hours of crossing and arrival at the pirates’ island in the afternoon.
A hotel representative will be waiting for you at the port, ready to extend a warm welcome and transfer to the Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa.
With an outdoor pool and a spa offering aromatic massages, the hotel is the ultimate escape for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The white sandy beach is only steps away, providing easy access to the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The private villas are a haven of tranquility, offering breathtaking views of the blue lagoon, the beach, or the lush hotel gardens. With charming wooden decor, each unit features a terrace with a hammock, the perfect spot to unwind with a good book or simply take in the stunning surroundings. Free private Wi-Fi is available in all public areas.
Accommodation
- Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa
Day 8: Whale watching in Sainte Marie
In winter, the sea around Sainte Marie offers one of the most natural fascinating spectacles in the world. Large groups of humpback whales make their annual migration from the Antarctic to the sheltered waters around Ile Ste Marie where they calve, nurse their young and engage in their spectacular courtship rituals. These creatures can grow up to 15m in length and weigh 45 tons, yet they seem incredibly gentle and peaceful as they slip smoothly through the waters. Mothers swim close to their new-born children, shepherding them through ther first migration.
You can see them everywhere from the island but the best way to see is going aboard a fast motor launch with a whale watching specialist.
Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa, with CétaMada NGO, organizes daily whale watching experiences. It is the opportunity to discover this marine mammal with an eco-guide who will answer all your questions.
You will leave at 8:00 by boat. Spend the morning observing the whales, and collecting data on sounds, behaviour and description. Back to the hotel for lunch, then you are free the rest of the day.
Accommodation
- Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa
Day 9-10: Relaxation in Sainte Marie
Two free days on Sainte Marie Island.
The Princesse Bora has many activities to explore, including scuba diving, snorkeling, a boat trip to Iles aux Nattes and Ilots Sables, kayaking and trekking. These are not included in the tour price.
Accommodation
- Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa
Day 11: Sainte Marie - Antananarivo
The hotel will ensure your transfer to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo.
You will be met by your guide at the airport, then transfer to Sakamanga Hotel.
Accommodation
- Sakamanga Hotel
Day 12: Ambohimanga Palace and walking tour
Ambohimanga is a hill and traditional fortified royal settlement (rova) about 24km outside Antananarivo. The hill and the rova that stands on top are considered the most significant symbol of the cultural identity of the Merina people and the most important and best-preserved monument of the precolonial Merina Kingdom. The walled historic village includes residences and burial sites of several key monarchs. The site, one of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina, is associated with strong feelings of national identity and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for at least four hundred years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere.
Lunch at Haka Fy. Haka Fy is a new approach to Malagasy gastronomy, aiming to offer the best of Malagasy gastronomic and traditional culture. They serve dishes that were collated from mothers and grandmothers all over the island.
In the afternoon, it’s time for a walking tour in Antananarivo, including the beautiful old colonial railway station, the bustling center of the city, markets, culture, panoramic views and the Royal Palace. Also known as the Rova Manjakamiadana, it stands at the highest point of the city. Throughout our excursion, your guide will ensure our safety and provide informative commentary, enriching our understanding of the city’s history, culture, and landmarks.
And finally, it is back to the Saka for a sundowner at the pool bar before you return home.
Accommodation
- Sakamanga Hotel
Feeling inspired yet? This tour is just an example, you can make any changes you like. Want to stay for longer at one of the parks, or visit somewhere else en route? It’s up to you. All of our Madagascar vacations are 100% tailor made. Check out suggested add-ons below, or get in touch to begin planning your dream Madagascar holiday.
