Explore Madagascar: Lemur and Palmarium Reserve

Upon landing at the international airport in Antananarivo, you will be warmly welcomed by a member of our team after you exit the restricted area with your luggage. Look for them holding a sign with your name. Your private guide will escort you to your private vehicle for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in the capital city. Enjoy a good night’s rest with breakfast included to start your Madagascar adventure.

After breakfast, we will embark on a scenic 3.5 hour drive (150km) east to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Along the way, admire Madagascar’s landscapes and village life as we travel the major National Road No. 2. We’ll make a stop at Peyreras Reptile Reserve, founded by the renowned naturalist André Peyreras. This private collection features an array of reptiles including chameleons, geckos and frogs as well as lemur species. In the evening, your driver and guide will take you on a magical night walk in the park from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Equipped with flashlights, keep your eyes peeled for chameleons, mouse lemurs and other remarkable nocturnal wildlife. Retire for a good night’s rest at your lodge with breakfast included. Tomorrow brings more wildlife adventures in the rainforest!

After breakfast, we’ll visit the rugged Mantadia National Park, located 14km from Andasibe village. During a 3 hour hike through unspoiled primary rainforest, you may spot the Black and White Ruffed Lemur, Red-Bellied Lemur, and Common Brown Lemur. This birdwatcher’s paradise also provides opportunities to see the Pitta-Like Ground Roller, Scaly Ground Roller, and other exotic bird species. On our drive back, we’ll stop at Andasibe village to interact with the local people and observe their daily lives and livelihoods. At dusk, join your private guide on an exciting night walk in the forest. Armed with flashlights, we’ll search for mouse lemurs, chameleons, and other remarkable nocturnal creatures. After a full day of adventure, relax and recharge with an overnight stay at the lodge.

After an early breakfast at 7:30am, we’ll visit Analamazaotra Reserve inside Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. This is one of the best places to observe lemurs in their natural habitat. Listen for the distinctive wailing calls of the Indri, the largest living lemur. During a 3-4 hour hike, we may also spot leaping Sifaka, Brown Lemurs, and exotic birds. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the lemur reserve on Vakona Island, surrounded by freshwater. Get up close with species like the Eastern Bamboo Lemur, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, and Ring-Tailed Lemur. This is a great opportunity to take photos and interact with these delightful primates. With two remarkable lemur encounters, this full day promises to be a highlight of your Madagascar adventure. We’ll return to the lodge in the evening to relax and recall the day’s events.

After breakfast, we’ll drive through picturesque landscapes to Manambato, stopping to sample fresh fruit from roadside stalls. Near Brickaville, we’ll take a bumpy 7km road to Lake Ravelobe and board a boat to reach Ankany Ny Nofy (Nest of Dreams) resort on the Pangalane Channel. This 1.5 hour ferry ride passes through serene canals constructed during French colonial rule. Spend the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the resort’s amenities between the channel and Indian Ocean. At dusk, we’ll take an exciting speedboat to Palmarium Reserve’s nocturnal forest. Here we may spot the endangered Aye-Aye, a rare nocturnal lemur once hunted by local people. Observing these unique primates in their protected habitat is an exceptionally rare privilege. After this magical encounter, we’ll return by boat to Nest of Dreams resort for a good night’s rest.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided hike through the private Palmarium Reserve. The easy walking trail provides excellent opportunities to spot the Indri-Indri, Macaco lemurs, Black and White Ruffed lemurs, and other wildlife. Keep an eye out for the exotic carnivorous pitcher plant, endemic to Madagascar. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the Nest of Dreams resort, with time to enjoy the beach, go swimming, or book a spa treatment. As the sun sets, listen to the melodic calls of the Indri reverberate through the forest and reflect on the remarkable wildlife encounters so far.

After a leisurely morning at Palmarium Reserve, we’ll take the boat back across the Pangalane Channel to Manambato. From there, we’ll drive through picturesque landscapes back to Andasibe village. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to relax, reflect on your amazing wildlife encounters from the past week, and prepare for the journey back to Antananarivo tomorrow. Tonight, fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest once more.

After an early breakfast, we’ll depart Andasibe and begin the scenic drive back to Antananarivo. Along the way, reminisce about the incredible wildlife you encountered over the past week. The Indri’s haunting dawn chorus, the Sifaka’s graceful dance, the tiny Mouse Lemurs only visible at night – treasure these memories from Madagascar’s remarkable forests.

On your final day in Madagascar, we’ll take a morning tour of Antananarivo, time permitting. The highlight is visiting Ambohimanga Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former home of King Andrianampoinimerina. This noble 17th century ruler successfully unified the various kingdoms of Madagascar into one kingdom. After exploring the palace and grounds, we’ll visit a local souvenir market so you can pick up some final mementos of your Madagascar adventure. Based on your departure flight time, we’ll provide a transfer to the airport. As you jet off, reflect on the unforgettable wildlife encounters, fascinating cultural sights, and incredible landscapes you experienced over the past 9 days. We hope Madagascar’s beauty and charm have touched your spirit and that you’ll come back to discover more! Safe travels.