Leaping Lemurs, Rare Birds, and Exotic Flora
Magical Madagascar
Overview
Watch long-limbed sifaka lemurs “dance” down a forest trail in front of you, see playful ring-tailed lemurs, and listen to the hauntingly eerie calls of the indri in treetop canopies. These lemurs, along with many other species, are completely unique to Madagascar. Separated from Africa and the Indian subcontinent millennia ago, this island-nation's animals and plants evolved in such isolation that literally four out of five of all its species are found nowhere else on the planet! Wilderness Travel has created a fascinating journey that explores this distinctive island in depth. You'll hike through the lush rainforest at Amber Mountain and otherworldly landscapes like the Dr. Seussian spiny forest at Berenty Reserve and surreal tsingy pinnacles at Ankarana, see an exotic display of orchids, photograph colorful chameleons up close, and observe fascinating birdlife, such as songbirds that forage in mixed-species flocks. No place on earth surpasses Madagascar's combination of unusual species, extreme biodiversity, and unique habitats. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime natural history adventure!
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Inspiring journey brings you to the most astonishing wonders of Madagascar
- Hike through the Dr. Seussian spiny forest at Berenty and amid the surreal sandstone tsingy of Ankarana
- Excellent opportunities to photograph Verreaux's “dancing” sifaka lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, and red-fronted brown lemurs
- Spot crowned lemurs, Sanford's brown lemurs, and many species of chameleons endemic to the north at Amber Mountain National Park
- Choice of hiking options, plus early morning outings for birders and fascinating night walks
- Extensions include Isalo National Park in southern Madagascar, South Africa game viewing, Rwanda gorilla tracking, and a stay at Anjajavy, a private nature reserve with amazing lemur viewing and a pristine beach
Itinerary
From Antananarivo ("Tana"), Madagascar's capital, we head to Diego Suarez and explore Amber Mountain, a biologically diverse reserve whose montane rainforests are filled with huge green tree ferns, crystal-clear crater lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a wealth of wildlife. Walk forested trails in search of lemurs and a varied flora—over 1,000 species, a botanist's delight!
Explore Ankarana, a reserve with spectacular landscapes, including the eroded limestone towers known as “tsingy,” and many species of lemurs, including crowned lemurs, endemic to northern Madagascar. We fly back to Antananarivo on Day 6.
Fly by private charter to Berenty Reserve, home to the unique “spiny desert” habitat. This small private park preserves a third of Madagascar's remaining tamarind forest and is a superb place to see friendly ring-tails and incredibly acrobatic sifakas, known for their death-defying tree leaps and the sideways hops they use to get around on the ground. We fly back by private charter to Antananarivo on Day 9.
We head to Andasibe, famed as the home of the indri, a lemur whose haunting treetop song carries for miles as one troop calls to another. Their Malagasy name is babakoto, or “Father of Man.” These three-foot-tall primates are renowned treetop acrobats. Red-fronted lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs, and woolly lemurs are also found here, along with colorful reptiles including huge Parson's chameleons. We'll visit a school, see ring-tailed lemurs on Lemur Island, and go for a night walk. Return to Antananarivo in the afternoon of Day 13 and depart on Day 14, or join our Isalo Extension.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. It features day hikes in national parks, with accommodations ranging from city hotels to basic wildlife lodges. You should be fit, healthy, and ready for adventure, because the walking trails in Madagascar's parks can be quite slippery and muddy. Several of the travel days involve long drives and road conditions can be rough.
Review Trip Level Details
Madagascar has a tropical climate with many microclimates, so the weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year and region of the country. The north and south tend to be warm and dry, while the highlands, including the capital, Antananarivo, are cooler. Daily temperatures typically range from the low 60s to the high 80s. Our departures are set for the dry season (April-November), where you can expect warm weather (don't forget your sun protection), but also some rain and muddy road conditions.
Traveling in Madagascar is always an adventure! Changes and delays are all part of the experience. We will make every effort to follow the Detailed Itinerary as described, but please note it may be rearranged due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, including internal flights that are often subject to delay, cancellation, and last-minute schedule changes. In addition, travelers should be aware that there is a scarcity of medical facilities outside of Antananarivo and they may not be up to international standards. A spirit of adventure and a flexible, cooperative attitude are musts. Your reward is an unparalleled experience of one of the world's most intriguing countries and its fascinating wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"This is a wonderful wildlife trip that I highly recommend. Playing with lemurs was fantastic!"
Bobbie B.
Acworth, GA
"The trip was a good overall introduction to the few remaining areas of the country where one can see the rich flora and fauna. It exceeded my expectations."
James K.
Murray, UT
"It was a true adventure! Madagascar was gorgeous to see and experience, the people were all so friendly, and the experience with the lemurs was off the charts!"
Jennifer R.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Beyond expectations on all fronts!"
Karin E.
San Jose, CA
"Wilderness Travel did a great job finding the well-hidden gems in rural Madagascar."
Melissa K.
Fairfield, CA
"Madagascar is an amazing place, and seeing some of its special wildlife, and its culture, felt like a very special privilege. And the people were wonderful—our guides, lodge, and hotel staff, and others we happened to interact with."
Rob C.
Concord, MA
"This was our first experience with a group tour—what a great introduction! We did this trip to see wildlife, and were delighted with what we got to see. Beautiful country, wildlife, and people—thank you for making our first group trip unforgettable!"
Susanna F.
Lincoln, MA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.