Custom-Tailored Adventure in the Land of Lemurs
Madagascar Private Journey
Overview
The island-nation of Madagascar shelters an unmatched abundance of rare plants and animals, including more than 100 species of lemur, the engaging treetop acrobats found only here. Even Madagascar's chameleons are unique, from the huge, multi-colored Parson's chameleon to the inch-long Brookesia micra. In this natural history paradise of unique ecosystems, we bring you a Private Journey with exclusive accommodations, charter flights, top-notch naturalist guides, and flexible activities each day, from sundowners among the baobabs to early morning bird walks and exciting night excursions into the forests. Explore the trails of the lush eastern rainforests at Andasibe, one of Madagascar's premier reserves, home to the famous “singing” indri lemur as well as a host of birdlife and endemic flora. On Madagascar's northwest coast, Anjajavy, a deluxe Relais & Chateaux property in its own private wildlife reserve, is a unique tropical ecosystem that shelters a multitude of wildlife, from the common brown lemur to the Coquerel's sifaka or tiny nocturnal mouse lemur. Reptiles range from amazing native chameleons to leaf-nose bats, and the birdlife is prolific. With activities tailored to your taste, enjoy abundant lemur-viewing, night walks, sunset boat rides, snorkeling, and kayaking in the mangroves. Extend your Madagascar journey tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans.
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Private guides with choice of hiking options, night walks, early morning and afternoon outings
- Experience Madagascar's range of ecosystems, from dry deciduous forest to lush rainforest
- Hear the “singing” of indri lemurs of Andisabe, see Coquerel's sifaka lemurs at Anjajavy
- Sunset among the baobabs, snorkeling and kayaking at Anjajavy
Itinerary
After an overnight in Antananarivo, head to the rainforests of Andasibe, one of Madagascar's premier reserves, created to protect the Indri, the largest living lemur species, whose haunting calls echo through the forest. More than 11 species of lemurs are found here, and a fascinating night walk offers a glimpse into the world of nocturnal species including the tiny mouse lemur. Return to Antananarivo on Day 5 for overnight.
A charter flight brings you to Anjajavy Reserve, whose forest is home to chameleons, frogs, and common brown lemur, as well as nocturnal species such as sportive, and mouse lemur. More than five lemur species can be seen on walks in the Anjajavy Reserve (and even while you're on the deck of your villa). Birdlife includes flocks of grey-headed love birds, vangas, crested couas, and vanga parrots. Activities on these days can be tailored to your taste. Enjoy a walk through the towering baobab forest or through a tsingy labyrinth, or cove to cove hikes along the cliff path. Mountain bikes are offered, as are guided catamaran trips. Single and double kayaks are available for a paddle along the south coast of the reserve. More than 135 bird species have been recorded at Anjajavy, many of them rare or endangered; for birders, an early morning trip accompanied by a birding guide is a memorable experience. Overnights at Anjajavy Lodge. On Day 9, fly back to Antananarivo and depart on homeward-bound flights.
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 that range 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 and temperatures can be extreme. 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. The east is mostly rainforest, where wet weather is always possibility.
The ideal time to visit is between April and November. (There are heavy rains from December to March, so travel during that time is not recommended.) Each season is unique and offers its own attractions: April and May's landscapes are lush and vibrant, July provides cooler temperatures good for extensive hiking, September and October bring a new generation of baby lemurs, and warmer days in November are especially good for reptiles.
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
"Love Madagascar. Great trip. Every single thing was taken care of. Enjoyed the pace of our trip. Enjoyed learning the history, politics, being in the jungle, seeing wildlife, marketplaces, people we met along the way."
Laurie B.
Oakland, CA
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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
Submit the form below to download itinerary
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.