Welcome to Madagascar. Explore the colorful buildings of Antananarivo, hike the rich rainforests, and spot lemurs in Andasibe-Mantadia.
See the unique wildlife, natural sights, and underwater world on Nosy Ankao Island.
Enjoy relaxing in the island’s best lodges with helicopter transfers on this luxury Madagascar trip.
Day 1: Arrival and Explore Antananarivo
When you arrive at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, your private English-speaking guide will greet you warmly and take you to Maison Gallieni.
This hotel sits on a hill in the center of the city and offers a clear view of the town. In the afternoon, you can relax by the pool or explore the colorful city of Antananarivo, known locally as ‘Tana.’
Your hotel is a restored colonial mansion in the upper town.
Day 2: Drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
After breakfast, meet your guide and start a four-hour drive east to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. The park has two protected areas: Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park.
It is famous for the indri lemurs, the largest living lemur species. The drive offers a good look at rural Madagascar with rice fields, redbrick houses, and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables.
When you arrive, check in to Manjarano Lodge for lunch. You will stay here for three nights with full board. In the evening, you can enjoy a night walk with your guide to see Madagascar’s animals that are active after dark.
Day 3: Lemur Spotting at Analamazaotra Special Reserve
After an early breakfast, meet your guide and go to the Analamazaotra Special Reserve. Here, look for the famous indri lemur. It has black and white fur, a very short tail, and a face that looks like a surprised teddy bear.
This lemur cannot live in captivity. You may also see 11 other species of lemur. The reserve is home to many reptiles, insects, orchids, and birds like the nuthatch vanga, blue coua, velvet asity, and other species found only in Madagascar.
After lunch, visit the nearby forest run by the local Mitsinjo association. In the evening, take a guided night walk to spot chameleons, geckos, and nocturnal lemurs such as the Goodman’s mouse lemur, woolly lemur, white-footed sportive lemur, and furry-eared dwarf lemur.
Day 4: Hiking in Mantadia National Park
After breakfast, your guide will take you to Mantadia National Park for a day of adventure and a picnic lunch. This park has many lemur species, including indri, gray bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, white ruffed lemur, and diademed sifaka.
The trails are a bit harder, but the forest is more impressive and less crowded than Perinet. You may also find rare mammals, reptiles, and birds like the breasted coua, scaly ground roller, and pitta-like ground roller.
Enjoy your picnic lunch near Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to the vehicle and returning to the lodge. In the evening, you can join another night walk to explore the forest.
Day 5: Return to Antananarivo
Enjoy a slow breakfast before driving back to Antananarivo. Check in to Novotel for one night on a full board basis. The hotel combines traditional and modern features.
It opened in 2005 to serve international travelers.
Day 6: Flight to Diego Suarez & Helicopter Transfer to Nosy Ankao
After breakfast at Relais des Plateaux in Tana, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight north to Diego Suarez. On arrival, a guide will assist you as you wait for your helicopter transfer to Nosy Ankao.
Enjoy an exciting helicopter ride over mountains, baobab trees, and shipwrecks along the wild coast. The ride ends with a gentle landing on a private remote island off Madagascar’s coast.
Miavana is a place to rediscover wonder. It mixes luxury with adventure and care for the environment. By visiting, you help keep this area safe.
The island is about 10 square kilometers, perfect for a quiet escape. You will stay at Miavana for five nights.
Days 7 to 10: Relax & Explore Miavana
Miavana has just 14 ocean-front villas with sea views and direct beach access. The design uses hand-dyed textiles, Malagasy wood, and local stone to create a calm feeling.
You can enjoy forest walks, snorkeling, boat cruises, island cultural visits, shore boarding, kite surfing, wind surfing, bicycling, and riding electric buggies.
Extra trips like more helicopter rides and scuba diving are also available. Visit forests to see over 100 lemur species or dive into clear waters to find colorful reefs, sea turtles, and manta rays.
Depending on the season, you might see humpback whales or spinner dolphins.
Day 11: Return to Antananarivo
After your last breakfast at Miavana, fly by helicopter back to Diego Suarez airport in about 30 minutes. A guide will assist you with check-in for your two-hour flight back to Antananarivo.
Upon arrival, meet your guide for a transfer to Relais des Plateaux Hotel & Spa near the airport. Spend your last afternoon and evening in Madagascar relaxing by the pool or shopping for souvenirs.
You will stay here one night with full board.
Day 12: Departure
You will be transferred from your hotel to the international airport in time to check in for your flight home. Your luxury Madagascar trip ends here, but you will take home memories and photos that last a lifetime.
