The east part of Madagascar has a tropical wet climate and evergreen rainforests full of many kinds of wildlife. It is known for its special birdlife and natural beauty.
This area attracts nature lovers from all over the world who want to see its unique scenery.
Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo
When you arrive in Tana, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and then taken to your hotel for the night. Antananarivo means “City of thousands.”
It started about 500 years ago when King Andrianjaka was drawn to the area’s beauty.
He sent over 1000 soldiers to clear the forest and take control of the land. Later, King Andrianampoinimerina built a palace here, which became the main palace for his successors.
From this palace, he began to unite the different kingdoms of the island. During King Radama’s rule, Antananarivo became the capital of all Madagascar.
The city is built on three levels: the high city with the queen’s palace, the mid-city with administrative offices and shops, and the low city, which is the commercial area.
Day 2: Drive to Andasibe & Reptile Park Visit
You will drive for 4 to 5 hours to Andasibe, passing through green forests and many lakes. You will see rice fields, waterfalls, and small forests.
On the way, you will stop at Peyrieras Reptile Park to see farmed chameleons and other reptiles. When you enter the forest, you will see two kinds of lemurs: the sifaka “coquereli” and the brown lemurs “fulvus.” You will spend the night at a hotel.
Day 3: Andasibe National Park & Lemur Island
You will start the day with a 3 to 4 hour guided walk in Andasibe National Park, a large tropical rainforest. The park is home to nine species of lemurs and many other animals.
The main highlight is the “Indri Indri,” the largest lemur on the island. You will also see many orchids, chameleons, tenrecs, and birds.
After the walk, you will visit Andasibe village, a typical Betsimisaraka village where people mainly farm. Then, you will visit Vakona private park and the “island of lemurs,” a great place to take photos of lemurs.
You will spend the night at a hotel.
Day 4: Travel to Manambato & Boat to Ankanin’ny Nofy
In the morning, you will drive east along National Road 2 for about 3 hours to Manambato. On the way, you will stop briefly in Brickaville, an old colonial town.
Then you will drive 10 km to a crossroad and take a 7 km dirt road to Manambato, a small village on the shore of Lake Rasoabe.
This is where you board a speed boat to Ankanin’ny Nofy, meaning “Nest of Dreams.”
The boat ride takes about 1 hour. You will cross Lake Rasoabe and then the Pangalanes Channel, a man-made waterway built during the colonial period.
During the ride, you may see birds and enjoy the thick vegetation. You will spend the night at a hotel.
Day 5: Bird Watching & Palmarium Reserve
This day is perfect for bird lovers. Early in the morning, you will go on a trip to see many birds that live here. After breakfast, you will hike in Palmarium, a private reserve home to seven species of lemurs, including the Indri Indri.
You will also see reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many plants found only in the east. The reserve has many palm trees, orchids, and vanilla plants.
The bungalows are inside the park, so you will be close to the lemurs all the time. At 5:30 pm, you will take a 30-minute boat ride across Lake Ampitabe to visit “Aye Aye Island.”
This new park protects the rare aye aye lemurs. You will have about one hour to see these unique and rarely seen lemurs in their natural home.
Day 6: Return to Mantasoa
After breakfast, you will take a 1-hour boat ride back to Manambato. You will cross Lake Ampitabe and the Pangalanes Channel again before arriving at Lake Rasoamasay and Lake Rasoabe.
From Manambato, you will drive 45 minutes on a dirt road to the main road. Then you will continue to Brickaville and have a short stop to explore the old town.
From there, you will drive 4 to 5 hours to Mantasoa, where you will stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 7: Return to Antananarivo & Departure
Today, you will leave Mantasoa and first drive 15 km to Ambatoloaka. From there, you will take National Road 2 and drive 60 km north to Tana.
You will travel through the area between the wet east and the cooler highlands. You will see rice fields, rocky mountains, eucalyptus forests, and charcoal ovens on hills.
You will arrive in Antananarivo and get ready for your flight home.
