The Madagascar Odyssey: Lemurs to Baobabs, Rainforest to Reefs

Arrive in Madagascar’s lively capital for a private meet-and-greet and easy transfer to Maison Gallieni, a beautifully restored colonial mansion with a serene pool and panoramic views over the hills of Tana. Settle in, take a dip, and enjoy your first evening soaking up Malagasy warmth and hospitality. This gentle start helps you shake off travel and reset to island time.

Insider tip: Arrivals can feel busy—a hosted meet-and-greet streamlines immigration and baggage handling so you can start relaxed.

Cuisine spotlight (Maison Gallieni): Refined Franco-Malagasy flavors—market fish with vanilla or green peppercorn sauces, zebu brochettes, and highland produce. Sweet finishes often showcase Madagascar’s famed vanilla and tropical fruit—pair with Three Horses Beer (THB) or South African wines.

Journey east through highland rice terraces and roadside markets to Andasibe. Check into Mantadia Lodge, a hillside retreat with sweeping rainforest views and cozy, modern rooms. This afternoon, explore Perinet Reserve—home to the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, along with vibrant orchids, chameleons, and rich birdlife. The haunting indri call echoing through the forest is an unforgettable first encounter with the island’s biodiversity.

Insider tip: Layers are key—misty forest mornings and warm afternoons can swing the temperature quickly.

Cuisine spotlight (Mantadia Lodge): Heart-warming Malagasy staples like romazava (herbed beef/greens broth) and ravitoto (cassava leaves), freshwater fish, and rice (vary) with spice-forward sauces. Ask for a post-dinner rhum arrangé infused with vanilla, ginger, or kaffir lime.

Go deeper into Mantadia National Park, following rainforest trails to spot diademed sifakas, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and endemic birds. Enjoy a picnic by Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back through giant tree ferns and lianas. After dinner at Mantadia Lodge, opt for a night walk to discover mouse lemurs, chameleons, and glowing eyes in the understory.

Insider tip: Bring a small headlamp (red-light mode if you have it) for night walks, and keep voices low—wildlife rewards quiet patience.

Return to Perinet Reserve for a second perspective: different trails often reveal new lemur troops, reptiles, and orchids. After lunch, drive back to Antananarivo and settle into the Novotel Hotel & Convention Center, a modern base with rooftop bar (you may even catch a rainbow), pool, and spa... perfect for a restorative evening.

Insider tip: Rooftop sunsets on clear evenings are dazzling—bring your camera for Tana skyline shots.

Cuisine spotlight (Novotel Antananarivo): An international menu with Malagasy touches: grilled zebu, akoho sy voanio (coconut chicken), and laoka side dishes with rice. Breakfasts lean into tropical fruit, local coffee/cocoa, and pastries scented with vanilla.

Uncover Tana’s layers: French-inspired architecture and Ambohimanga, a sacred royal hill and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is served at Restaurant Le CITIZEN, an iconic property in the heart of Antananarivo with a view of Lake Anosy and the Queen’s Palace.

After lunch, fly south to Fort Dauphin and check into Talinjoo Boutique Hotel, a contemporary coastal hideaway perched above a wide, sandy beach. Dinner at on-site Joo Restaurant pairs ocean views with fresh, local seafood.

Insider tip: Ambohimanga is deeply spiritual—dress modestly and follow your guide’s cues around sacred spaces.

Cuisine spotlight (Talinjoo/Joo): The south coast shines with langouste (spiny lobster), prawns, and line-caught fish grilled with citrus, chilies, and herbs. Keep an eye out for breakfast mofo gasy (rice cakes) and coconut-vanilla desserts.

Drive inland through changing landscapes to Mandrare River Camp, a luxury tented retreat shaded by tamarind and palms along the riverbank. Tents feature comfy beds, en-suite facilities, and a terrace for bird-watching and river life. At dusk, head into the Spiny Forest for a guided night walk to spot sportive lemurs, mouse lemurs, owls, and chameleons in a setting that feels otherworldly.

Insider tip: Light, breathable clothing plus repellent make day-to-dusk more comfortable—bring a light puffer jacket for the cool nights.

Cuisine spotlight (Mandrare River Camp): Lodge-style, open-air dining with grilled zebu, gently spiced Malagasy curries, garden salads, and flavors like baobab fruit and tamarind. Sundowners feature house rhum arrangé and savory nibbles.

Begin with an early forest walk as sunlight filters through “octopus trees,” watching the couas and vanga birds stir. Visit a local Antandroy village and watch the children sing and dance. After, head to the local market for a thoughtful introduction to customs, music, and daily life along the river.

After a restful afternoon at Mandrare River Camp, head out for a golden-hour sundowner among ancient baobabs, often followed by a lively village dance performance backlit by a bonfire. Dinner with fellow travelers outside under the bright stars and tall baobab trees.

Insider tip: Learning a few words (misaotra = thank you) and engaging respectfully opens doors to richer cultural exchanges with the villagers and children.

Cross the river (by foot or boat, water levels depending) into the sacred gallery forest where ring-tailed lemurs—the same charismatic species that inspired King Julien in the animated film Madagascar—leap and sunbathe with striped tails held high. Keep an eye out for Verreaux’s sifakas performing their playful “dance” between trunks and a chorus of forest birds.

After lunch at Mandrare River Camp, drive back to Fort Dauphin for your evening flight. On arrival in Antananarivo, return to the Novotel Hotel & Convention Center for dinner and a restful night.

Insider tip: For wildlife photos, avoid flash—a longer lens and quiet patience capture the most natural behavior.

Fly to the remote northwest coast and check into Anjajavy Le Lodge (Relais & Châteaux), where elegant seaview villas open onto a white sand beach and a private reserve of forest, mangroves, and coves. Spend the afternoon unwinding on the beach or by the pool.

At 5 pm, join the lodge’s tea time in the Oasis garden—an enchanting hour when Coquerel’s sifakas often swing from tree to tree right overhead. As night falls, head out on a guided walk to meet the reserve’s nocturnal residents. This is where rainforest meets reef—perfect for the next chapter of your adventure.

Insider tip: Evenings are “casual chic”—light, airy fabrics are ideal for dinner by the sea.

Cuisine spotlight (Anjajavy Le Lodge): Seasonal, coastal-forward cuisine—day-boat seafood, garden vegetables, and sauces touched with Bourbon vanilla, wild pepper, and local citrus. Expect freshly baked breads, tropical-fruit desserts, and thoughtful wine pairings.

Set out with your guide along the Chemin des Crabes, a trail framed by baobabs and mangroves where colorful birds flit and the namesake hairy crabs scuttle under roots. Explore a small cave with stalactites, fossil hints, and the island’s ancient geologic story.

Next, continue to coastal coves where large sea turtles are often seen grazing or surfacing—in the right conditions, you can observe them from shore or slip in for a respectful snorkel to watch these gentle giants in their element.

Return to Anjajavy Le Lodge for a leisurely afternoon of swimming, kayaking, or hammock time.

Insider tip: With a dry, hot climate, choose lightweight fabrics and wide-brimmed hats. Don’t forget swimwear for dips in the pool and the ocean!

Today’s private boat journey to Moramba Bay is a showstopper. Red baobabs rise above sculpted mushroom islets while sifakas swing in branches overhead—keep an eye skyward for the rare Madagascar fish eagle. Slip into clear water for private snorkeling over coral reefs alive with tropical fish, then cruise serene mangroves at sunset with a sundowner in hand.

Nearby Sakalava fishing villages—Ambondro Ampassy and Anjajavy—offer a window into how the lodge’s community partnerships support sustainable livelihoods. Return to Anjajavy Le Lodge for an outdoor BBQ and a high-energy dance performance by the local staff!

Insider tip: Polarized sunglasses cut glare to reveal reef detail and make spotting fish eagles and sifakas easier from the boat.

Take aerial pics from your seat on a charter plane as you fly from beach to mountains and back to Tana. A representative assists with your international check-in and onward journey. As you fly out, you’ll have traced a true cross-section of Madagascar—from cool rainforests and sacred rivers to warm beaches and coral gardens.

Insider tip: A lightweight scarf doubles as a plane wrap and sun cover—small, versatile, and always useful.