East Madagascar: From Rainforest to Reef

Welcome to Madagascar.

On arrival at Ivato International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo.

Settle in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure after your journey.

Overnight: Antananarivo

After breakfast, travel east towards Andasibe through a changing landscape of terraced rice fields, forested hills and rural villages.

En route, stop at Peyrieras Reserve, also known as the Exotic Park, where you can see an impressive variety of Madagascar’s reptiles and amphibians up close. Look out for colourful chameleons, frogs, butterflies and other endemic species.

Continue to Andasibe, gateway to some of Madagascar’s most accessible rainforest and one of the best places to encounter the country’s largest lemur, the indri.

This evening, there is the option to head out with a local guide on a nocturnal walk near the reserve. With a little luck, you may spot mouse lemurs, woolly lemurs, chameleons and other nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight: Andasibe

Rise early for a visit to Analamazaotra Reserve, one of Madagascar’s best-known rainforest reserves and home to the remarkable indri.

Their haunting calls echo through the forest and are often heard long before the animals are seen. Along the trails, keep watch for other lemur species, birds, chameleons and the rich plant life of the eastern rainforest.

Afterwards, continue by road towards Manambato, passing through the agricultural landscapes around Brickaville. From here, board a covered motorboat and travel along the Pangalanes Canal to Akanin'ny Nofy, set beside beautiful Lake Ampitabe.

The Pangalanes Canal is one of Madagascar’s great waterways, running for hundreds of kilometres parallel to the Indian Ocean and linking a network of natural lakes and rivers.

Arrive at your hotel surrounded by lush tropical scenery.

Overnight: Akanin'ny Nofy

Today is dedicated to exploring the forests and waterways surrounding Lake Ampitabe.

A highlight is a visit to Palmarium Reserve, where a number of lemur species can be seen during guided walks through the forest. The area is wonderfully lush and offers a relaxed way to enjoy Madagascar’s distinctive wildlife.

There is also time to explore the surroundings on foot or by canoe, depending on conditions and your interests.

After dark, head out on a special excursion in search of the rare and unusual aye-aye. Part of the experience is by boat, taking you to an area where these nocturnal lemurs can be observed as they forage and feed.

With their large ears, distinctive teeth and extraordinarily long middle fingers, aye-ayes are one of Madagascar’s most fascinating animals and a real highlight of the eastern forests.

Overnight: Akanin'ny Nofy

Depart early this morning by motorboat, travelling north along the Pangalanes Canal towards Tamatave.

From Tamatave, continue by road along Madagascar’s east coast to Mahambo, with the Indian Ocean never far away.

Arrive at your hotel and settle in for the evening.

Overnight: Mahambo

Today, board the ferry for the journey across to Sainte Marie Island, also known as Nosy Boraha.

On arrival, you will be met at the port and transferred to your hotel.

Sainte Marie has a very different feel from mainland Madagascar, with palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs and a laid-back island atmosphere.

Please note that ferry services are weather dependent. If sea conditions are too rough for the crossing, the programme may need to be adjusted.

Overnight: Sainte Marie

Enjoy a full day at leisure on Sainte Marie.

You may choose to swim or snorkel in the clear waters, take a boat excursion, hire a bicycle or explore the island on foot.

One of the island’s most interesting attractions is the historic pirates’ cemetery, a reminder of Sainte Marie’s colourful past when it was used as a refuge by pirates operating in the Indian Ocean.

From July to September, Sainte Marie is also one of Madagascar’s best places for whale watching, as humpback whales migrate through the surrounding waters, often accompanied by calves.

Overnight: Sainte Marie

Another day to relax and explore the island at your own pace.

Sainte Marie is surrounded by protective coral reefs and offers a wonderful mix of beaches, small fishing villages, forest, hills and coastal trails.

You may wish to visit Île aux Nattes to the south, explore the quieter northern reaches of the island, head out on another boat trip or simply enjoy a slow day by the sea.

The island can be explored by bicycle, motorbike or tuk-tuk, making it easy to discover different corners at your own pace.

Overnight: Sainte Marie

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo.

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.

Enjoy your final evening in Madagascar.

Overnight: Antananarivo

Depending on the departure time of your international flight, there may be time for some final sightseeing.

One option is a visit to Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historical and spiritual places of the Merina people. Once the residence of King Andrianampoinimerina, the fortified royal hill offers a fascinating insight into Madagascar’s history as well as wide views across the surrounding countryside.

You may also have time to visit a local handicraft market for some final souvenir shopping.

If your flight departs later in the evening, day-use accommodation may be arranged before your transfer to the airport.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Ivato International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your Madagascar journey to an end.