9-Nights Madagascar: Ultimate Wild Adventure - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Antananarivo, Madagascar

Better known as Tana, Madagascar’s capital city in the Central Highlands is a vibrant mix of colonial houses, steepled hilltop churches and French mansions. Settle into your hotel set in a restored mansion with an elegant mix of modern and traditional decor. Take a dip in the pool and enjoy the lovely views over the city before dining this evening.

Far off the beaten path in the wilds of southern Madagascar lies the Mandrare River, with its calm waters flowing beneath the sheltering shade of tamarind trees. Tranquil yet teeming with life, the forest here is home to both nocturnal and diurnal species of lemurs as well as chameleons, owls and prehistoric spiny forest. Fly to the remote Mandrare River Camp, claim your spacious luxury tent, and begin exploring, perhaps with a night walk in the Forest of Zenavo.

The quizzical and often humanlike behavior of ring-tailed lemurs makes for irresistible watching along with the always entertaining Verreaux sifakas. The trees they live in are part of the show as well, especially the stunning sacred gallery forest south of camp. Depending on the river depth, walk or take a boat across the Mandrare River to reach this largely deciduous forest. Return to camp for lunch and time to relax by the pool. Later, head out for a walk through the sacred spiny forest filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, and learn about their culture and customs from a guide who is a tribal member. Cap off your day with a refreshing cocktail along the riverbank.

Head to the Spiny Forest for an early morning walk. Witness the sunlight break through the octopus trees while looking out for the many endemic birds such as crested couas, a variety of vangas and running couas. Head back to camp for a sumptuous breakfast followed by a visit to the local market or the local village to once again meet with members of the Indigenous Antandroy tribe. After lunch, relax, watching life along the river from your tent’s terrace, and tip back a cool drink in the late-afternoon sun, amid the towering baobabs. Watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the baobabs to the mountains beyond is a magical experience. This evening, local villagers may come to perform beautiful traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.

Change things up today with a day trip to Lac Anony, a saltwater lake separated from the Indian Ocean by a series of large sand dunes. Home to greater flamingos and a variety of saltwater birds, the lake is framed by a lunar-like landscape. Walk along the lake shore to a beautiful picnic spot and later scale the 70-foot-high sand dunes for an incredible view of the surrounding area and go for a swim the lake.

Ambohimanga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just north of Tana that is the ancestral home on the Merina kings and queens who united Madagascar under one rule. It is a fortified sacred hill with 16 gates leading to king Andrianampoinimerina’s house (ruled 1787 – 1810) and a series of elegant royal summer homes. After flying to Antananarivo, settle into your hotel, then drive to Ambohimanga and explore its many treasures.

A realm of otherworldly beauty lies in Madagascar’s north. Encompassing six ecosystems, this region offers caves, bamboo forests, wetlands, jagged limestone formations and more. Fly to the port town of Soalala and then drive with your guide to your luxury tented camp, stopping along the way for a village walk among the mango trees. After check-in, set out on a late-afternoon forest walk. Watch for birds, chameleons, Von der Deckens sifakas and red lemurs. You may even spot a fossa or an Aye Aye. Early this evening, gather for a cool drink under the baobabs.

Begin the first of two full days exploring the tsingy of Namoroka National Park and its surrounding areas. This national park welcomes just 50 visitors per year due to the challenges of accessing it by road. It is one of the more pristine protected areas on the island with an incredible abundance of birds — some 100 avion species make their homes here. Seek them out along with many reptile and mammal species, including six varieties of lemurs such as the Milne-Edwards Sportive lemur.

Today, you may opt to continue spotting wildlife or depart for an exploration of the unique cave system that stretches under the region’s entire massif. Here, you will encounter rare fossil remains of species such as the Archaeolemur, a giant lemur species that went extinct, along with much of Madagascar’s megafuna, about 1,000 years ago. Take a break from the action with a picnic lunch in the shade of the tsingy.

After breakfast, return to Soalala, where you take your private transfer the airport for your departing flight.