Itinerary

Days 1 & 2 - Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15

U.S. / Antananarivo, Madagascar

Begin your Madagascar tour by flying independently from the U.S. on connecting flights to Antananarivo (Tana), Madagascar. Arrive on Day 2 and transfer to Hotel Colbert, where you enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3 - Monday, September 16

Andrifotra Reserve

Fly to Maroantsetra and continue on to Relais du Masoala Hotel. Set out by boat into the private Andrifotra Reserve. Search for interesting birdlife, such as serpent eagle, among other species.  (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Tuesday, September 17

Masoala National Park

Watch for the elusive aye-aye as well as other species, such as matella frog. On our full day excursions, sharp-eyed naturalists search for red-ruffed lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, aye-aye, tenrec, fossa, fanaloka and falanouc. The park is also home to various species of brightly colored Mantella frogs, and all manner of extraordinary chameleons. Masoala is refuge to the endangered Madagascar red owl and Madagascar serpent eagle, along with many endemic bird species. Flora includes the Masoala pitcher plant and the very rare ravim-be palm (Marojejya darianii, listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of the 12 most endangered living organisms in the world). Return to Maroantsetra. . (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Wednesday, September 18

Nosy Mangabe

Enjoy a full day at Nosy Mangabe, or Mangabe Island, an important conservation area for the fascinating nocturnal aye-aye. The island is the best place to see black and white ruffed lemur, as well as white-fronted brown lemur. On a nature walk through the rainforest, search for fringed Uroplatus gecko, largest of the 10 species in this endemic genus. Some look like dead leaves, while others mimic bark. This remarkable ability to literally fade into the woodwork makes them a particular delight to spot. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Thursday, September 19

Tana

Stop to browse in a local market as we return by air to Tana and the Hotel Colbert. (B,L,D)

Days 7-9 - Friday-Sunday, September 20-22

Andasibe (Perinet) Reserve

Explore Andasibe Reserve, situated in an area of montane rainforest. The reserve is famed for its population of babakoto indri lemur. Indri (“Indro”) means, roughly, "there it is" in Malagasy. These largest of all living lemurs are monogamous and do not live in captivity anywhere in the world. They greet the morning with a unique chorus of elaborate calls that echo throughout the forest. Several groups in the reserve have become highly habituated and are therefore relatively easy to see. The area is also home to grey bamboo lemurs and brown lemurs, as well as Parson's chameleons, which can exceed half a meter in length, Madagascar tree boa and numerous birds including Madagascar blue pigeon, blue coua, Nelicourvi weaver, Madagascar paradise flycatcher, blue vanga and Madagascar buzzard. In Mantadia National Park, search the primary forest for diademed sifakas and colorful birdlife. Enjoy a nighttime wildlife exceursion in Voi Mma Park. Spend three nights at Vakona Forest Lodge or Andasibe Hotel. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 10 & 11 - Monday & Tuesday, September 23 & 24

Tana

Return to Tana and our base at Hotel Colbert. Visit the zoo and botanical gardens as well as the Lemur Park. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 12 & 13 - Wednesday & Thursday, September 25 & 26

Berenty Reserve

After breakfast, fly to Fort Dauphin in the far southeast of the island and set out across the countryside to Berenty Reserve. Spend two days exploring this small private reserve set in the semi-arid spiny forest and sisal fields. The reserve was created 70 years ago by the de Heaulme family as a private park to protect 250 hectares encompassing spiny forest and dry tamarind gallery woodland along the Mandrare River. The reserve is home to six species of lemur and the south’s largest colony of Madagascar fruit bats. The ease in observing resident sauntering ring-tailed lemurs and “dancing” Verreaux sifakas has turned this small protected area into one of Madagascar’s prime wildlife destinations. Enjoy naturalist-guided walks through the network of broad, well-maintained paths is a rewarding wildlife experience. By day, observe myriad birdlife and the reserve’s numerous ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas, as well as some red-fronted brown lemurs. At night, look for white-footed sportive lemur, Grey mouse lemur and the newly recognised red-and-grey mouse lemur. Exploring this reserve will also grant you the opportunity to see some of the reserve’s 103 bird species, 56 of whom breed here, and observe many prolific reptiles, including various chameleons species, lizards, the endangered radiated and spider tortoises and the Madagascar boa. Spend two nights at Berenty Lodge. (B,L,D Daily)

Day 14 - Friday, September 27

Nahampoana Reserve / Fort Dauphin

After one last wildlife excursion in Berenty, set out for Fort Dauphin, stopping en route at the Nahampoana Reserve. Search for the collared brown lemur, southern lesser lemur and many other species among the baobabs. Spend tonight at Croix du Sud in Fort Dauphin. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Saturday, September 28

Antananarivo

Fly to Tana and enjoy time to explore on your own. After a festive farewell dinner, spend the last night of our Madagascar safari at Hotel Colbert. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - Sunday, September 29

Antananarivo / Depart

After breakfast at our hotel, soend the last day of our Madagascar tour birding at Lac Alarobia before boarding independent overnight flights to the U.S. (B, Meals Aloft)

Day 17 - Monday, September 30

Arrive U.S.

Arrive in the U.S. and meet your flights home. (Meals Aloft)