Andasibe-Mantadia
Explore Andasibe-Mantadia, one of Madagascar’s most accessible and exciting parks.
Combine Madagascar’s most prolific tranche of rainforest with a secluded coastal escape. Begin in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, home to countless lemurs – including the indri – as well as chameleons, frogs and birds. Then fly to the remote beach-side lodge of Anjajavy, where tropical jungle meets white-sand beaches and mangroves merge with sea-sculpted coral.
Explore Andasibe-Mantadia, one of Madagascar’s most accessible and exciting parks.
Listen for the call of the indri at sunrise and look for glowing chameleons by moonlight.
Explore this remote peninsula, home to dry forest, mangroves and small fishing communities.
Relax at the beautiful Anjajavy Lodge, set on tropical white sands that face the Mozambican Channel.
The simplicity of this journey is hard to beat. Without using any of Air Madagascar’s unreliable internal flights, it manages to offer surprising diversity, staying at comfortable lodges throughout. Spot several lemur species, meet remote communities, explore mangroves, snorkel over reefs and get up close with colourful chameleons.
Day 1
Antananarivo
Day 2
Antananarivo - Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 3 - 4
Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 5
Andasibe-Mantadia - Antananarivo
Day 6
Antananarivo - Anjajavy
Day 7-8
Anjajavy
Day 9
Anjajavy - Antananarivo
Day 1
Antananarivo
Day 2
Antananarivo - Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 3 - 4
Andasibe-Mantadia
Explore Andasibe-Mantadia, one of Madagascar’s most accessible and exciting parks.
Day 5
Andasibe-Mantadia - Antananarivo
Day 6
Antananarivo - Anjajavy
Relax at the beautiful Anjajavy Lodge, set on tropical white sands that face the Mozambican Channel.
Day 7-8
Anjajavy
Explore this remote peninsula, home to dry forest, mangroves and small fishing communities.
Day 9
Anjajavy - Antananarivo
Lemurs abound in this reserve, which is made up of a mixture of primary and secondary forest. Watch diademed sifakas spring from tree to tree, often leaping over the pathways, and spot black and white ruffed lemurs hiding in the canopy.
Although much smaller than neighbouring Mantadia, Andasibe offers better sightings, thanks to both the lower canopy and the slightly more habituated animals. It also hosts a wide array of smaller creatures, including leaf-tailed geckos, nose-horned chameleons and enormous comet moths.
After dark, a different cast of creatures emerges. Tiny tenrecs rustle in the leaves, mouse lemurs sit wide-eyed in the torchlight and colourful tree frogs announce themselves to prospective mates.
Visit Mantadia National Park, an enormous tranche of unspoilt primary forest. Explore as dawn mist hangs in the air and the sun is still rising – the perfect time to hear the haunting call of the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur. Sounding almost like whalesong, this noise will make the hairs on your arms stand on end.
There is also a good chance of spotting these iconic lemurs, usually as they clamber between branches in the high canopy, feeding on fruit and flowers. The park is also home to a wide variety of birdlife, including several species of rollers, paradise flycatchers and red-breasted couas.
Explore this sanctuary, which is spread across four islands, separated by shallow freshwater channels. The lemurs here have all been rescued and would not survive in the wild. Therefore, they are fed by the guides – something that is never acceptable with wild lemurs.
Set out by canoe, passing close to three of the islands and landing on the fourth and largest island, which is home to sifakas and brown lemurs. The other islands provide habitats for a number of other lemur species, including the ring-tailed lemur and critically endangered red-ruffed lemur.
The lemurs here are incredibly relaxed around humans and will happily climb all over the boat. And, when you step ashore, expect them to regard your head or shoulders as a great alternative vantage point.
Fly across the country by light aircraft to Anjajavy Lodge, located on the remote peninsula from which it takes its name. This stretch of coastline is dotted with idyllic coves, rocky spits and white-sand beaches. Between these, tiny fishing villages hide and eroded coral forms jagged decorations.
Doing nothing is always an option here, and one that the beautifully designed lodge – with its tropical gardens and lovely pool – is well equipped to accommodate. But Anjajavy offers such a range of activities that it would be a shame not to take advantage of them.
The oceanfront location means that on-the-water experiences are plentiful. These include fishing, waterskiing, sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, boat trips into the mangroves and visits to the beautiful Moramba Bay.
Onshore, a protected forest reserve has been established by the lodge. This 750-hectare reserve incorporates areas of endemic dry forest, mangroves and even limestone tsingy formations. It is home to a variety of lemurs, reptiles and other animals.
Activities range from tracking hairy crabs and exploring underground caverns to night walks spotting flying foxes and visits to local fishing villages.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
January, February and March are cyclone season. Many places are closed and roads can become impassable. Travel is not advised at this time
January, February and March are cyclone season. Many places are closed and roads can become impassable. Travel is not advised at this time
January, February and March are cyclone season. Many places are closed and roads can become impassable. Travel is not advised at this time
The rains start to abate, but there is still a chance of heavy downpours. The countryside is lush and green, and it is a quiet time of year to visit.
Rainfall drops significantly, as the winter brings mainly dry weather to many areas. A great time to visit as you will have the choice of your preferred accommodation and the landscapes are beautiful with flora and fauna flourishing.
A fantastic time to get out into the highlands and go trekking, with less rainfall and still relatively warm temperatures. It is still outside of the peak season so you can still have your pick of the accommodation, and it is an excellent time to spot lemurs.
Humpback whales start arriving in Ile St Marie, having migrated from the Antarctic. The weather is at its coolest and driest, making it an ideal time to explore the naturally humid rainforests. This is peak season so expect to book well in advance.
The best time to see a humpback whale, and it is highly likely you will if you visit Ile St Marie. The busiest time of year, with European school holidays, so you will need to reserve well in advance to secure your preferred accommodation.
Temperatures increase, without much more rainfall. It is a fantastic time to visit, with the chance to still see humpback whales before they return to the Antarctic, lower visitor number, and ideal conditions for relaxing on the beach. The birds and lemurs are also breeding, so there is lots to see.
The country continues to warm as summer approaches. The jacarandas bloom, making it a colourful time of year to visit. As little birds and baby lemurs appear, it is also ideal conditions for snorkelling or just enjoying the beautiful beaches.
A quieter time of year, with plenty of lemurs, birds and other wildlife able to be seen. Still a great time to travel, with no species hibernating and warmer weather.
The start of the wet season, and the hottest time of year. If you are travelling at this time, it is best to head to go at the start of the month, to the south and west of the country where it is cooler and drier.
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