Madagascar in High Comfort for Families and Couples
Tour Introduction
For a luxury Madagascar holiday with plenty of lemurs, chameleons and other wildlife as well as ample time to relax in beautiful surroundings, perfect for both families and couples look no further. The lodges are selected for their comfortable family accommodation and excellent locations with wildlife in abundance with contrasting habitats. Firstly, you explore the beautiful rainforest reserves of Andasibe and Mantadia on exciting guided day and night walks. Then comes the highlight: Anjajavy, one of the most luxurious lodges in the entire country, with two-storey, seafront chalets, a huge pool, beautiful beach and scrumptious food. The stunning Coquerel’s sifaka and a whole different range of Madagascan wildlife adapted to the dry deciduous forest is also on your doorstep. A fitting finale to a fabulous, fun-filled family holiday.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Tana. Met on arrival and transfer (15 minutes) to your hotel.
Staying at Relais Des Plateaux. Includes No Meals.
Morning transfer (5 hours) to Andasibe with lunch en route at the Mandraka Park.
After settling into your accommodation, enjoy an afternoon excursion to the VOIMMA Reserve, a community-managed section of the forest with easy trails. The forest here supports a wide range of wildlife including indri and Eastern grey bamboo lemurs.
Continue your walk after dark to spot nocturnal species such as the tiny Goodman’s mouse lemur, Eastern woolly lemur and the furry-eared dwarf lemur as well as chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos and endemic frogs.
Staying at Mantadia Lodge. Includes All Meals.
In the morning transfer north (A roughly 1 hour 30 minute drive on a bumpy track to the wonderful primary rainforest of the Mantadia National Park.
The old growth pristine rainforest of this park is an excellent location to see the beautiful diademed sifaka and the black-and white-ruffed lemur. Birdlife includes the colourful pitta-like and scaly-ground rollers, velvet asity and several members of the coua family, all unique to Madagascar.
Enjoy another night walk in the evening where you may encounter an assortment of colourful endemic frogs, camouflaged stick insects and tiny Brookesia chameleons along with much more.
Staying at Mantadia Lodge. Includes All Meals.
This morning explore the community managed Mitsinjo Reserve. The is the best place to see the largest lemur species, the indri up close as the local guides have habituated several family groups. A close and intimate encounter with an indri is an experience you will treasure.
This forest is home to many rare endemic frogs, common brown lemurs and the Parson's chameleon, the world's largest.
In the afternoon perhaps visit the Andasibe village to learn about the way of life in this rural part of the country or the VOIMMA Reserve.
Staying at Mantadia Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today visit the Analamazaotra Special Reserve where lemurs such as the diademed sifaka, indri, common brown lemur and Eastern grey bamboo lemur are easily found.
In the afternoon transfer back to Antananarivo for the evening with some interesting stops along the journey.
Staying at Relais des Plateaux. Includes Breakfast.
Take an early transfer (15 minutes) back to Tana's airport for your scheduled charter flight to the remote Anjajavy peninsula. You will arrive around 0900 in the morning with the rest of the day at leisure. You can choose from a range of included or optional activities on offer or simply just relax or explore independently.
Staying at Anjajavy le Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure in Anjajavy to enjoy the wildlife of the private dry forest reserve, wonderful beach and various activities on offer.
The surrounding dry forest reserve contains endemic species of trees and plants and is a refuge for many lemur species including the charming Coquerel’s sifakas that visit the lodge grounds each day. The nocturnal fat-tailed dwarf lemur, gray mouse lemur and Milne Edwards sportive lemur are among those seen on night walks. Madagascar's top predator, the fossa is also found in the reserve as are tenrecs, many chameleons, ground boas, and the very rare Madagascar fish eagle nests on the coast too.
If lucky you may now also catch a glimpse of the mysterious aye aye on a night walk in the lodge’s private reserve thanks to a successful reintroduction programme.
Staying at Anjajavy le Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure in Anjajavy. Optional activities include: boat trips, guided forest walks, kayaking and snorkelling.
There is a swimming pool to augment the warm sea bathing, and other water sports available include catamaran sailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing and water skiing. Four wheel drive and boat excursions, hiking and cycling are also possible.
Nearby there are two local villages that may be visited, where you can see the benefits accrued to the populations from their proximity and involvement with the lodge.
Staying at Anjajavy le Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Enjoy another day at leisure in Anjajavy with activities available.
Staying at Anjajavy le Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Today take the scheduled charter flight at 0930 back to Antananarivo arriving at 1100. On arrival transfer to your hotel or enjoy exploring some of the city of Antananarivo with a guide and vechile at your disposal.
Staying at Relais des Plateaux . Includes Breakfast.
Today transfer back to the airport to depart Antananarivo on your flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Anjajavy Le Lodge
Overview
Considered the top hotel in the country, luxurious Anjajavy le lodge spreads along a beautiful beach on a remote peninsula in northwest Madagascar. Accommodation at Anjajavy is in comfortable, air-conditioned two-storey villas constructed of rosewood and satrana-leaf thatch. Each detached villa has a large verandah overlooking the sea, double bed, private bathroom equipped with a large bathtub, a first floor sitting room (which converts to a second bedroom – ideal for two children), room safe and mini bar. There is a swimming pool to augment the warm sea bathing: other water sports include catamaran sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing and water skiing. Four-wheel drive and boat excursions, guided walking, hiking and cycling are also possible optional activities.
A boat excursion to Moramba Bay is highly rewarding for its beauty, sacred baobabs and the very rare Madagascar fish eagle, as is boating amongst the mangroves at sunset, especially when armed with a sundowner cocktail. Nearby are two local Sakalava fishing villages, Ambondro Ampassy and Anjajavy, where you can see the many benefits to the local population resulting from their close involvement with the lodge.
The adjacent 550-hectare tropical dry forest reserve contains endemic trees and other flora and is a refuge for many animal species. In 2014, two aye aye were translocated to the reserve from a forested area 50km away which had been purposely burned. There, aye ayes were being killed as evil spirits, as happened at Anjajavy before the lodge educated the locals. Plans are afoot to double the reserve by end 2015. Birding is excellent in the reserve and there are many marked paths through the forest and leading to nearby inlets. Nature walks can be taken with or without guides – maps are available at the reception.
Lemurs visit the lodge grounds most evenings – a rare occurrence for Madagascar’s lodges – offering excellent photographic opportunities and easy viewing. The sight of a Coquerel’s sifaka “dancing” across the ground near your room is spellbinding.
Access to Anjajavy is by charter plane from Antananarivo three times a week (Tue, Thu, Sat). Air transfers can usually be arranged on other days at a surcharge, with departures to/from Nosy Be possible on request.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Excellent beachside swimming pool; restaurant; bar; boutique shop; private 550 hectare dry tropical deciduous forest reserve home to many lemurs including the Coquerel's sifaka and two recently reintroduced aye aye.
Local Wildlife
Coquerel's sifaka, aye aye, common brown lemur, gray mouse lemur, Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, Milne-Edwards sportive lemur, ghost crab and various chameleons, geckos and sankes. Birds include the very rare Madagascar fish eagle, sickle-billed vanga, both greater and lesser vasa parrots and crested coua.
Optional Activities
Water-skiing; boat trips to the mangroves, Moramba Bay and for private picnics in secluded coves; visits to the local villages; traditional pirogue (outrigger canoe) excursions; massage treatments; fishing.
Mantadia Lodge
Overview
The newly opened Mantadia Lodge is located along a ridge above the the village of Andasibe and is surrounded by eucalyptus forest, but with views towards the rainforest of Analamazotra in the distance. The lodge is only a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Perinet Reserve and an hour a half drive from Mantadia National Park and the song of the indri can often be heard at dawn.
The lodge offers some of the most comfortable accommodation, facilities and settings in the Andasibe area with 28 rooms including 2 suites. The accommodation features a garden and sun terrace, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits. All rooms offer high speed Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, kettle and tea facilities, a safety deposit box in the bathroom and a wood stove for the cooler seasons. There is a superb onsite restaurant designed with an exceptional view and terrace. There is a well stocked bar and a welcoming lounge with both inside and outside reading areas and also a beautiful infinity pool in the grounds plus a spa.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar and infity swimming pool and spa in the landscaped garden. Rooms feature modern private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TV and a laundry service is available.
Local Wildlife
In the early mornings you may wake to the song of the indri, which echoes throughout the local area. Perinet Reserve and its nearby Mantadia National Park is the best location to see this impressive species in all of Madagascar. There are eight other species of Lemur in Andasibe and the most commonly seen include the diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, Eastern grey bamboo lemur, common brown lemur and eastern woolly lemurs and furry-eared dwarf and Goodman’s mouse lemurs at night. There are some wonderful chameleons in the reserve including the two-foot long Parson’s Chameleon and tiny nose-horned and brookesia chameleons. Endemic Frogs are plentiful and birding highlights include Madagascar blue pigeon, Madagascar long-eared owl, Madagascar starling and numerous species of vanga, coua and the shy ground rollers.
Optional Activities
All exploring is done on foot along trails that weave through the forest: expeditions can vary in length from one hour to five. Walks are particularly rewarding in the early morning when Indri calls, sounding rather like a unique forest whale song echo through the air.
Relais des Plateaux
Overview
Situated about 10 minutes’ drive from the airport, this comfortable three-star hotel set in exotic gardens offers well equipped, en suite rooms including air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, tea and coffee facilities and hair dryer. Each room is decorated in a Malagasy design using local materials and the rooms are arranged in a village layout with good access.
Other facilities in the hotel include a local handicraft shop, restaurant serving delicious French cuisine and local delicacies, bar and swimming pool (heated in the cooler months).
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, mini bar, safety deposit box, satellite TV, direct-dial telephone,
Optional Activities
City tour of Antananarivo, excursion to Ambohimanga Hill, visit to Tsarasaotra Lake (aka. Lac Alarobia) in a district of Tana for some unusual Hauts Plateaux birdwatching.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly to Antananarivo via Paris from London on Air France. Other flight options include Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways from Johannesburg.
Best Visited:
April to December
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
The flights between Anjajavy and Antananarivo only operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Add a stay at the northern beaches for snorkelling or diving such as Constance Tsarabanjina, Eden Lodge, Tsara Komba or a stay in the Spiny Forest at the Mandrare River Camp to see the famous ring tailed lemurs and tribal cultures.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Tour guide was perfect (Excellent++). Attentive and caring. Outstanding person. Became part of the family. Give her an award!!! Local guides very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and pleasant people to be with. Helen’s enthusiastic and sparkling voice was a pleasure to hear on the ‘phone. All questions answered in detail and printed information sent was helpful. You guys really cared. Very attentive in Madagascar and went well. Very pleasant and good driver. No corners cut and a well planned trip with all details covered. Perfect for us. Due to good guides and spotters we saw 16 species of lemurs and plenty of them. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see so many species and so close to us. Marvellous – very emotional. Lemurs are such wonderful gentle creatures. This trip was so well-designed for people like us. I will never forget this trip in my life. What a humbling experience it was. Some time in the future we will be back to see these special animals. In the mean time I look to our video footage of our time with the lemurs of Madagascar. Helen Cox – well done. Your company is at the top of our list.
