Wild Madagascar

Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa

Arrive in Johannesburg and gather for a welcome dinner.

Day 2-3: Antananarivo / Pèrinet, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, and drive to Pèrinet Reserve in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Madagascar has more than 15 species of lemur, and the world’s largest is found here, the indri indri, whose arresting call sounds like loud, eerie wailing. We may also spy diademed sifakas or the palm-sized brown mouse lemurs. We stay at Vakona Forest Lodge and spend two days exploring the park, a critical component of Madagascar’s efforts to conserve its biodiversity. This threatened biome contains a thousand different orchid species, a plethora of medicinal plants, and a neon spectrum of chameleons. One evening we take a night walk to spot nocturnal creatures.

We will also plan to visit Lemur Island, a small island sanctuary near Vakona Lodge which has allowed orphaned lemurs to thrive. There are regularly several species of lemur, which have become quite habituated to visitors allowing for amazing close-up encounters and great photo opportunities.

Days 4-5: Tamatave / Ivoloina Zoological Park

Embark on an early-morning walk in Anamalazotra reserve in search for the dynamic indri, whose distinctive call guides our tracking. Later this afternoon, drive to Madagascar’s main port city, Tamatave. Here, we visit Ivoloina Zoological Park and Save the Lemur Foundation, which runs a successful captive breeding program for endangered lemur species. The enthusiastic staff explains how conservation and community development go hand in hand.

Day 6: Maroantsetra / Masoala National Park

Fly to Maroantsetra and Masoala National Park, the best-protected tract of virgin rainforest in Madagascar. Within this slick green realm of coiled leaves and unfurled vines we find geckos, frogs and stick-like chameleons masquerading as branches. Our retreat for the next three nights, Relais du Masoala, is the recipient of a Smithsonian ecotourism award.

Days 7-8: Masoala / Nosy Mangabe

As we explore the park’s varied habitats, we look for rare species of lemurs on day and night walks. Glimpses are usually fleeting, but we may spy the extremely endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs or the notoriously shy aye-aye. On the island of Nosy Mangabe, rising 1,000 feet out of the sea, we’ll walk among many exceedingly rare plants and animals, likely seeing leaf-tailed geckos.

Day 9: Masoala / Antananarivo

After a leisurely morning, we fly back to Antananarivo and Palissandre Hotel & Spa, situated on a hillside in the heart of Antananarivo. Enjoy an afternoon exploring this exotic capital city.

Day 10: Ifaty

This morning we visit a handicrafts market before our flight to Tulear. Southern Madagascar is a profound contrast to the lush northeast, an arid zone of odd spiny forests and rocky canyons. Otherworldly trees pepper the landscape, including massive baobabs, spindly didiera and the swollen-footed, bottleshaped pachypodia. In Ifaty we stay at Le Paradisier, a collection of thatched bungalows tucked along a beach on the Mozambique Channel.

Days 11-12: Reniala / Isalo National Park

Rise for a daybreak hike through the spiny desert of Reniala Reserve, one of the world’s most endangered biomes. Many resident species are found nowhere else on earth, including incredibly rare birds and octopus trees. Later, look for ring-tailed lemurs among the cacti in Isalo National Park. And cool off in the secret swimming holes set deep in ancient canyons.

Day 13: Zombitse & Vohibasia National Parks / Antananarivo

Return to Tulear and visit Zombitse and Vohibasia national parks, offering some of Madagascar’s finest birdwatching. In the dry forest we look for the rare Appert’s greenbul, iridescent souimanga sunbird and, always, lemurs. Fly back to Antananarivo for a farewell dinner at the Malagasy cuisine of Villa Vanille.

Day 14: Antananarivo / Johannesburg

Enjoy a morning of leisure, then fly to Johannesburg. After a late-afternoon arrival, connect homeward.