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Experience the weird wildlife of Madagascar face-to-face - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
Experience the weird wildlife of Madagascar face-to-face
The indri is Madagascar's largest living lemur, renowned for its haunting calls through the rainforest - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
The indri is Madagascar's largest living lemur, renowned for its haunting calls through the rainforest
Traditional dugout canoes and villages line the tranquil waterways of the Pangalanes Canal - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
Traditional dugout canoes and villages line the tranquil waterways of the Pangalanes Canal
Join a guided night walk in search of the elusive aye-aye, one of Madagascar's rarest endemic mammals - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
Join a guided night walk in search of the elusive aye-aye, one of Madagascar's rarest endemic mammals
The striking black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of Madagascar's most spectacular rainforest inhabitants - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
The striking black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of Madagascar's most spectacular rainforest inhabitants
Madagascar is home to remarkable chameleons, including the colourful and impressive Parson's chameleon - Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar, Madagascar
Madagascar is home to remarkable chameleons, including the colourful and impressive Parson's chameleon
Updated

Culture & Wildlife of Madagascar

Experience Madagascar’s wildlife, nature and culture on a perfectly paced seven-day guided adventure.

Madagascar
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 4 reviews

7 Days from

$1890 USD

Trip Code: CWM
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Travelling alone? Your own room is required (partner-operated trip)
$590 USD
Guarantee trip date for 1 person (subject to availability)
$1350 USD
Duration
  • 7 Days
Activities
  • Family Adventures
  • Wildlife Safari
  • Day Walking
Accommodation
  • 6 nights hotel
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

55kg of CO2-e PP per day

(330kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Explore Madagascar’s eastern highlands and coast on a short, rewarding itinerary that captures the island’s natural and cultural highlights
  • Search for lemur and chameleons on guided walks in Andasibe’s Perinet Reserve
  • Journey by small boat along the Pangalanes Canal, a tranquil network of lakes and lagoons
  • Spend two nights at Ankanin’ny Nofy, where lemurs roam freely in a private forest reserve
  • Enjoy a night excursion in search of the rare Aye-Aye, one of Madagascar’s most elusive primates

Overview

Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and one of its most biologically unique. Around 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, from lemurs and chameleons to towering baobabs and rainforest orchids. Beyond its natural wonders, the island’s diverse cultures, French influences and rural charm make it an ideal destination for travellers seeking an active yet comfortable introduction to Africa’s most unique island nation.

This seven day guided journey explores the country’s eastern highlands and coast, combining rainforest walks, a gentle river cruise and time in small, welcoming hotels.

Begin in the capital, Antananarivo, before travelling east to the Andasibe region for your first encounters with lemurs in the Perinet Reserve. Continue to the tranquil Pangalanes Canal, a network of lakes and lagoons lined with tropical forest and traditional fishing villages, where you’ll stay in lodges set in nature and visit reserves rich in wildlife.

With comfortable accommodation, private transport and an experienced Malagasy guide, this short, family friendly adventure provides an engaging overview of Madagascar’s landscapes, wildlife and way of life.

Itinerary

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If you are arriving in Antananarivo on Day 1 you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight. If you are arriving on any other day, private airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. Overnight Hotel Belvédère or similar.

Meals: Nil

After breakfast, you will meet your driver-guide and afterwards we will drive to Andasibe. We journey towards the spectacular tropical coast, passing through scenery and villages that few get to see, and arrive in Andasibe in the afternoon. Later, we can take a night walk, searching for nocturnal species in the Mitsinjo Reserve. Overnight Hotel Eulophiella or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 145 km; 4 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we take a walk deep into the rainforest of Perinet Reserve, home to more than 9 species of lemurs, including the largest, the almost mythical Indri Indri, the most revered of all the species. But these explorations are not only about lemurs. There is a host of spectacular plant life, and the magical chameleons that are found throughout Madagascar. We will return to the hotel in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel Eulophiella or similar.

Meals: B,L,D

We drive to Manambato passing ravinala, which is one of the iconic plants of Madagascar. The ravinala, which is native to Madagascar and also known as the Travellers Palm, becomes more common as we travel east and enter the coastal zone. Arriving at Manambato, we board our boat to travel along the Pangalanes (approx 1 hr boat crossing). The Pangalanes are a series of coastal lakes and canals along the east coast that are one of the wonders of Madagascar, but have not yet been “discovered”, except by more adventurous travellers and expats resident in Madagascar. These placid backwaters are verged by tropical forest and are home to the Betsimi sararka people, who still lead a traditional fishing lifestyle. We travel to Ankanin’ny Nofy where we stay in a simple hotel where the lemurs come to visit. Overnight Hotel Palmarium or Bush House Hotel or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 135 km; 4 hrs.

Meals: B,L,D

We spend the morning exploring a private reserve. It is a small forest station that is home to many species of wildlife, including lemur species we have not yet seen. The afternoon is free to swim, visit the local fishing village, walk on the beach or continue wildlife viewing. The fishing village faces the Indian Ocean and the canal, and a visit here (boat fare) costs around US$7. The fabled Aye Aye live in the nearby forest, and there will be a short excursion this evening. Overnight Hotel Palmarium or Bush House Hotel or similar.

Meals: B,L,D

After an early breakfast, we travel on the Pangalanes canal and return to Manambato and our vehicle (approx 1 hr boat crossing). We drive past coastal ravinala and pandanus and enter the forest, climbing to the highlands. After the visit we continue to the capital, Antananarivo. Overnight Hotel Belvédère or similar. Approx driving distance/time: 280 km; 7 hrs

Meals: B,L

You may like to take a walk around the city centre this morning, or depart earlier for the airport to visit the large craft market near the airport entrance and shop for last minute items. (It is an approx. 90 minute transfer to the airport for your International departure). Trip arrangements end after breakfast with a transfer to the airport for onward travel. Please ask your reservations consultant for details if you would like additional nights in Antananarivo or airport transfers on any other day (extra cost applies).

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

359 scheduled departures between 6 Sep 2026 and 28 Nov 2027.

  • Departs 6 Sep 2026 – ends 12 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 7 Sep 2026 – ends 13 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 8 Sep 2026 – ends 14 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 9 Sep 2026 – ends 15 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 10 Sep 2026 – ends 16 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 11 Sep 2026 – ends 17 Sep 2026 (7 days)
  • … and 353 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 6 nights in 2 star hotels on a twinshare basis (3 star upgrade for Antananarivo and Andasibe on request)
  • English speaking local driver-guide (Groups of 1-5 will have an English speaking local driver-guide; groups of 6-12 an English speaking local guide and a local driver will accompany group)
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Airport transfers (day 1 and 7 only)
  • Permits, entry fees and local guides in parks and reserves
  • Private vehicle transport throughout
  • Tourist taxes

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa
  • Arrival and departure transfers if not arriving/ departing on Days 1 & 7
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • Optional activities and sightseeing

About your guide

Please note that for groups of 6 or more people, an English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout, in addition to a local driver. For groups of up to 5 people, your local English-speaking guide will also be the driver.

Reviews (4)

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Our Culture and Wildlife of Madagascar tour was terrific. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and night walks to see lemurs, chameleons and more. We also experienced many aspects of the local culture, and we especially enjoyed the coastal lakes area of the Pangalanes, a tropical paradise. Our guide was informative and keen, and our accomodation was very comfortable.

Josephine D.|Cranebrook, NSW Australia
11 Aug 2024
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Great tour - Madagascar is an amazing country to visit

Sarah Woods|Melbourn, VIC Australia
7 Nov 2023
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I traveled with my 16-year-old son after finding a great airfare to Madagascar. I chose this excursion due to it fitting our air schedule perfectly. Our guide was fantastic and the trip provided great access to lemurs and chameleons which were high on our list to see. Our driver was excellent and spoke English well and was well versed in knowledge of his country. We traveled during the summer cool season which was dryer and made life much more comfortable. Fantastic trip for a father and son to make memories.

R. Patten|NC, USA
23 Jul 2019
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We had the most amazing time whilst in Madagascar, everything was perfect. Our guide was excellent, as were all of the guides who we encountered at various places. The accommodation was great, whilst it was basic it was clean and tidy and the views we had at the National Park and in the Pangalanes was amazing. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

J. Burrows|Manchester, UK
27 May 2019

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?Why Book With Us

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings. 

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run. 

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route. 

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

  • We have been delivering immersive and active travel experiences since 1975
  • A perfectly paced itinerary designed to showcase Madagascar’s unique wildlife, landscapes and culture in just one week
  • Private vehicle support ensures comfort, flexibility and smooth travel across Madagascar’s rural roads

Guaranteeing A Great Madagascar Trip

Pioneering World Firsts
Quality equipment
Quality accommodations
Innovative itineraries
Custom built, reliable transport
Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

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Adventure Experts Since 1975

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