11 Days Private Tour Masoala National Park From Antananarivo

Itinerary

Day 1: Antananarivo

Stop At: Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Antananarivo Province
This morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel in the city and it is from here you will depart to explore more of Madagascar's capital city! One of our first stops today will be The Rova as it stands atop and looks out over the city below, a great viewpoint to start the day! Today can include Lake Anosy, the government and historical buildings, the president's house, and the central markets and antique train station of Tana, and plenty of great architecture!
This afternoon we will head out of the city (about 1 hour drive) to visit Lemurs park to visit several species of the countrys most famous animal!
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accommodation at the hotel 3 Metis or similar.

Day 2: Antananarivo to Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
This morning - nice and early - you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Maroantsetra. As you arrive at Maroantsetra airport our staff will meet you and transfer you via private boat to Nosy Mangabe just in time for a picnic on the beach! Next - another boat trip! We will head across Antongil Bay for approximately 2 hours to the incredible Masoala Forest Lodge. En route there is definitely no shortage of scenery with the lush rainforest as a backdrop. Keep your eye out for dolphins, and even whales depending on the season! As you arrive at the lodge you will settle into your bungalow and head does to enjoy a nice fire on the beach. Should you prefer a bit more adventure this evening you can depart with a guide for a evening stroll to visit some of the nocturnal creatures of the forest. Examples of what is possible to see (although of course not guaranteed) are sleeping birds, mouse lemurs, white-fronted brown lemurs, woolly lemurs, sportive lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, chameleons, and Aye-aye (if very, very lucky).

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 3: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
Enjoy breakfast and a nice coffee with great views from the sea deck this morning. From here we will depart by kayak for a day of adventure. We will start by traversing the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point. Up next will be a swim at the “Sacred Island” before continuing our paddle into a pristine mangrove and forested river, with the chance of spotting Blue-spotted stingrays in the shallow water or perhaps the Lesser Bamboo lemurs crossing the river.
Later this afternoon we will head back to the lodge in our kayaks for lunch and a nice relaxing day around the lodge.
Early this evening enjoy dinner and a fire on the beach.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 4: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
Beach Day! There are are a plethora of beaches in the area - many of which do not have a single soul on them! You can request your lunch be packed for your beach outing and head out to beach comb, relax, or if you have your snorkeling gear with you explore the local reef!
Late this afternoon return to the lodge where you can look forward to a private beach dinner.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 5: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
After breakfast this morning, hop on a boat for a 30-minute voyage through the Tampolo Marine Reserve to the mouth of the Antalavia River. On arrival, go for a swim or snorkel the reef in pristine water with high visibility. See if you can spot a Blue-spotted stingray on the seafloor or a lobster tucked away in a crevice.
When you feel you would like to move on simply ask your boat captain to island-hop to a nearby island! Here, refreshingly cool, clear water forms perfect swimming pools, over-hung by the lush forest with a chance of seeing White-fronted brown lemurs leaping through the canopy.
After a picnic lunch on the beach and a short rest under the trees, you have the choice of returning to camp by boat or on foot.
Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 6: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
This morning, depart on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds, mammals and reptiles. After a couple of hours, reward yourself with a swim in the crystal-clear water of the Tampolo Cascades at the base of the forested mountains!
On your way back to the lodge, our staff paddles you down the serene, shady Tampolo river in a traditional dugout canoe.
In the afternoon, take a short walk along the coast to the nearest village to have a chance to meet some of the locals and get a feel for their lifestyle. Start with a visit to the village school that is supported by the lodge. We will then continue with a guided tour of Ambodiforaha village for a window into local rural life followed by a traditional song and dance performance by the ladies of the village. If interested, you can bring some small money with you to purchase handicrafts and locally-produced spices.
Continue your Malagasy cultural education back at the lodge with delicious traditional Malagasy dishes served for dinner.
This evening you can head out to try and scope out some of the elusive nocturnal species in the area.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 7: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
Today, after breakfast, take a quick boat ride up the coast to the primary rainforest in search of the Red-ruffed lemurs, Dwarf chameleons, Helmet Vangas, and other wildlife endemic to the forest.
After some hours in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns, return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest.
Your afternoon activities could range from snorkeling on the nearby, highly diverse coral reefs to a sunset paddle out to a scenic outlook (and the chance of a close encounter with Green Turtles) to relaxing in a hammock underneath our beach-front palm trees.
After dinner, a guided night walk provides the only opportunity to spot some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife, such as Dwarf and Mouse lemurs, Leaf-tailed geckos, or even the elusive Aye-Aye.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 8: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
Day at your leisure.
You may have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck followed by some reading and hammock time. Later this morning you could have a full body massage in our little Spa on the beach.
In the late afternoon, we suggest going for a walk that extends to a night walk, which gives you high chance of viewing lots of wildlife.
This evening join other from the lodge around a beach fire to catch up on the day.
Optional night walk after dinner.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 9: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
Enjoy a hike along our Blue trail, including a waist-high river crossing this morning, for a different view of the beautiful secondary forest. A great spot for birding or seeing lemurs and chameleons.
After lunch at the lodge, you can take a stroll down the beach to the Tampolo River and enjoy a peaceful pirogue trip on the cool shady river to observe the birdlife.
Late this afternoon enjoy a beach fire with others from the lodge.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 10: Masoala

Stop At: Masoala National Park, 5 National Road, Maroantsetra 512 Madagascar
On your final day at the lodge - we would suggest you wake up extra early and go onto the private reserves path to catch the early bird. There are hundreds of birds flying and calling at this time of the day. When you return, enjoy your breakfast on the deck!
Later this morning you can opt to explore the orange route, if you haven't done this yet. You have a good chance to see the bamboo lemur and you will pass some air rooted “walking trees” (pandanis).
Don’t miss the chance to do one last night walk. Who knows; it could be the Aye-Aye tonight…

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 11: Masoala to Antananarivo

Stop At: Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Antananarivo Province
This morning once you have had your final breakfast at the lodge, you will board the boat for your return voyage to Maroantsetra followed by the car transfer to the airport where your charter plane awaits you. Enjoy the stunning view of the Masoala peninsula and Nosy Mangabe on the return to Antananarivo to either catch your international flight or continue on to the next stop of your Madagascar adventure!

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.