Book this 7-Day East Madagascar Tour to see the rainforests and lemurs of Madagascar’s east coast.
The east of Madagascar has a tropical wet climate, with evergreen rainforest full of wildlife. This region draws nature lovers from around the world to see its natural beauty.
7-Day East Madagascar Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo and City Overview
- Day 2: Drive to Andasibe with Stop at Peyrieras Reptile Park
- Day 3: Explore Andasibe National Park and Vakona’s Island of Lemurs
- Day 4: Travel to Akanin’ny Nofy via Manambato and Pangalanes Channel
- Day 5: Palmarium Reserve Visit and Evening Trip to Aye Aye Island
- Day 6: Return by Boat and Drive to Mantasoa
- Day 7: Drive Back to Antananarivo and Departure
Detailed 7-Day East Madagascar Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo and City Overview
On arrival in Antananarivo, known as Tana, you will be met and welcomed at the airport, then transferred to your hotel for the night. Antananarivo, meaning “City of Thousands,” was founded about 500 years ago when King Andrianjaka sent 1,000 soldiers to clear the forest and take over the land.
Later, King Andrianampoinimerina built a palace here and began uniting the island’s kingdoms. Under King Radama’s rule, Antananarivo became the capital of Madagascar.
The city sits on three levels: the high city, home to the Queen’s Palace; the mid city, the main administrative area; and the low city, the commercial center.
Day 2: Drive to Andasibe with Stop at Peyrieras Reptile Park
Drive 4 to 5 hours to Andasibe, passing green, humid forest, lakes, rice fields, waterfalls, and small villages. Stop at Peyrieras Reptile Park to see chameleons and other reptiles.
In the forest, you might spot two types of lemurs: the sifaka (Coquerel’s) and the brown lemur (fulvus). Overnight at a hotel.
Day 3: Explore Andasibe National Park and Vakona’s Island of Lemurs
Start with a 3 to 4 hour guided walk in Andasibe National Park, a large rainforest in the east. The park is home to nine lemur species, including the indri-indri, the largest lemur in Madagascar.
See orchids, chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. After the walk, visit Andasibe village, a Betsimisaraka community that relies on farming.
Then visit Vakona’s private park, known as the Island of Lemurs, a good spot for photos. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 4: Travel to Akanin’ny Nofy via Manambato and Pangalanes Channel
After breakfast, continue east on National Road 2 for about 3 hours to Manambato, stopping in Brickaville for a short visit to this old colonial town. Drive 10km to a crossroads, then 7km on a dirt road to Manambato, a small village on the edge of Lake Rasoa Be.
Board a 1 hour boat ride to Akanin’ny Nofy, meaning “Nest of Dreams,” crossing Rasoa Be Lake and the Pangalanes Channel, a waterway built during colonial times. Spot birds and enjoy the green scenery along the way. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 5: Palmarium Reserve Visit and Evening Trip to Aye Aye Island
Start early with a birdwatching trip, then return for breakfast. Hike in the Palmarium Reserve, home to seven lemur species, with the indri-indri as the main highlight.
The reserve is also home to reptiles, birds, frogs, and plants like orchids, palm trees, and vanilla. The bungalows are inside the park, so you stay close to the lemurs all day.
In the evening around 5:30 pm, take a 30 minute boat ride across Lake Ampitabe to visit Aye Aye Island, a small park set up to protect the rare aye-aye lemur. This 1 hour visit lets you see these lemurs up close in their natural setting.
Day 6: Return by Boat and Drive to Mantasoa
After breakfast, take a 1 hour boat ride back to Manambato, crossing Lake Ampitabe and the Pangalanes Channel. From there, travel by dirt road for about 45 minutes back to the main road.
Stop again in Brickaville for a short walk, then continue 4 to 5 hours to Mantasoa, where you spend the night at a hotel.
Day 7: Drive Back to Antananarivo and Departure
Return to Tana, taking the 15km road to Ambatoloaka, then driving 60km north on National Road 2. This area sits between the humid eastern climate and the cooler highlands, passing rice fields, rocky hills, eucalyptus forest, and charcoal ovens. Once back in Tana, connect to your international flight home.
Book this 7-Day East Madagascar Tour today and see the indri, aye-aye, and other lemurs in Madagascar’s eastern rainforests.
