Book this 12-Day Madagascar Tour to explore rainforests, lemurs, and a private island in one trip.
Explore the colorful architecture of Antananarivo, hike the rainforests, and spot the lemurs of Andasibe-Mantadia. Discover wildlife, natural sites, and the underwater world on the island of Nosy Ankao. Relax in top lodges with helicopter transfers on this Madagascar itinerary.
12-Day Madagascar Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo and Relax at Maison Gallieni
- Day 2: Drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and Night Walk
- Day 3: Explore Analamazaotra Reserve and Mitsinjo Reserve
- Day 4: Full Day Adventure in Mantadia National Park
- Day 5: Return to Antananarivo and Stay at Novotel
- Day 6: Fly to Diego Suarez and Helicopter Transfer to Nosy Ankao
- Days 7 to 10: Stay and Activities at Miavana, Nosy Ankao
- Day 11: Helicopter to Diego Suarez and Return Flight to Tana
- Day 12: Departure from Antananarivo
Detailed 12-Day Madagascar Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo and Relax at Maison Gallieni
On arrival at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, your private English-speaking guide will meet and welcome you. Transfer to Maison Gallieni, a hotel on a hill in the heart of the capital with wide views over the city.
In the afternoon, relax at the hotel, enjoy the pool, or explore the streets of Antananarivo, locally called Tana. Maison Gallieni is a restored colonial mansion in the upper town.
Day 2: Drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and Night Walk
After breakfast, your guide will take you on a four hour drive east to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. This park includes two protected areas, the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park, known for their indri lemurs, the largest living lemur species.
The drive shows you rural Madagascar, with rice fields, red brick houses, and roadside stalls selling seasonal produce. On arrival, check in to Manjarano Lodge for lunch.
Stay here for three nights on full board. In the evening, join a night walk with your guide to see Madagascar’s nocturnal animals.
Day 3: Explore Analamazaotra Reserve and Mitsinjo Reserve
After an early breakfast, head with your guide to the Analamazaotra Special Reserve. Search for the indri lemur, known for its black and white markings, tiny tail, and teddy bear face. It is one of the few animals in the world that cannot live in captivity.
The park is also home to 11 other lemur species, reptiles, invertebrates, and many orchids, along with birds such as the nuthatch vanga, blue coua, and velvet asity. After lunch, visit the Mitsinjo community-run reserve on the other side of the forest.
In the evening, take another guided night walk to spot chameleons, geckos, and nocturnal lemurs like Goodman’s mouse lemur, woolly lemur, white-footed sportive lemur, and furry-eared dwarf lemur.
Day 4: Full Day Adventure in Mantadia National Park
After breakfast, meet your guide for a day trip to Mantadia National Park with a picnic lunch. This park is home to lemurs such as the indri, grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, white ruffed lemur, and diademed sifaka.
The trails are a bit tougher here, leading through taller forest with fewer visitors. You might spot rare mammals, reptiles, and birds such as the red-breasted coua and scaly ground roller.
Enjoy your picnic at the Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to the lodge. In the evening, join another night walk with your guide.
Day 5: Return to Antananarivo and Stay at Novotel
Enjoy breakfast before driving back to Antananarivo. Check in to Novotel for one night on full board. This hotel combines tradition with modern comforts, built to make travel easy for international visitors.
Day 6: Fly to Diego Suarez and Helicopter Transfer to Nosy Ankao
After breakfast at Relais des Plateaux in Tana, transfer to the airport for your flight north to Diego Suarez. On arrival, your guide will assist you while you wait for your helicopter transfer to Nosy Ankao.
The helicopter ride takes you over mountains, baobab trees, and shipwrecks along the coast before landing on a private island. Miavana offers a relaxing stay in an untouched natural setting.
Staying here helps support long term conservation of the region. The island covers about 10 square kilometers, with space to relax and explore. Stay at Miavana for five nights.
Days 7 to 10: Stay and Activities at Miavana, Nosy Ankao
Miavana has 14 ocean-front villas with sea views, direct beach access, and a mix of indoor and outdoor living. The design uses hand-dyed fabrics, Malagasy wood, and local stone.
Activities include forest walks, snorkeling, boat cruises, cultural visits, shore boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, cycling, and use of an electric buggy. You can also book extra activities such as helicopter trips and scuba diving.
Enjoy lemur trekking in the forests or dive into clear waters to see reefs, sea turtles, and manta rays. Depending on the season, look for humpback whales and spinner dolphins.
Day 11: Helicopter to Diego Suarez and Return Flight to Tana
After your final breakfast at Miavana, take a 30 minute helicopter flight back to Diego Suarez, followed by a two hour flight back to Tana.
On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Relais des Plateaux Hotel and Spa near the airport. Spend your final afternoon shopping for souvenirs or relaxing by the pool. Stay one night on full board.
Day 12: Departure from Antananarivo
Transfer from your hotel to the airport in time for your flight home.
Book this 12-Day Madagascar Tour today and combine rainforest lemur trekking with island relaxation at Nosy Ankao.
