Southern Madagascar Forest & Beach Holiday

Depart from London Heathrow on Kenya Airways overnight flight via Nairobi.

On arrival into Antananarivo you will spend the first night a Tamboho guest house, breakfast and return airport transfers included. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

This morning you'll be taken to the airport for the Air Madagascar flight to Fort Dauphin, where you will be met for the overland journey to Mandrare River Camp. Stay 3 nights in a semi-permanent luxury tent. All meals, canapés, picnic lunches, drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits) and scheduled lodge group excursions are included. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

Days here can be spent seeking out wildlife in extraordinary landscapes created by the spiny bush habitat, and learning about the complex culture of the people of southern Madagascar. There are a number of designated forest areas near the camp, where with permission from local village chiefs, it's possible to explore this unique ecosystem with your guide. Also look for the various species of lemur unique to sub-arid southern Madagascar (White foot sportive, Grey mouse, Grey-brown mouse, Ringtails and the entertaining Verreaux’s Sifaka) but there are also many other animals which make walks a memorable experience.

The baobab forest is surreal experience - the baobab trees, held sacred by many Malagasy, have been left standing like sentinels presiding over the landscape where the surrounding bush has been cleared to make way for sisal plantations.

A day’s excursion to Lac Anony with its white sand shores and dunes, contrasting with azure blue water, is seasonally home to flamingos and to local fishermen who for generations, have fished on the lake.

Another interesting excursion is to one of the local village markets. This region is far from the tourist circuits, so often villagers are just as interested and fascinated in the visitors as the visitors are in the lives of the residents. Market day is quite an event in these parts, with people coming from miles around on foot or ox-cart to bring produce and to see friends and neighbours.

Travel overland, past baobabs, across the Mandrare River, through villages and Andohahela National Park to Fort Dauphin, and then north along the coast to Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge. Stay 6 nights in a bungalow with all meals, local soft drinks and many activities included.

Many activities are included here including, canoeing in the mangroves, early morning boat trips for wetland birding, day and night walks in the rainforest to see five species of lemur, snorkelling in the bay and nearby turquoise cove, whale watching from the 15ft observation tower (Jun to Nov), boat trips to the nearby islands for a secluded picnic lunch, walks along sweeping white sand beaches, trips to local village and to the school, supported by Manafiafy Lodge.

Optional activities, payable locally at the lodge include: massage treatments, whale watching trips by boat to see the fascinating humpback whale migration (June to December) and deep sea fishing trips. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

Transfer by road to Fort Dauphin for the Air Madagascar flight to Antananarivo. Transfer to Tamboho guest house for a 1 night stay with breakfast included. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

Road transfer to Antananarivo Airport for Kenya Airways overnight flight via Nairobi to Heathrow Heathrow.