Masoala Tour

Masoala Tour

Day 1: Antananarivo

On arrival in Antananarivo, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you can simply relax or go out and discover Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. With its bustling markets, friendly people, and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world’s other capitals.

Day 2: Antananarivo – Maroantsetra

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Maroantsetra. You will be met at the airport and a transfer will take you to your hotel. Maroantsetra is a charming town situated at the bottom of Antongil Bay, in beautiful riverine scenery where the scent of vanilla and cloves fills the air. Its surrounding area is lush and green and is dotted with rice paddies and stands of the coconut palm. [B]

Day 3: Maroantsetra – Masoala

You will be transferred to the port where you will embark on a boat to Masoala. The Masoala Peninsula is the site of a 230,000 ha national park containing one of the best rainforests in the country and the largest protected area, terrestrial and marine, in Madagascar.

After our arrival, we will go on a 3-hour walk in the primary forest to see reptiles, birds, lemurs, and orchids as well as rare and unique species such as the green lizard, the red owl, the tomato frog or the serpent eagle. You will even have the opportunity to relax and swim in the refreshing cool water of a river. To round off the day we will have a barbeque party at night. [BLD]

Day 4: Masoala

We will start our day with a 3-hour bird-watching excursion followed by a visit to a typical village with plantations of vanilla, cloves, and coffee. Masoala Peninsula is one of Madagascar’s premier trekking and hiking areas. It also offers excellent opportunities for sea kayaking and snorkeling - a simple mask is enough to admire the colorful marine world. Between July and September, you will also have the chance to see the majestic humpback whale in the Bay of Antongil. [BLD]

Day 5: Masoala

Today, you can go snorkeling in the Marine reserve, in front of Tampolo. Between July and September, you will have the chance to see the majestic humpback whale in the Bay of Antongil. [BLD]

Day 6: Masoala - Nosy Mangabe - Maroantsetra

Boat transfer to Nosy Mangabe, a scenic island with a variety of wildlife. We will visit the reserve to admire its endemic flora and fauna. Later on, you will have the exciting opportunity to see the Betsimisaraka tombs. The Betsimisaraka tribe is Madagascar’s second largest ethnic group and inhabits most of the central and northeastern coastal regions.

The name Betsimisaraka, which means “those who stand together”, refers to the time when the tribe’s confederation was forged from several smaller tribes in the early 18th century. In the afternoon, we will go on a 15-minute boat transfer back to Maroantsetra. [BL]

Day 7: Maroantsetra - Antananarivo

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo, where a transfer will take you to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. You can wander through the capital’s steep and narrow streets, taking in its architecture, atmosphere, and pace. Or you can climb up to the old rova (palace) and enjoy the views over Antananarivo and the surrounding countryside. The town is at its best in the evening when the setting sun spectacularly illuminates its hillsides. [B]

Day 8: Antananarivo - Home Destination

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, where your unforgettable tour ends. We look forward to welcoming you to Madagascar again very soon! [B]

Included in the Price:

Accommodation based on a BED & BREAKFAST basis in a twin sharing room at midrange hotels, camping at Nosy Mangabe on a full board basis, all required camping equipment, all transfers, and transport mentioned in the program, entrance fees in the park, and reserve (Nosy Mangabe and Masoala), specialist guides in the park as per program, all excursions mentioned in the program, an English-speaking guide.

Not Included in the Price:

All excursions not mentioned in the program, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, laundry, international flights, domestic flights to and from Maroantsetra, visas and travel insurance, all lunches and dinners (except those mentioned on days 3-5), personal items. (Flights from/to Johannesburg and onto Maroantsetra can be arranged by Jenman African Safaris)