11-days Masoala National Park MSL and Antananarivo Tour

Antananarivo – Maroantsetra – Antananarivo flights can be purchased as an extra.

This tour is designed for those who search for a truly remote forest experience in Madagascar. It takes place in Masoala Forest Lodge Private Reserve which is one of our staff favorites and recommended lodges. 

Questions about particular dietary or custom requirements of groups can direct to Fara or Maria Bester at Masaola.

DAY 1: ANTANANARIVO DAY TOUR 

"Tana" is the most vivid and vibrant city in Madagascar and has a kaleidoscope of ethnic foods, flavors, fashion, and is built on a hill overlooking the planes of the central rift of the island. The Rova stands atop and looks out over the city below, and is our first stop on the rollercoaster, for a great viewpoint. Lake Anosy, the government and historical buildings, the president's house, and the central markets and antique train station of Tana intertwine with the San-Francisco-like hills and winding roads with faded French splendor and unique local architecture. 

We drive more than an hour out of the city later this afternoon to visit Lemurs in the closest park to the city, where you can see several species. In the evening, return to your hotel.

Accommodation at the hotel 3 Metis 

DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO - MASOALA

Once you have settled comfortably into your bungalow, meet the other guests for sundowners around a fire on the beach.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 3: MASOALA

Breakfast on the sea deck.

Traverse the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point by kayak. Stop for a swim on the beach at the “Sacred Island” and then continue your 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.

Paddle back to the lodge for lunch and spend another afternoon lounging in our beach hammocks or exploring the lodge’s various reefs.

Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 4: MASOALA

Todays day belongs the beaches. In Masoala you can walk along the beaches for miles without seeing another human beeing.

Grab one of the provided baskets with beachmat and towels, ask the kitchen to pack up a picnic lunch of your choice and find your favorit private beach.

If you add your snorkeling gear you can explore the reefs on your beach.

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the peace and quiet on the deck with a cup of tea or coffee and try the baked good of the day. In season this is the perfect time and place to look out for whales.

Today we are setting up a private dinner for your on the beach.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 5: MASOALA

Breakfast on the sea deck.

Board the boat for a 30-minute voyage through the Tampolo Marine Reserve to the mouth of the Antalavia River. The forested coastline viewed from the boat is stunningly beautiful with countless deserted beaches.

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’ve had your fill, the boat will ferry you to another beach nearby from which you will take a leisurely stroll along a riverbank to the cascades of the Antalavia River. 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.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 6: MASOALA

A relaxed start to the day and breakfast on the sea deck.

Depart on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds, mammals and reptiles.

After a couple of hours walk, take a welcome 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 for our “Meet the People” excursion. Start with a visit to the village school that is supported by the lodge. 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.

Try your luck again spotting elusive nocturnal species on a private reserve night walk

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 7: MASOALA

Awaken early for coffee and breakfast on the sea deck before setting off on the day’s adventure.

Today, 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 snorkelling 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.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 8: MASOALA

A day to spend as you choose

You may have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck followed by some reading and hammocktime. Later this morning you could have a full body massage in our little Spa on the beach.

In the late afternoon we suggest to go for an a walk that extends to a night walk, which gives you high chances of viewing lots of willife.

Join the managers and other guests by the fire when you come back from your walk.

Optional nightwalk after dinner.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 9: MASOALA

Breakfast on the sea deck.

In the morning, hike along our Blue trail, including a waist high river crossing, 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.

Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 10: MASOALA

It’s your last day; make the most of it.

Wake up early and go onto the private reserves path to cath the early bird. There are hundreds of birds flying and calling at this time of the day

Then have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck and enjoy the crepes and omlets our chef makes on the deck.

Later this morning you should explore the orange route, if you havent donr this yet. You have a good chance to see the bamboo lemur and you will pass some airrooted “walking trees” (pandanis).

Don’t miss the chance to do one last night walk. Who knows; it could be the Aye-Aye tonight…

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

DAY 11: MASOALA - ANTANANARIVO 

Enjoy
an early last breakfast on the sea deck.

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!

Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

END OF SERVICES

INCLUDED:

 - Roadtransfers in Maroantsetra (airport to boat, boat to airport)

 - Boat transfers from Maroantsetra to the Masoala Forest Lodge, return 

 - National Park entrance fees for every day of the stay

 - Private guide for every day of the stay

 - Visit to Nosy Mangabe island

 - Accommodation at Masoala Forest Lodge

 - Accommodation at at the hotel 3 Metis 

 - All meals at Masoala Forest Lodge 

 - All non-alcoholic drinks at Masoala Forest Lodge 

 - MFL’s homemade flavored rums and other local spirits

 - Activities at Masoala Forest Lodge as per itinerary

 - Laundry service 

 - A day trip to Antalavia cascades

 - A traditional music-dance performance by the local community 

 - One complementary massage per person

 - Sunset cruise on the sailing pirogue

NOT INCLUDED: 

- Visa

- International flights

- Personal needs

- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary

- Premiumliquors; imported wine and whisky

- Tips/gratuities can be settled on check out

EXTRA:

 - Charter domestic flights Antananarivo – Maroantsetra – Antananarivo