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The Madagascar Safari
with James Hendry
000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
Trip Overview
Duration
10 Days | 9 Nights
Guide
James Hendry
Date
10 – 19 July 2026
Location
Andasibe and Masoala Peninsula
This itinerary combines two of the country’s most exceptional national parks: Andasibe-Mantadia and Masoala.
Andasibe National Park is a perfect introduction to Madagascar’s unique biodiversity. Easily accessible from Antananarivo, it offers lush rainforest trails and is home to the iconic Indri Indri, the largest living lemur, whose haunting calls echo through the forest canopy. The park also boasts a rich variety of reptiles, amphibians, and birdlife, making it ideal for both casual wildlife enthusiasts and serious naturalists.
Masoala National Park, located in the northeast, is Madagascar’s largest protected area and offers a truly immersive wilderness experience. With its combination of dense rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, Masoala is a rare gem where guests can hike, kayak, snorkel, and spot species found nowhere else on Earth. It’s also one of the best places to see the elusive Red-ruffed lemur and the endangered Madagascar serpent eagle.
Together, these parks offer a compelling contrast—Andasibe’s accessibility and iconic species paired with Masoala’s remote beauty and ecological richness. This combination provides travelers with a deep and varied understanding of Madagascar’s natural heritage.
Your Private Guide
James Hendry
Private Safari Guide
With over two decades of guiding experience and academic credentials in both Wildlife Science and Human Development, James offers a distinctive blend of insight, humour and depth. He holds a BSc in Wildlife Science, an MPhil in Human Development, and the highest FGASA guiding qualifications, grounding his safaris in both expertise and understanding.
Since joining WildEarth in 2015, James has become a familiar presence to thousands of nature lovers across the globe. He thrives on sparking curiosity and joy, bringing Africa’s landscapes and wildlife to life through sharp storytelling, thoughtful commentary and the occasional well-timed laugh.
Guests often remember James for his wit, warmth and engaging explanations of evolutionary biology. They also tend to mention that he’s a little shorter in person than expected. His favourite animals are leopards and wild dogs, both of which have given him some of his most meaningful experiences on foot.
A fun fact? He once was a porridge salesman.
The Lodges
Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo
Located in the heart of Antananarivo’s vibrant business and shopping district, Novotel Convention & Spa delivers a five-star experience defined by comfort, convenience, and sweeping city views. The hotel’s 180 rooms are elegantly appointed, offering a calm retreat after your flight or a day exploring the capital. Just 15 minutes from both the airport and the city centre, it’s ideally situated for guests beginning or ending their journey through Madagascar. Nearby, you’ll find tranquil sanctuaries such as Tsarasaotra Bird Park, the Queen’s Palace, and Lake Anosy. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga and Lemurs’ Park are also within easy reach, allowing for a gentle introduction to Madagascar’s heritage and wildlife before your adventure begins.
Manjarano Lodge & Spa, Andasibe
Nestled within 180 hectares of pristine rainforest, Manjarano Lodge is a rare gem in Andasibe — a 4-star escape that seamlessly combines European comfort with the wild charm of Madagascar’s eastern forests. Each elegant bungalow, whether perched on the hillside or beside the lake, opens onto a private balcony with panoramic forest views. The lodge’s setting invites a sense of peace and connection, with the sounds of birdlife and the calls of lemurs echoing through the trees. Guests can explore the lodge’s private reserve, home to reptiles, chameleons, and several lemur species, or simply relax by the lake and soak in the natural beauty. Sustainability is woven into every detail, with parts of the land reforested to support local ecosystems — creating a stay that feels both luxurious and purposeful.
Masoala Forest Lodge, Masoala Peninsula
Accessible only by boat, Masoala Forest Lodge lies hidden between rainforest and sea on Madagascar’s remote Masoala Peninsula. It is a place where nature takes the lead, a tranquil hideaway designed for those seeking deep connection and quiet discovery. Traditional safari-style tents are raised on stilted decks, blending seamlessly with the forest canopy and offering views across a golden beach and the Indian Ocean beyond. Days unfold at an unhurried rhythm: exploring rainforest trails, kayaking along the coast, snorkeling in coral-rich bays, or simply resting on the deck as the sound of the surf mingles with birdsong. Evenings bring lantern-lit dinners and the hum of the forest all around. Masoala Forest Lodge is more than accommodation, it’s an experience that immerses you fully in the island’s living wilderness.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, 10 July 2026
Antananarivo • Novotel Convention & Spa
Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you’ll be met by your English-speaking Wild Expeditions guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest or explore the capital’s lively streets and nearby attractions.
Day 2: Saturday, 11 July 2026
Transfer to Andasibe • Manjarano Lodge
After breakfast, your guide will take you east toward Andasibe, a scenic five-hour journey through Madagascar’s countryside of rice paddies, red-brick villages, and fruit stalls. On arrival, settle into Manjarano Lodge — a tranquil retreat surrounded by rainforest — before heading out on a guided night walk to spot nocturnal species such as mouse lemurs, white-footed sportive lemurs, and chameleons.
Days 3 – 4: Sunday – Monday, 12 – 13 July 2026
Andasibe & Mantadia National Parks
Spend the next two days exploring the region’s remarkable rainforests.
On Day 3, visit Andasibe National Park (Analamazaotra), home to the famous Indri Indri, the largest living lemur, as well as rare orchids and waterfalls. In the afternoon, enjoy a walk through Vakona’s private reserve followed by a night walk to encounter nocturnal wildlife.
On Day 4, travel deeper into Mantadia National Park with a picnic lunch. The trails are wilder and less travelled, offering the chance to see diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, and striking forest birds such as the pitta-like ground roller.
Day 5: Tuesday, 14 July 2026
Return to Antananarivo • Novotel Convention & Spa
After breakfast, visit the VOIMMA Community Reserve, a local conservation initiative that protects forest habitats while empowering nearby villages. Later, return to Antananarivo and check back into the Novotel for a restful evening in the city.
Day 6: Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Flight to Maroantsetra • Masoala Forest Lodge
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Maroantsetra, followed by a scenic boat journey across Antongil Bay to the Masoala Peninsula. Accessible only by sea, Masoala Forest Lodge lies hidden between rainforest and ocean. Settle into your treehouse tent overlooking the water, then enjoy an introductory walk through the forest and a sunset drink on the Sea Deck.
Days 7–9: Thursday – Saturday, 16 – 18 July 2026
Masoala Peninsula Exploration
Spend three full days discovering Madagascar’s richest ecosystem, guided by the team at Masoala Forest Lodge. Explore rainforest trails alive with red-ruffed lemurs, helmet vangas, and colourful chameleons. Glide silently in sea kayaks along the peninsula’s coastline, snorkel in coral-fringed bays, and walk through coastal villages where conservation and community coexist.
Between excursions, unwind on the lodge’s golden beach or from your deck beneath the forest canopy, lulled by the sounds of the surf and birdsong. Evenings are shared over fresh seafood dinners and stories beneath the stars — the perfect rhythm of life in Madagascar’s wild northeast.
Day 10: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Return Flight to Antananarivo
After breakfast, travel by boat and road back to Maroantsetra for your return flight to Antananarivo, bringing your Madagascar Rainforest & Coast Expedition to a close.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- All internal road and air transfers
- High end accommodation throughout.
- 24/7 support when in Africa.
- James Hendry as a private guide throughout.
- All meals and local drinks (breakfast only in Nairobi).
Excluded
- All International Flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
Single
Per person for single occupancy
