Africa’s most famous island is the setting for Magical Madagascar, a new personalized safari offered by African Travel, Inc. This 10-day itinerary, available on select dates in 2014, highlights Madagascar’s unique wildlife and varied landscapes while providing relaxed, small-group travel and expert local guides.
The trip begins in Antananarivo with a stay at Le Pavillon de L’Emyrne before heading east to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Here, travelers explore the Perinet Reserve to encounter several species of lemurs in their rainforest habitat. The program includes a canoe excursion and a dedicated photography outing to a private lemur island, designed to give guests close-up viewing and photo opportunities with these iconic animals.
On the fourth day the itinerary features guided hikes through the park to discover native orchids, waterfalls along the Sacred Waterfall Circuit, and distinctive birdlife such as red-breasted couas and scaly ground rollers. After time in Andasibe—where Vakona Forest Lodge provides comfortable basecamp accommodations—the journey continues south to the Mandrare River region.
In the Mandrare area guests walk through the sacred Ifotaka community forests, passing ancestral tombs, tamarind groves and additional lemur habitats, and visiting the Forest of Zenavo. Accommodations at Mandrare River Camp offer an immersive stay close to nature and local culture, rounding out a varied program that balances wildlife encounters, cultural visits and scenic hiking.
The tour showcases a selection of lodgings chosen for their location and character, including Le Pavillon de L’Emyrne in Antananarivo, Vakona Forest Lodge in Andasibe, and Mandrare River Camp along the Mandrare River. Throughout the trip, experienced guides introduce guests to Madagascar’s endemic species, local customs and the ecosystems that make the island unique.
Magical Madagascar is aimed at travelers who want an intimate, well-paced experience of the island’s natural and cultural highlights, with opportunities for photography, birdwatching and walking in relatively undisturbed settings. The itinerary blends comfortable accommodations with immersive field activities to provide a memorable introduction to Madagascar’s biodiversity and traditional communities.