Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Antananarivo, Madagascar

  Welcome

  Bon Jour! You'll be greeted on arrival at the airport by a Born Free Safaris host who will accompany you to your hotel in the capital city of Antananarivo ("Tana" as the locals call it). Tana offers fascinating traditional architecture with French and Indonesian influences.

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Ifotaka/Mandrare River

  Forest of Zenavo

  Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted back to the airport in time for your scheduled 2.5-hour charter flight to Ifotaka. Here you will be greeted by your guide, who will assist you aboard a safari vehicle and escort you on a short drive to camp. Settle into your luxury safari tent, sit down to a delicious lunch, and enjoy the serene views over the Mandrare River.
  
  In the early evening, head out for an exciting, guided night walk in the Forest of Zenavo. This is a fantastic way to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs begin to wake in the eerie and prehistoric spiny forest. Look for sifakas and sleeping white-foot sportive lemurs. Once the sun has set, the forest becomes more alive with the nocturnal activities of mouse lemurs, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls, and sportive lemurs.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Mandrare River

  Sacred Gallery Forest & Spiny Forest

  This morning set out to the stunning Sacred Gallery Forest to the south of the camp. Depending on the river depth, you can walk or take a boat across the Mandrare River to reach this largely deciduous forest. Inquisitive groups of ring-tailed lemurs and the always-entertaining Verreaux sifaka are the highlight of this excursion.
  
  Afterwards, time to relax and enjoy the pool at your camp, then head out for a late afternoon walk through the sacred Spiny Forest, filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe. Your English-speaking guide and a tracker from the local community will give you an introduction to Antandroy culture and customs. You'll also discover an extraordinary array of flora and fauna that are unique to the Spiny Forest. As the sun begins to set, you'll be treated to sundowners along the banks of the Mandrare River.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  04

  Mandrare River

  Spiny Forest & Village Visit

  Revisit the Spiny Forest for an early morning walk. Witness the sunlight break through the octopus trees while looking out for the many endemic birds such as crested coua, a variety of vangas, and the running coua.
  
  Later in the day, a trip to the local market or local village offers an opportunity to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Learn how song and dance is at the heart of Antandroy culture and is used to accompany the major rituals and events of everyday life.
  
  Then depart for sundowners amidst the baobabs. Watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the baobabs to the mountains beyond is a magical experience. In the evening, the local village may come to perform beautiful traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05

  Mandrare River

  Lac Anony

  Venture out on a day trip to the stunning Lac Anony. A 2-hour drive brings you to this saltwater lake, separated from the Indian Ocean by a series of large sand dunes. Lac Anony is home to greater flamingos and a variety of saltwater birds. Walk along the lake shore to a beautiful picnic spot.
  
  There is time to scale the 70-foot-high sand dunes for an incredible view of the surrounding area and perhaps take a refreshing swim in the lake. Return to camp for dinner and time to share stories of your explorations thus far with friends, old and new.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Antananarivo

  Ambohimanga

  After breakfast at camp, your journey continues to other parts of Madagascar. Board your scheduled charter flight from Mandrare to Antananarivo. You'll be greeted on arrival at the airport and escorted to your nearby hotel for lunch.
  
  Then set out with your private guide to explore Ambohimanga, 12 miles north-east of Tana. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ancestral home of the Merina kings and queens who united Madagascar under one rule.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Soalala - Namoroka

  Today, another charter flight takes you to Soalala, where your local private guide awaits you for your 2-hour road transfer to camp. Along the way, you can stretch your legs on a village walk among the mango trees.
  
  Namoroka National Park in northwestern Madagascar is a mesmerizing natural wonder, featuring the razor-sharp limestone formations known as tsingy. Explore awe-inspiring landscapes with narrow canyons, vertical spires, lush forests, and unique flora.
  
  In the late afternoon, depart for a walk in the forest surrounding your camp. You may spot birds, chameleons, Von der Deckens sifakas, or red lemur, as well as fossa or Aye Aye. Wind down in the evening with sundowners amongst the baobabs.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Days

  08-09

  Namoroka National Park

  Namoroka is one of the most pristine, protected areas on the island of Madagascar and welcomes just 50 visitors per year due to the challenges of road access.
  
  Discover the secrets within the tsingy of Namoroka National Park and its surrounding areas. The park is home to an incredible abundance of birds (100 species) and other wildlife. There are 6 lemur species to see, including the playful Von der Dicken’s Sifaka, Milne-Edwards Sportive lemur, the Red lemur, and the secretive Aye Aye.
  
  Explore the unique cave system that stretches under the entire massif. Here, you will encounter rare fossil remains of species such as the Archaeolemur, a giant lemur species which is now extinct, along with much of Madagascar’s megafauna. Picnic lunch in the shade of the tsingy. No other place on earth can offer such beautifully bizarre and majestic views.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Your Journey Onward

  After a final breakfast, it's time for the adventurous road transfer back to Soalala to catch your scheduled charter flight to Antananarivo. Bid a fond farewell to Madagascar and your trusty guide as you are assisted to your international flight for your onward journey.

  Breakfast