Tongasoa aty Madagasikara! Dear friends, welcome to Madagascar! We will do our very best to make our trip in Madagascar unforgettable! Our bureau's team will be at the airport to welcome you from your international flight. Already now is the time for selfie lovers to take beautiful shots! Our very special tour will begin in Antananarivo, where we will depart by car, but before catching a hotel we will visit in the Ivato crocodile farm, also called “Croc Farm”. Spanning three hectares, this lush green oasis is ideal for you to relax, we know that having an international flight is tiring.

After, we will depart by car to your nice hotel, where a prepared-room with a comfortable bed will be available for you to rest. Once there, refresh yourself. Look by the window, you made it! Take time to unpack what you need for tonight, rest and be ready for tomorrow! Discover the City of a Thousand as you are taken to hotel where you will stay overnight. And in the evening after dinner, over a cocktail we discuss our program.

From the first day to the last day our experienced and professional guide and the driver will be next to you, so don’t worry about it, they are near to make sure you have everything you need. Tomorrow we are leaving the capital city.

After breakfast, during the course of the morning we travel to Tsarasaotra which means bird‘s island, a small green oasis in the north of the city. The park is a refuge for many birds that can be easily watched and photographed here – among them 14 endangered species that only occur in Madagascar.

After visiting Tsarasaotra Park, we will drive along a scenic road to Ankarafantsika NP. We will cross the beautiful hilly landscapes. The rice fields are still numerous and the traditional pise houses well established. There are plenty of lakes, many waterfalls, fed by the rains of the moment. We are arriving in the country Sakalava.

Along the journey, we will make stop in Maevatanana for lunch and some visits. "The beautiful village, the village where life is easy". Ancient buildings of the beginning of the 20th century are very pleasant. Here we will visit the Antanimbaryo market. Gold seekers tend to come together at this market on the south of the city, where purchasers coming from Tana, but also from the United States and from Thailand negotiate on the sale of this precious metal. Do not forget to bargain if you want to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. After a gold fever we will commit the less lucrative but surely not less thrilling activity to watching the crocodiles from the river. The area of Maevatanana was once a favorite place for hunting crocodiles (up to 5000 skins per year), today this hunting is forbidden...

In addition we will stop in the village Kandreho. This small village is renowned for the manufacture of raffia fabrics using special printing techniques ("lay masaka" that recall those of the Sunda Islands). To get some stunning photos, we will stop at the bridge over the Betsiboka Rapids. The red waters masses of the Betsiboka River at a place where some tumultuous rapids form. During the wet season foam usually reaches the bridge.

In the evening we will arrive in the Ankarafantsika NP. Here you are able to take night walks to see some of the nocturnal species which are particularly prevalent in this park (including mouse lemur – the smallest primate in the world).

We will set off after breakfast to explore this forest on foot, a superb fauna we will have a rich day excursion. We will take a picnic lunch to have on the trails in the national park. There are 11 very good maintained trails, which will enable a deep glimpse into the park’s ecosystems.

Ankarafantsika National Park, set on Lac Ravelobe, is a mixture of deciduous forests and wetlands. This is major ecotourism site. It is known for its lakes and for being a haven for lemurs and endemic birds.  It is covered by varied flora, mainly herbaceous and endemic woody plants. It is the home to the beautiful Coquerel’s sifaka as well as 7 other species of lemurs (including western woolly, fat tailed dwarf lemur, mongoose lemurs) and exceptional birds (including roufous vanga and fish eagle).

There is also an option of a flat bottomed boat trip on the lake, which is perfect for birdwatching.

After dinner, we will have the option of setting out on a night hike again to see some of the nocturnal inhabitants of the forest.

Another day to explore this forest on foot, a superb and fauna rich day in the Ampijoroa area.

Ankarafantsika National Park, and especially the Ampijoroa area, is one of the best sites for first-time visitors to Madagascar. Accommodations are good and lemur-watching is easy. With a little bit of luck one can see all eight lemur species in an afternoon, an evening, and a morning. The word itself means something like “thorny mountains”, which aims at the famous canyon of the park. Besides this, Ankarafantsika is called “the kingdom of birds“, because it offers various great possibilities to spot endemic birds.

The Ampijoroa area within Ankarafantsika is also the site of the world’s most important captive breeding project for endangered Madagascar turtles and tortoises, including the ploughshare tortoise or angonoka (Asterochelys yniphora), the flat-tailed tortoise or kapidolo (Pyxis planicauda), and the Madagascar big-headed sideneck turtle or rere (Erymnochelys madagascariensis). The ploughshare tortoise is one of the most critically endangered tortoises in the world, and this is presently the only breeding site for it outside its natural range.

Breakfast at the hotel at 07-00 and departure 08-00 to Mahajanga. We will wind our way through Marovoay, which has a distinctly East African feel about it. Markets full of fresh tropical fruit and vegetables, and spice, dominate the town. Marovoay means: "where there are many crocodiles”. Indeed: the rivers abound many Nile crocodiles and can be easily seen. Hunting of crocodiles was in the early twentieth century an important activity in the region, but fortunately for these big reptiles this practice is no longer in use. A trip plan: The market zebu (Friday and Thursday); Town tour and visit various markets (crafts, vegetables, fish); Climbing to a lookout site for a great view of the plains and rice fields; Simple lunch in a local inn (hotel Anjara).

The landscape opens up rather starkly after we leaving the town and we will pass cashew nut sellers and ladies washing and drying their laundry next to the many small streams that we pass along the way to Mahajanga. We plan to stop at Lake Amboromalandy and at rice fields to try to find birds like Madagascar Jacana, Malagasy Pond Heron, Humblot’s Heron, the strange Black Heron, and others.

We plan to arrive at the hotel at 13-00. Let’s enjoy it and discover this amazing place. Welcome cocktail, then we will head to small beach and Grand Pavois. Plage, bathing, sunbathing and lunch at the Grand Pavois Barracuda. Siesta in the shade on the beach and stroll to the Red Circus (30 minute walk). It is an eroded hill with its amphitheater shape showing all the shades of colors between red and white. The best time to visit is a sunset.

In the morning we continue our trip to New protected area Antrema. Breakfast at the hotel in 05-30 and departure 06-00 for Katsepy Antrema by speedboat crossing Bombetoka Bay.

Visit plan: The sifakas of the village of the Prince and the arboretum; Mangrove Restoration Area; Sahariaka lake in the heart of the palm savanna, it is an ideal place for the bird watcher; the fishing village of Ambanjabe; Visit of the mangroves of the marine park.

After lunch, prepared by the local community, we will cross a bridge over the mangrove and stroll to the beach for Katsepy lighthouse and a ride to the fishing village down with the blue circus, nestled between sandy beaches that invite guests to a complete idleness. Apart from walking to the lighthouse (where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Bombetoka Bay) or visiting the nearby Bay Boeny for a different landscape, there is nothing more to do here than laying on a hammock, swimming and enjoying the excellent meals prepared by Ms Chabaud, who is supposed to be one of the best cook in the region.

Boarding on the speedboat to return in Mahajanga until 17-30.

Breakfast at the hotel in 06-30 and departure 07-30 for the Sacred lake of Mangatsa with its exceptionally large carp and eels, white lemurs and crocodiles in captivity, charm guaranteed… This sacred lake with transparent waters is the home of some of the biggest goldfish you will ever see. Lake Mangatsa is a sacred place and even politicians come usually here to seek the advice of the ancestors. We will observe and attract the fish at the lake with a piece of bread that you will throw in the lake.

As soon as we get hungry, we will enjoy the nice food at the lake’s restaurant.

Then, go in the direction to the Les Grottes de Belobaka. Less impressive than the caves of Anjohibe (80 km from Majunga), the caves of Belobaka are 11 km from Majunga and are accessible all year round. The name Belobaka literally means "where there is a lot of tobacco", lobaka meaning tobacco in the Sakalava dialect.

In addition to the caves, the neighboring villages are also worth a visit.

We’re so happy you enjoyed yesterday. This morning is another opportunity to wander around and enjoy the sea, the sun, swimming and the big fishing.

25 km North of Mahajanga the village of Antsanitia is located. Departure will be according to tide and weather, from 8-00 to 12-00 for the magical day in Antsanitia. Fishing Center is on the edge of a lush of plateau 20 ha, near the estuary of the King river, and on the Mozambique Channel. This particular situation allows fishing in freshwater, brackish as well as in deep-sea environment. Antsapeche is a sport fishing centre. Their project is entirely based on a responsible practice of fishing. "Ny nofy" ("the dream" in Malagasy), skippered by Dominique and his village sailors, will lead you safely on the spots suitable for your type of fishing. Antsapeche is committed to the Malagasy community to pay attention to the balance of aquatic wildlife. During their outings at sea, they don't kill any fish and they release them, so as soon as a picture taken.

Breakfast at the hotel at 06-30 and we will depart for Sakalava country - the Morira river. Arrival in the Antsanitia village around 07-30.

Guided tour of the lakes, baobabs, the crocodiles and lemurs. This authentic and wild site, in the heart of the "bush", is ideally reachable by the coast. From Antsanitia, we will embark on a traditional pirogue and reach the fishing village of Marosakoa and its immense virgin beaches.

Breakfast at the hotel at 07-00 and we will depart for 2 days to the Anjohibe caves. Arrival on the site, lunch and discovery this area. Most people come to Anjohibe for the stunning natural swimming pools. Of a deep emerald-green color and framed by luxuriant vegetation and ravinala trees fanning their leaves like parading ostriches, they are the most improbable find in an otherwise arid landscape. We will visit splendors, natural pools, an underground river, a waterfall, mangroves, also we will spot lemurs and birds. We will also visit the mini Tsingy. We will return on foot, crossing of a small watercourse to arrive at the sunset to a natural pool on a huge flat rock. It is fantastic. The super stroll!

The site is complemented by a natural pool which can reach 7 m deep and flows downstream from falls which offer a vertical drop of 25 meters. This oasis is surrounded by a forest that is home to lemurs, Sifakas as well as white lemurs named "Propritheques", which come easily to meet with us. It is possible to camp there in order to take full advantage of the aspect extremely resting places.

Wake up until 08-00, breakfast and walk to the caves (30 to 45 minutes of gentle slopes). The discovery of the magnificent and original Anjohibe caves. These amazing caves are likely to delight all lovers of fairy frames without exception. Once there, prepare to experience the unheard-of experience of touring the underground world that will undoubtedly leave you speechless. Picnic lunch! In the afternoon, we will return to Majunga until 19-00.

Surprise! We will have 2 days of Robinson Crusoe experience! This morning we will go on a sea ride to an uninhabited island by a traditional canoe - the Dhow. We will depart around 8-30.

Antsoheribory, a small sandy islet, an oasis of freshness - is a small corner of paradise. Although it is home to many tourist attractions, this island measuring 2 kilometers long for 70 meters wide is still unknown.

Antsoheribory - is part of the fokontany of Boeny Aranta, Mitsinjo district - a part of Mahavavy-Kinkony Complex. Its richness in fauna and flora, among others, the birds and marine fish and vegetation marked by the dominance of the baobabs. The ruins of the former home of Arab sultans erected on the island also include culture to immortalize the scene attractions. All this is very beautiful! If you have the taste for adventure, a craving Robinson Crusoe slip into your skin, let's explore this island!

This unique destination still deserves to be discovered, its rich flora and fauna. The local vegetation is, indeed, dominated by the presence of the baobabs. The two most identified varieties are: the za Andansonia, as well as the large Pachypodium rytenbergianum Digitata. There are countless species of birds and fish common and endemic.

The diversity of marine fauna is also one of the attractions of Antsoheribory. As Antsoheribory is an island, one of its strengths is the sea. Actually, the waters have wonderful coral reefs, so favourable for the practice of diving and snorkeling. In the northern part of the island, the seabed is particular: we will meet different fish - the Mutts, sardines, parrotfish, rays, red mullet, moray eels, exocets, etc…

Antsoheribory is a former Arab counter that was the territory and the area of the sultans Manafy and Kabamba abreast of the 16th century. You can still see the remains of the mosque, the princely residence, as well as ancient tombs. The remains of the Palace, the mosque, military camp, and the graves marking the old installation of Arab Sultans who immigrated there in the middle of the XVI century are especially archaeological fame of Antsoheribory.

Native fishermen and manufacturers of canoes, a few hundreds of Sakalava of Boeny Aranta, hope to see their lives improved and their fokontany developed through this tourism project on the island of Antsoheribory, and this is their own initiatives. Many domestic and foreign tourists have already visited Boeny Aranta and Antsoheribory.

This morning we will go on a city tour. The photographic motifs are extraordinarily plentiful: trading posts, sculpted wooden doors, all remnants of the Arabic origins of the city, old colonial houses with ochre facades show some relics of a gone glory, narrow streets with small gardens planted with bugambilia plants… At the seaside, wooden boats are up and downloaded goods, rice, cotton, cement on the «dhow».

After lunch, we transfer to the airport and prepare ourselves for a safe flight to Antananarivo. Departure: 14:05 or 17-55, Fri, Sat, Mon. Transfer in your hotel in Tana.

Excursion "Tana-city" and Goodbye-dinner in the cozy atmosphere of Le Restaurant «La Varangue».

Today your tour ends. A transfer back to the airport Ivato. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Madagascar. Experienced travelers are used to goodbyes, but that doesn't mean they get any easier. When the time comes to depart the wonderful Madagascar, we wouldn't be surprised if you were already planning a return trip!