Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
Madagascar

The Best of Madagascar: A Biodiversity Hotspot

Program No. 25384RJ
It’s a place like no other — explore the unique landscapes of Madagascar and search for its biodiverse flora and fauna, some of which can be found nowhere else on Earth!
WishlistShare
Start
  • 25384-MG_NosyBe_Beach-lghoz.jpg
  • 25384-MG-RosalieandJoanne-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG-Peyreas-Reserve-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG_Women_Baskets-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG_trees_sunset-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG_Peyreas-Reserve-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG_Isalo-National-Park-c.jpg
  • 25384-MG_BackSteps-of-Relais-de-la-Reine-c.jpg
HistoryAnimals & WildlifeNature & EnvironmentMicro GroupNew
Length
15 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
8,999
Special Offer

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
35 meals ( 12B, 11L, 12D )
6 expert-led lectures
14 expert-led field trips
3 flights during the program
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Afternoon:
Arrive Antananarivo and have time to unpack, freshen up, and relax. The capital and largest city of Madagascar, Antananarivo – known as Tana by the locals – has been the island’s most important city for several centuries. Originally founded in the 1600s, the city was the capital of the Merina people’s kingdom, one of the 18 ethnic groups of Madagascar. With the influx of European diplomats, the Merina king declared Antananarivo the capital of the entire island, cementing the city as the economic, political, and cultural center of Madagascar.
Dinner:
At the hotel's restaurant, enjoy a welcome dinner plus bottled water. Ample bottled water will be provided each day throughout the program.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. We are fortunate to have as our Group Leader a knowledgeable expert who will also serve as our primary lecturer for most of the program. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity Note
Drive time between Tana and Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is approximately 5 hours; 95 miles. Vehicles used through the morning of day 6 are 4x4s taking three participants in each vehicle.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
This morning we will board our 4x4 vehicles for the drive from Tana to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, located on the eastern side of the island. Along the way, we will stop at Peyreras Reserve. This small reserve is home to numerous species of chameleons, insects endemic to the region and several species of snakes and amphibians, allowing us to see this wildlife up close. After our stop at Peyreras Reserve, we will continue with the final portion of our journey to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
Lunch:
Taken at the lodge.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will have a chance to settle into our rooms and relax after the long drive. In the late afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for an overview of Madagascar and its history.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Drive from the lodge to Mitsinjo Reserve approximately 10 minutes; 3 miles. Drive from the lodge to the VOIMMA reserve approximately 15 minutes; 5 miles. Hiking time and distances vary depending on where the wildlife is at the time; trails can be steep in areas with places of mud or sand. The flat parts of the trail are often on cobblestones, which can be slick if it has rained. Morning and night walks lass approximately 2-3 hours each.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will board our 4x4 vehicles for the short drive to Parc Mitsinjo, also referred to as Mitsinjo Reserve. The community-founded reserve was established in 1999 with the aim to protect the rainforest and its resident fauna, as well as provide sustainable income for the local population. The reserve not only protects the existing rainforest but is helping to replant the sections of forest that were devastated by slash and burn agriculture in years past. In addition to its conservation goals, the reserve provides health education to the local villagers, informing people about malaria and AIDS prevention, and works with several local schools to educate the students on their native biodiversity and the importance of protecting it. Our visit helps fund all of these important projects. During our morning in Mitsinjo, we will be joined by local park rangers as we walk along the paths, seeking out the resident wildlife. Lemur species spotted may include the Indri indri, as well as diademed sifakas and woolly lemurs; we may end up hiking off of the maintained trails into the brush in order to get a better view of the lemurs. Mitsinjo is especially known for its extreme richness in frog species, with over 100 species found within the reserve, most of which are endemic. Chameleons are also plentiful, as well as geckos and snakes. Following our morning field trip, we will return to the lodge and have a bit of time at leisure.
Lunch:
Taken at the lodge.
Afternoon:
In the late afternoon, we will regroup with the Group Leader for a lecture on the natural history and biodiversity of Madagascar. Before dinner, we will drive a short distance to VOIMMA Reserve for a night walk in search of nocturnal species. VOIMMA Reserve, another community-founded reserve, was started by local residents in 2012. VOIMMA stands for "Vondron’olona miaro mitia ala," which translates to "local people love the forest." In the company of local park rangers, we will traverse the trails in the reserve while keeping an eye out for nocturnal wildlife. Highlights of the walk may include the woolly lemur, Goodman’s mouse lemur, and various tree frog and chameleon species. At the conclusion of our night walk, we will return to the lodge for dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Drive from the lodge to Analamazaotra approx. 15 minutes; 5 miles. Drive from lodge to Vakona Reserve approx. 15 minutes; 5 miles. Hiking time and distances vary depending on where the wildlife is at the time; trails can be steep in places with areas of mud or sand. The flat parts of the trail are often on cobblestones, which can be slick if it has rained. Morning walk lasts 2-3 hours; afternoon field trip lasts approximately 2 hours. Vakona Reserve island accessed by 1-minute canoe ride.
Breakfast:
Lodge buffet.
Morning:
From the lodge, we will board our vehicles for a field trip to Analamazaotra Reserve, which forms part of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife that is found nowhere else in the world. Nine species of lemur live within the reserve, including the indri. Critically endangered, the indri is the world’s largest lemur standing at three feet high. Called the babakoto by the locals, traditional mythology holds the indri as a sacred animal to be revered. The indri lives in a small family of up to five individuals, including its mate for life. In addition to lemurs, keep an eye out for one of the world’s largest chameleons, the Parson’s chameleon, which grows up to two feet long and is bright green. The endemic flora adds to our morning adventure, with the landscape adorned by orchids and medicinal plants, highlighting the unique botanical richness of the area. We will explore the reserve with local park rangers, who will provide insight on the flora and fauna we encounter. At the conclusion of our hike, we will return to the lodge in the late morning.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will depart in our vehicles to a nearby private reserve for an opportunity to see several species of lemurs up close. Also commonly referred to as “lemur island,” the small reserve is accessed by a very short canoe ride, paddled by a local park ranger. Some of the species we’ll see on the island include the eastern grey bamboo lemur, white-ruffed, and common brown lemurs. A short walk through the forest allows us to observe the lemurs’ behavior. After returning by canoe to the mainland, we will reboard our vehicles and return to the lodge with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The drive from Andasibe-Mantadia to Tana is approximately 5 hours; 95 miles. Flight to Isalo done in 12-passenger Caravan aircraft; flight time approx. 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will board our vehicles for the return drive to Tana, arriving in the capital city by lunchtime.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will be driven to the charter terminal at the airport to board our private flight to the dirt airstrip at Ranohira, gateway to Isalo National Park. Upon arrival in Ranohira, we will be driven a very short distance to our lodge for check in. After settling into our rooms, we will board our vehicle for a short drive to the Isalo Interpretation Centre, which hosts information and displays on how the park was formed, the people that live around the park, and the wildlife found in the national park. We will return to the lodge with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Namaza Canyon is a gentle hike of about 30-45 minutes one-way, with a roundtrip mileage of around 1 mile to the campground where lemurs are commonly spotted. Participants can choose to walk farther up the trail to a waterfall, but the trail climbs steeply after the campground. Total roundtrip mileage for the waterfall is 2.5 miles. Drive time to local village approximately 30 minutes each direction.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Boarding our vehicle, we will drive into Isalo National Park to the Namaza Canyon trailhead. In the company of a local park ranger, our hike will take us into the canyon along a dry, and largely not shaded, trail to a campground where lemurs are frequently spotted. In the canyon, we will find Madagascar’s most iconic lemur – the Ring-tailed lemur – as well as the red fronted lemur. From the campground, there is an additional, optional, hike further into the canyon, where the trail climbs steeply up to the idyllic Cascade des Nymphes, or Nymph Waterfall. Here it is common to swim in the pools at the waterfall’s base. At the conclusion of our morning hike, we will return to the lodge. Back at the lodge, our Group Leader will give a lecture on the various ethnic groups of Madagascar.
Lunch:
Taken at the lodge.
Afternoon:
In the early afternoon, we will board our vehicle for the drive to a local Bara village. The Bara are a semi-nomadic tribe, known for their zebu herding (a local type of cow). Here, the headman hosts our group, describing their daily life and challenges as he answers any questions we may have. As a donation, our Group Leader will organize a basket of essential food items in lieu of money or other gifts. Upon our return to the lodge, we will have a chance to relax and enjoy the lodge’s amenities prior to dinner.
Dinner:
Lodge meal.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Drive time between lodge and Zombitse approximately 1.5 hours each direction; 50 miles. Walks in Zombitse are approximately 1.5 miles each on a flat, sandy trail with plenty of shade.
Breakfast:
Lodge buffet.
Morning:
Boarding our vehicle, we will drive south to Zombitse-Vohibasa National Park. Along the way, we will be able to see tombs of the Mahafaly and Masikoro people, both of which are ethnic groups that live in the area. The Mahafaly commonly bury their dead chiefs and kings in stone squares that are topped with wooden sculptures and zebu horns. Large amounts of zebu horns and sculptures indicate a more important occupant within the tomb. The Masikoro tombs tend to be very ornate, with one tomb even in the shape of a warship! About 1 ½ hour’s drive from Isalo, we will arrive at Zombitse National Park, which protects the dry deciduous forest and the abundance of biodiversity within that forest, for a walk with local experts. Zombitse is an essential transition zone between the arid and more humid areas of Madagascar, and also stands as a stark example of the deforestation problem on the island, being one of the few remnants of deciduous forest left. Here, we will explore two different trails within the forest, each about an hour-long walk, in search of the unique biodiversity in the area. Highlights include the Verreaux’s sifaka, Hubbard’s sportive lemur, and a variety of bird, butterfly, reptile and amphibian species.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch in the park.
Afternoon:
We will be driven back to the lodge, where we will have time to freshen up before we regroup. Our Group Leader will give a lecture on conservation in Madagascar.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Flight to Tana done in 12-passenger Caravan; flight time approximately 2 hours. Total drive time approx. 2.5 hours; 50 miles.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
From the Ranohira airstrip, we will fly on our private charter back to Tana. After landing back in the capital city, we will board our minibus for the drive to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga. At this UNESCO World Heritage site, we will be introduced to an important part of Madagascar’s history, learning about the rise and fall of the royal dynasty on the island, which was influential in Madagascar becoming a modern state. We will also visit the fortified royal palace there, viewing the spiritual sites, living quarters and royal burial tombs that are present on the hilltop. In addition, Ambohimanga’s position on top of the hill provides a panoramic view over the surrounding countryside, so we will have a good view of the patchwork rice fields and small villages below.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near Ambohimanga.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will visit a local family co-operative that makes woven silk products, a traditional Malagasy craft that has been handed down through generations. We will have the opportunity to see how the scarves and clothing are made, from the cocoon all the way to the finished product. At the end of our visit, we will be driven to our hotel in Tana for check in. After settling into our rooms, we will regroup in the hotel’s conference room for a presentation by a local lemur researcher, who speaks to the group about his research on the unique flora of Madagascar and what he is doing to help protect it.
Dinner:
At the lodge with a traditional music performance.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Timing today needs to be flexible due to scheduled flight times often changing; day’s activity as described may be altered on site. Total drive time approx. 1.5 hours; boat transfer 1 hour. Flight time 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and board our minibus for the transfer to Ivato International Airport, where a scheduled commercial flight takes us northwest to Nosy Be. From the airport on Nosy Be, our minibus will take us to the port in Hell-ville, where we will then board a motorboat for the continued transfer to our lodge. Located on Baobab Beach, a one-mile stretch of white sand and turquoise water, Eden Lodge is a tropical destination complete with immense baobab trees, rare birds, exotic sea creatures and wild lemurs that visit the surrounding forest daily.
Lunch:
Late lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon:
We will have time to settle into our rooms and enjoy this beautiful location before regrouping with our Group Leader for a presentation on educational and public health in Madagascar.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Boat transfers 1 hour each direction; total vehicle drive time 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will board a motorboat for the transfer east to Ankify. From the port in Ankify, our minibus will transfer us to Plantation Millot, which has been under cultivation since Lucien Millot founded it in 1904. Here, we will learn about the process of making chocolate from a local expert, starting with the fruit of the cacao tree, the cocoa pod, and the processes that follow. We will also learn how some essential oils are refined in the plantation’s distillery, including from the ylang ylang plant whose essential oils are used both in fragrances and for medicinal purposes.
Lunch:
Taken at Plantation Millot.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will return by minibus to the Ankify port for the hour-long boat ride back to our lodge. We will aim to arrive back at the lodge by mid-afternoon, before the sea gets too rough. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to rest or participate in one of the lodge’s optional activities, which include various nature walks and water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Boat transfers approx. 1.5 hours each direction. Hiking time and distances vary depending on where the wildlife is at the time; trails can be steep in areas with places of mud or sand.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will board our motorboat for the transfer back to Nosy Be island and Lokobe Reserve. In the company of local park rangers, we will explore the reserve, seeking out the black lemur, grey-backed sportive lemur and mouse lemurs that live there. The reserve is also home to some endemic birds, including the Madagascar pygmy kingfisher and Madagascar long-eared owl. Several reptile and amphibian species can also be observed. At the end of our hike, we will continue to a local village. We will have time to meet the residents and explore the village with our Group Leader as we await our lunch to be ready.
Lunch:
Traditional dishes taken at the local village.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will reboard our motorboat and return to the lodge, arriving by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or participate in one of the lodge’s optional activities.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Timing today needs to be flexible due to scheduled flight times often changing; day’s activity as described may be altered on site. Boat transfer 1 hour; total vehicle drive time approx. 1.5 hours. When visiting the Sacred Tree, shoes must be removed and bare legs covered.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will check out of the lodge and board our motorboat for the transfer to Hell-ville port, on Nosy Be island. Once there, we will board a minibus and visit several sites on the island. Our first stop will be Lemuria Land, a protected park that is home to several of Madagascar’s unique species. The highlight of Lemuria Land is, of course, the lemurs, which include the ring-tailed lemur, red lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, Coquerel’s sifaka and crowned sifaka, although also on view are several reptile and amphibian species. Our local specialist will lead us on a short walk in the park, providing information on the various species seen. Our next stop will be the historic downtown and market areas of Hell-ville, the capital of the island. Madagascar’s colonial past is well represented in the architecture of the town, which we will view on a walk led by our Group Leader. We will have the chance to walk through the town’s market, where the island’s famous spices are displayed, including wild peppercorns, pink berry vanilla and combava (kaffir lime). In the market, we will also discover some of Madagascar’s traditional crafts, including wicker baskets and raffia bags and mats. We will end our morning with a visit to the Sacred Tree of Mahatsinjo, which was planted by the Queen of the Sakalava in 1836. This gigantic banyan tree has grown to cover nearly 2.5 acres of space, and each year the Queen of Nosy Be makes a pilgrimage to the tree and sacrifices a zebu there, to gain blessings. The tree is a site of cultural significance for the local residents, who believe that their ancestors live there.
Lunch:
Taken at a local restaurant in Hell-ville.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the Nosy Be airport to board our scheduled flight back to Tana. From Tana's Ivato airport, we will board our minibus and transfer a short distance to the hotel for check in.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out is by 10:00 a.m. Day rooms are available to book if known in advance; please contact Program Provider for current pricing and to book day room access. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Morning:
Morning arrivals in North America.
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.





Recommended For You