Multi-day trip to Masoala Park, Nosy Manga be Park, Maroantsetra with a local safari guide
Overview of your Madagascar tour:
This Masoala Adventure & Wildlife Safari Tour will lead you from Antananarivo to Maroantsetra town by national flight to the largest rain forest national park in Madagascar. This is the beginning of your adventure! One thing I can tell about Masoala National Park: it has spectacular scenery with primary and sea coastal forests. Exploring the wildlife from the comfort of your natural lodge and discovering the beauty of this natural paradise with activities including forest walks on the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, paddling traditional pirogues, swimming in the sea, and the crystal clear lagoon, and whale watching may be a dream come true!
As a local and experienced guide, it is truly a pleasure to introduce you to fishing and sustainable life in the rainforest with the local Malagasy community.
Maybe you already heard of Nosy Manga Be – this island is sheltering 4 lemurs’ species including the world’s smallest chameleon, the tiny Brookesia, as well as other rare species like the Aye-Aye lemur, and I will gladly help you spot them!
| DURATION |
6 Days |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight. |
Day 1: Arrival in Maroantsetra
Arrive in Maroantsetra, the gateway to Antongil Bay and the Masoala Peninsula, usually by flight from Antananarivo. Your guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. After settling in, take a relaxed walk through town and along the river and market, where vanilla, cloves and spices from the region are sold. In the afternoon, meet your local team for a briefing on the days ahead and check your gear. Enjoy dinner of fresh local seafood and rest well before the adventure begins.
Day 2: Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve
After breakfast, cross Antongil Bay by motorized boat (about 30 to 45 minutes) to Nosy Mangabe, a forested island reserve that is a paradise for wildlife lovers. Land on the beach and follow forest trails with your guide to look for white-fronted brown lemurs, the island’s famous leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) camouflaged against tree trunks, tiny mantella frogs, chameleons and many colourful birds. You will also see the rock carvings left by early European and Dutch visitors. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the island, followed by a free moment to swim or relax on the beach. In the late afternoon, return to Maroantsetra for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Nosy Mangabe Night Walk & Camping Experience
Spend a second day on the island, this time with a full-day wildlife focus: a longer forest hike to a waterfall and viewpoints, with plenty of time for photography. Camp or stay in the island’s simple lodging, then join an evening night walk with torches to spot nocturnal species such as mouse lemurs, geckos, frogs, chameleons asleep on branches and large insects. This is one of the best moments of the tour, as the forest comes alive after dark. Dinner is prepared by your team at the camp.
Day 4: Boat Transfer to the Masoala Peninsula
Wake up to the sounds of the forest and enjoy a last morning walk. Then take the boat along the coast to the Masoala National Park, Madagascar’s largest protected area, where rainforest meets the sea. Settle into your eco-lodge or camp near the park entrance. In the afternoon, take an introductory walk on the coastal trails and look for red-ruffed lemurs, Madagascar’s most striking forest lemur, along with birds, reptiles and orchids. Relax by the beach in the evening, with dinner served on-site.
Day 5: Rainforest Trekking & Snorkelling
Spend the day exploring Masoala National Park’s rainforest on a guided trek, discovering giant trees, medicinal plants, waterfalls and wildlife such as red-ruffed lemurs, chameleons, frogs and endemic birds. In the afternoon, cool off with a swim or snorkelling session in the clear water and coral reef along the coast, or paddle in a traditional outrigger canoe (pirogue). Enjoy a final night in the wilderness with a dinner around the camp and stories from your guide.
Day 6: Return to Maroantsetra & Departure
After breakfast, take the boat back to Maroantsetra, enjoying the views of the bay and watching for dolphins or seabirds along the way. Depending on the season (humpback whales visit Antongil Bay from about July to September), you may also see whales during the crossing. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, or continue on to your next destination. End of services.
