Masoala National Park

This tour is a 09-day private guided circuit in the remote National Park of Masoala, located in the north-east part of Madagascar. This is a luxury program taking you to an exceptionally private place, in the middle of pristine nature. Cap Masoala has seen less that 50 tourists over the last 3 years and it is truly a paradise. Situated in a stunning blue lagoon, the park is made of virgin forest with wild orchids and is surrounded by beautiful beaches just for yourself. Explore the fascinating reserve during walking trips, by kayak or on a boat trip. Snorkel in azure waters, dive, swim with turtles and colorful fish. After out and about, relax and treat yourself with a spa and massage at the lodge. The program is a great choice for a honeymoon holiday, as well as for relaxing family trips. Privacy, tranquility and untouched nature is guaranteed. Accommodation in a luxury bungalow lodge on a full board basis is included. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

09 Days – From £3,990 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Antananarivo, Maroantsetra, Masoala, Maroantsetra, Antananarivo

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double room
Full Boards Accommodation + non-alcoholic drinks & homemade rums and local spirits, except in Antananarivo (BB)
Return charter flights from Antananarivo to Maroantsetra
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary on a private basis
All transfers on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees
One free massage
Laundry service
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Madagascar)
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Madagascar start from £700 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year.

For this tour domestic flights are included in the price.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp or Email us to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

Day 1 - Antananarivo

Today you will arrive in Antananarivo, the “City of thousands”, the place which unified the tribes of Madagascar about 500 years ago. The city is built on 3 levels: the high city where the queen’s palace is situated, the mid-city with nice boutique shops and all the administrative buildings, and the bustling low city with the markets. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or take a stroll through the markets. Time permitting, a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ambohimanga is highly recommended (45 min drive). The fortified hill which is also a royal burial site is considered sacred to the Malagasy people. Overnight at Grand Urban.

Day 2 - Fly to Maroantsetra

Your Masoala fly-in adventure starts today. After a short 1,5-hour charter flight to Maroantsetra (every Wednesday & Sunday only: 06:30/08:00) with magnificent views of the rugged hills and the rainforest of east, you will descend in Maroantsetra over Antongil Bay. On the way to Masoala visit Nosy Mangabe island. Explore the densely forested island with your guide. Expect to meet lemurs and geckos. After a picnic lunch on the beach, continue to the lodge by boat (2h). Enjoy the dramatic rainforest backdrop and dolphin sightings. Seasonally, whale can be seen in the bay (July-October). Once you have settled into your bungalow, go for sundowners around the fire on the beach. Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 3 - Rainforest & Turtles

After breakfast on the sea deck, set off for an adventure. Take a quick boat ride up the coast to the primary rainforest in search of the endemic wildlife. After several hours spent in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns, return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest. In the afternoon go snorkelling on the nearby coral reefs and a sunset paddle out to a scenic outlook. Expect a close encounter with Green Turtles. After dinner, a guided night walk provides a great opportunity to spot some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife. You have a chance to even see the elusive Aye-Aye. Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 4 - Cultural Discovery

After breakfast, take a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of birds, mammals and reptiles. After a couple of hours walk, take a swim in the crystal-clear water of the Tampolo waterfalls at the base of the mountains. On your way back, paddle down the serene, shady river in a traditional canoe. In the afternoon, take a short walk along the coast to the nearest village to see the local school and the Ambodiforaha village. Discover the local rural life dancing and singing of the local women, the lovely handicrafts and locally-produced spices. After dinner, try your luck spotting elusive nocturnal species on a night walk. Overnight at Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 5 - Sacred Island

After breakfast, traverse the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point by kayak, watching picturesque scenery. Stop for a swim on the beach at the Sacred Island. The water is just lovely, crystal clear and full of colourful fish. Later on, continue paddling into a pristine river, with the chance of seeing blue-spotted stingrays in the shallow water and the lesser bamboo lemurs crossing the river. Paddle back to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon lounging in the hammocks or exploring the reefs. Watch the sundowners around the fire on the beach. Overnight at Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 6 - Tampolo Marine Reserve

After breakfast, board the boat for a 30-minute trip through the Tampolo Marine Reserve to the mouth of Antalavia River. The forested coastline viewed from the boat is stunningly beautiful with countless deserted beaches. Swim and snorkel in pristine waters, spot blue-spotted stingrays and lobsters. When you’ve had your fill, the boat will continue to another beach, where you can take a stroll to the waterfalls. Swim in the clear natural pools, overhung by the lush forest and lemurs leaping through the canopy. After a picnic lunch on the beach, return to the camp by boat or on foot. Watch the sundowners around the fire on the beach. Overnight at Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 7 - Blue Trail

Today throw in a little bit of adventure. After breakfast, hike along the Blue Trail, including a waist high river crossing, for a different view of the beautiful forest. It’s a great spot for birding and seeing lemurs and chameleons. After lunch at the lodge, you can take a stroll down the beach to the Tampolo River and enjoy a peaceful pirogue trip on the cool shady river to observe the birdlife. Masoala is a true green paradise like no other, one of the few well-preserved forest offering tranquility and privacy. Watch the sundowners around the fire on the beach. Overnight at Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 8 - Day at Leisure

Spend this day at leisure. Choose to go sunbathing on one of the private beaches, birding and mammal spotting on the private forest trails, or relaxing with a good book and a cold drink in the hammock on the veranda. Alternatively, take the opportunity to return to the primary forest in search of more endemic wildlife. If you wish to treat yourself, the lodge has a trained team offering spa treatments to top up the already relaxing atmosphere. The best way to round off the day in this remote area is with a massage. Watch the sundowners around the fire on the beach. Overnight at Masoala Forest Lodge.

Day 9 - Fly to Antananarivo

Today you will take a charter flight back to the capital (every Wednesday & Sunday only: 10:00 / 11:30). Enjoy an early last breakfast on the sea deck. Board the boat for your return voyage to Maroantsetra followed by the car transfer to the airport where your charter plane awaits you. Enjoy the stunning view of the Masoala peninsula and Nosy Mangabe during the flight. Once in Antananarivo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Time permitting, discover the bustling low city. We highly recommend a cooking experience where you can learn about Malagasy culinary secrets. Overnight at Le Pavillon de L’Emyrne.

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