Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Madagascar – Ifotaka – Manafiafy – Ile Sainte Marie
100% customisable for you
Passports packed and out-of-offices on: your Madagascan getaway begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and settle into the lounge for some peace and quiet before boarding your overnight flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s captivating capital. With a quick stopover at a hub airport, the journey will take around 15 hours, touching down the next afternoon.
When you arrive in Antananarivo, you'll be met and privately transferred to your hotel for the night. You’ll likely be tired after all that travelling, so spend the rest of the day relaxing on the terrace, taking a dip in the pool and indulging in the delicious food on offer. The real adventure begins tomorrow…
It’s an early start this morning to catch your short two-and-a-half-hour charter flight to Ifotaka, a remote reserve in the south of the island. When you touch down, you’ll be met by a friendly guide and transferred to a scenic camp on the banks of the Mandrare River, your luxurious tented home for the next four nights.
Spend the rest of the day settling into your surroundings and snapping photos of the pretty river. Come evening, enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring to your spacious tent – now that’s what we call glamping.
The next three days are dedicated to discovering your incredible surroundings.
Head out to explore the surrounding Ifotaka Forest, known for its rich variety of flora and fauna. Alongside a private guide, you'll be introduced to the numerous species of lemur that call this region home, from grey mouse to ring-tailed to the adorable Verreaux's Sifaka, renowned for its funky, dance-like skipping (think King Julian). You can also marvel at Madagascar’s astounding baobab trees, whose smooth, oversized trunks and tufted tops dwarf all other foliage.
When you’re not exploring the forest, head out to discover the huge white sand dunes beside the turquoise waters of Lac Anony or the local village market. As night falls, head back to your camp to unwind with a riverside sundowner and tasty dinner.
Enjoy one last riverside breakfast before meeting your friendly driver for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Fort Dauphin. Along the way, keep eyes peeled (and cameras poised) as dry spiny forests morph into verdant green.
After stretching your legs in Fort Dauphin, continue to Manafiafy, a sleepy fishing village just an hour and 15 minutes away. When you arrive, check into your beachfront lodge and spend the rest of the afternoon settling into your spectacular new surroundings – preferably with an ice-cold cocktail…
Set between a white-sand beach and lush rainforest, spend the next two days discovering this remote corner of southern Madagascar.
Raring to go after your wildlife-spotting adventures in the Ifotaka Forest? Head out on rainforest walks with a private guide, spotting furry lemurs and (hopefully) cute chameleons. If you prefer marine life to mammals, swap your walking boots for fins and a snorkel and dip into the sea, or explore dense mangroves in a motorboat or canoe.
In between expeditions, immerse yourself in the simple pleasures of beach barbecues and hammock swinging or unwind with a soothing massage. Come evening, watch the sun set before dining on local fare beneath the stars – it doesn’t come much better than this.
Today, wave goodbye to Manafiafy as you’re privately transferred to Fort Dauphin airport, a one-hour drive away. Here, catch another three-hour charter flight back to Antananarivo.
When you land, you’ll be whisked back to your first hotel for a one-night stay. Spend the afternoon relaxing, either with a wander around the city or just a swim, a delicious dinner and an early night, ready for your onward flight in the morning.
After another delicious breakfast, bundle your bags into the car for the quick transfer to Antananarivo airport. From here, it’s a one-hour flight to Ile Sainte-Marie, where you’ll be picked up and whisked to your beachfront villa by ox and cart (yes, really).
Settle in for the next four nights in a luxurious lodge on Ile Sainte-Marie, just off Madagascar’s east coast. Also known as Nosy Boraha, this island boasts a storied pirate history, but don’t worry – you’re more likely to see powder-soft sand and crystal-clear seas than swashbuckling sailors.
Your days here are completely free for you to do as you please. The name of the game here is R&R, so be sure to spend some time relaxing under a coconut palm or snoozing on a sun lounger. There is also a range of activities on offer, including quad-biking, cycling, snorkelling and diving.
Spend leisurely evenings with your feet in the sand, toasting to your new Madagascan memories.
It’s sadly time to say goodbye to Madagascar and begin the journey home. After a final beachfront breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to the island airport for the one-hour flight to Antananarivo, where you’ll catch your return flight home.
With a speedy stopover, the journey will take around 20 hours, and you’ll touch down in the UK the next day, ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your glorious trip.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
