Critically Endangered with <10,000 individuals. Cannot breed in captivity. Your eco-tour directly funds rainforest protection.

A haunting, melodic wail — one of the loudest sounds in the animal kingdom, audible up to 3 km. Families sing coordinated duets at dawn to announce their territory.

indri-indri-call.mp3

Local Malagasy legend says the Indri is the sacred "father of the forest" — an ancestor of humans transformed into a lemur. It is never hunted. 🌿

Indri live in small family groups and are strictly territorial. Unlike most lemurs, they almost never descend to the ground — spending their entire lives leaping vertically between trees. They cannot survive in captivity.

Indri form lifelong pair bonds. A mated pair and their offspring travel and sing together as a tight family unit.

Wide distribution, though still affected by forest loss.

High-frequency whistles (some ultrasound) and soft trills.

It is the most abundant lemur in the dry forests of the West.

Stores fat in its tail; can hibernate during the dry season.

Declining due to large-scale mining and hunting.

An intense chorus of "roaring-barks" used by the whole group.

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur.mp3

They have the loudest call of any primate after the Howler monkey.

Very agile; hang upside down by their feet to reach ripe fruit.

Highly sensitive to forest disturbance and hunting.

Bird-like chirps and loud "honks" when threatened.

They have a very large home range compared to other sifakas.

One of the most colorful and largest sifakas; high-energy canopy dwellers.

Generally common but facing local extinctions from hunting.

Low grunts and cat-like "purr-meows" during social play.

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They play a vital role in seed dispersal across many forest types.

Highly adaptable; can be active day and night.

Threatened by forest fragmentation in the eastern rainforests.

Deep, low-frequency grunts and soft contact calls.

They are one of the few lemurs where males and females are easily distinguished.

Gentle and quiet; the father often carries the infants more than the mother.

One of the rarest primates on Earth; specialized habitat is disappearing.

Once thought extinct, they were rediscovered in 1986.

Specializes in eating the tough woody pith of giant bamboo.

Extremely small population limited to the Ranomafana region.

High-pitched squeaks and soft chattering.

They consume enough cyanide daily to kill 10 humans.

Endemic to Ranomafana; eats bamboo shoots rich in cyanide.

Persecuted as a "bad omen" and victim of habitat destruction.

Low, raspy snorts and occasional "creaking" sounds.

Its teeth never stop growing, much like a rodent's.

Uses a specialized thin middle finger to tap on wood and find grubs.

Threatened by forest burning and subsistence hunting.

Soft, mournful "ava-hy" whistles (giving them their name).

Unlike other nocturnal lemurs, they don't use tree holes but hide in foliage.

Woolly fur for camouflage; they are very inactive during the day.

Most of the 26 species of Lepilemur are highly threatened.

Loud, harsh "ra-ra-ra" barks to defend territory.

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They have a low metabolism to digest leaves, making them "slow".

Spend their nights leaping between trees and days sleeping in hollows.

Madagascar's most accessible park — ancient montane rainforest echoing with the haunting call of the Indri.

Threatened by habitat loss (spiny forest) and the illegal pet trade.

Purring, meowing, and high-pitched alarm barks.

XC1026135 - Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta (1).mp3

Their ringed tail has exactly 13 black and 13 white rings.

Terrestrial and social; use scent glands on wrists for "stink fights".

A community-run site famous for its Ring-tailed Lemur (Maki) colonies, with over 300 individuals.

Restricted to the Northern tip of Madagascar; habitat is shrinking.

Soft, nasal grunts and loud "explosive" alarm calls.

Males have a dark V-shaped crown; females are much lighter.

Found in the "Tsingy" of the North; very agile on sharp rocks.

An isolated peninsula home to 10 very friendly lemur species, including nocturnal observations of the Aye-aye.

A high-altitude fragmented forest home to 9 lemur species, including the rare Diademed Sifaka.

The best site to hear the Indri’s song. This reserve protects 11 lemur species in a humid rainforest environment.

A vital biological corridor home to 11 lemur species, including the Indri and the Red-bellied Lemur.

Known as "The Dragon Forest," a sanctuary for 13 lemur species including the Indri and the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur.

A world-renowned rainforest sanctuary for 12 lemur species, including the critically endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur.

Extreme habitat loss in the dry forests of the Northwest.

Low grunts for contact and sharp whistles for danger.

They are the "Zoboomafoo" lemurs from the famous TV show.

Very vertical leapers; spend most time in trees in dry forests.

An educational park near the capital, ideal for observing 7 lemur species in total freedom.

The famous "Lemur Island" allowing unique proximity with 5 species, including the Ruffed Lemur and Bamboo Lemur.

Population fragmented by agriculture and charcoal production.

Explosive "shif-auk" sound used to warn the group.

They can leap 10 meters between spiny trees without getting hurt.

Arboreal but "dances" sideways on the ground with arms raised.

A Jurassic landscape of canyons and oases home to 7 lemur species, including the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur and Verreaux’s Sifaka.

Sensitive to the logging of old-growth trees with nesting holes.

Soft, melodic whistling and quiet chirps.

Their tail acts as a biological "battery" to store energy.

Only primate to enter true hibernation for 7 months.

A strictly protected area home to rare wildlife and 11 lemur species living within a stone labyrinth.

A coastal reserve home to 8 lemur species, including the rare White-collared Lemur, an emblem of the East region.

A unique site where 3 ecosystems meet, sheltering 12 lemur species such as the Red-collared Brown Lemur and the Ring-tailed Lemur.

The last vestige of natural forest on the Central Highlands, home to 3 lemur species including the Brown Lemur.

Famous for its gray Tsingy, the reserve is home to 11 lemur species, including the Crowned Lemur and Brown Lemur.

Critically rare due to severe forest clearing for pasture.

They are the only lemur species found outside Madagascar (Comoros).

Shift activity from diurnal (wet season) to nocturnal (dry season).

A paradise for birdwatchers and 8 lemur species, including the rare Golden-brown Mouse Lemur and Coquerel’s Sifaka.

Rugged terrain famous for the Silky Sifaka (Angel of the Forest). The park protects 11 lemur species within a dense jungle.

The last primary forest of Nosy Be. Easily observe the Black Lemur among its 3 protected lemur species.

A wild park home to 4 threatened lemur species in the heart of a remote mountain forest.

A unique transition forest home to 8 lemur species, including the Zombitse Sportive Lemur, endemic to this specific area.

Extremely endangered due to the loss of the Kirindy Forest.

Very faint, high-pitched squeals and chirps.

It weighs less than a single chocolate bar!

Smallest primate in the world; lives in the Kirindy Forest.

Dependent on specific sap-producing trees that are being logged.

Rapid "yip-yip-yip" sounds heard throughout the night.

They are extremely fast and vocal, making a "yip-yip" sound at night.

Specialists in tree sap; have a "comb" tooth to scrape bark.

A transition zone home to 8 lemur species, including Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, the smallest primate in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage site. Between the limestone needles, observe 11 lemur species such as Decken’s Sifaka.

Very dense rainforest home to 13 lemur species, including the Indri and the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur.

Lush high-altitude forest home to 7 lemur species, including the Crowned Lemur and Sanford’s Brown Lemur.

Only found in Masoala; hit hard by illegal logging (Rosewood).

Red Ruffed Lemur.mp3

They are major pollinators of the Traveller’s Palm (Ravinala).

High-canopy dwellers of Masoala; extremely vocal and loud.

A biodiversity sanctuary home to the rare Red Ruffed Lemur. It hosts 10 lemur species between the primary rainforest and the sea.

Arrival at Ivato Airport. Our representative greets you and transfers you to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Arrival in Antananarivo – Airport Transfer

Drive east toward Andasibe, stopping at Peyreiras Reserve for reptile and amphibian observation. Visit Vakona Reserve for close lemur encounters. Optional guided night walk.

Tana → Andasibe – Peyreiras & Vakona Reserves

Morning guided walk in Mitsinjo Reserve: Indri indri, diademed sifakas, bamboo lemurs. Drive back to Antananarivo in the afternoon.

Mitsinjo Reserve – Indri Walk & Return to Antananarivo

Scenic drive south through the central highlands to Antsirabe. En route, observe traditional Betsileo villages and terraced rice paddies. Explore Antsirabe's artisan workshops: zebu horn carving, embroidery, and gemstone work.

Antananarivo → Antsirabe – Highland Drive & Artisan Culture

Brief morning city tour of Antsirabe then drive south through Ambositra for a woodcarving gallery visit. Continue to Ranomafana through highland forest scenery. Arrive at your forest lodge.

Antsirabe → Ranomafana – City Tour & Ambositra Gallery

We explore the morning in search of endemic animals. Ranomafana is the only place where we can observe the Golden bamboo lemur, Greater bamboo lemur, Milne Edwards sifaka, and few species of reptiles, satanic leaf-tailed gecko, frogs, and of course birds like the Velvety asity, Crested ibis, and so forth. After the visit, lunch and then we depart to Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo tribe.

Ranomafana NP – Full-Day Wildlife Visit & Drive to Fianarantsoa

This morning, we leave Fianarantsoa heading southwards to Ambalavao. We visit a workshop making paper fabric and then the zebu market to see locals doing their deals. And then, we continue to Anja reserve home of the ring-tail lemurs. We visit this reserve and then after lunch, we descend into the west coast region leading to Isalo where the scenery changes to open savannah grasslands with zebu herds.

Fianarantsoa → Ambalavao → Anja Reserve → Ranohira

We start the hike following the trail that unveils impressive canyons. The trekking leads to the famous “La Piscine Naturelle”, a natural swimming pool fed by crystal clear streams. You can spend few moments to refresh (do not forget your swimming gear in case tempted). Then, we continue our hike following the “Namaza trail”, leading to the camping site where three species of lemurs (the browns, the ring-tails and the dancing sifakas) drop by expecting food and come for drink.

Isalo National Park – Full-Day Canyon Hike

After breakfast, we drive to Tuléar, the capital of the Vezo fishing people. On our way, we will cross one the numerous villages formed by the sapphire rush. Besides, the famous Mahafaly tombs abound all along the way between Sakaraha and Tuléar, having distinct cultural traits of this typical southern tribe, whose tombs display images that represent the daily life or dreams of the deceased. We shall have lunch in Tuléar and then continue driving to Ifaty.

salo → Toliara → Ifaty – Baobabs & Mahafaly Tombs

You have full day at leisure during your whole stay in Ifaty. However, some activities can be arranged by your hotel, on your charge. Ifaty grants you a relaxing place by the beach where you can go diving, snorkeling, taking a dugout canoe ride with the Vezo fishermen. Besides, Ifaty spiny forest abounded by extraordinary vegetation of euphorbia, didieracea, and aloes is another important place to see the giant baobabs, the nocturnal southern sportive lemurs, some endemic birds like the Sub-desert mesite, the Running coua found nowhere else.

Morning drive to Toliara airport. Domestic flight back to the capital. Transfer to hotel upon arrival.

Ifaty → Toliara – Domestic Flight to Antananarivo

Final morning: guided tour of Antananarivo's historic districts, the Rova, old cathedral, Lake Anosy, and souvenir shopping at the Digue market. Transfer to Ivato Airport.

Tana City Tour – Queen's Palace & Departure

Lemur watching, Rainforest exploration, National park visits, Hiking, Scenic drives, Cultural city tours, Beach relaxation, Souvenir shopping

There is 1 oneway Domestic flight on this tour
Day 11 : Toliara - Antananarivo

1/ International flights 
2/ Domestic flight (Toliara → Antananarivo) 
3/ Dinners & Lunches 
4/ Gratuities for the local team 
5/ Travel insurance 
6/ Personal spending & drinks

1/ Accommodations in the Hotel + Breakfast 
2/ 4x4 Car with professional driver + Fuel during the tour 
3/ Licensed English driver guide during the tour 
4/ Local guides fees 
5/ Park tickets entry fees (Peyreiras, Vakona, Mitsinjo, Ranomafana NP, Anja Reserve, Isalo NP) 
6/ 1.5L of water bottle per person per day 
7/ All transfers from/to Airport – Hotel

Mada Southern Safari - Google My Maps

Tour Package - Mada Southern Safari Itinerary.pdf

Follow the iconic southern route of Madagascar on a rich and varied journey through the island's most celebrated landscapes. Encounter the Indri in Andasibe's rainforest, ascend through highland artisan towns, discover the biodiversity of Ranomafana National Park, and explore the ring-tailed lemurs of Anja Community Reserve. Hike Isalo's natural pools and grand canyon, then wind down on the shores of Ifaty for a well-deserved beach retreat before flying back to the capital.

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Lemurs & Rainforests

Mada Southern Safari Itinerary

Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary Map & Route

Inclusions

Exclusions

Departures