Masoala & Nosy Mangabe Holiday Excursion

Masoala National Park - Nosy Mangabe - Maroantsetra - Farankaraina Tropical Park
This tour offers to explore the Masoala National Park, Nosy Mangabe and Farankaraina Tropical Park and gives adventurers the flexibility and ease to travel some of the most fascinating and remote destinations on earth.
8 days & 7 nights

Highlights

Masoala National Park: Discover endemic Red ruffed lemur, Masoala woolly lemur, Masoala sportive lemur, Helmet vanga, Bernier's vanga, Red-breasted coua, Short-legged ground-roller
Nosy Mangabe: Visit Dutchmen Beach to see the rock inscription by Dutch sailors, Betsimisaraka tomb, observe Black-and-white ruffed lemur, White-fronted brown lemur, Antongil leaf chameleon, Climbing mantella, Common leaf-tailed gecko
Maroantsetra: Discover colourful Tomato frog
Farankaraina Tropical Park: Observe Aye-aye, Ring-tailed mongoose, Big-nosed chameleon 


Tour description

Day 1: Tana - Maroantsetra - Masoala National Park (L/D)
Fly from Tana to Maroantsetra where a guide will meet and assist you. 
Then transfer from the airport to the harbour (45 minutes) and continue by speedboat to Masoala peninsula.
The boat trip takes about 2h and if we are lucky we might encounter dolphins and Humpback whales during July to September.
 Arrival at the lodge in the afternoon, relaxing on the beach, swimming or exploration of the surroundings of the hotel. 
Nightwalk in the forest surrounding the camp to see some night-active lemurs 
(Masoala mouse lemur, Brown mouse lemur, snakes and frogs)
. Overnight in the lodge in Masoala
.

Day 2: Masoala National Park (B/L/D)


Breakfast and thereafter day visit to the rainforest of the park.
 Masoala National Park consists of rainforest with a rare endemic wildlife. 
Several species of lemurs can be found, such as Red ruffed lemur and White-fronted lemur. 
The site is also popular for bird watching by the presence of the unusual Helmet vanga,
 an enormous vanga with an enormous blue beak. The Helmet vanga is the star of Masoala, followed by the Parson's chameleon. Lunch at the hotel. 
Afternoon free: time to relax or walk on the beach or to go swimming. Night walk in another part of the forest near the camp. Overnight at the lodge
.

Day 3: Masoala National Park (B/L/D)


Breakfast and early morning start to observe the birds in Masoala National Park.
 
Some of the more common birds are the Red-breasted coua, Helmet vanga, Brown mesite, 
and the handsome Scaly ground-roller and Short-legged ground-roller. 
However, our hike will set off with higher hopes, as we also stand a good chance of finding the elusive Bernier’s vanga, which prefers Pandanus palm swamps. Although sightings are not likely, the peninsula is also home to the magnificent Madagascar scops-owl, Madagascar nightjar... 
Afternoon free: relax or walk on the beach or swimming. Night walk in another part of the forest near the camp. Overnight at the lodge.


Day 4: Masoala National Park (B/L/D)


Breakfast and thereafter day excursion by traditional pirogue on the Tampolo River to visit beautiful landscapes and mangroves and thereafter snorkelling in the coral reef. 
The marine protected reserve has very colourful corals, several reef fish species such as parrotfish, surgeonfish and clownfish swim amongst sea anemones and shellfish. It is possible to see Green sea turtles and dolphins. Picnic lunch based on seafood on the beach. Afternoon, visit of a plantation growing vanilla, coffee, clove and pepper followed by traditional dance and singing. Dinner and overnight in the lodge
.

Day 5: Masoala National Park - Nosy Mangabe (B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer by boat (2h) to Nosy Mangabe. If we are lucky we might see dolphins and Humpback whales during July until the first two weeks in September. Nosy Mangabe is a pristine lowland rainforest island of 5.20km² and the best place to see Black-and-white ruffed lemur and White-fronted brown lemur.
 Nosy Mangabe's reptile and amphibian fauna is equally dramatic; among others, there are countless colourful and photogenic frogs, chameleons and geckos. We may encounter the Panther chameleon, Antongil leaf chameleon (the second smallest chameleon in the world), Climbing mantella, Green day-gecko and the incredibly camouflaged Common flat-tail gecko 
sleeping during the day. We may see snakes such as the Madagascar tree boa and Madagascan giant hognose snake. Dinner and overnight in the lodge
.

Day 6: Nosy Mangabe - Maroantsetra - Farankaraina Tropical Park (B/L/D)

We visit a Betsimisaraka tomb located in the middle of Nosy Mangabe. We will see ancient graves of the first inhabitants of the island and the rock inscriptions left by Dutch sailors during the 16th century on a beach named Plage des Hollandais.
 Picnic lunch on Dutchmen Beach. Transfer back to Maroantsetra and thereafter a short walk in town to search for the amazing colourful Tomato frog which is endemic to this region. Continuation to the jetty and boat transfer (2h) followed by a 1.5 hours walk to Farankaraina Tropical Park. Usually, the Ring-tailed mongoose welcomes us around the camp. Picnic lunch on the way. Night walk to observe the Aye-aye, Big-nosed chameleon, tailed frog, Brown mouse lemur,... 
Dinner and night in the camp.

Day 7: Farankaraina Tropical Park - Maroantsetra(B/L/D)

After breakfast transfer back from Farankaraina to the boat jetty. We visit Andranofotsy village and then transfer by local pirogue back to Maroantsetra. Lunch in the hotel, leisure day this afternoon. Night in the hotel in Maroantsetra.

Day 8: Maroantsetra - Airoport (B)

Breakfast and transfer to the airport. End of our service.

Contact

For more information about this tour please contact Pascal directly:

Email: expeditionmada@gmail.com / pascalelison@yahoo.com

Tel: +261 (0)32 57 940 24
Tel: +261 (0)34 89 704 24

Maroantsetra
Madagascar