East Madagascar Tour: Sainte-Marie & Andasibe
From the misty forests of Andasibe where the Indri calls at dawn, to the turquoise lagoons of the Pirates’ Isle
A private 12-day journey through the two faces of Madagascar. The ancient rainforest of Andasibe, home to the world’s largest lemur — the Indri-indri — and endemic chameleons, leads you to the legendary Île Sainte-Marie, where humpback whales come to give birth each summer. Indri-indri, panthera chameleons, crystal lagoons, Pirates’ Island: a journey conceived and accompanied by a local Malagasy agency.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Twelve stages across the most spectacular contrasts of Eastern Madagascar — from the calling Indri of Andasibe to the humpback whales of Sainte-Marie.
Day 1 – Arrival in the Red Island · Antananarivo
Private welcome at Ivato · Hotel transfer · Trip briefingPersonal welcome by the Lemur Safari team at Antananarivo’s international airport (Ivato). Private transfer to your boutique hotel in the city centre.
In the evening, welcome cocktail and briefing with your national guide: the stages of your East Madagascar Tour, parks and reserves to visit, practical advice and cultural recommendations for your journey through the East Coast and Sainte-Marie.
Day 2 – Road to the Forest · Peyrieras Reserve & Night Walk
Panthera chameleons · Uroplatus geckos · Nocturnal mouse lemurEarly morning departure for Andasibe along the RN2 — the spice road. First stop at the private Peyrieras Reserve, set right off the roadside. In this reptile sanctuary, you come face to face with:
- Panther chameleons in kaleidoscopic colours — red, blue, green depending on their mood
- Uroplatus geckos with their perfect bark camouflage
- Comet butterflies with translucent wings, endemic to Madagascar
- Frogs and amphibians endemic to the eastern rainforest
Check-in at your forest-edge hotel. In the evening, night walk with your local guide: the forest transforms. The mouse lemur (Microcebus), the world’s smallest primate, peers from the branches.nde, scrute vos lampes frontales depuis les branches.
Day 3 – The Song of the Indri · Mitsinjo Reserve & Vakona
Indri-indri · Eulemur fulvus · Lemurs roaming freeAt dawn, the canopy of the primary forest echoes with an almost human song — the territorial call of the Indri-indri, the world’s largest lemur. Audible from up to 3 km away, this haunting two-tone cry is one of the most spellbinding sounds on the planet. The Indri cannot survive in captivity: it exists only here.
- Indri-indri families, clinging to the kapok trees of the Mitsinjo Reserve
- Eulemur fulvus — amber-eyed brown lemur, active during the day
- Parson’s chameleons and small reptiles of the rainforest
- Hapalemur griseus — bamboo lemur, discreet but present in the undergrowth
Afternoon at the private Vakona Reserve: a canoe ride to Lemur Island, where several species come spontaneously to greet you.
- Ring-tailed lemurs at Vakona — come spontaneously to greet you on the island
- Parson’s chameleons and small reptiles of the rainforest
Full guide: where to see lemurs in Madagascar →
Day 4 – Heading to the Ocean · Toamasina & the East Coast
Ravenala · Madagascar’s first port · Foulpointe beachDrive down to the coast along the RN2 — the spice road, lined with clove trees, vanilla plants and banana trees. At each bend, the Traveller’s Tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) fans its leaves toward the East, a living compass for ancient explorers.
- Tropical fruits, raphia crafts and authentic encounters along the route
- Toamasina, Madagascar’s main port — colonial façades and harbour bustle
- Foulpointe — white sand beach, first contact with the Indian Ocean
Day 5 – Crossing to Nosy Boraha · The Pirates’ Isle
Express boat · Pirates’ Republic · Lagoon arrivalThe boat leaves the East Coast at sunrise. Ahead lies 60 km of Indian Ocean before the green outline of Nosy Boraha — Île Sainte-Marie — emerges from the morning mist. In the 17th century, over 1,000 pirates made this island their independent Republic, preying on the spice convoys of the East India Company.
- Express boat crossing (~2 hours) from Soanierana-Ivongo
- First views of coconut palms and colourful houses at disembarkation
- Transfer to your lagoon-side accommodation
- Free afternoon — snorkelling in the lagoon or a walk through the village
Day 6 – Crystal Lagoon · Île aux Sables & Île aux Nattes
Snorkelling · Traditional pirogue · Seafood on the lagoonThe finest day of the tour — a crossing of turquoise lagoons to two of the most beautiful atolls in the Indian Ocean. Time seems suspended between sky and water.
- Île aux Sables — a white sandbar emerging from the lagoon; snorkelling among parrotfish and turtles
- Mask and snorkel provided; crystal-clear 28°C waters
- Île aux Nattes (Nosy Nato) by traditional pirogue — no cars, just sand tracks under the coconut trees
- Climb to the historic lighthouse for a 360° panorama over the lagoon
- Freshly caught seafood lunch served at the water’s edge
Day 7 – Wild North · Sacred Pools & Hidden Waterfall
Fady natural pools of Ambodiatafana · Tuk-Tuk · Dense forestAfter breakfast, head to the wild northern tip of the island, far from the tourist beaches. You will discover the famous Natural Pools of Ambodiatafana — vast granite basins where the Indian Ocean surges in spectacular fashion. A site of deep sacred significance in Malagasy culture.
- Natural Pools of Ambodiatafana — three rock basins carved by the ocean, swimmable depending on the tides
- Stories from elders about the ancestral spirits (razana) who guard the pools
- Forest trail to a waterfall surrounded by giant pandanus
- Possible sightings of panther chameleons and diurnal geckos in the forest
Day 8 – Ocean Giants · Whale Safari or Pirates’ Tour
Megaptera novaeangliae · Libertalia · 17th centuryJuly to September — Whale Safari: The channel of Sainte-Marie is one of the few places on earth where humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) come to give birth and raise their calves. Each summer, up to 10,000 individuals pass through these waters.
- Eco-responsible boat excursion — regulated approach at a minimum 30-metre distance
- Excellent observation rates in high season (July–September)
- Breaching, fin slaps, blows — a breathtaking spectacle
Outside whale season (Oct–June) — Pirates’ Tour: The flibustier cemetery (17th century), the only one in the world bearing skull-and-crossbones on its headstones. Madagascar’s oldest church, fishing village, spice market.
Day 9 – Sea Forests · Mangroves by Pirogue
Rhizophora · Traditional pirogue · Marine conservationThe pirogue glides silently through tunnels of aerial roots — the mangroves of Baie d’Ampanihy. Here, water is both fresh and salt, time suspended between two tides. These underwater forests are the nursery of the island’s entire marine ecosystem.
- Aerial root systems of mangrove trees — a labyrinthine natural architecture
- Cattle egrets, grey herons and kingfishers observed along the waterway
- Coconut crabs and moon fish visible in the clear water
- Explanation of the role of mangroves in Malagasy marine conservation
Day 10 – Free Day · The Island at Your Pace
Rest · Ylang-Ylang & Ravintsara · Optional divingThe most gentle day of the trip. No fixed programme, no guide — just the island, its fragrances and the freedom to follow your own rhythm.
- Complete relaxation under the coconut trees — hammock, book, Indian Ocean within reach
- Traditional massage with Ylang-Ylang and Ravintsara oils (on reservation)
- Bicycle or scooter hire to explore the red dirt tracks of the north independently
- Scuba diving or discover dive (option — payable on site)
- Visit to an artisanal vanilla plant — drying, grading, the black pods and their intoxicating scent
Day 11 – The Return Flight · Sainte-Marie → Antananarivo
Nosy Boraha airstrip · Internal flight · La Digue marketLast morning on the island — one final coffee facing the lagoon. The runway at Nosy Boraha airstrip runs alongside the sea before take-off, offering a stunning aerial view of the turquoise lagoon from above.
- Transfer to Nosy Boraha Airport according to flight schedule
- Internal flight to Antananarivo — approx. 1 hour, views over the East Coast
- Option: La Digue Market in Tana — vanilla, spices, sapphires, wild Landibe silk
- Check-in at your Antananarivo hotel for the last night
Day 12 – Goodbye Madagascar · International Departure
Last breakfast · Private transfer to Ivato · End of servicesVeloma — goodbye in Malagasy. Last breakfast at the hotel. The flame trees flowering on Antananarivo’s hills, the children’s smiles, the smell of cloves still clinging to your clothes.
Private transfer to Ivato International Airport according to your flight schedule. Full check-in assistance provided. End of Lemur Safari services for this East Madagascar Tour.
Rates & Inclusions
Full Board · Guides & Transportation Included · All Entrance Fees Included · All Boat Excursions Included
Not included
Terms & Cancellation Policy
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Deadline before departure |
Conditions |
|---|---|
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Booking confirmation |
Deposit of 30% of the total amount |
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Balance |
Due on arrival in Madagascar |
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Cancellation > 60 days |
Deposit refunded minus file fee (€70) |
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Cancellation 45–60 days |
Retenue de 50% of the deposit |
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Cancellation < 45 days |
Deposit non-refundable |
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Itinerary change |
Possible up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability |
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Bad weather guarantee |
Alternative activity at no extra cost if weather conditions prevent the planned excursion |
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Payment |
Bank transfer or PayPal |
Tip : Take out travel insurance with a “cancel for any reason” option. In the event of medical cancellation, the deposit will be refunded by your insurer — this is the most effective protection for a trip of this value.
Why Lemur Safari?
Local agency vs. European reseller — an honest comparison
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Criteria |
Lemur Safari |
European Agency |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Toamasina, Madagascar |
Paris, London, Brussels… |
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Intermediaries |
✓ 0 — you speak directly with the field team |
1 to 2 subcontracting layers |
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Price |
✓ Direct, no reseller margin |
+15 to 30% commission |
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Responsiveness |
✓ Reply within 24h · WhatsApp |
2–5 day email delays |
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Flexibility |
✓ Changes up to D–30 |
Rigid conditions |
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Field knowledge |
✓ Guides who live in Madagascar |
Catalogue brochures |
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Local impact |
✓ 100% of spending stays in Madagascar |
Margin captured abroad |
|
Exclusive access |
✓ Local networks |
Standardised package tours |
Passionate Local Guides
They know every call of the Indri-indri, every chameleon species, every medicinal plant in Andasibe — and in Sainte-Marie, every whale channel, every path to the natural pools.
100% Malagasy Agency
Registered in Madagascar, managed by a Malagasy team. Your money goes directly to local families and communities — not an office in Europe.
15 “Excellent” Reviews
Our travellers awarded the maximum rating across all their tours. Read their experiences on TripAdvisor before booking.
Responsible Tourism
Exclusive partnerships with eco-lodges and charming local hotels, carefully selected to support economic benefits for Malagasy communities. No international chains in our tours.
What our travellers say
Best adventure
“This has been the best adventure I’ve been on so far. Ismail showed our group things in Madagascar that we would never have discovered on our own. Best tour guide ever! :)”
Sanja M · sept. 2024
A country to explore and a local guide to recommend
“We just returned from an unforgettable 7-day private honeymoon trip to Madagascar, and it truly was a dream come true. As a couple, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring stunning natural wonders such as the Baobab Avenue…”
Luca C · nov. 2025Perfectly tailor-made trip
“Ismaël is a great guide, we had an excellent time. Breathtaking places, quality information and impeccable support. I highly recommend. We laughed a lot and discovered so much.”
Princia R · dec. 2025
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