Madagascar Tailormade - A slow journey into the wild

Arrive in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Built across a series of hills in the central highlands, Tana is a fascinating mixture of Malagasy tradition, French colonial influence and bustling modern life. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to rest after your journey.

Leave Antananarivo this morning and travel east towards Andasibe, entering the lush landscapes of Madagascar's eastern rainforest. The journey takes us through the central highlands, passing rice fields, villages and increasingly verdant countryside. On arrival at Andasibe, check into Manjarano Lodge, beautifully situated within its extensive forest estate. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings. After dark, embark on an introductory night walk, searching for the smaller creatures that emerge once the forest canopy becomes quiet – including frogs, chameleons, geckos and nocturnal lemurs.

Today we begin our exploration of the forests around Andasibe. An early morning visit to Analamazaotra Reserve provides our first opportunity to search for the remarkable Indri, Madagascar's largest living lemur. Its haunting call is one of the characteristic sounds of the eastern rainforest. Our guided walk also provides opportunities to encounter other lemurs, birds, reptiles and amphibians, while learning about the complex ecology of this exceptionally biodiverse forest. Return to the lodge for a relaxed afternoon. Later, there is another opportunity for a guided night walk, when the forest reveals a very different cast of wildlife.

Continue exploring the Andasibe region today, with a visit to Mantadia National Park. The landscape here is wilder and more extensive, with forest trails leading through a rich habitat of trees, ferns and epiphytes. Your local ranger will help identify the different species of lemur, birds and reptiles encountered along the way. The pace is deliberately unhurried, allowing time to stop, listen and observe rather than simply covering a set distance. Return to your lodge for a relaxing evening surrounded by forest.

Today we remain close to the lodge, exploring the Manjarano forest estate and private reserve. The extensive grounds provide a different perspective on the Andasibe ecosystem, with opportunities to look for lemurs, reptiles and other endemic species. The day can be tailored according to recent wildlife sightings and local conditions, with time to enjoy the lodge and its natural surroundings. A further evening night walk provides another opportunity to search for nocturnal wildlife.

This repeated access to the forest is central to the philosophy of the tour: rather than rushing onwards, we have time to experience the rainforest in its changing moods.

Today we leave the eastern highlands and continue towards the waterways of the Pangalanes Canal. Travel to the lakeside settlement of Manambato before boarding a boat for the journey across Lake Rasoabe/Lake Ampitabe and towards Akanin'ny Nofy, the "Nest of Dreams". The boat journey is an important part of the experience, passing wetlands, fishing communities and forested waterways. Arrive at Palmarium and settle into your bungalow. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy this wonderfully peaceful tropical setting.

This morning, we explore Palmarium Reserve on foot. The private reserve is home to several species of lemur and offers a very different wildlife experience from Andasibe. Some animals are accustomed to human presence, making encounters particularly close and rewarding for photographers and wildlife observers. The surrounding littoral forest also supports a fascinating range of plants, reptiles, frogs and birds. Later, enjoy some time to relax beside Lake Ampitabe. After dark, take a boat to Aye-Aye Island to search for one of Madagascar's most extraordinary and elusive mammals. The Aye-Aye is entirely nocturnal and highly distinctive, with enormous ears, large eyes and an exceptionally long middle finger used to extract food from trees. Searching for this remarkable animal by torchlight is likely to be one of the highlights of the journey.

A deliberately relaxed day at Palmarium. Enjoy a further guided nature walk, explore the lakeshore or simply spend time absorbing the atmosphere of this remote forest retreat. There may also be an opportunity to visit a nearby riverside or lakeside community and gain an insight into traditional life along the Pangalanes waterways. For those interested in photography, the combination of lemurs, forest, water and local life provides plenty of opportunities.

Leave Palmarium by boat and continue along the Pangalanes Canal towards Tamatave. The journey takes us through a landscape of lakes, waterways, wetlands and small fishing communities. Keep an eye open for traditional pirogues, fishermen and birdlife along the banks as the scenery gradually changes towards the coast. Arrive in Tamatave, Madagascar's principal east-coast port. The remainder of the day is free to relax.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, return to Palissandre Antananarivo. Depending on flight times, there may be an opportunity for some free time in the capital, or simply relax at the hotel before the next stage of the journey.

Fly west to Morondava, gateway to Madagascar's spectacular dry forests and baobab country. From Morondava, continue towards Kirindy Reserve. The landscape changes dramatically as the lush vegetation of the east gives way to dry deciduous forest, open savannah and the distinctive vegetation of western Madagascar. Arrive at Relais du Kirindy, situated directly opposite the reserve. Later, take an introductory forest walk before venturing out after dark on your first night excursion. The forest is transformed at night, when nocturnal lemurs, reptiles, frogs and other creatures become active.

Spend the day exploring Kirindy Reserve.

Morning is an excellent time to search for wildlife while temperatures are cooler and the forest is becoming active. Look for the area's distinctive lemurs, birds and reptiles, while your guide explains how the dry forest ecosystem differs from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. Kirindy is particularly associated with the fossa, Madagascar's endemic carnivore. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, our three-night stay gives us repeated opportunities to search for this elusive predator. The afternoon is free to relax before another nocturnal excursion.

A further full day in Kirindy allows us to explore at a leisurely pace. Return to the forest with your guide, tailoring the walk according to recent sightings and the interests of the group. There will be plenty of opportunities to look for lemurs, birds, reptiles and the smaller inhabitants of the dry forest that can easily be missed on a short visit. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge before a final night walk. Repeated excursions are one of the strengths of this itinerary: rather than depending on one wildlife encounter, we have several opportunities to see the forest at different times of day.

Leave Kirindy and travel back towards Morondava. This afternoon we visit one of Madagascar's most iconic landscapes – the Avenue of the Baobabs. The enormous Grandidier's baobabs rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape, creating one of the most recognisable scenes in Madagascar. We time our visit for sunset, when the low light transforms the avenue and the silhouettes of the trees become particularly dramatic. Continue to Morondava and check into Palissandre Morondava, where you can unwind beside the Indian Ocean.

Today is deliberately relaxed. Enjoy a gentle excursion into the natural environment surrounding Morondava, discovering the region's coastal landscapes and local wildlife. There may be opportunities for birdwatching, exploring coastal vegetation or visiting a nearby local nature area, depending on local conditions.

The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the facilities of Palissandre Morondava, relax beside the pool or take a stroll along the beach. After the forest experiences of the preceding days, this is an opportunity simply to enjoy the atmosphere of Madagascar's west coast.

Transfer to Morondava Airport for your flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, transfer to Palissandre Antananarivo for your final night. Depending on your flight schedule, the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or enjoying a final opportunity to explore the capital.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward international flight. Your journey comes to an end after an immersive exploration of Madagascar's extraordinary rainforests, waterways, dry forests and coastline.