We are met on arrival at the Maroantsetra airport and transfer to the boat for the exciting voyage across the Bay d’Antongil to the Masoala Forest Lodge. The journey takes around 2 hours, passing the tropical island of Nosy Mangabe, with the possibility of dolphin and whale sightings in season and the thickly forested mountains as a dramatic backdrop to the destination.

The Antongil bay is the largest bay in Madagascar. It is at the northern end of the east coast of the island and for administrative purposes it is within Analanjirofo Region. The bay is about 60 km long and 30 km wide, and is formed by the Masoala peninsula on its eastern side. At the northern end of the bay is the island of Nosy Mangabe and the town of Maroantsetra.

Upon arrival in paradise, we freshen up and settle into our luxury lodge before lunch, which is served at the beach house.

The afternoon activities include exploring the beaches and coastal forest in the lodge area and potentially enjoying a swim in the pristine sea, before taking a guided walk along the coast past Tampolo Point, with the possibility of spotting white-fronted brown lemurs in the coastal forest.

This evening we will return to base for sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner at the lodge.

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge

We awake early and take coffee and breakfast on the sea deck overlooking the beach and then we set-off on the day’s adventure. Today will involve a walk down the beach in the other direction and up into the primary rainforest in search of the Red-ruffed lemurs, dwarf chameleons and other wildlife endemic to this forest.

This unique tropical lowland forest is home to a huge variety of chameleons, snakes and lemurs, 5 species of which are nocturnal. Tampolo Forest is situated on the east coast of Madagascar and is just one of the last remaining substantial areas of littoral forest. This area really showcases the interesting, endemic animal and plant species of Madagascar.

After some hours in the dense forest with giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns we return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest before the afternoon activity. This could be a snorkel on the nearby reefs rich in underwater diversity, or a guided sea kayak to the look-out rock at the “Secret Cove” for the sunset, with the chance of a close encounter with Bottlenose Dolphin or Green Turtle. Dinner at the lodge

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge

A relaxed start and breakfast on the sea deck for today before departing on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds and mammals. After a couple of hours walk, we will enjoy a swim into the crystal clear water of the cascades of the Tampolo River at the foot of the forested mountains. We will return to camp on a traditional dugout canoe paddled down the shady river.

After lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon on the private beaches or snorkel on the coral reefs. Then we will join a guided nocturnal walk with the intriguing possibility of seeing some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife such as Leaf-tailed Gecko, Dwarf and Mouse lemurs and maybe even the elusive Aye-Aye.

Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge

After breakfast, be ready for an exploration by sea kayak or boat of the calm water and fantastic rock formations of Tampolo point. We will stop on the beach at the “Sacred Island” where we will relax or swim. Then we will kayak into a pristine mangrove and forested river, with the chance of spotting Blue-spotted stingrays in the shallow water or perhaps the Lesser bamboo lemurs crossing the river.

After a picnic lunch on the beach, we will head back the camp by kayak or boat, for an evening of entertainment and high spirits with the visit of the traditional Malagasy music and dance group from the local village.

We will enjoy the sundowners around the fire on the beach and have dinner at the lodge.

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge.

After breakfast on the sea deck, board the boat for the voyage through the Tampolo Marine Reserve to the mouth of the Antalavia River. The forested coastline viewed from the boat is stunningly beautiful, with countless deserted beaches and calm blue sea.
On arrival on the beach at Antalavia, board the dingy for the short paddle in the estuary to the cascades of the Antalavia River. Here refreshingly cool, clear water forms perfect swimming pools, over-hung by the lush forest with a chance of seeing White-fronted brown lemurs leaping through the canopy.
After a picnic lunch on the beach and a short rest under the trees, you have the choice of returning to camp by boat or on foot.
Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge

After breakfast on the sea deck, we will have a short guided walk through the coastal forest trails and farm land of the nearby village of Ambodiforaha. This is an opportunity to experience the local Betsimisaraka culture and sustainable way of life in the rainforest. You can visit their traditional houses and kitchens and perhaps see baskets, mats or hats being woven, vanilla, cloves, coffee or rice being prepared and pop in for a quick visit to the village school, co-funded by the lodge.

After lunch at the lodge, you have the option of a stroll down the beach to the Tampolo River and enjoy a peaceful pirogue trip on the cool shady river to observe the birdlife.

This evening will involve sun downers around the fire on the beach and dinner at the lodge.

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge.

A day to spend as you choose –perhaps sun bathing on one of the private beaches, or birding and mammal spotting on the private forest trails at the lodge, or relaxing with a good book and a cold drink in a hammock on your private veranda or the view deck overhanging the sea.
Alternatively, take the opportunity to return to the primary forest in search of more endemic wildlife.

Sun downers around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.

Overnight – Masoala Forest Lodge.

Enjoy an early last breakfast on the sea deck before boarding the boat for your return voyage to Maroantsetra, followed by the car transfer to the airport where your charter plane awaits you. Enjoy the stunning view of the Masoala peninsula and Nosy Mangabe on the return to Antananarivo to either catch your international flight or continue on to the next stop of your Madagascar adventure.