The Flora and Fauna of Madagascar

With your guide, drive to the start of one of the park's various trails before venturing into the rainforest on foot. An incredibly diverse place, the protected primary forest is a stark contrast to the replanted stretches of eucalyptus and pine tree that exist outside the park, with a verdant array of plant-life, much of which is endemic, including rare orchids, palm and ficus. There's also an abundance of frogs and chameleons, birds, bugs and a chance of spotting some of the 11 lemur species that live here.

On a visit to Vakona’s Lemur Island, you'll have time to explore and interact with amazing lemurs. Visitors are able to see and interact with a variety of lemur species. The creatures here have been rescued from orphanages around the country. This visit will give you amazing photo opportunities.

Visit Anamalazotra and VOI Community Park, established to protect the indri, whose haunting calls you are sure to hear throughout the forest, other highlights include visiting its orchid garden, searching for sifaka and black and white ruffed lemurs.

Meet your guide and explore Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital and its political, economic, educational and cultural heart. You'll discover the historical upper town of Antananarivo, with its stunning French-inspired architecture. Continue downtown for lunch at le Café de la Gare in the old colonial railway station built by the French in 1910. In the afternoon, drive to Ambohimanga, 20km north east of Tana. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ancestral home on the Merina kings and queens who united Madagascar under one rule. It is a fortified sacred hill with 16 gates leading to king Andrianampoinimerina’s house (ruled 1787-1810) and a series of elegant royal summer homes.

Board a light aircraft for the charter flight to Anjajavy. The flight should take around 90 minutes.

The 7,200 hectare Anjajavy Reserve in the remote north-west of Madagascar is a protected area encompassing sea, coral reef, beaches, forest, mangrove, savannah, tumescent baobabs and jagged ‘Tsingy’ rock formations. Created by Anjajavy Lodge, which sits at the heart of the reserve, it is a beautiful microcosm of the island, it is classified by the WWF as a global priority in terms of conservation that harbours rare and endemic flora and fauna, as well as a scattering of traditional villages which the lodge works closely with and supports. On land, green forests are home to seven lemur species (including the elusive aye-aye), fossa, chameleons and a rich array of bird life. You'll most likely see the resident family of Coquerel's sifaka dancing through the garden. Tree roots meet the turquoise sea in a network of mangroves, a wonderful place to kayak, whose channels lead out to a marine park where tropical fish, turtles and occasional dolphin and humpback whale abound. Other activities here include nature walks, mountain biking, boat trips, community visits, snorkelling and wind surfing.