Welcome to Madagascar! Upon arrival today, you will be met and transferred to your city center hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

You will be transferred to the airport after breakfast for the two hour flight to Fort Dauphin, on the south-eastern coast of Madagascar. Meet your guide at the airport and stop for lunch in Fort Dauphin, before driving west towards Antandroy Spiny Forest. The three hour drive offers a contrast of landscapes ranging fromt he rice paddies of the eastern seaboard over the lush tropical plateau to the drier arid region of sisal plantations and "spiny" forest. Arrive at your luxury camp later this afternoon.

The next two full days are filled with morning and afternoon activities. Take a trip to the sacred Antandroy forest, crossing the river on foot to observe lemurs and many bird species. Visit the tombs of the Antandroy ancestor as your guide briefs you on the culture of ancestor worship. Other activities to choose from include a boat trip to the giant sand dunes of Lake Anony, night walks, visiting a local village and watching the various species of lemurs.

The Mandrare River region is a strand of deciduous gallery forest in an area predominantly covered by spiny forest and sisal. In an area so richly diverse, you will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the unspoilt life and rich culture of the Antandroy. By protecting the Sacred Forests, where the Antandroy ancestors rest in their ornate tombs, the tribe have managed to preserve large pristine wildlife areas. Through the traditions of Fady they not only protect, but seem to genuinely live in harmony with their environment.

You might like to take the 11-day version of this tour, which spends four nights at Mandrare River Camp.

After breakfast, our drive takes us back to Fort Dauphin, where we stop for lunch before continuing past plantations of mango, citrus and bananas to the ocean coast and Manafiafy. Your lodge is situated on a beautiful white sandy bay, fringed with forest covered mountains.

During your three night stay, choose from a variety of activities such as canoeing in the mangroves, day and night walks in the rainforest in search of at least five species of lemur; whale watching (between June and December), boat trips to the nearby islands.

The Manafiafy Forest (also known as Sainte Luce Reserve) is one of the last remaining stands of littoral forest in the country, and is home to one of the most critically endangered micro-habitats (palms, birds and the brown collared lemur). Forest walks in the "Littoral" rain forests are a highlight here. These humid forests of shady dense vegetation are home to the collared brown lemur, woolly lemur, brown mouse lemur, sportive lemur and dwarf lemur. Guided walks can be done during the day or early evening and are always fascinating.

The Sainte Luce Private Reserve has been established to contribute to the conservation of this extraordinary habitat, and is part of 450 hectares of protected forest (including 26 hectares of primary forest), and wetlands, and also boasts miles of white-sand beaches. The western edge of the forest is surrounded by meandering riverine habitat. Here you will find various species of lemurs, chameleons, birds, reptiles, mammals, and sea turtles, thanks to the littoral forest, mangrove and open grasslands. You can explore Sainte Luce with day and night walks or long pirogue rides through the mangrove-lined rivers.

You might like to take the 11-day version of this tour, which spends five nights at Manafiafy Lodge.

Drive back to Fort Dauphin to take the flight to Antananarivo, where you continue on your flight home.