Your itinerary at the lodge is flexible and all activities are optional. Each group has a private guide allowing you to plan and enjoy activities at your own pace. You can choose from the different activities on offer:
• Guided walks in the primary and coastal forest
• Birding, mammal and reptile spotting in the lodge area and surrounding forests • Guided river trip in a traditional dugout canoe
• Guided nocturnal walks
• Cultural visit to the local village and rice fields
• Sailing in a dugout outrigger canoe
• Self-guided or guided sea kayaking
• Self-guided or guided snorkeling in the Tampolo Marine Reserve
• Self-guided or guided exploration of the lodge’s private forest reserve
• Massage at the Masoala Forest Lodge Spa Tent
The itinerary below will give you an idea how your days in Masoala could be spent.
Day 01 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Your Masoala Adventure fly-in package starts in Antananarivo. You are welcomed by your pilot at the charter company’s reception. With no check-in and wasted time, this is a tranquil and hassle-free start to your adventure. After an approximately 1,5- hour flight with magnificent views of the rugged hills and rainforests of eastern Madagascar, you descend over Antongil Bay and land at the airport of Maroantsetra.
You are met by our staff on arrival and transferred to our private boat for the short ride to the island of Nosy Mangabe.
Once ashore, explore the densely forested island with your guide on a network of trails providing a chance to spot Black and White-ruffed lemurs, White-fronted Brown lemurs, and leaf-tailed geckos. After a picnic lunch on the beach, you embark on a second boat trip across Antongil Bay to the Masoala Forest Lodge. During this approximately two hour journey, enjoy the dramatic rainforest backdrop along with the possibilities of dolphin sightings and, seasonally, whale sightings (July-October).
Upon arrival at the lodge, you are welcomed with fresh, local juice and a brief introduction to the lodge amenities. Once you have settled comfortably into your bungalow, meet the other guests for sundowners around a fire on the beach.
After dinner, your guide meets you to discuss possible excursions for day 2.
Day 02 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Awaken early for coffee and breakfast on the sea deck before setting off on the day’s adventure. Today, take a quick boat ride up the coast to the primary rainforest in search of the Red-ruffed lemurs, Dwarf chameleons, Helmet Vangas, and other wildlife endemic to the forest. After some hours in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns, return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest.
Your afternoon activities could range from snorkeling on the nearby, highly diverse coral reefs to a sunset paddle out to a scenic outlook (and the chance of a close encounter with Green Turtles) to relaxing in a hammock underneath our beach-front palm trees.
After dinner, a guided night walk provides the only opportunity to spot some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife, such as Dwarf and Mouse lemurs, Leaf-tailed geckos, or even the elusive Aye-Aye.
Day 03 at Masoala Forest Lodge
A relaxed start to the day with breakfast on the sea deck. Depart on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds, mammals, and reptiles. After a couple of hours walk, take a welcome swim in the crystal-clear water of the Tampolo Cascades at the base of the forested mountains. On your way back to the lodge, our staff paddles you down the serene, shady Tampolo river in a traditional dugout canoe.
In the afternoon, take a short walk along the coast to the nearest village for our
“Meet the People” excursion. Start with a visit to the village school that is supported by the lodge. Continue with a guided tour of Ambodiforaha village for a window into local rural life followed by a traditional song and dance performance by the ladies of the village. If interested, you can bring some small money with you to purchase handicrafts and locally-produced spices.
Continue your Malagasy cultural education back at the lodge with delicious traditional Malagasy dishes served for dinner. Try your luck again spotting elusive nocturnal species on a private reserve night walk.
Day 04 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Breakfast on the sea deck. Traverse the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point by kayak. Stop for a swim on the beach at the “Sacred Island” and then continue your paddle 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. Paddle back to the lodge for lunch and spend another afternoon lounging in our beach hammocks or exploring the lodge’s various reefs. You can also cash in your vouchers for massages in the MFL Spa—our gift to honeymooners!
Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.
Day 05 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Breakfast on the sea deck. Board the boat for a 30-minute 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.
On arrival, go for a swim or snorkel the reef in pristine water with high visibility. See if
you can spot a blue-spotted stingray or any lobster tucked away in the crevices.
When you’ve had your fill, the boat will ferry you to another beach nearby from which you will take a leisurely stroll along a riverbank 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.
Day 6 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Breakfast on the sea deck. In the morning, hike along our Blue trail, including a waist high river crossing, for a different view of the beautiful secondary forest. A great spot for birding or seeing lemurs and chameleons.
After lunch at the lodge, you can take a stroll down the beach to the Tampolo River
and enjoy a peaceful pirogue trip on the cool shady river to observe the birdlife.
Tonight enjoy a romantic, candle-lit dinner on the sea deck jutting out over the bay.
Day 7 at Masoala Forest Lodge
A day to spend as you choose – perhaps sun bathing on one of the private beaches, birding and mammal spotting on the private forest trails at the lodge, or relaxing with a good book and a cold drink in the hammock on your private veranda. Alternatively, take the opportunity to return to the primary forest in search of more endemic wildlife.
Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.
Day 8 at Masoala Forest Lodge
Enjoy an early last Breakfast on the sea deck. Board 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!
Masoala Forest Lodge: Prices 2023
3-night Masoala adventure (Sunday to Wednesday)
Adult – per person sharing: 1.699 euro
Adult – single: 2.199 euro
Child – per person sharing: 849 euro
4-night Masoala adventure (Wednesday to Sunday)
Adult – per person sharing: 1.999 euro
Adult – single: 2.699 euro
Child – per person sharing: 999 euro
7-night Masoala adventure (Wednesday to Wednesday; Sunday to Sunday)
Adult – per person sharing: 2.689 euro
Adult – single: 3.489 euro
Child – per person sharing: 1.299 euro
10-night Masoala adventure (Sunday to Wednesday)
Adult – per person sharing: 3.499 euro
Adult – single: 4.599 euro
Child – per person sharing: 1.749 euro
11-night Masoala adventure (Wednesday to Sunday)
Adult – per person sharing: 3.799 euro
Adult – single: 4.999 euro
Child – per person sharing: 1.899 euro
10-night Blue Lagoon adventure (Sunday to Wednesday)
Adult – per person sharing 3.799 euro
Adult – single: 4.999 euro
Child – per person sharing: 1.899 euro
11-night Blue Lagoon adventure (Wednesday to Sunday)
Adult – per person sharing: 3.999 euro
Adult – single: 5.299 euro
Child – per person sharing: 1.999 euro
7-night honeymoon adventure (Wednesday to Wednesday; Sunday to Sunday)
Adult – per person sharing 2.399 euro
Masoala Scheduled Flights:
Antananarivo – Maroantsetra – Antananarivo (Sundays and Wednesdays only)
Adult – per person sharing 1.299 euro ** price subject to change
Infant <2 years, seated on parent: Free of charge
Discount for groups over 6 pax, starting from 5 percent.
Tour leader / national guide accompanying group 50% Discount
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