Madagascar: Kayaking In Masoala National… (trip)

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Madagascar: Kayaking In Masoala National Park

  • Antananarivo Airport, Antananarivo, Madagascar
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
Madagascar, Africa

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Period offered: October. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $5,190* per person17 DaysOctober
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Legendary Expeditions 10 people max
Always in search of the less-discovered, we’ve found one of the most exotic and pristine tropical wilderness areas in the world for paddling: Madagascar. Explorers’ Corner is proud to announce a kayaking adventure in one of the most remote areas of this truly unique country -- Masoala National Park. Though not on the radar of many tourists, the island is an utterly captivating place to visit. Much of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth, the Malagasy people are unmatched in hospitality, the climate is appealing, and travel here is safe.  While its wild spaces are our primary draw, Madagascar's cities and towns are also intriguing, thanks to some inspired local architecture and the Malagasy love for flowers, music, and warm colors.

Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world (after Greenland, Papua New Guinea and Borneo) and has some of the highest endemicity on the planet -- 80 percent of all its flora and fauna is endemic, and fully 95 percent of the species found in the spiny desert are endemic! There are more than 30 species of lemurs found only in the Malagasy forests, and more than 100 other island-specific mammals.

Our adventure focuses on spectacular ocean kayaking in Masoala National Park. Afterward, we spend a few days at Perinet National Park in the Madagascar highlands, for an encounter with its unsurpassed wildlife! This trip is a true cornucopia of outdoor adventure, natural history and charismatic culture.

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Locations visited/nearby

Madagascar, Africa

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Antananarivo, Madagascar
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the group hotel, we will give you details for the orientation breakfast the next morning.
...Hotel Relais de Plateau
 
Day 2: Antananarivo – Maroantsetra
Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Maroantsetra. On arrival, we travel by boat to Masoala Forest Lodge.  After lunch and a rest we can snorkel and swim from the beach and later enjoy an evening paddle down the coast.  Our objective is a beach where the primary forest meets the sea. We’ll enjoy some time in this amazing spot before we paddle back to camp for dinner.  After dinner an optional forest walk gives us the chance to see the nocturnal lemurs and other wildlife.
(paddling 6km, 2 hours)
B, L, D… Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 3: Masoala National Park – Tampolo River
Take a morning walk with an official forest guide into the primary rainforest of the Masoala National Park, to see Red-ruffed lemurs, helmet vangas, chameleons and other endemic wildlife. After our walk we enjoy lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon we take a short paddle on Tampolo River, and still have time for swimming and snorkeling.
(hiking: 5km, 4-5 hours)
B, L, D...Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 4: Antalavia - Sahaleona
We get an early start for the paddle to our next camp. We start by rounding the rocky Tampolo Point with stops at the sacred island, the mangrove river, Marontoko Cove and then into the Antalavia River. We’ll enjoy a refreshing swim in the clear fresh water of the forested cascades before continuing to our stunning beach camp at Sahaleona.
After lunch and a well deserved rest, we can swim and snorkel off the beach. (paddling: 15km, 4 hours)
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 5: Antalavia River
We spend a relaxing morning exploring the forest and snorkeling around Sahaleona followed by a short paddle to the Antalavia River for a swim in the clear fresh water of the cascades.  After a picnic lunch we visit a traditional farm and beachcomb before returning to camp. (paddling: 3km, 1 hour)
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 6: Coastal paddling - Famolambe
We begin our paddle down the stunning sheltered coastline to the rocky point at Famolambe.  We’ll be able to stop to explore the rivers and beaches along the way. We’ll enjoy a lovely picnic lunch and have time for a swim before our return to our camp at Sahaleona.
(paddling: 15km, 3 hours)
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 7: Sahaleona – Nosy Behento
An early breakfast and it’s all aboard the MS Masoala for the 3-4 hour boat voyage to the island camp at Nosy Behento off the Cap Masoala. We set up camp on this small, deserted tropical island before our midday lunch. The afternoon is ours to explore the beaches, rocks and underwater world before we take a short evening walk to the lighthouse on the island for panoramic views of the lagoon and islets of the Cap.
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 8: Cap Masoala
After an early breakfast, we set off by kayak across the lagoon and around Cap Masoala with a paddle down the mangrove river and past some tombs.  We’ll make with rest stops on the beaches. We picnic on a white sand beach and swim in the turquoise water around the Cap. After lunch, guests can choose either kayaking or boating back to our island camp.
(paddling: 12 km, 4 hours)
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 9: Fampotobe River
After a leisurely morning and optional snorkel, we paddle to the wide sand beach at the mouth of the Fampotabe River with its picturesque riverside village. We’ll marvel at the sheltered waters of the barrier reef of the Cap Masoala Marine Reserve and take in the awesome vista of the Cap Masoala and the Indian Ocean.  After a picnic lunch on the beach we have the option to kayak or boat back to our camp.
(paddling 20km, 4 hours)
B, L, D...Wilderness Camping

Day 10: Nosy Behento - Tampolo
In the early morning we pack up camp and go aboard the MS Masoala for voyage back Tampolo and the Masoala Forest Lodge. Lunch and the afternoon are at your leisure to choose any activity or none at all. There will be an optional evening hike before dinner.
B, L, D...Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 11: Tampolo
We’ll enjoy a last leisurely day here with the option to further explore the forest in the company of an official forest guide or snorkel some of the other reefs.  A final evening kayak takes us to the “secret cove” at Tampolo Point for a stunning sunset view of the Bay d’Antongil. Tonight a traditional Malagasy feast celebrates our last night on the Masoala peninsula. (paddling: 5km, 1.5 hours)
B, L, D...Masoala Forest Lodge

Day 12: Masoala – Maroantsetra
A three hour boat trip takes us back to the “civilization” of Maroansetra where we will connect with our flight back to the capital (flight times vary). The rest of the day in town is free to explore as you wish.  You can arrange your own city tour or go on your own to visit the hilltop village of Ambohimanga, a World Heritage Site. Lunch is on your own.
B, D... Hotel Relais de Plateau

Day 13: Antananarivo - Perinet
After breakfast, we will drive 3 hours to the Perinet National Park to check into the Vakona Forest Lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch.  We’ll spend the afternoon visiting the nearby Mantadia National Park.  Denizens in this rainforest of evergreens include a large variety of exotic birds and lemur species, including the brown furred Bamboo lemurs that live only in Madagascar.   The park is also home to the endangered Diademed Sifaka, another species of lemur.
B, L, D... Vakona Forest Lodge

Days 14-15: Perinet
We’ll spend the days and evenings walking the park with our local forest guide, learning about this magnificent place and the lemurs, Indri, and other endemic flora and fauna. After dinners at the Lodge, we’ll have the chance for after-dark explorations to see the nocturnal side of the park.
B, L, D... Vakona Forest Lodge

Day 16:  Perinet - Antananarivo
Arrive back in Antananarivo to relax and get ready for the next day’s departure. We celebrate our adventure at a sunset farewell dinner overlooking the capital.  The city is a bustling metropolis of over 1 million people, the seat of Malagasy royalty and the capital of Madagascar for almost 400 years.
B, L, D Hotel Relais de Plateau

Day 17: Antananarivo – Depart for Home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
B... Return Home

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