10 night

You have traveled far - now take the time to explore and relax

Packages

Masoala Forest Lodge offers 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11-night packages.

3 and 10 night tours always begin on a Sunday.

4 and 11 night tours always begin on a Wednesday.

7 night tours may begin on either Sunday or Wednesday.

Except for the first day, which includes the Nosy Mangabe visit, the program is kept very flexible and our guests can choose daily from our offers.

Each reservation includes a private guide who is available 24/7 and will assist with planning and selecting your activities.

Activities on offer

• Guided walks in the primary and coastal forests

• Birding, mammal and reptile spotting in the lodge area and surrounding forests

• Guided river trip in a traditional dugout canoe

• Whale-watching by boat or by kayak (seasonal: mid June to mid September)

• Guided walks to nearby cascades

• Guided nocturnal walks

• Cultural visit to the local village and rice fields

• Sunset sail in a dugout outrigger canoe

• Self-guided or guided sea kayaking

• Self-guided or guided snorkelling at and around the lodge

• Self-guided or guided exploration of the lodge’s private forest reserve

• Private candlelit dinner on the sea deck

• Complimentary tastings of Malagasy rums infused with local fruits and spices

• Massage at the Masoala Forest Lodge SPA Tent

The sample itinerary below will give you an idea how your days in Masoala could be spent.

For more detailed information about our available excursions, please download the MFL Activity Guide using the link at the end of this page.

Sample Itinerary for the 10 night Masoala Adventure

  • intin-day1

    Day 01

    • Scheduled charter from Antananarivo to the small coastal trading town of Maroantsetra. Meet our team and road transfer to our harbour where you meet your guide.
    • Boat across Antongil Bay to Masoala Forest Lodge.
    • Meet the lodge managers and settle into camp. Enjoy the sunset with a drink at the beach fire followed by dinner.
  • package-day02

    Day 02

    • 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 snorkelling 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.
  • package-day04

    Day 03

    • A relaxed start to the day and 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
  • package-day03

    Day 04

    • 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.
    • Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.
  • package-day05

    Day 05

    • 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 on the seafloor or a lobster tucked away in a crevice.
    • 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.
  • package-day06

    Day 06

    • 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.
    • Sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.
  • package-day07

    Day 07

    • Todays day belongs the beaches. In Masoala you can walk along the beaches for miles without seeing another human beeing.
    • Grab one of the provided baskets with beachmat and towels, ask the kitchen to pack up a picnic lunch of your choice and find your favorit private beach.
    • If you add your snorkeling gear you can explore the reefs on your beach.
    • Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
    • Enjoy the peace and quiet on the deck with a cup of tea or coffee and try the baked good of the day. In season this is the perfect time and place to look out for whales.
    • Today we are setting up a private dinner for your on the beach.
  • package-day07

    Day 08

    • A day to spend as you choose
    • You may have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck followed by some reading and hammocktime. Later this morning you could have a full body massage in our little Spa on the beach.
    • In the late afternoon we suggest to go for an a walk that extends to a night walk, which gives you high chances of viewing lots of willife.
    • Join the managers and other guests by the fire when you come back from your walk.
    • Optional nightwalk after dinner.
  • package-day07

    Day 09

    • It’s your last day; make the most of it.
    • Wake up early and go onto the private reserves path to cath the early bird. There are hundreds of birds flying and calling at this time of the day
    • Then have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck and enjoy the crepes and omlets our chef makes on the deck.
    • later this morning you should explore the orange route, if you havent donr this yet. You have a good chance to see the bamboo lemur and you will pass some airrooted “walking trees” (pandanis).
    • Don’t miss the chance to do one last night walk. Who knows; it could be the Aye-Aye tonight…
  • intin-nosy

    Day 10

    • 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!
  • The above itinerary is just an example of how you can spend your days at our remote resort. Your guide and our staff will help you build the perfect program based on your interests and the weather on your arrival.