8-Day Honeymoon in Masoala National Park from Antananarivo

Early this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Tana and taken to the airport to depart for Maroantsetra. Once you have arrived, our staff will meet you and form here you will transfer to our private boat for a short ride to the island of Nosy Mangabe to enjoy a picnic on the beach! From here, another boat trip to the Masoala Forest Lodge. The last bit of the journey offers an incredible backdrop and a chance to spot dolphins and whales (pending season) and will take about 2 hours. Upon arrival at the lodge, you can settle into your bungalow and then head down to the beach for a fire with other guests!

Once you have enjoyed your breakfast this morning you will 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. The forest offers giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns that will leave you in awe. From here we will head back to camp, by boat, for lunch and to rest up for our afternoon adventures! r This 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.

This morning after coffee and breakfast of course, you will head out on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds, mammals, and reptiles. After a couple of hours 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 to spend some time with the locals and get a feel for their lifestlye. The village visit will begin 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. If you wish, you can head out again this evening to try your luck again at spotting elusive nocturnal species on a private reserve night walk

Today we will depart by kayak to the unusual rock formations of Tampolo point by kayak. We will stop for a swim and then continue to a pristine mangrove for a chance to see Blue-spotted stingrays in the shallow water or perhaps the Lesser Bamboo lemurs crossing the river. We will then paddle back to the lodge for lunch and spend another afternoon lounging in our beach hammocks or exploring the lodge’s various reefs. Or you can make use of your voucher for a massage in the Masoala SPA – a present from the lodge to our honeymooners that can be used anytime one your stay. Enjoy our nightly beach fire with other guests this evening.

After breakfast this morning, hop on a boat for a 30-minute voyage through the Tampolo Marine Reserve to the mouth of the Antalavia River. 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 feel you would like to move on simply ask your boat captain to island-hop to a nearby island! 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.

With the Ngalawa Sailing outrigger pirogue we will sail you to one of the beautiful lonely beaches. Equipped with snorkelling kit, sunscreen, beach mats, towels and the picnic basket you will have a whole day to relax, sun bath and explore the reefs. Alternatively, take the opportunity to return to the primary forest in search of more endemic wildlife.

Day at your leisure. You may have a long relaxed breakfast on the deck followed by some reading and hammock time. Later this morning you could have a full body massage in our little Spa on the beach. In the late afternoon, we suggest going for a walk that extends to a night walk, which gives you high chance of viewing lots of wildlife. This evening join other from the lodge around a beach fire to catch up on the day. Optional night walk after dinner.

This morning once you have had your final breakfast at the lodge, you will 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!