Madagascar Reforestation Project
Itinerary: March 2026 / 2027.
Day 1 : Arrive in Antananarivo, the buzzing capital of Madagascar. If you arrive today or even a day or two earlier we will arrange for you to be met at the airport and transferred to our accommodation. We meet in the evening for a rundown on what’s to come over the next 2 weeks. Meals: D. Accommodation: Hotel..
Day 2 : After exploring some local markets and a couple of my favorite places in the city, we transfer out of the capital to Andasibe - Mantadia National Park, home to the Indri Lemur and many species of chameleon. In the afternoon we take a guided walk to find these large and incredibly loud Lemur. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Lodge
Day 3 : Our first day planting, working with a community conservation organisation committed to protect, conserve and restore the Andasibe forests.With the help of a local team that we’ll employ from nearby villages, we aim to plant around 1250 indigenous trees that we will buy from the community nursery. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Lodge
Day 4 : Continuing on from our previous days efforts, our goal is to plant another 1250 plus trees today and learn some more about the Andasibe - Mantadia National Park. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Lodge
Day 5 : We transfer back through Tana (the locals name for Antananarivo) to a Lemur reserve which is home to seven species of Lemur. After a walk in the reserve we transfer to Ampefy village on the shores of Lake Itasy, the fourth largest lake in Madagascar. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 6 : Waterfalls, geysers and an artisan cheese maker; A busy morning followed by a transfer to Antsirabe, a small city in the central highlands and our base for our next planting project. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Guesthouse.
Day 7/8 : Like much of Madagascar, the area around Antsirabe has experienced significant deforestation, with areas previously covered by forest now converted to agricultural land or other uses. Once again, working with local tree nurseries and with local labour to help us, we’ll spend the next two days aiming to plant another 2500 trees on a nearby restoration project. In the evenings explore the streets of this old French colonial town. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Guesthouse..
Day 9 : Heading west we travel through rolling hill-country dotted with small towns and villages and into a whole new ecological region. We spend the night in Miandrivazo. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 10 : Today’s destination is Zazamalala Wildlife Centre. Here they are working to preserve the deciduous forests of Western Madagascar (of which only 3% remain) and the unique wildlife that live there. In the evening take a nocturnal hike in the forest. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Forest cabins.
Day 11/12 : Working with the team at Zazamalala and a team of helpers from the surrounding village’s, our aim again is to plant another 2500 trees to help preserve and expand this endangered forest. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Forest cabins.
Day 13: A rest day in the beachside town of Morondava. Chill on the beach, explore town and visit the famed Baobab Alley. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge
Day 14 : Today we’re planting mangroves, in the mud…… so get ready to get filthy!!! With only a 3 hour window over low tide for planting we’ll need to get busy to plant our 1250 mangrove trees today. Make the most of the rest of your day relaxing and exploring Morondava town and markets. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge
Day 15 : Our last planting day of the tour. We head back out at low tide to continue with restoring the coastal mangrove forests. These forests are a vital part of the coastal ecosystem and a breeding ground for marine life, but have been decimated by decades of damage. This is our last chance to reach our total planting goal of 10,000 trees for the tour. You do the maths! Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge
Day 16 : Onward travel. Meals: B. Accommodation: N/A
What’s included:
Airport transfer in Antananarivoi.
42 meals as per itinerary.
15 nights accommodation in lodges, guesthouses and hotels.
10,000 tree saplings grown at local tree nurseries.
Wages for the local teams that we will work alongside.
Transport for the duration of the tour.
Entrance and guide fees to three national parks and protected forest areas.
Local interpreter / driver.
Forever Trees optimist and organiser.
Project cost:
NZ$9,550 per person (double or share twin). Project cost does not include: airfares, visa’s and taxes, optional activities, vaccinations and personal equipment.
Single supplement NZ$750. (single supplement only applies if you choose to have your own single room for the tour)
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change due to local or unforeseen conditions.