Madagascar Reforestation Project

Itinerary:
March 6th - 21st 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 in their natural environment. 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 1500 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 1500 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; After checking out some local sights we 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 3500 trees on a nearby restoration project. In the evenings explore the streets of this old French colonial town. Meals: BL Evening meal at own cost. 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’ll spend the night in Miandrivazo. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 10: We are going fully off-grid and remote on a two day riverboat trip down the Tsiribhina river. This is a truly unique Madagascar experience, both relaxing and adventurous at the same time. We’ll encounter lemur’s, stunning waterfalls and remote villages. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Riverside camp.

Day 11: Cruising past towering baobab trees and lush rice fields our riverboat trip ends at Belo Tsiribhina. Explore the markets and enjoy the evening vibe of this remote river town. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 12 : We head to the Kirindy Forest, a dry deciduous forest within the Kirindy Mitea National Park, for a guided walk to spot amazing birdlife, chameleons and hopefully the elusive fossa. In the afternoon we pass through the Avenue des Baobabs on our way to Morondava. Meals: BLD. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge..

Day 13 : 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 1500 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 14 : 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: BL Evening meal at own cost. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge

Day 15: A rest day in the beachside town of Morondava. Chill on the beach and explore town. Meals: BD Lunch at own cost. Accommodation: Beachside Lodge

Day 16 : Onward travel. Meals: B. Accommodation: N/A

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change due to local or unforeseen conditions.


What’s included:

  • Airport transfer in Antananarivoi.

  • 42 meals as per itinerary.

  • 15 nights accommodation in lodges, guesthouses and hotels.

  • Transport for the duration of the tour.

  • Two day / one night fully catered riverboat trip.

  • Entrance and guide fees to three national parks and protected forest areas.

  • Local interpreter / driver.

  • Forever Trees optimist and organiser.


Project cost: 

March 2027: NZ$7,050 per person (double or share twin). 

Single supplement NZ$750. (single supplement only applies if you choose to have your own single room for the tour)

PLEASE NOTE: The project cost is for your 15 day adventure in Africa only, and does not include the cost of the trees. At NZ$2.50 per tree you get to choose how many trees you want to sponsor, or get your friends, workplace or club to chip in to sponsor some trees. Ideally if each person who joins us can sponsor 1000 trees then we can reach our target of 10,000 trees (or more) per group.

Not included: airfares, visa’s and taxes, optional activities, vaccinations and personal equipment.