Search
Search Search
Masoala National Park, MADAGASCAR
Comprehensive mini-Madagascar experience
These journeys suit travellers who value immersion and time spent in truly wild places. Here, luxury is defined by access to remote landscapes and experiences available to only a small number of guests each year.
The Masoala Peninsula cradles Madagascar’s largest remaining expanse of lowland rainforest, a sanctuary of biodiversity and endemism. Accessible solely by boat, Masoala Forest Lodge stands as a castaway retreat meticulously crafted over two decades by modern-day adventurers, Pierre and Maria Bester. Its seven tented rooms perch on timber decks, gazing through the tropical foliage directly onto the golden beach.
The rhythmic lull of the ocean on the sheltered beach guides you into peaceful slumber, while time takes on a fluid quality as you immerse yourself in nature. Here, you witness the extraordinary marvel of Madagascar, gradually forgetting the notion of ever donning shoes.
Masoala boasts unparalleled biodiversity and endemism, housing iconic species like the Red Ruffed Lemur, White-fronted Lemur, and Helmet Vanga, found exclusively on this island. Unveil the secrets of this distinctive destination over a 7+ night stay, embracing an immersive, diverse, and culturally enriching adventure—a true one-stop mini-Madagascar experience.
The future of Africa’s untamed landscapes and indigenous tribes relies on conscious and intrepid travellers in pursuit of these bucket-list odysseys. Together with bold stakeholders committed to delivering meaningful and immersive travel, we extend an invitation to embark on a Wild Expedition.
Masoala National Park, Madagascar
Minimum stay 3 nights from EUR 2 067 to, a recommended stay of, 7 nights EUR 4 134 per person per fully inclusive package adventure.
FLY: Scheduled flights from Antananarivo to Maroantsetra.
BOAT: Approximately 1.5–2 hours by boat across Antongil Bay to the lodge, the primary access route into Masoala National Park.
Located within Masoala National Park, Madagascar’s largest protected rainforest, covering over 230 000 hectares of tropical forest and marine environments.
All ages welcome.
A rare rainforest-and-ocean expedition combining guided forest walks, night walks, sea kayaking, snorkelling, seasonal whale watching and cultural encounters, set within one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
Masoala National Park is the islands last remaining intact rainforest and largest national park.
Exceptional biodiversity and endemism with flagship charismatic species like red ruffed lemur, white fronted brown lemur and helmet vanga found nowhere else on the island.
Pristine private beaches where the rainforest comes down to the sea.
Fixed arrivals on Sunday/Wednesday for the 7-, 10-, 11-night adventures with an add-on to the most remote eastern edge where you discover the Blue Lagoon.
The seven rooms are traditional African safari tents, built on raised stilted decks within the forest canopy and overlooking the beach. The cool breeze off the ocean or through the rainforest acts as natural air conditioning with the tents and their gauze windows oriented for maximum through drafts. Lying in bed and listening to the gentle wash of the ocean on the golden beach below, or the rustling of rainforest leaves cannot help but let you leave the frenetic energy of the city behind.
A central ‘beach house’ is where lunches and dinners are served and where you’ll find comfortable chairs and a well-stocked natural history library. The ‘sea deck’ overlooks a little bay and is where breakfast and afternoon tea are served.
WHY HERE?
Madagascar’s largest remaining intact rainforest and largest national park;
Exceptional biodiversity and endemism with flagship charismatic species like Red Ruffed Lemur, White-fronted Lemur and Helmet Vanga found nowhere else on the island;
Pristine private beaches where the rainforest comes down to the sea.
Arrivals are on Sundays for the 3-, 7-, and 10-night adventures, and Wednesdays for the 4-, 7-, and 11-night adventures only.
Powdery white beaches, palm trees and impossibly blue waters dominate everyone’s imagination of tropical island escapes. Even better if there is no one else there.
This is the case at Camp Masoala, the destination of our Blue Lagoon Expedition, where time might as well have stood still for the past few hundred years. Rural people survive here on a subsistence lifestyle and over the past 20 years have accepted us and our guests as part of the community.
On this expedition you combine the core area of Masoala rainforest with exploring the Blue Lagoon, its beaches, fringing reefs and offshore islets by kayak and by outrigger pirogue, walking the shores and snorkelling the coves while still finding time for night walks in search of lemurs and sundowners on old crumbling colonial lighthouses. Simple food, fresh air and midday siestas in shady hammocks are the order of the day.
WHY HERE?
One of the greatest luxuries in the modern world is space and the ability to experience the planet as it was hundreds of years ago;
Kilometres of white sand beaches, calm, warm waters, fringing reefs, offshore islets, mangrove rivers and coastal forests;
The knowledge that the closest fellow tourist is at least 40km away.
Bookings can be made by contacting the Wild Expeditions reservations team.
Email: wea.res@wild-expeditions.africa
Tel: +27 71 359 8322
WhatsApp: +27 82 401 7035
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm
Antananarivo (TNR) International Airport – Twice weekly seat-rate charter to / from Maroantsetra Airport on Sundays & Wednesdays.
Followed by a 40 minute road transfer and 2-hour boat ride to the lodge.
Amenities
- Remote eco-lodge set within Masoala National Park, one of Madagascar’s most biodiverse rainforest regions.
- Elevated, treehouse-style lodges connected by wooden walkways.
- Spacious en-suite accommodation with solar-powered lighting and hot water.
- Open-air dining and lounge areas overlooking forest and ocean.
- Fully inclusive stays with all meals, local beverages and laundry.
- Boat transfers between Maroantsetra and the lodge included on scheduled arrival days.
- Off-grid experience with no WiFi or mobile signal.
- Low-impact design with a strong conservation and community focus.
Activities (Included)
- Guided rainforest walks with experienced naturalist guides.
- Wildlife tracking, including lemurs, chameleons, frogs and birdlife.
- Snorkelling directly from the lodge’s beach and guided marine exploration.
- Kayaking along the coastline and forest-fringed bays.
- Night walks to discover nocturnal rainforest species.
- Cultural interactions with nearby local communities (conditions permitting).
Additional Activities (Extra Cost)
- Boat-based whale watching (seasonal, typically July–September).
Wild Expeditions Africa operates in regions where tourism remains limited and access is challenging, including parts of Madagascar. In these settings, their approach is focused on long-term presence, collaboration with protected area authorities and meaningful engagement with nearby communities.
At Masoala Forest Lodge and on the Blue Lagoon Expedition, conservation and community involvement are closely linked to the protection of Masoala National Park and the wellbeing of surrounding coastal villages. Wild Expeditions works within existing park structures and alongside local partners, recognising that conservation outcomes are shaped over time through consistent support and cooperation.
- Park fees paid by every guest, which support the operational management of Masoala National Park and contribute to the park authority’s ability to maintain and protect this biodiverse area.
- Land stewardship initiatives supported by lodge revenue, including the purchase or long-term leasing of areas of coastal rainforest adjacent to the park. These areas help create a buffer between protected forest and human activity and have recorded a high diversity of wildlife, including multiple lemur species.
- Community-focused initiatives in the nearby village of Ambodiforaha, with a particular emphasis on education and women’s empowerment, developed in consultation with local partners.
- Employment and training opportunities for local residents, supporting skills development and participation in tourism-related livelihoods.
Through these contributions, Wild Expeditions supports a model of travel that seeks to balance guest access with the protection of sensitive ecosystems and meaningful community involvement in one of Madagascar’s most biologically rich regions.
High-resolution images available for download showing accommodation, surroundings, and activities.
Visit our Image Library where you can download high-res images