What‘s Included

Reviews

• Excellent Tour with Knowledgable Guides

  Joe B,

  Mar 25, 2025

  - Viator

  5.00

  Our day started by meeting our lead guide, Appolino, at the pier. From there we walked a short distance to our waiting driver who drove us to Ambatozavavy. Along the way Appolino taught us basic facts about life, culture, history and wildlife of Madagascar. Once we arrived in Ambatozavavy, we met another naturalist guide, Roger, who joined us for a canoe ride to Ampasipohy where we began our hike into Lokobe Reserve. Between Roger and Appolino, they share an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and animals of Lokobe. They took turns narrating our hike where we would stop along the way to learn about yet one of their many endemic species using both common and scientific names. We were fortunate to see a menagerie of animals including, but not limited to black and mouse lemurs, Madagascar ground boa, brown mantella frog, brown leaf chameleon, leaf tailed chameleon and even the world’s smallest chameleon brookesia nana! Along the way we enjoyed a welcomed stop at a cascading waterfall where we were able to refresh and recharge. Then it was time to hike back to Ampasipohy to our waiting canoe and make our way back to Ambatozavavy. In Ambatozavavy we enjoyed a family style lunch with Appolino who explained what each dish was. We were lucky to enjoy today’s fresh catch of barracuda, shrimp, Madagascar mangrove crab and more. Following lunch we reconnected with our driver who drove us back to the pier with Appolino who shared more information about his country and Malagasy lifestyle. We were surprised to learn Appolino’s English language was self-taught. His command of English, knowledge and easy going professional style is an asset as a tour guide.

• A FANTASTIC day in Lokobe Reserve in Nosy Be!

  Bogdan C,

  Dec 28, 2024

  - Viator

  5.00

  We came by the NCL cruise boat to Hell Ville on Nosy Be, and Frank, our guide, was already waiting for us. I should mention that the communication with Yamaya's tour company before our visit to Madagascar was incredible. Immediately after booking via Viaotor, he contacted us and made sure about all details of our visit. Thus, we felt so informed and sure that all would go fine with our tour. Frank was just a fantastic, enthusiastic guide. He and our driver would even stop on the road when a chameleon or a particular flower was spotted. We came to the fishermen village which is the base for the boat trip to Lokobe reserve. Besides Frank, the local guys from the village helped us row their traditional wooden pirogue canoes to come to the reserve. The hike through the jungle was fantastic per se, as the terrain is so scenic, passing over several creeks. We saw numerous endemic plants and animals, besides the famous lemurs. After coming back to the village by boat (on a way back they used a motor boat in order to save the time), we had a delicious lunch of grilled fish, squid and meet. Also, a delicious fruits. Overall, it was just a fantastic experience with the most memorable rowing of my life! Thank to you, Frank, and your helpers!

• An wonderful and unique experience

  Adrian W,

  Dec 11, 2024

  - Viator

  5.00

  Superb. Wonderful. The best experience possible. The tuk tuk ride from the cruise terminal was fun. The canoe ride even better, but the jungle trek was inspirational - hot, sweaty but well worth the effort. Our guide was first class. The lunch provided was excellent. Thank you for a memorable and wonderful day.

• Too strenuous and not enough lemurs

  James S,

  Nov 17, 2022

  - Viator

  2.00

  First we were driven to a place to have some fruit and wait for our canoe. There was a room with a toilet but no sink or way to wash our hands. Then we had to board a canoe, ours had a motor on it, others did not. Those guests had to paddle. After 15 minutes we landed on the reserve. This excursion was very much more strenuous than advertised. We walked up and down steep hilly areas with rocks, tree roots, and vegetation to contend with. Our guide was terrific in keeping me upright. I couldn’t have done with without his helping hand. We saw a few lemurs, an owl, and a boa constrictor in addition to chameleons and insects. On the way back, our motor ran out of gas, and out came the paddles. We were served lunch at the same place where we had fruit. We were on an excursion from a cruise ship, and we told our guide we had to be on the last tender to our ship before 2 pm. It was about 2:10 when we got there, but they let us get on the tender. That was much too close for comfort.

• Close meeting with the lemurs

  Thesa K,

  Nov 17, 2022

  - Viator

  4.00

  The lemurs came really close, which was nice. This excursion is very nice and the guides are great! This trail is not for people in a wheel chair or similar, because you have to walk on rocks, climb a little and walk on really small pathways.. Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent and water!