Lokobe National Park tour: Canoe, jungle hike, dwarf chameleons

Canoe, jungle trek, and lemurs in Madagascar's last original rainforest

A private guided tour to Lokobe National Park from Nosy Be combines paddling a traditional tribal canoe across the Indian Ocean, hiking through the island's only remaining tropical jungle, and meeting wildlife and villagers in an authentic fishing settlement. You'll spot dwarf chameleons (just 6 cm high), multiple lemur species, snakes, geckos and tropical birds with a local guide, then eat a traditional Malagasy lunch prepared by the villagers themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lokobe National Park and village

• Boat ride to Ampasipohy village
• Enjoy refreshments and tropical fruits
• Rest after canoeing
• 2-4 hour guided jungle hike
• See chameleons, lemurs, snakes, birds
• Authentic Malagasy lunch in village

The experience

The day starts with an hour of paddling in a traditional canoe across the Indian Ocean to reach Ampasipohy, a real fishing village on the edge of Lokobe National Park. Once you arrive, the guides serve refreshments and seasonal tropical fruits (mango, jackfruit, litchi, banana, papaya), while you rest after the crossing. This protected reserve in the southeastern part of Nosy Be is the only place on the entire island with an original tropical jungle still intact, and it's home to species found nowhere else.

After the village stop, a local guide leads a 2 to 4 hour hike into the forest, moving slowly and carefully to find the animals that live there. Dwarf chameleons (the smallest in the world at 6 cm) are the specialty, but the guide will also point out up to 6 or 7 other chameleon species, lemurs in groups of 5 to 6, giant snakes, geckos, tropical birds and frogs. The guide walks you through by hand, explaining the plants and animals as you move through the canopy. This is not a rushed walk: the pace is built around spotting wildlife and letting you watch it.

Lunch is an authentic Malagasy meal cooked and served by the villagers themselves: traditional seafood, zebu stew or chicken dishes, depending on what the village has prepared that day. Throughout the tour, the operator provides cooled soft drinks, water, local beer, Malagasy coconut punch or fruit-flavored rums (for guests 18+), plus snacks like local banana chips. The whole experience runs 7 to 9 hours from pickup at your hotel.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a traditional canoe for the ocean crossing.
• cooled soft drinks, water, local beer, Malagasy coconut punch and fruit-flavored rums (for guests 18+).
• local snacks like banana chips and fresh seasonal tropical fruits.
• a real Malagasy lunch cooked by the villagers.
• and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language, plus hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 40

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Fossa Travel

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own guide and set the pace through the jungle rather than moving with a larger group. Choose it if you want close encounters with rare animals and time to watch them without rushing, or if you prefer the flexibility of a personal guide who can adjust the route based on what appears that day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see in Lokobe's jungle?

Dwarf chameleons are the main draw (they're the smallest chameleon species in the world at just 6 cm high), but the guide regularly spots 5 to 6 lemur species, up to 6 or 7 other chameleon types, giant and other snakes, geckos, tropical birds and frogs. What you see depends on the day and the season, but the guide knows where to look and moves slowly enough to find them.

How long is the hike through the jungle?

The hike lasts 2 to 4 hours after you've rested in the village. The pace is slow and deliberate (the guide walks you by hand through the forest and stops to show you animals and plants), so it's built for spotting wildlife, not covering distance.

Is the canoe ride difficult?

The paddle across the Indian Ocean takes about an hour in a traditional tribal canoe. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though the operator does not recommend it for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. You'll rest and have refreshments once you reach the village.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is a real Malagasy meal prepared and served by the villagers in the fishing village. You'll eat traditional seafood, zebu stew or chicken dishes, depending on what the village has cooked that day. Drinks, snacks and tropical fruits are provided throughout the tour as well.

Will I meet people from the fishing village?

Yes. You stop in Ampasipohy, a real fishing village where you'll interact with the locals. They prepare and serve your lunch, and if you're lucky, they may perform local folk songs and dances during the visit.