Lokobe Reserve tour from Nosy Be: Pirogue, lemurs and beach lunch

Sail to Lokobe, walk the lemur forest, lunch on sand

A full-day tour from Nosy Be that combines a traditional pirogue journey to Lokobe Reserve, a guided trek through the forest to spot macaque lemurs and leaf-tailed geckos, and a cooked-to-order Malagasy lunch on the beach. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, water and a live guide in English, Italian, French or Polish are included. The tour runs 4 to 8 hours depending on your pace and the wildlife you encounter.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lokobe Reserve and Ambatozavavy Village

• Travel by traditional pirogue
• Visit Ambatozavavy fishing village
• Meet local community and fishermen
• Trek through Lokobe Reserve jungle
• Spot lemurs, chameleons, and geckos
• Enjoy Malagasy lunch on the beach
• Relax and swim in clear waters

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a drive to the launch point, then you board a hand-built pirogue, a traditional wooden canoe, for the crossing to Lokobe Reserve. The boat ride itself is part of the experience: you move at the pace of the water, and the reserve reveals itself gradually as you approach. Lokobe is the largest remaining forest on Nosy Be and home to species found nowhere else on earth.

Once ashore, your guide leads you into the jungle on foot. The trek is unhurried and suited to all fitness levels. You'll move through the canopy looking for macaque lemurs in the branches, the world's smallest chameleons on the forest floor, and leaf-tailed geckos that vanish against the bark they cling to. Your guide is a local wildlife expert who knows where to look and what the animals are doing. They also speak your language and share stories about the forest and the community that depends on it. This is not a rushed checklist of sightings. It's time to actually watch and listen.

After the forest walk, you settle on a quiet beach for lunch. The meal is cooked fresh by locals using ingredients from the area, and it's substantial: a real Malagasy spread with vegetarian options available. You have time to eat, swim in the clear water if you want, and rest before the return journey. The whole day, from pickup to drop-off, is organized by the operator, so you bring only curiosity and comfortable shoes.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• admission to Lokobe Reserve.
• a live guide in English, Italian, French or Polish.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a traditional Malagasy lunch cooked with fresh local ingredients, with vegetarian options available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (9 to 16 years) · Child (under 9): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MadaDays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Nosy Be without a rental car: hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the coast, and the fixed itinerary fits the whole experience (forest, lunch and return) into a single day without you planning the logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 16 years); Child (under 9): free.

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 Reserve?

Macaque lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos and the smallest chameleons on the planet are the species your guide will look for. Sightings depend on the time of day and the season, and your guide knows the forest well enough to find them when they're active.

How do I get to the pirogue, and what's the boat ride like?

Hotel pickup is included, and your driver takes you to the launch point on the coast. The pirogue crossing to Lokobe is a slow, traditional journey by hand-built wooden canoe, not a motorboat.

Is the forest walk difficult, or can I do it if I'm not very fit?

The trek is suited to all physical fitness levels and moves at a pace that lets you stop and watch. It's not a strenuous hike, and your guide adjusts the route to match the group.

What's included in the Malagasy lunch, and are there vegetarian options?

Lunch is a hearty traditional meal cooked fresh on the beach with local ingredients. Vegetarian options are available, and the meal is included in the tour price.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs between 4 and 8 hours depending on how long you spend in the forest watching wildlife and how much time you take for lunch and swimming.