Red ruffed lemur at Maroantsetra

Maroantsetra, the coastal town where the Antainambalana River meets the sea, serves as the main gateway for boat trips out to Masoala and Nosy Mangabe, making it a natural staging point for photographers hoping to encounter the red ruffed lemur. Travellers joining the Madagascar Wildlife & Rainforest holiday typically pass through in November, using the town as their launch point before heading further afield. While the surrounding waters and forested access points are the real draw for this striking primate, Maroantsetra itself offers a convenient base from which to plan your approach. Keep your gear ready for the boat crossing, as this is where your search for the red ruffed lemur truly begins.