Mysterious Madagascar (Nature, Adventure & Culture)
Antananarivo, Ifaty, Ranohira, Andringitra, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Antisrabe, Andasibe, Palmarium, Mahambo, Ambodifotatra Ste Marie, Antananarivo
18 nights / 19 days
Madagascar's long isolation from the neighbouring continents has resulted in a unique mix of plants and animals, many found nowhere else in the world. This has led some ecologists to refer to Madagascar as the "eighth continent". Of the 10,000 plants native to Madagascar, 90% are found nowhere else in the world. Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s and since the arrival of humans 2,000 years ago; Madagascar has lost more than 90% of its original forest. Most lemurs are listed as endangered or threatened species.
The eastern or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric scrublands. Madagascar's dry deciduous rain forest has been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central plateau, presumably due to historically low population densities.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Antananarivo you will meet our team, and transfer to your lodge.
Overnight at Ecole-Lodge-Antananarivo
Day 2:
After breakfast at the lodge, proceed to the airport for the flight to Toliara. Upon arrival in Toliara you will meet our team and you will be transferred to Ifaty, the fishermen’s village in where the spiny forest dwells as well.
Overnight at Bamboo Club
Day 3:
Breakfast at the hotel and morning visit at the Reniala (Baobab) forest, these trees on Madagascar are up to 800 years old. Locally known as “mother of the forest,” the baobab forms a micro-ecosystem of its own, supporting life for both animals and humans. Upon arrival in Ranohira, check into the hotel. By the end of the afternoon, visit of the Interpretation center of the park then sip in a beautiful Sunset at the Window of Isalo.
Overnight at Toiles de l Isalo
Day 4:
Today after breakfast at the hotel, spend full day exploring the Isalo National Park. In the morning, walk towards the famous natural swimming pool through botanical garden and typical tombs of the Bara people who are leaving in the surrounding. In the afternoon, visit of the Namaza site and its Cascade des Nymphes. Possibility of spotting the ring tailed lemur and the red fronted brown lemur as well as some birds species as the Benson’s Rockthrush, Paradise flycatcher, common Jery, Turtle dove, Madagascar Hopooe.
Overnight at Toiles de l Isalo
Day 5:
After breakfast at the hotel continue northward in crossing the Horombe table land. Passing by the Bishop’s hat rock formation and crossing the south gate area. Around lunch time you will arrive at the Magestic Valley of Tsaranoro, this west of Andringitra national park represents unique scenes either on local people meeting or landscapes.
Overnight at Camp Catta
Day 6:
This day will be dedicated to discover The Andringotra national parc through Chameleon Mountain and Tsaranoro valleys. We recommend you carry a Picnc lunch.
Overnight at Camp Catta
Day 7:
After breakfast, drive to Ranomafana and stop at the Anja Community Reserve to visit park where lemur’s park protected by the local people. Possibility of spotting the ring tailed lemur during the walk. After the visit, continue to Ambalavao. Visit of the Antemoro paper factory. After the visit continuation to Fianarantsoa with a change of the landscape which is mainly decorated by the stepped rice fields and the typical villages of the highland. Enjoy short panoramic city tour of Fianarantsoa.
Overnight at Grenat hotel
Day 8:
Today spend entire day exploring the Ranomafana National Park. There are two different areas to be visited today. To begin with, visit the main forest of the Ranomafana National Park for spotting birds and lemurs. Three species of bamboo lemurs are found in this forest (grey bamboo lemur, golden bamboo lemur and the greater bamboo lemur) as well as other lemur species as the Milen’sedwardssifaka, the common brown lemur, the red bellied lemur. There are chances you might spot as well some of the biggest chameleons in the island: the Parson’s chameleon. Later in the afternoon, you will be driven to Vohiparara forest for spoting some endemic birds as the Cryptic warbler, the Yellow bellied asity, the Madagascar Yellow brow, Nuthatch Vanga, Madagascar forest fody, as well as lemurs.
Overnight at Grenat Hotel
Day 9:
Today after breakfast at the hotel take a morning visit of Ranomafana National Park. Then, continue of the drive to Antsirabe. En-route in Ambositra the capital of the Malagasy handicrafts and you will have the opportunity to visit the different handicrafts shops and also the possibility of looking the local people carving woods. Further proceed to Antsirabe.
Overnight at Soa Guest House
Day 10:
Morning drive to Andasibe and on the way visit at the Peyrerass reserve really Known about the Amphibians and reptiles breeding. Nocturnal visit at Park.
Overnight at Grace Lodge
Day 11:
Breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide to make and start the visit of Analamazaotra / National Park to see the biggest lemur called “indri-indri”, after lunch; we will take you to visit the famous private reserve of Vakona to experience life with lemurs. It`s a full day to explore the flora and fauna of the park.
Overnight at Grace Lodge
Day 12:
Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Manambato in where you will take the Boat to Palmarium through the channel, Afternoon visit at the reserve to meet more nature. Possibility to make nocturnal visit to seeing the Aye-Aye lemurs, you can ask about the excursion locally.
Overnight at Palmarium
Day 13:
After breakfast, we continue north eastward following the evergreen landscapes, visit of the second biggest city of Madagascar called Tamatave, end of afternoon arrival in Mahambo.
Overnight at La Pirogue
Day 14:
Today after breakfast check out of the hotel to across to Ile St Marie. This is a very long, thin, lush, and relatively flat Tropical Island surrounded by beaches and reef, and spotted with thatched villages. The best thing about Ile Sainte Marie is that it contains all the ingredients for a great vacation and great travel.
Overnight at Sambatra Lodge
Day 15 & 16:
Two days free for leisure. if you are visiting during the whale season (July to September), you will also be able to watch humpback whales and their calves as they migrate along the coast; you will often able to see them from the beach or you can go out with a research boat for the day in order to get a closer look at these amazing animals.
Overnight at Sambatra Lodge
Day 17:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport of Ste Marie for the flight back to the Capital via Tamatave, upon arrival in Tana you will be guided in the capital to discover this city.
Overnight at Belvedere
Day 18:
This day is dedicated to explore the capital and surrounding with its beautiful colonial buildings, steep streets and cool climate, is a great place to wander about. There are also some excellent markets and shops that stock products and crafts from across the country at very competitive prices. Finally, Tana is the place in Madagascar to treat yourself to a fine meal: some establishments rival Europe’s Michelin-starred restaurants, but without the price tag.
Overnight at Belvedere
Day 19:
Day use at Belvedere or similar and late in the evening transfer to the airport for the International flight
Inclusions:
• English speaking Wildlife & Culture Guide
• Room in hotel or bungalow midrange category with breakfast (BB)
• Private vehicle and 4WD when needed
• All park entry fees and local tour guide (Ranomafana NP, Isalo park, Anja reserve, Andringitra, Andasibe, Palmarium, Spiny forest )
• Two domestic flights per person (Antananarivo to Toliara and Ste Marie to Antananarivo)
• All hotel and tourist taxes
• Return airport transfers
Exclusions:
• Extras e.g. telephone, laundry, drinks, extra meals and items of personal nature etc
• Tips/gratitude’s to driver/guide
• Visas
• International & Domestic flights
• Insurance cover
• Any other items not mentioned above
Contact me for the rates or other tailor made safaris in Madagascar.