Madagascar

A veritable Noah’s Ark set adrift into evolutionary exile from mainland Africa.

Madagascar, with its truly unique natural wonders, offers the visitor scenery that is rich in diversity, a variety of climatic and floral zones and some truly amazing animals to be found nowhere else in the world.

It is the island’s fabulous array of endemic plants and animals which is the largest attraction for travellers, the best-known being the tree-dwelling lemurs, of which there are 23 species. Other visitor favourites are the astonishing chameleons, with their independently swivelling eyes and ability to change colour to indicate mood and for mating.  

There are some astonishingly colourful species of endemic birds, including ground-rollers, oxylabes, newtonias, fish eagles, vanga and couas.   Visitors will also note the many species of insects, spiders and butterflies.

Travel with us on an expedition to Madagascar’s fabulously varied landscapes; from the northern tropical rainforests, through its rolling mountain ranges, to the famous spiny deserts of the south.  The expeditions are limited to small groups of twelve people to maximise your chance of intimate encounters with the surrounding wildlife, while minimising disturbance.

IItinerary
Day 1
Arrive from Johannesburg on morning flight and connect through to Fort Dauphin, which is at the southern most tip of this amazing Island. On arrival we will transfer to Vinanibe and our accommodation for two nights.

Day 2
A full day in the Evatra and Lokaro area passing through mangroves, lakes and lagoon areas with the option for snorkelling on the very different east coast side, overnight at Vinanibe.

Day 3
Today we travel to Berenty National Park, Madagascars most famous Nature reserve. The gallery forest at Berenty offers endless opportunities for intimate wildlife encounters. The high population of Ring tailed, Verreaux’s Sifaka and Red Fronted Brown Fulvous Lemurs in this reserve along with fruit bats and Black Kite are sure to be in evidence. Overnight at Berenty

Day 4
Today we will have the opportunity to explore different habitats around Berenty National Park from the large treed areas to amazing spiny forest with tree snakes. There is the possiblity of seeing White Footed Sportive Lemur and Grey Mouse Lemur. We will have an array of different activities throughout the day. Overnight at Berenty

Day 5
From Berenty we return thought the hinterlands of the south eastern corner, we pass through small villages and cross large rivers as we make our way back towards Fort Dauphin for our flight to Tulear. Our flight will take you from the eastern side right across Madagascar to the dry sanded west coast with very different habitats and landscapes. Once we have arrived at Tulear we will take in the sights and sounds of one of the largest cities on the west coast before travelling up the wonderful coast to Ifaty, a small village right on the coast with great Spiny forest and beaches. Overnight at Ifaty

Day 6
An early morning walk inland to the Parc Moussa Mangily (Spiny Forest) with rare birds like the long tailed ground roller, Grey Headed Lovebird, Souimanga Sunbird and reptiles as well as acgreat number of different Baobab species. On our return from the Spiny forest we will pass by the salt flats to investigate the possibility of seeing the Madagascar Plover and Kittlit’z Plover. Iftay is blessed with sandy beaches and coral reefs offering great snorkelling. Overnight at Ifaty.

Day 7
In the morning we head south towards Tulear and then start our travels inland by way of the main road north which will take us to some of the amazing sites of Madagascar as we make our way toward Isalo. There will be a stop at Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park which is an example of a Dry Forest, 82% of the plant in this forest can be used in medicine. There are Namaqua Dove, Red Tailed Sportive Lemur, Green Gecko and Chameleon in Zombitse-Vohibasia along with some other great wildlife and plants.
We proceed north toward Isalo passing through an area of gem and semi precious stones before reaching the edge of Isalo National Park where the Benson’s Rock Thrush can be seen before the day is over. Overnight at Isalo.

Day 8
A full day at Isalo with walks to discover the canyons, cliffs, gorges and other striking geological features of the area. Exotic floral and fauna include native palm trees, Elephant foot, giant cacti, lemurs and countless reptiles. Later on in the afternoon taking a walk across the looner like plateau toward “piscine naturelle” (natural pool). Overnight at Isalo

Day 9
Today is a day of travel as we relocate north to Ranomafana National Park. We will pass through some wonderful and dramatic landscapes from the flat highlands to the mountains areas around Ambalavao, the bright green rice fields around Fianarantosa where you with see local people working their land and Zebu herds. Our destination is the lush rainforest of Ranomafana National Park where there is a great array of flora and fauna. Overnight at Ranomafana.

Day 10
Early morning wildlife viewing walk into this great rainforest to see one of the world’s most endangered Lemur, the Golden Bamboo Lemur, along with other great sightings of Greater Bamboo Lemur and Grey Bamboo Lemur. There is also great birdlife include Blue Coua, Red fronted Coua, Pollens Vanga, Pitta-Like Ground Roller and Madagascar Flufftail. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the small village at the bottom of the National Park before heading back to the entrance to start our night walk which is a great opportunity to see Brookesia Dwarf Chameleon, Lowerland Streaked Tenrec, Rain-Forest Scops Owl and leaf tailed gecko’s.
Overnight at Ranomafana

Day 11
From Ranomafana we travel to Fianarantsoa for our private flight to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. After a short tour of the city to see some of the historical and cultural sites of Antananarivo. We travel to Perinet through some striking landscapes with an evening walk in the Park looking for the night lemurs,Great Dwarf Lemur and colourful frogs. Overnight at Perinet

Day 12
A full morning walk in the Perinet Park with the opportunity to see great wildlife like the Giraffe neck Weevil, Diademed Sifaka, Madagascar Kingfisher, Paradise Flycatcher, Collared Night Jar and the famous Indri Indri. As we walk amongst the lush rainforests of the east coast which have some of the highest diversity around in the world of floral we have the time to look at some of the most amazing orchurs. After anaction packed morning we will start our journey back toward Antananarivo for an overnight stay before departing early the next morning for Nosy Mangabe. Overnight at Antananarivo

Day 13
Our morning flight to Maroantstera connects us with the boat trip out to Nosy Mangabe, this small island national park allows us great opportunities to see the nocturnal Aye-aye, white-fronted brown lemurs and the green-backed mantilla frogs. On this amazing island there are beautiful sandy coves, marvellous trees and strangler figs. Overnight camping on the Island.

Day 14
We will have the morning to enjoy the morning sunrise on Nosy Mangabe before our transfer to the 210,000 hectare Masoala National Park by boat. We will have the evening to explore the dramatic rainforest and great opportunitties to see orchid and a wide variety of palm. Overnight at Masoala.

Day 15
With a full day of great experiences to be had around this unique National park which takes in three Marine Park and three different types of forest to explore, we will head out early to get the best opportunities to see the wildlife and plants of this national park. Species to watch for are the Red-ruffed Lemur, Eastern fork-marked Lemurs, Helmeted Vanga shrike and Madagascar Red Owl along with Gecko’s and Chameleon. Overnight at Masoala

Day 16
Travelling by boat from Masoala to Maroantstera in the morning gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the coast line and landscape as we head toward the Antainambalana River which enters the Bay of Antongil at Maroantstera. After our boat trip to Maroantstera we will have the afternoon exploring the area which is rich in culture. This is one of the main areas that grown vanilla beans before headed out on a river cruise in the Antainambalana River. Overnight at Maroantstera

Day 17
We return to Antananarivo for some time at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or to simply enjoying the varied cultures of this island.

Day 18
Our final day begins with early morning birdwatching at Tsarasoatra which is an amazing lake in the middle of Antananarivo. There is a great array of birds which includes Knob-billed Duck, Red-Billed Teal, Dimorphic Egret and Madagascar Kingfisher. Later we depart to the airport for our mid afternoon flight to Johannesburg.

Our maximum group size is 15 passengers with tour leader.
Exclusion
Flights from Johannesburg to Madagascar return
Inclusions
Domestic flights within Madagascar, Accommodation throughout, Meals – three daily, Leader throughout the programme.