Cut off from the African mainland over 100 million years ago, the flora and fauna of Madagascar's teeming forests have evolved independently, almost as though on another planet. The result: nearly eighty percent of its species exist nowhere else on earth.
Twelve thousand species of plants and 45 percent of its 270 bird species are endemic. Known as the "Great Red Island," because of the eroding soil that stains the rivers and deltas crimson, you travel in search of lemurs, chameleons, orchids, baobabs, aloes, geckoes, sifakas and octopus trees. During your visit discover Madagascar's rich history from the original settlement of the Indonesian, Malaysian and African peoples, to tribal development, European discovery, creation of separate kingdoms, unification and ultimately independence.
Day 1
ANTANANARIVO
Upon your arrival this evening into Antananarivo, you are met and transferred to your hotel to overnight.
Antananarivo (known as "Tana" by the locals) is the economical, political and cultural capital of Madagascar. Sitting approximately 3,600 feet above sea level, the landscape is dominated by rice fields and houses made of cooked bricks.
Days 2-4
ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK
The drive from Antananarivo to Andasibe is on a paved road on a high plateau passing rice fields, mountains, typical brick and tile-roofed architecture and local food markets. After passing the Mandraka escarpment, the rain forest envelopes you. Stop at the Peyrieras amphibian and reptile park where you find many of the 68 endemic chameleons of Madagascar's 140 species, such as the strangely shaped nocturnal leaf-tailed gecko.
Early this evening arrive at your lodge which is located in the heart of the forest with comfortable and thoughtfully-designed bungalows situated next to the lodge's swimming pool. During your stay here, take day and night walks through the two national parks in the area, Mantadia National Park and Analamazoatra (or Perinet) Special Reserve. In Perinet you may spot the largest lemur, the indri, which stands one meter high and has a charming look on its face. The unusual indri call can be heard by other troops over a mile away just after daybreak and shortly before dusk. Look for one of Madagascar's biggest chameleons, Parson's, which is bright green and half a meter long as well as the smallest chameleon, Calumma nasutus.
Walk through Mantadia National Park to discover the distinctly different species and ecology of this untouched primate forest. A naturalist's goldmine, many seldom-seen species of mammals, reptiles and birds are found here. Look for the black-and-white ruffed lemurs and the rare and extremely shy diademed sifaka as well as rare birds such as the pitta-like ground-rollers and blue vangas. Walking here is over uneven and often hilly terrain.
Day 5
ANTSIRABE
This morning drive to Antsirabe, a journey that takes you through scenery of the highlands with typical villages of the Merina people and rice fields. Antsirabe means "the place of much salt." It was settled by Norwegian missionaries and features thermal springs. Before the missionaries came, people collected salt but now it is one of the most industrial cities of Madagascar. Even so, it maintains a peaceful atmosphere and features beautiful buildings on tree-lined streets. The main avenue is filled with colorful "pousse pousses", or small man-powered rickshaws. You also see all eighteen of Madagsacar's tribes represented in symbol form on a monolith in the center of town.
Days 6-7
RANOMAFANA RESERVE
Today drive toward Ambositra, a place renowned for its intricate woodcarving which you will see when you visit a workshop. Continue on to Ranomafana Reserve, home to the rare diadem Milne-Edwards sifaka and the Red-fronted Brown lemur.
The reserve is in a lush montane rainforest and always green due to the continual rain during the year. Medicinal plants are found throughout the reserve including three kinds of ginger: white-, red- and yellow-flowered. During your stay here take day and night walks on the loop within the reserve to spot birds such as the colorful endemic Scaly Ground Rollers with its distinct "hoop hoop" call. They are most active during August, September and October when they are breeding. You are also likely to see lemurs that are part of the ongoing research projects here.
Days 8-9
ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Depart for Isalo National Park where you look for kestrels on rocks and overhangs and the Madagascar coucal which inhabits the mango trees and Pandanus palms.
Day 10
IFATY
Head on to the west coast passing through Ilakaka, the mining town for sapphires founded in 1998. In this arid southwest region lives the intriguing thorny Didiereaceae, an eccentric group of plants which are found only here in Madagascar. Many of the southwest's spiny species are represented at the Arboretum d' Antsokay just before Tulear where you stop en route to Ifaty. Here you find rare plants, including 100 species of euphorbia (from bushes that look like stringed sausages to spiny stalks and trees) and 60 species of kalenchoe (leaf succulents) as well as many bird species making this their home. From Tulear you drive another hour and a half to reach your beachside bungalows, passing traditional "Vezo" (fishermen) villages on the way and mangroves cropping up from the high tide.
Days 11-12
BERENTY RESERVE
This morning you may walk in the adjacent botanical trail after breakfast. Later, fly to Ft. Dauphin and drive to world-renowned Berenty Reserve. Here you take day and night walks in the Reserve to spot lemur, unique birds in the area (60 species in the area), including the hook-billed vanga as well as the crested coua and giant coua, and other nocturnal wildlife such as the mouse lemur and white-footed sportive lemur. You also visit the Antandroy ("people of the thorns") museum to learn about their history and customs.
Day 13
DEPART FOR U.S.
Drive to Ft. Dauphin for your flight back to Antananarivo. Arrive Antananarivo where you are met and transferred to a nearby hotel for day room use.
Day 14
Transfer to the airport for your early morning departure.
NOTE: This is just one example of many custom itineraries we can do for you in this diverse country.
GENERAL INFORMATION
There are no set departure dates for this trip. Please contact EXPLORE as to the time you would like to travel and we can book this itinerary or another customized itinerary for you.
Tour Includes:
All accommodations, all transfers by vehicle, all meals, gratuities to guides in the parks, park entrance fees, tips to porters at hotels.
Tour Excludes:
Medical immunizations; passport fees; visa fee for Madagascar; accident/baggage/medevac & cancellation insurance; individual transfers; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; airport departure fees and taxes; laundry; all beverages; telephone or fax charges; room service; other items of a purely personal nature; gratuities for meals and to guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
NOTE:
You will need to purchase a visa for Madagascar.
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