MADAGASCAR: LAND
OF LEMURS, EXOTIC BIRDS, AND RARE PLANTS
25 September - 5 October 2011
Photographs by Connie Bransilver
Although Madagascar has over 1,800 miles of beautiful
beaches, exceptionally good food, and offers great value for the tourist
dollar, its unique flora and fauna are its greatest attraction. Among
the discoveries that await the photographer:
Lemurs: These prosimian primates are found wild only in Madagascar .
Exotic Birds: Five families of birds are endemic to Madagascar .
Rare Plants: Madagascar boasts one of the richest floras in the world with more than 10,000 species of vascular plants, over 80% of which are endemic to the island.
Other Attractions: reptiles (including chameleons, geckoes, turtles and tortoises), amphibians (including brightly colored frogs), beautiful butterflies, moths and stick insects, fantastic coral reefs, whales during the breeding season, and so much more…
Monday, 26 September 2011 Antananarivo
Today is spent exploring the capital, affectionately known as “Tana” where we will take a city tour. During the day we will visit the Cultural Museum for an introduction to early Madagascar life as well as the special birds, lemurs, and botanical wonders endemic to the island. Afterwards we will visit the craft market to see the flower paper, embroidery and lace making, and furniture carving. Lunch will be at a small Indonesian restaurant across from the museum indicating the strong influence of the original settles of Madagascar 1500 years ago.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011 Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Our morning begins with a scenic drive through the verdant Imerina countryside to Perinet/Analamazaotra Special Reserve in the eastern rain forest. We will stop for lunch by a lovely waterfall and visit La Mandraka Nature Farm before continuing to the in the forest of the Analamazoatra Reserve. We will enjoy afternoon and night walks into Perinet Reserve to see and hear the Indri, Madagascar’s most revered lemur and the myriad nocturnal mammals, reptiles and insects.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 Andasibe-Mantadia National Park - Tamatave
This morning you we have the opportunity to spend time on “Nature Island” adjacent to the hotel (lemurs guaranteed). We will see Indri and other lemurs, birds and reptiles, or a more leisurely stroll through the island near the lodge where habituated lemurs can assure good photographs. We will have lunch prior to departing in the afternoon for a beautiful drive to the coastal lowlands and TamataVe. In the afternoon we will visit Parc Ivoloina (late afternoon is feeding time for the aye - aye) a unique animal rehabilitation center, “zoo” (it is not a zoo in the traditional sense in that all of the animals are rescues and cannot be released for various reasons) and environmental education center. Ivoloina boasts excellent photo-ops with its large group of breeding radiated tortoises.
Sharon Hotel – standard room (BD)
Thursday, 29 September 2011 Tamatave - Maroantsetra
This morning we fly to Maroantsetra, gateway to the Masoala Peninsula great rain forest and Mecca for naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts. You will then be transferred to Relais du Masoala for check-in. After lunch we depart by boat for a river cruise – the local highway – by canoe for a glimpse of life along the river returning in the evening. We will have the opportunity to take a night walk. Relais du Masoala – bungalow (BD)
Friday, 30 September 2011 Maroantsetra – Excurision Nosy Mangabe
Today we take a day trip by boat to the Island reserve of Mangabe, a nature sanctuary for the world’s rarest lemur the aye - aye. We will have a picnic lunch by the Indian Ocean and the opportunity to swim and photograph Madagascar at its most pristine and authentic. The island is particularly known for its many frog species and hidden tombs at the top of the mountain.
Relais du Masoala – bungalow (BD)
Saturday, 1 October 2011 Maroantsetra – Antananarivo
Flight time permitting, we can take a morning visit to the village of Navan and visit the vanilla, clove and coffee plantations. We will then fly back to “Tana” for overnight at the hotel.
Sunday, 2 October 2011 Antananarivo – Ft. Dauphin – Berenty Reserve
This morning we board a 90-minute flight to Ft. Dauphin which sits at the extreme south east tip of Madagascar. Upon arrival you will continue on for a 2-hour drive through the “spiny forest” and past elaborate Antanosy graves to Berenty. In the late afternoon we will visit the reserve and overnight at the edge of the forest.
Gite du Berenty – bungalow (BD)
Monday, 3 October 2011 Berenty Reserve
Today we have a full day to spend in the reserve with walks along the wide, well maintained trails. The “maki”, better known as ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are very friendly and will be happy to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful sifaka lemur as they “dance” across your path. Other species include flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozen of species of rare birds. We will also have the opportunity for a local village tour.
Gite du Berenty – bungalow (BD)
Tuesday, 4 October 2011 Berenty – Ft. Dauphine – Antananaarivo
Today we drive back from Berenty in time to catch the flight back to “Tana”. Time permitting you may visit the Saiidi private gardens of the de Heaulme family prior to leaving for the airport.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011 Antananarivo - Paris
You may depart today or continue on the extension.
Optional Extension
Wednesday, 5 October 2011 Antananarivo – Diego Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre
Today we will board a morning flight to Diego, a unique port on the Northern tip of the island continent. Diego features an eclectic mix of architectural statues reflecting the myriad of influences throughout the centuries. We will meet and depart for the beautiful and lush nearby national park of Montagne d’Ambre where you can enjoy a late afternoon and evening walk.
Nature Lodge
Thursday, 6 October 2011 Joffreville – Excursion Ankarana
We depart early this morning for the Ankarana, known for the fantastic formations of eroded “tsingy” limestone pinnacles. Here we will explore the caves and have a great opportunity to photograph the crowned lemur which abound in the forest before returning to Joffreville. Nature Lodge
Friday, 7 October 2011 Diego Suarez - Antananarivo
If time permits you will have a chance to tour the town of Diego prior to flying back to the capital. Once back at the capital you will have a day room to freshen up and rest prior to late evening transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- 3 nights Palissandre Hotel & Spa (Deluxe room) on a bed and breakfast
- 2 nights Vakona Lodge on a Half Board basis
- 1 night Sharon Hotel on a Half Board basis
- 2 nights Relais Masoala on a Half Board basis
- 2 nights Berenty Lodge on a Half Board basis
- All excursions (Perinet, Parc Ivoloina, Nose Mangabe and Berenty)
- Permits, Entrance fees and local guide
- All transfers where needed
- Car and driver
- Private Tours guide from six guests onwards
- Internal domestic flights and taxes
Extension Price Includes:
- 2 nights Nature Lodge on a Full Board basis (all meals included)
- Day room at the Orchid Hotel
- All excursions ( Montagne d'Ambre and Ankarana)
- Permits, Entrance fees and local guide
- Car and driver
- Private Za Tours guide from six guests onwards
- Internal domestic flights (Tana to Diego Suarez return– excluding taxes)
Not included: is international airfare and personal expenses such as personal insurance; excess baggage fees; phone calls; gratuities to staff and driver/guides; airport departure taxes; passport and visa fees, and beverages, and any additional nights, which are not noted in itinerary.
