Madagascar - Island of Nature

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Day 1: Arrive in Antananarivo

Arrive at the Ivato International Airport, where you are met and transferred to our comfortable hotel in the capital city, Antananarivo. The remainder of the day is free to relax. Overnight in Antananarivo.

Day 2: Antananarivo

After breakfast, we are taken on an excursion to Ambohimanga (UNESCO Cultural site), where the former Merina monarchs had their summer palaces until the last century. Itís a beautiful and peaceful place with lovely views over the highlands; and a perfect way of gaining some insight into the fascinating and turbulent history of the Malagasy people.

In the afternoon we visit the Prime Ministerís Palace in the uppertown, where we have a stunning panoramic view of Antananarivo, dominated by the surrounding rice paddies and small hamlets with multistoried red brick houses ó reflecting the Victorian influence. Overnight in Antananarivo.

Day 3: Madagascar Highlands

We leave in the morning for our trip to Antsirabe, through the highlands of Madagascar. On the way, we see the typical highland landscapes of rice fields and Malagasy (pronounced Malagash) architecture. In the afternoon, we reach Antsirabe, a beautiful town situated at an altitude of 4,900 ft (1,493 m). We explore the city by pousse-pousse (rickshaw). Overnight in Antsirabe.

Day 4: To Ranomafana Rainforest via Ambositra

Our journey to Ranomafana Rainforest begins with a drive south to Ambositra (which means “Place of Eunuchs”), where we see fine local woodcarvers. Lunch is at Imahasoavahiny, overlooking a picturesque Ambohimahasoa village.

We continue south to the town of Ranomafana, one of the most pleasant places in Madagascar. Historically, it served as a thermal bath center, but now the prime attraction is the newly established national park. Overnight in Ranomafana.

Day 5: Ranomafana Rainforest

This beautiful national park lies at an altitude of 2,600–3,900 ft (793–1,189 m) and is comprised mainly of rainforested hills, carved by numerous small streams feeding the whitewater of the Namorona River. The park itself is home to 29 species of mammals, including 12 species of lemurs. On an average day in the park, we see red-bellied lemurs, red-fronted lemurs and Milne-Edwards sifakas (commonly called chocolate sifakas). We may even glimpse a golden bamboo lemur, which is unique to this park and only recently discovered.

The diversity of flora is incredible, with orchids, tree ferns, palms, mosses, a variety of flowering plants and stands of giant bamboo — 278 species of trees and bushes as well as numerous other species of smaller plants. The Parc National de Ranomafana is part of the UNESCO Natural Heritage site covering the rainforests of the Atsinanana. Overnight in Ranomafana.

Day 6: Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa

A short drive to the south takes us to Fianarantsoa (locally abbreviated to Fianar), where the group takes the micheline ride to Sambava. Overnight in Sahambavy.

Day 7: Fianarantsoa, to Ambalavao

Visit the tea plantation and, after lunch, a micheline ride back to Fianarantsoa. "Micheline" is a wagon carriage with rubber wheels, which can hold up to 20 passengers. There are only 2 michelines left in the world: the first is exhibited in a museum and the second one is still working in Fianarantsoa.

Drive to Ambalavao via Fianarantsoa passing through marvelous scenery. Overnight in Ambalavao.

Day 8: Ambalavao, To Isalo

This morning we have an opportunity to see local paper manufacturing (using flowers and leaves) in Ambalavao. We leave the lush highlands and drive down to a desert-like environment in the south-west; with land becoming progressively drier and more parched. In the heart of this semi-desert lies the magnificent Isalo Massif with its stark beauty. Overnight in Isalo.

Day 9: Isalo National Park

The morning is spent in Isalo National Park, which encompasses the wildly eroded Jurassic sandstone massif. The park is characterized by alternating flat grassy plains and sandstone ridges dotted with palm trees and pachypodiums, commonly known as ”elephant’s foot”. The landscape has been sculpted by wind and water into fanciful hoodoos that appear to have eyes, ears, noses and beaks.

Typical of the Malagasy culture, this haunting place is filled with a variety of local fady (superstitions and taboos) that must be observed as one moves through the park. We have a picnic lunch at a beautiful natural swimming pool. Overnight in Isalo.

Day 10: Isalo to Tulear

Today, we start with a drive to Tulear on the west coast. Visit the Arboretum Antsokay in the afternoon. Overnight in Tulear.

Day 11: Tulear

We spend the day visiting the ethnographic museum and the sacred banyan-trees. Overnight in Tulear.

Day 12: Tulear, Fort Dauphin, to Berenty Reserve

This morning we visit an arboretum that features spiny forests thriving in the southern arid region, before we transfer to the airport for the flight to Fort Dauphin. From the beautiful town of Fort Dauphin set amidst windswept green hills, blue seas and fine beaches, we transfer to Berenty Reserve.

En route, we stop to see various interesting plants, including the indigenous didieraceas (a family of unusual spiny-stemmed succulents found almost exclusively in Madagascar), and the skyscraper “baobabs”, triangular palms; and the carnivorous pitcher-plants. Overnight at Berenty Lodge.

Day 13: Berenty Reserve

The Berenty Reserve is the country’s best known reserve —its director was awarded the World Wildlife Fund’s Getty Prize for nature conservation.

The reserve contains nearly a third of the remaining tamarind gallery forest in Madagascar and is the best place to see ringtail lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas (large white lemurs which are among nature’s most accomplished acrobats, hurling themselves across vast distances between tamarind trees). In addition to other varieties of lemurs, there are striped civets and flying foxes (large fruit bats). The reserve is one of the best birdwatching sites in the country with 83 different species, including nine birds of prey and also 26 different species of reptiles. Later, we have the exciting opportunity to go on a night walk in search of the nocturnal grey mouse and white-footed lemurs. Overnight at Berenty Lodge.

Day 14: Fly to Antananarivo

Time allowing, visit of Nahampoana before the transfer to the Fort Dauphin airport for our flight to Antananarivo. On arrival, we will stop at a local market before lunch at a restaurant. This afternoon, in the outskirts of the city, we visit the Akany Avoko orphanage. An eco-friendly refuge offering shelter, care and the opportunity to develop skills to enable their children to grow into self sufficient adults. Arriving out our hotel in time to freshen up for dinner. Overnight in Antananarivo.

Day 15: Perinet Reserve

We will drive to Perinet Reserve through the typical highland landscape of terraced rice paddies. The reserve is also known as Analamazaotra after the river which traverses it. This afternoon we will have the first of several nature walks. The park is well known for it’s nine species of lemur. Overnight in Perinet.

Day 16: Perinet Reserve

We spend the day going deeper into the reserve, looking for the famous three foot tall indri, the largest of the lemur species and living for up to 80 years. They can jump upwards of 30 feet! Early in the morning it is possible to hear it’s haunting song which can be heard for several miles. We will be on the watch for grey bamboo lemurs, re-fronted lemurs and chameleon’s, of which eight species are found here. There are 24 species of amphibians including some endemic to this reserve. Bird life is also abundant and we will spend much of the day hiking in the reserve. Overnight in Perinet.

Day 17: Perinet to Antananarivo

Depart reserve mid morning for a leisurely drive back to Antananarivo. Free time in the afternoon for last minute shopping before our farewell dinner. Overnight in Antananarivo.