Best of Madagascar 15 days - The Madagascar Discoverer
Price From:
R11 143.00
Destination:
Africa Tours
Duration:
15 days
Departs From:
Antananarivo
Regions Included:
Antananarivo, Andasibe, Antsirabe, Ambositra, Ranomafana National Park, Andringitra National Park, Isalo National Park, Ifaty
Min Persons Required:
4
Explore the lush island of Madagascar. On this journey, we take you across the rich and vastly contrasting landscapes of the world's fourth largest island. Teeming with a wide variety of fauna and flora, considered by some to be the most varied on the planet, Madagascar offers a feast for the senses along with a chance to view its indigenous lemur population. Not only a sanctuary for these endangered primates, Madagascar and the nearby Comoros are also home to one quarter of the flowering plants in Africa and a huge number of indigenous species. Almost all known species of lemur are found in Madagascar, along with half of the world's chameleons, 300 species of butterfly and 256 species of birds. This eye-opening tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the splendour of this beautiful country and the lemur in its natural environment.
Contact Details
Contact Person: Diana Tel: 27 11 791 0519
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Antananarivo
Arrive and check in to your hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of your tour. "Tana" (as Antananarivo is know to the locals) is a colourful, bustling city boasting cobbled streets, marvellous French cuisine and lively markets packed with local crafts. The day will be at your leisure to enjoy all there is to offer in this vibrant city. All meals to your own account.
Meal: All meals to your own account.
DAY 2 - Perinet National Park
After breakfast we start with our first day on the road traveling east, through beautiful landscape of hills with dense tropical rainforest. We drive through spectacular scenery today on our way towards Perinet National Park, stopping en route to see the local wildlife, and passing through local villages and forests. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3 - Perinet National Park
This morning we visit Andasibe Reserve in search of the Indri - a rare type of lemur. In the afternoon we visit a Betsimisaraka village to gain an insight into the local culture and customs. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4 - Antsirabe
Today we depart Andasibe traveling via the vibrant capital of Tana and head south to Antsirabe. It is a long traveling day, but the stunning scenery will make up for the journey. We should arrive in Antisrabe at approximately 18:00 where we will check into the hotel. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 - Ambositra
After a short tour of Antsirabe, we travel today to Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. Along the way we stop at a sacred lake for a short walk. Ambositra, meaning 'the place of the eunuchs' (supposedly because the Merina tribe castrated all defeated warriors of the local tribe), is an excellent place to see examples of Malagasy wood carvings, and is the capital of the Zafimaniry tribe. The local houses boast intricately carved balconies, panels and shutters. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 - Ranomafana
Driving through rice fields, forests and mountains we head to Ranomafana National Park, home to much of Madagascar's unique and fascinating wildlife. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 - Ranomafana
Today we have a guided walk through the forest in the hope of seeing some of the many species of lemurs that Madagascar is so famous for. Ranomafana is considered to be one of Madagascar's most beautiful National Parks, and was established in the early 1990s to protect the newly discovered golden bamboo lemur, as well as the very rare greater bamboo lemur. The park is covered with forest, and in higher areas moss and lichens cover the trees, giving it a prehistoric feel. Exotic plants such as orchids, as well as mountains, waterfalls and natural hot springs, make this endangered forest a charming and unusual place to discover. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 - Andringitra National Park
Heading to Andringitra National Park, we stop along the way at Ambalavao, once a center of Arabian civilization in Madagascar. Tonight will be spent in dormitory accommodation in the park. Breakfast and dinner.
Note: if dormitory accommodation is unavailable we will camp instead.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 9 - Andringitra
We walk through the mountain chain of Andringitra, stopping to admire the scenery and spot the local wildlife. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10 - Isalo National Park
We head south today and cross from the lushness of the highlands into the more arid south, passing sacred mountains and interesting villages along the way, until we end up at Isalo National Park. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11 - Isalo National Park
Exploring Isalo National Park, we walk through sandstone hills and unique geological formations, until we reach an area of rivers and pools where we'll have the opportunity to cool off. Along the way we may spot lemurs and other interesting wildlife. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12 - Ifaty
We head south again, through the 'spiny desert', stopping en route to look at spectacular Mahafaly tombs. As we get to the coast we pass fishing villages and see fishermen heading out into the sea on their pirogues, before we arrive at Ifaty, at the beach. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13 - Ifaty
Free day at Ifaty to relax or snorkel. There are also many excursions that can be made from here, including a visit to the Reserve Domergue, which is home to many interesting and unusual reptiles. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14 - Antananarivo
Today's schedule depends on the flight departure times from Tulear to Antananarivo. We will have a chance for a last swim in the ocean before we head back to Tulear and await our outbound domestic flight back to 'Tana'. The flight time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. We will be collected at the airport in Antananarivo and transferred to our hotel, and there should be enough time to visit a local craft market. The rest of the day and evening is free to experience at your leisure in 'Tana'.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15 - Antananarivo
Tour ends after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
Local Supplement R2958
Includes
Travel leader or local tour guide, transportation, arrival transfer, all accommodation, all meals as specified on the itinerary, all sightseeing excursions as per itinerary, all entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary, meet and greet.
Excludes
International Airfares, travel and medical insurance, personal spending money, visa costs, border taxes, passports, vaccinations, personal taxes (including departure and border taxes), all optional activities, unscheduled or optional national / game parks and other activities, gratuities, sleeping bag if needed, restaurant meals (other than those listed), all drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
Best of Madagascar 15 days - The Madagascar Discoverer
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