Welcome to Madagascar where our representative will be expecting you for the transfer to your hotel.
Friday: ANTANANARIVO – ANDASIBE (142 km, about 3,5 hours driving time, on a good tared road)
Drive on the National Road No. 2 (RN 2) around 142 km to the well-known National Park Andasibe (Analamazaotra – Mantadia). On the way, stop at the private reptiles park in Marozevo where we can see chameleons and other animals close up. In the morning, we’ll buy at a supermarket in Tana already all we need for an open air picnic lunch. Check-in at the hotel Feon’ny Ala or similar. Possibility to do a nocturnal visit along the road outside of the park with a local nature guide, where with the help of flashlights you can see nocturnal lemurs (mostly Goodman mouse lemurs with maximum 50 grams, wooly lemurs and fat tail lemurs), sleeping chameleons, tree frogs, etc.. We’ll walk maximum one hour along the flat road. Dinner possible at Mary’s guesthouse.
ANDASIBE – MANAMBATO - AKANIN’NY NOFY (Akanin’ny Nofy means „Nest of dreams“, 125 km on good road, then 7 km on dirt track, then some 1 to 1,5 hours on the boat on the canal)
The around three hour long early morning walk (first a little ascent, then mostly flat) leads from around 07h30 with a local park guide through the evergreen secondary forest of the Park Analamazaotra, on the trail Indri 2. Here we can see with some luck two of the 63 families living in this area of the biggest lemur, the Indri, with its distinctive call. You can also see many birds, some reptiles (if its not too cold) and other species of lemurs (Diadem Sifakas, Brown lemurs, Bamboo lemurs etc.). Then drive on the RN2 to Brickaville, we’ll then shortly after the big railway bridge turn right and drive -then by 4WD car - on a dirt track to Manambato which is situated on the shore of lake Rasoabe. Then drive by boat along the Pangalanes canal to Akanin’ny Nofy at lake Ampitabe, where we’ll stay in the Palmarium hotel with an attached lemurs park or at the annex “Palmarium beach”. Overnight with breakfast at the Palmarium hotel or annex , electricity is produced by a generator and switched off at night. We’ll only take light luggage (day pack) with us if possible for this two days.
AKANIN’NY NOFY
In the morning, walk of several hours in the Palmarium park to spot several species of lemurs, who’ll watch us attentively, we’ll see some from quite close up. When night falls, boat excursion to a place where you can spot the very rare and nocturnal Aye Aye lemur (Daubentonia madagascariensis) with the long middle finger, eight of them live on this well guarded island in the canal. Should the weather be good on the day before, we’ll be flexible and do this visit then.
AKANIN’NY NOFY - TAMATAVE - FOULPOINTE (around 2,5 hours by boat, then some 60 km on the road to Foulpointe)
60 km long Motorboat transfer to Tamatave, the biggest harbour town of Madagascar, then lunch or buy a picnic lunch, and continue after by minibus to Foulpointe, a seaside resort, which is also popular among the Malagasy on weekends. If there’s enough time, we’ll discover the 1817 to 1824 built old Fort Manda with its guide Fidel. We’ll enjoy the sea and its food, walk along the beach or relax. Dinner possible at the “Friendly Fisherman” restaurant.
FOULPOINTE – SOANIERANA-IVONGO - SAINTE MARIE (around 100 km on the road with potholes, then some 1,5 to 2 hours on the ferry boat to the former pirate island)
Early breakfast at 05h30 AM, then at 6 AM departure to Soanierana-Ivongo, then do the registration formalities there and then cross the sea with the “Gasikara Be” ferry to the beautiful island of Sainte Marie. Overnight at the bungalow hotel Lakana or similar on the beach between the airport and the city of Ambodifotatra, on half board base.
If the sea should be too rough and the boat transfer forbidden, we’ll change the program spontaneously, and stay another night in Foulpointe and try next day.
SAINTE MARIE
Free day on Sainte Marie. We can explore the south of the island with the Ile aux Nattes or explore the North or east by walking or bicycle or by Tuk Tuk, or do water sports or relax on the beach. The pirates cemetery is also interesting to see at low tide (communal tax around 4 €/person), it can now be reached easily. Between July and September, a whalewatching excursion can be booked through the hotel. Enjoy the nice sunset. Overnight again at the Hotel Lakana or similar.
If due to the rough sea, the ferry transfer to Sainte Marie wasn’t possible, we’ll stay in Foulpointe another night and start the drive back to Tana next day.
SAINTE MARIE - ANTANANARIVO (domestic flight)
Depending on flight schedule, transfer to the airport and flight to Tana, if there’s no last minute change with Air Madagascar / Tsaradia. Rest of the day free
Transfer to the airport. End of service.
