Friday, October 6 - Antananarivo City Tour
Tonga soa (Welcome in Malagasy)! Antananarivo, a bustling large city in the heart of the highlands of Madagascar is also the island continent’s capital city. The “Old City” with its cobbled streets and French colonial charm is worth exploring. Our city hotel, Le Pavillon de l’Emyrne is situated on a quiet back street and will be the base from which we will explore on a half day walking tour with our historian guide. A welcome dinner will be prepared in true Malagasy style by the chefs of the hotel.
Saturday, October 7 - Charter flight to Isalo
This morning we head back to Ivato airport in time for our charter flight south-westward over the escarpment - a truly stunning flight over some of the highest mountains in Madagascar. The amazing Isalo Rock Lodge is built into the landscape and could not be a more spectacular setting. This is where we will hang our hats for the next three nights. Late afternoon we will be able to stretch our legs for a walk in the grasslands or perhaps go for an optional horseback-riding excursion.
Sunday, October 8 - Explore Isalo National Park
Today we have a full day exploring the marvellous Isalo National Park on foot (expect longer hikes). One possibility will be to take a circular hike exploring the forests and glades near the eastern side of the park, with a cool swim in the incredible Cascade des Nymphes. We will be looking out for the Ring-tailed lemurs as they come down from the forest canopy to the floor to feed on seeds and leaves
Monday, October 9 - Explore Isalo National Park and possibly Zombitse National Park
Weather conditions depending, we will either do a full-day or two half-day excursions. If full-day, we will venture further into the park, and if two half-days, we will focus on the Arizona- like grasslands and inselbergs, buttes and mesas. The nearby Zombitse National Park is a rare gem, very rarely visited with some stunning walking and animal sightings.
Isalo keystone species: MAMMALS - ring-tailed lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur; BIRDS - Benson’s rock thrush, white-throated rail, Madagascar kestrel, Madagascar bee-eater, Appert’s breenbul; OTHER - Outsalet’s chameleon, endemic Elephant’s foot, and aloe plants
Tuesday, October 10 - 4WD to Tulear stopping at Ilakaka Sapphire Mines and Arboretum
After breakfast, we head west towards the southern semi-desert of Madagascar. The landscape changes from steppes and grasslands to one of the most unique (and endangered) habitats in the world – the unique Spiny Forest. It is a hugely diverse biome, only found on a sliver of land adjacent to the south-western tip of Madagascar. Along the way we make a stop at the Ilakaka open sky sapphire mines where almost 50% of sapphires in the world come from! Just before we drive into the sleepy coastal city of Tulear, we will be taking a tour of one of the most important reserves, the Arboretum d'Antsokay with a guided tour by the owner Andry Petignat. Later, we will have an afternoon tour of the amazing coelacanth museum with its history of the “living fossil”
Wednesday, October 11 - Boat Transfer to Anakao and Nosy Ve Island visit
After breakfast we head back to Tulear’s waterfront and pier for our speedboat transfer southward along the coast to Anakao. This morning we will take a boat across to Nosy Ve to snorkel and possibly SCUBA dive, as well as beach combing. We will also be looking for the southern-most breeding colony of red-tailed tropicbirds. Lunch at the hotel, then the afternoon is yours to enjoy.
TULEAR / ANKAO / TSIMANAMPETSOTSA; Keystone Species: MAMMALS: ring-tailed lemurs, broad striped mongoose; BIRDS: Madagascar plover; greater flamingo, sickle-billed Vanga, red-tailed tropicbird, crab plover. OTHER: Stunted baobabs and pachypodiums; Octopus trees and other spiny forest specials; extraordinary views
Nosy Ve
Thursday, October 12 - Full Day Expedition to Tsimanampetsotse National Park
This morning we leave in 4WDs via rough roads to the ultra-remote Tsimanampetsotse National Park. On route we may come across some of the most unusual and fascinating tombs of the Antondroy tribe, as well as shells of the long-extinct elephant bird. When we eventually arrive at the soda lake, it is one of the most otherworldly landscapes imaginable - stunted baobabs, bizarre octopus trees, and the strangest creatures. Late afternoon or early evening return to our lovely lodge at the seaside at Anakao.
Friday, October 13 - Time to relax
Spend your day relaxing on the beautiful beach watching the tides come and go or explore some of the amenities available at the hotel.
Saturday, October 14 - Anakao to Kirindy Forest Reserve.
We’ll have an early start for our speedboat to Tulear and coach transfer to the airport for a charter flight to Morondava. On landing we will travel by 4WD through the famous Avenue of the Baobabs stopping off at interesting places enroute. We will then check into our very humble overnight spot – Relais du Kirindy – run by the wonderful NGO Fanamby.
The aim of the afternoon and evening is to explore one of the most biodiverse areas on the whole island, with some of the most spectacularly rare creatures on offer! We will enjoy an afternoon walk in the semi-deciduous forest to find the rarest predator in Madagascar, the Fosa. We may even see narrow striped mongoose on the floor of the forest, and in the nooks of various trees, the nocturnal but curious red-tailed sportive lemur. After a simple dinner we will continue our exploration by foot – hoping to find the world’s smallest primate, Madame Berthe’s Mouse lemur, at a mere 30g. Two other possible highlights are searching for the ultra-strange, kangaroo-like, giant jumping rat and the rare fork-marked lemur. Both are deeply nocturnal, so a late evening is envisaged! Even though the accommodation is basic, the animal checkoffs could be a huge highlight!
Sunday, October 15 - Kirindy Forest walk, 4WD transfer to Morondava and Baobab Alley
After a simple breakfast, we will have a two-hour walk in the marvellous Kirindy Forest before returning to Morondava by 4WD and our last hotel-on-the-beach, Palissandre Cote Ouest. We will check in and enjoy our lunch and a free afternoon prior heading out on a sunset stroll on Baobab Alley.
Morondava and Kirindy Keystone Species: MAMMALS- Various nocturnal lemur species, Fosa, side striped Mongoose, giant jumping rat, tenrec; BIRDS - white-breasted Mesite, Chabert’s vanga, Madagascar harrier-hawk, Coquerel’s coua, various coastal waders; OTHER - Incredible vistas with the avenue of the baobabs, spear-nosed snake, various plated lizards
Monday, October 16 - A lovely day to spend at leisure
A full day at leisure to relax and explore. Optional activities include a dhow trip along the mangroves, deep-sea fishing, and general beach combing.
Tuesday, October 17 - Chartered flight from Morondava to Antananarivo
Today is a travel day from Palissandre Resort to Morondava airport for chartered flight to Antananarivo and check in to the Palissandre Hotel & Spa.
Wednesday, October 18 - Antananarivo to Andasibe via 4WD vehicles and explore Greater Perinet Conservation Zone
This morning we travel eastward towards the main escarpment that runs the entire length of the Island Continent from north to south. It is a very scenic drive through rice paddies and highland architecture. We will arrive at the Greater Perinet Conservation Zone around lunchtime. This is one of the most dedicated conservation areas in Madagascar; a collage of national parks, community-run conservation zones, and private reserves. The highlight of this unparalleled rainforest area will be to experience the howls of the largest of all lemurs, the incredible Indri. We will have two days to explore these forests and glades - by day and by night.
Thursday, October 19 - Mantadia National Park and Orchid Pool
A full day is planned with a picnic lunch at Mantadia National Park, a much wilder part of the protected ecosystem. Late afternoon we return to the lodge and then at dusk go for a walk at the wonderful Orchid Pool. At this time of year there are numerous flowering orchid species in the Perinet ecosystem.
Friday, October 20 - Andasibe Reserve and Perinet Voi Reserve tours
A morning excursion with a local guide is planned around the various reserves of Perinet. We will be on the lookout for very rare lemur and frog species.
In the afternoon, we make the drive back to Antananarivo and check into Relais des Plateaux.
Perinet keystone species: MAMMALS - Indri indri, diademed sifaka, Goodman’s mouse lemur, red-bellied lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur. BIRDS - Blue Coua, blue and white-headed vanga, velvet asity, cuckoo roller, collared nightjar. REPTILES - Parson’s chameleon, nose-horned chameleon, all the various Brookesia “dwarf” chameleons, painted mantilla frogs.
Saturday, October 21 - Homeward bound
Say Veloma (goodbye in Malagasy) as you depart for your journey home.
OR
If you are looking to extend your trip, we suggest Nosy Be during whale sharks peak visiting season, direct flights to Reunion or Mauritius Islands for a beach escape, or exploring in South Africa- safari, wineland, and mountains.
Ask US, we have lots of interesting options to offer!
