Madagascar Contrasts 10 days

Morondava - Tsingy de Bemaraha - Perinet

A tour ideal for those with a sense of adventure , who want a combination of camping and hotels and also want an off the beaten track experience . You will begin your journey visiting the Morondava gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha which was classified as a world heritage site in 1990 and in 1997 changed from a strict nature reserve to a regular national park. Discover sunken forests, caves and unique flora and fauna whilst camping. Your final stop will be Perinet located in the lush eastern rainforests of Madagascar , home to the largest of all lemurs, the Indri - Indri.

 DAY 1

JOHANNESBURG - ANTANANARIVO

Depart from Johannesburg to Antananarivo with Air Madagascar . On arrival you will be transferred from the airport to the hotel Louvre (upmarket) or the Hotel Ivotel (midmarket)Where you will overnight for 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis.

 DAY 2

ANTANANARIVO - MORONDAVA

After breakfast you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Morondava. Morondava is situated on the west coast. This is in the heart of Sakalava country with its wide beaches and excellent restaurants. Many endemic species of flora and fauna are found here, the area is particularly rich in reptiles such as turtles, snakes and variety of lizards. The fossa, Crytoprocta ferox, is common in these forests and seven species of lemur are found, including white sifaka, the rare fork-marked lemur, the gaint jumping rat, Madagascar 's most charming rodent, is unique to this small area. On your arrival you will be transferred to the Hotel Renala (upmarket) or Les Bougainvilliers Hotel (midmarket) where you overnight for 1 nights on a dinner, bed and continental breakfast basis. After checking in at the hotel of your choice you will taken on an excursion to see one of Madagascar 's hallmarks, the Avenue of Baobabs.

DAY 3

MORONDAVA - BEKOPAKA - TSINGY

After breakfast you will depart to the small town of Bekopaka , Road conditions here are poor and in some cases in order to reach Bekopaka is by ox-cart or on foot. Bekopaka is the gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha. It is a strict nature reserve and as such on a small part of it is accessible to tourists and it has also been classified as a world heritage site

The deciduous forests are home to a variety of animals and on the tsingy itself a variety of strange drought resistant plants. Guides here are an absolute necessity as its easy to get lost. It is essential that good tough hiking boots are packed for this trip as the razor sharp pinnacles can destroy even the toughest of boots . The plateau lies in the hottest part of Madagascar and temperatures are often in the region of 40 deg. C. Overnight on an organised camping basis fullboard

 DAY 4 -  DAY 5

TSINGY DE BEMARAHA

Explore the Tsingy with your guides at leisure. Overnight at the Relais du Tsingy on a bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 6

TSINGY DE BEMARAHA - MORONDAVA

After breakfast you will begin your journey back to Morondava, where you will overnight for 1 night on a dinner bed and breakfast basis, at either the Hotel Renala (upmarket) or the Les Bougainvilliers hotel (midmarket)

 DAY 7

MORONDAVA - ANTANANARIVO - PERINET

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight back to Tana. On arrival you will be met and transferred directly transferred to the eastern rainforest region of Perinet. You will overnight at either the Hotel Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Feon Ny Ala (midmarket) for 2 nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. You will have the rest of the day to explore the forests at your own leisure, with your guides. Arrange with the Perinet guides to take you on a guided night walk through the forests, when you might be able to see the nocturnal creatures such as the Aye-Aye and Tenrecs (spiny hedgehogs).

Madagascar 's rainforests are among the densest in the world and the floral diversity is particularly rich. the island is home to 20 % of Africa 's vascular plant species of which 90 % are endemic. Arrange to visit the rainforest at dawn, which is the best time to see the largest of all lemurs, the ape like Indris. Endemic birds which you will also see include the Tylas, Nuthatch, the extra-ordinary Velvet Asity and more. You will might also be fortunate in seeing such species as the Giraffe -Necked Weevil, the Golden Mantilla Frog and the two foot Parson's Chameleon. Walking through the rainforest at daybreak, as the siren-like calls emanate from the mist enshrouded canopy is one of the most memorable experiences one can have in Madagascar.

 DAY 8

PERINET

Explore the Rainforests at leisure with your guides. Overnight at either the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Feon Ny Ala on dinner bed and breakfast basis.

 DAY 9

PERINET - ANTANANARIVO

You will have the morning to explore the forests further and in the afternoon you will be transferred back to Tana, where you will overnight at either the Hotel Louvre (upmarket) or the hotel Ivotel (midmarket), on a bed and breakfast basis.

 DAY 10

ANTANANARIVO - JOHANNESBURG .

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg.