MADAGASCAR EXPLORER
Antsirabe - Ranomafana-
Isalo- Tulear - Fort
Dauphin
Explore the diversity of Southern Madagascar . Here you will
travel overland from Antananarivo (Tana) situated in the highlands
of Madagascar to Tulear on the South West coast of Madgascar.
En-route you will discover the breathtaking scenery of the highlands
and the emerald green rice fields. Visit the mystical rainforest
of Ranomafana, home of the recently discovered Golden Bamboo
Lemur, hike in the ruiniform stark landscapes of the Isalo Massif,
see interesting architecture and the arid spiny desert. Discover
an underwater coral garden as you snorkel or dive off the coast
of Ifaty beach . Visit Fort Dauphin , a picturesque town set
on a small peninsula, backed by high mountains. Besides having
Madagascar 's most beautiful beach (the Libanona), this town
is the gateway to on the the Island 's most popular reserves
- the famous Berenty Reserve . The
highlight of this reserve is the high population of attractive
southern lemurs, the Ringtail Lemur and the Verreaux Sifaka.
DAY 1
JOHANNESBURG - ANTANANARIVO
You will fly from Johannesburg International airport to Antananarivo
, Madagascar 's lively capital city. On arrival you will be met
by our English-speaking agents who will meet you and assist you
with formalities. After you have cleared customs and changed
money at the bureau de change you will be transferred 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 - ANSIRABE
After breakfast you will be transferred by vehicle to Antsirabe,
a town situated approximately 170 km south of Antananarivo .
Antsirabe is a large town which contains much of the manufacturing
industry of Madagascar . One of the major features of this town
are the very large number of "Pousse pousse" or as we know them,
rickshaws. Being fairly flat country this is an easy way to get
around the town. Here you will come across an incredible variety
of polished semi-precious stones and many Ammonites found on
the island & available for the collector and others alike.
The drive takes approximately 3 hours . Overnight at the Arotel
(upmarket) or the Diamant (midmarket ) on a dinner bed and continental
breakfast basis.
DAY 3
ANTSIRABE - RANOMAFANA
After breakfast you will continue your journey south (about
7hrs drive) to Ranomafana (hotwater) , a beautiful national park
established in early 1990 to protect the rare and newly discovered
Golden Lemur. The area is dominated by the Namorona River and
is fed by many streams ending in a waterfall close to the park
entrance. This forest is a combination of both secondary and
primary forest. Overnight at the Hotel Domaine De Nature on a
bed and continental breakfast basis. Arrange with the local guides
to be taken on a nocturnal walk. (remember to bring raincoats
and good torches)
DAY 4
RANOMAFANA
Wildlife viewing is best from about 5h00 - 10h00. This is one
of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar . Mammals that
may be found are the Golden Bamboo Lemur, Greater Bamboo Lemur,
Grey Bamboo Lemur, amongst others. Hard to see are the Fosa and
aquatic Tenrec. Birds to look for include the Blue Coua, Red-fronted
Coua, Pollens Vanga, Tylas, Henst's Goshawk, Forest-rock Thrush,
Collared Nightjar, Sunbird Asity, Velvet Asity, Madagascar Flufftail,
amongst many others. Reptiles such as the Parson's chameleon,
Madagascar Tree Boa, Day Gecko, three Leaf-tailed Geckos and
numerous frogs may also be sees. Overnight at the Hotel Domaine
de Nature on a bed and continental breakfast basis.
DAY 5
RANOMFANFA - ISALO
After breakfast you will transfer by road (about 9 hrs) to Ihosy.
En-route you will note a dramatic change in scenery including
the terraced rice paddies and the interesting architecture of
the Betsileo people. As you proceed further south the area becomes
drier and you will see the massive domes of granite jutting out
of the countryside. Finally you will reach Ranohira, the 'gateway" to
the Isalo Mountains . Overnight at the Hotel Relais de la Reigne
(upmarket) or the Motel de Isalo on a dinner bed and continental
breakfast basis.
DAY 6
ISALO
Early morning drive to the Isalo National Park , where you now
find yourself in the heart of the desolate south "Le Grand Sud",
a mountainous landscape reminding one of images of Arizona .
Isalo is a premier hiking destination and includes some rare
flora and fauna. You will have the whole day to enjoy and explore
the Isalo Massif. You will be able to swimming the the "piscine
naturelle" a natural swimming pool. Go hiking in the mountains
and take in the breathtaking scenery that will surround you.
Overnight at the Hotel Relais de la Reigne (upmarket) or Motel
de Isalo on dinner. bed and continental breakfast basis
DAY 7
ISALO - TULEAR - IFATY
After breakfast you will be transferred by road (about 4 hours)
to Tulear /Ifaty beach , (24 km north of Tulear). Ifaty is a
popular resort with sandy beaches and coral reefs which are superb
for snorkelling and diving. Inland in the spiny forests you may
find rare birds and reptiles and the smallest of the 7 baobab
species. (the african continent only has one) Overnight at the
Hotel Paradiesier (upmarket) or the Les Salines on a dinner bed
and continental breakfast basis.
DAY 8
IFATY
Explore the surroundings of your chosen option at leisure, go
snorkelling, diving or simply relax on the sunny beaches. Overnight
at the hotel of your chosen option on a bed and continental breakfast
basis.
DAY 9
IFATY - TULEAR - FORT DAUPHIN - BERENTY
You will be transferred from your chosen destination back to
Tulear for your flight to Fort Dauphin . On arrival in Fort Dauphin
you will be met and transferred from the airport to the Berenty
Lodge where you will overnight on a dinner, bed and continental
breakfast basis.
The combination of lemurs with their acrobatic antics , comfortable
accommodation and the tranquillity of the forest trails makes
this the Madagascar memory for many people. The reserve lies
some 100 kms from Fort Dauphin , amidst a vast Sisal plantation
and the drive there is part of the experience. For the first
half of the journey the skyline is composed of rugged green mountains
often backed by grey clouds or hidden by rain. Travellers trees
dot the landscape, and near Ranopiso is a grove of very rare
three cornered palms. Some of the stops along the way are to
visit some pitcher plants and before reaching the spiny forest
an Antanosy Tomb, known as the tomb of Ranonda.
The reserve Berenty
means "big eel" and is famous for its population
of ringtailed lemurs and sifakas. The following species of lemur
are sure to be seen: Brown Lemur, Ringtailed Lemur and sifakas,
Lepilemur (nocturnal), Mouse Lemur (nocturnal), Fruit Bats or
Flying Foxes live in nosy groups in one part of the forest and
with their wingspan of over 1 metre they are an impressive sight.
Birdwatching in Berenty is also rewarding. You will overnight
in Berenty for 2 nights on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.
10
BERENTY RESERVE
Explore the Berenty Reserve at your own leisure. Overnight at
the Berenty Lodge on a Dinner bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 11
BERENTY - FORT DAUPHIN - ANTANANARIVO
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to back
to Antananarivo . On arrival you will be transferred from the
airport to the hotel Ibis OR Ivotel, where you will overnight
for 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis. You will have the afternoon
to enjoy some last minute shopping at the markets and go sightseeing.
DAY 12
ANTANANARIVO - PERINET
After breakfast you will be transferred to the eastern rainforest
region of Perinet. The drive passes through captivating highlands
scenery. You will overnight at your hotel Vakona Lodge ( upmarket)
or the Hotel Feon Ny Ala on on a dinner bed and continental breakfast
basis for 2 nights You will have the rest of the day to explore
the forests at your own leisure. 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).
DAY 13
PERINET
You will have the whole day to explore the rainforest. The walks
through the forest are easy trails along which your guide will
be able to point out a variety of interesting things, that are
found nowhere else. 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 14
PERINET - ANTANANARIVO
You will have the the morning and the early afternoon at leisure
after which you will be transferred back to Tana, to the Hotel
Ibis or the Ivotel, where you will be staying for 1 night on
a bed and continental breakfast basis.
DAY 15
ANTANANARIVO - JOHANNESBURG
You will have an early morning transfer from the hotel to the
airport for your flight back to Johannesburg .
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