Small Group Tours: Accommodation
WILDLIFE IN MADAGASCAR TOUR
Explore the island’s wildlife and habitats on our exclusive, small group tour led by expert guide Rija Rakotoarisoa.
On arrival in Antananarivo, we will be met and transferred to overnight at Le Pavillon de L’Emyrne, a boutique hotel in the Isoraka area of the capital.
After breakfast, we will depart for Périnet-Mantadia National Park, about 3½ hours’ journey, on tarred road, to the east. We will begin our exploration of the mid-altitude rainforest of Perinet, looking for Indri, Common brown lemur, Eastern woolly lemur, tenrecs, frogs and chameleons, and the rainforest-dependent endemic birds. As evening falls, we will hope to spot Eastern woolly lemur, Goodman's mouse lemur and Furry-eared dwarf lemur. Stay 3 nights at Vakona Forest Lodge
White-lipped tree frog - Perinet
We return to Perinet to seek any species – or photos – we may have missed. The forest trails are easy and well-maintained. In the evening, we will take a nocturnal walk in the Station Forestière managed by the Association Mitsinjo, the only place where you can walk in the rainforest at night.
We have the day for the beautiful primary rainforest of Mantadia. Among the lemurs, the star attraction is the Diadem sifaka.
Afterwards, we will stop at the Mitsinjo Centre to learn about the association’s work to restore forest corridors and visit the tree nursery. The Mitsinjo shop has an excellent selection of gift items and souvenirs at fair prices.
Diadem sifaka - Mantadia
En route to Manambato, we will pause at Antongombato to see the clean water supply funded by Rainbow Tours and its clients under the auspices of the Madagascar Development Fund. Beyond the historic town of Brickaville, we turn off to Manambato and board a boat to cross Lake Rasoabe and travel along the Pangalanes Canal to Lake Ampitabe to enjoy the shore and discover the wildlife and flora of the Palmarium Reserve. Stay two nights at Le Palmarium
Palmarium
We will spend the day at the Nepenthes lake and at Vohibola, the last stand of primary littoral forest in the region. The village stands between the canal and the Indian Ocean, divided by the recently-restored railway line. Camden School for Girls is raising funds for the construction of a primary school and you can visit the essential oils distillery.
On the far side of the canal, we will explore the forest and see the astounding tree nurseries. There is the opportunity to plant an indigenous tree – and have its GPS location!
Travel along the Pangalanes, with its varied vessels and cargo, to Tamatave (Toamasina). From the river port, we travel to the airport for the Air Madagascar flight to Ile Ste Marie. Stay 3 nights at Princesse Bora Lodge
Princesse Bora Lodge
Whale-watching excursion (weather conditions permitting). Afternoon “at leisure” to enjoy the beach, walk around Ile aux Nattes, take a bike and explore. In the evening, there will be a briefing about the day’s findings and the progress of MEGAPTERA’s whale research.
Second whale-watching trip. In the afternoon, you could go snorkelling at the reef or visit the pirates’ cemetery (tide dependent).
Ste Marie whale-watching
Depart on the Air Madagascar flight to Antananarivo. On arrival, we may visit the Parc National de Tsimbazaza to see rare nocturnal species or visit the World Heritage Site of Ambohimanga. Overnight at Le Pavillon de L’Emyrne
We take the flight to Nosy Be, off the northwest coast, and travel southwest to the far side of Ampasindava Bay to watch whales and dolphins and discover the wildlife of the threatened Sambirano forest. Stay 2 nights at Eden Lodge
Eden Lodge
The Sambirano forest harbours populations of the diurnal Black lemur and Grey-backed sportive lemur and we will seek out mouse lemurs at night. Panther chameleon and Madagascar tree boa are among the reptiles represented. At the time of writing, our bird list for this forest is lamentably incomplete.
Travel back to Nosy Be for the flight to Tana where we have our farewell dinner before the departure of the Air France flight to Paris and the UK.
£2675 per person sharing
Single supplement: £495
Maximum number: 10
Air France flights from London to Antananarivo via Paris costs from £875.
All domestic flights specified (economy class); airport taxes; all transportation, accommodation and meals; all transfers; guides in and entrance permits to the reserves specified; and the services of a professional, English-speaking guide, throughout the tour.
The price shown may be subject to change, particularly as a consequence of any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of any change to the price prior to booking.
Gratuities, items of a personal nature, travel insurance, Madagascar entry visa (currently €60).
This itinerary can be extended to allow you to visit another reserve or to enjoy a beach holiday. Please contact us for further details.
† Participants from North America may wish to join the tours in Paris, Nairobi, Johannesburg or Antananarivo. People travelling from Australia and New Zealand will generally prefer to join in Johannesburg or Antananarivo. Contact us for further details.
You should take note of the fact that Madagascar is a poor country, with an undeveloped tourism infrastructure. This itinerary has been arranged in good faith and is based on the best local information available in October 2009. We have confirmed reservations at the hotels/lodges in the itinerary, but things change in Madagascar and flight schedules can be altered, sometimes at short notice. We reserve the right to alter the accommodation specified and the order of this itinerary in what we consider to be the best interests of the participants.
Prices are subject to currency fluctuation.