Itinerary Highlights
- Coquerel's sifakas, Brown and Mongoose lemurs and 5 nocturnal lemur species
- All the forest-dependent endemic birds of Western Madagascar
- Critically endangered Madagascar fish eagles
- Wonderful reptiles, frogs and invertebrates
What's Included
5 nights from £1,852 per person
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
We offer 5-day individual extensions before or after any Madagascar tours, for keen wildlife (and especially birding) enthusiasts who want to experience this wonderful, 130,000ha national park, one of the most rewarding examples of Western Malagasy seasonally dry deciduous forest. With 8 lemur species, 130 birds including all the western region’s deciduous forest-dependent endemics, and 70 reptile species, its with good reason that some call the place ‘Ankara-fantastic-a’.
This sample itinerary includes return domestic Tsaradia flights from Antananarivo to Mahajanga, the nearest airport. Birders can then also make a boat excursion for some rare endemic species on Betsiboka River Delta.
If your travel dates do not coincide with the Air Madagascar/Tsaradia domestic flights to/from Mahajanga, we recommend driving one way from Antananarivo to Ankarafantsika (drive time is about 8 - 9 hrs), with a lunch stop on the way and the chance to stop at a marsh site for species like Madagascar jacana.
Itinerary
Day 1 Antananarivo - Ankarafantsika National Park (drive)
You will be met at your hotel by your professional, experienced, English-speaking Malagasy wildlife expert guide and your private driver.
Travel about 8 ½ hours from Antananarivo to Ankarafantsika National Park, where you stay for 3 nights in the rustic Tia Asity Lodge or Blue Vanga Lodge, all meals included.
Guided day and night walks should reveal plenty of wildlife, including star attractions like the (Endangered) Van Dam's vanga (pictured here), an endemic passerine which visiting birders can't really seek anywhere else.
Day 2 Ankarafantsika National Park
The first of two full days in which to make the most of Ankarafantsika and seek out the wonderful array of mammals, birds and reptiles that find protection here.
Your time will include a boat trip on Lac Ravelobe where a key attraction is the (Critically Endangered) Madagascar fish eagle (pictured), one of the world’s 6 rarest raptors, of which the population is perhaps 150 pairs.
You will also be taken to see the sandstone canyon and a grove of the large northern Malagasy baobab Adansonia madagascariensis.
Lemur fans can seek out the acrobatic Coquerel's sifaka, a group of which inhabits the area around the centrally located campsite, where they are often seen in the Teak trees. Also present are Common brown lemur and the much scarcer, crepuscular Mongoose lemur.
By night, it is possible to see Western woolly lemur; Milne-Edward's sportive lemur; Fat-tailed dwarf lemur (summer months only) and Golden-brown or Ravelobe mouse lemur.
Day 3 Ankarafantsika National Park
Your second full day to enjoy this wonderful national park.
An added bonus is being able to see the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s largest Madagascar-based project site, ‘Projet Angonoka’, where the 4 endemic Malagasy land tortoises and its one endemic freshwater turtle, are being bred in captivity as part of the DWCT’s ‘SAFE’ (Saving Animals From Extinction) programme.
Your guides will take you along the trails – graded as easy for the most part – for day and night walks
High on visiting birders' lists are the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle; White-breasted mesite; Schlegel's asity and the nationally rare Van Dam's vanga. All of these are best sought in Ankarafantsika, along with some other western 'specials' such as Coquerel's and Red-capped couas.
Day 4 Ankarafantsika National Park - Mahajanga (drive)
After a final forest walk in Ankarafantsika, travel back this afternoon to Mahajanga to stay overnight in Baobab Tree Hotel & Spa with all meals included.
Herping enthusiasts have a good chance to see a variety of snakes, notably Madagascar boa constrictor; Giant hog-nosed snake and Madagascar cat-eyed snake. The 'flagship' reptiles of the park include the now very scarce Rhinoceros chameleon and Guenther's leaf-tailed gecko. Collared iguanid lizards and colourful, bright green Phelsuma day geckos abound.
Day 5 Mahajanga - Antananarivo (flight)
This morning you will be taken on a motorised boat trip into the wide Betsiboka River Delta, where birders come to seek rarities such as Madagascar white ibis (pictured flying across the delta); Humblot's heron and Madagascar pratincole.
You will then be transferred to Mahajanga Airport to check in for the thrice weekly Air Madagascar flight back to Antananarivo.
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
5 nights from £1,852 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
30th Mar 2023 -
20th Dec 2023
20th Dec 2023
£1,852
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
PRICE INCLUDES:::::
* Domestic Tsaradia flight: Mahajanga - Antananarivo
* Air taxes
* Private 4-wheel drive transfers and transportation
* Transfers from Antananarivo to Ankarafantsika (road) and from Ankarafantsika to Mahajanga and on to Mahajanga airport
* All guided excursions as per itinerary
* Park permits and local guiding fees
* Betsiboka Delta boat excursion
* Services of professional, English-speaking Malagasy wildlife expert guide and driver
* Accommodation and meals
* Mineral water
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
PRICE EXCLUDES::::
International flights
Visa fee (€18)
Personal items (drinks, tips, phone calls, laundry)
Any meals not listed
Travel insurance
Pricing Notes
We do not include international flights in this price, as Ankarafantsika is generally added onto longer itineraries, as an extension.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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