Madagascar A Lost World

Arrive Tana (Antananarivo) Madagascar’s capital. On arrival in Tana you will be met at the airport and transferred to our group hotel. D

We fly south to the coastal city of Tulear the southern capital of Madagascar, known as “The White City” or “Sun City”. The city offers bright colours and a rhythmic ambience made by the Tsapiky music. Then drive 25 km north to the quaint fishing village of Ifaty. B,L,D

We spend the morning visiting the Honko’s mangrove conservation site and learn about the regions ecology and culture before heading back to the hotel for lunch and a nice swim in the pool or sea. In the afternoon we visit the Reniala (spiny forest) Reserve. B,L,D

After breakfast we drive back to Tulear were we visit a private Arboretum – a botanical garden specialising in the flora and fauna of SW Madagascar. The Arboretum was created around 1980, on the initiative of a Swiss amateur botanist, Hermann Pétignat who died in 2000. There are almost 900 species of plants, 90% endemic to the region. After lunch, we pass through Sakaraha in the Atsimo-Adrefana region, where we should start to see baobabs, cotton growing and roadside painted tombs. We continue driving towards Isalo National Park passing through wild-west style towns, which in recent years have become the makeshift homes of sapphire hunters.

These days will be dedicated to exploring the NP of Isalo, the Malagasy Colorado and sacred burial grounds for the Bara people. The park has a unique combination of deep sandstone canyons, bush plains and rare endemic plants such as – the endemic Aloe. The park comprises of the entire stretch of the Isalo Massif – a spectacularmountain chain of eroded sandstone. This strikingly beautiful reserve consists of golden plains, punctuated by craggy pinnacles of terracotta rock, valleys, canyons and waterfalls. We plan to enjoy some wonderful walking in this surreal environment and cool off in natural oasis-like swimming hole along the way. We may also make a visit to one of the Sapphire mining areas. In the afternoons you might like to take a horse ride around the nearby pagodas, enjoying the evening light before dinner. B,L,D

We say goodbye to the palm-laced savannah scenery of the Horombe Plateau and the Bara lands where we should encounter huge numbers of Zebu (the ubiquitous humped cattle). These animals hold an almost sacred position in Madagascan life and are certainly symbolic of the prosperity of their owners. We will have a stop at the private reserve of Anjah, sacred to the Betsileo people because their ancestors are buried in the high cliff tombs here. We might also be graced by close encounters with the cheeky ring tailed lemurs. If time allows we would like to visit some of the charming, highlands town of Ambalavao and visit the Antaimoro hand-made paper factory. This papyrus like paper is impregnated with dried flowers. B,L,D

We have a full day dedicated to the nature reserve of Ranomafana. We certainly recommend waking up early for a morning walk in the park, as it is the best time for animal observation. The Park came to the world’s attention in 1986 with the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur. Ranomafana NP is also renowned for the originality and variety of both flora and fauna. There are 12 species of lemurs, 100 species of birds, 36 of which are endemic and many reptiles and butterflies. In the afternoon, we can visit the village with its hot spring & local market, followed by a night walk inside the national park on a search for nocturnal lemurs, chameleons and frogs. B,L,D

En-route we will make a stop in Ambositra to visit the handicrafts markets. Ambositra is a small town renowned for its Zafimaniry woodcarvings and other handicrafts. The Zafimaniry people are known for the curious wooden architecture of their houses and fine ancestral woodcarvings. They inhabit about 100 villages in the forested highlands of the southeast; their language originated from Borneo and their culture and lands are classified as UNESCO World Heritage. Antsirabe is a beautiful city in the highlands of Madagascar, a mixture of cultures has formed the city over two centuries and is a key part of the Betsileo people, famed for their rice cultivation skills. Founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries, the city reflects the warmth of its people and the authenticity of its traditions is still alive. It will be a very early start as we have a long 10-hour-drive from Ansirabe to Morondava on the west coast of Madagascar crossing the heartland. B,L,D

After lunch we drive through the remarkable Avenue des Baobabs on the way to Kirindy. This cluster of towering Grandidier’s baobabs is one of Madagascar’s most famous views. Kirindy is simply superlative and comprises of dry deciduous forest – one of the most outstanding and threatened wildlife habitats in Madagascar. It is renowned for the giant jumping rat and is home to 7 species of lemur and numerous endemic reptiles. After dinner we take a night walk through the forest. If we are lucky we may see the weird and wonderful fossa (cat-like) – the only endemic carnivorous species of Madagascar. B,L,D

Up early for bird and wildlife viewing in Kirindy’s dry forest and wetlands, keeping an eye out for the paradise flycatcher, giant coa and Berther’s lemur, considered to be the smallest primate. A seven-hour drive on rough tracks, including ferrying across the languid Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers takes us to our comfortable lodge in the heart of Tsingy de Bermaraha National Park. B,L,D

We spend two days exploring the Tsingy’s (limestone plateaus dramatically eroded into pinnacles, caves and gorges) by canoe and on foot. UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is home to bats, lemurs, birds and plants adapted to these spectacular 300m-high ‘stone forests’ – which offer fantastic views. B,L,D

Drive back to Morondava, stopping for the sunset at the beautiful Avenue des Baobabs. The next morning will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach or visit the towns colourful bustling markets. After lunch we fly back to Tana. B,L,D

We fly from Tana to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), in the extreme north Diego Suarez and have a look at the port town with its wide streets, old colonial-era buildings, and buzzy atmosphere. We take an early lunch at Mellville Restaurant with its amazing views of the natural bay before driving to Ankarana Lodge. The following day we visit Ankarana National Reserve. Here we find the impressive grey Tsingy (limestone pinnacles) which are surrounded by dry deciduous forest. Its dense forests support one of the largest and least disturbed populations of crowned lemurs. Keep an eye out for northern sportive lemur, dwarf lemurs and ring-tailed mongoose. B,L,D

After an early breakfast, we head towards Montagne d’Ambre (Amber Mountain), with a detour to visit the “Tsingy rouge” (Red Tsingy), which provides a wonderful spectacle of sculptured coloured sands shaped by the wind and rain. Depending on the time we can take a walk down into the canyon to see the red tsingy up close. B,L,D

After breakfast, we drive to Manambato for lunch before transferring to the longboat which takes us along the Pangalanes Canal, a chain of freshwater lakes and lagoons connected by man-made channels to form a 600 km inland waterway. Akanin’ny Nofy (Nest of Dreams), on the white sandy shores of Lake Ampitabe. is where we will spend the next 3 nights. It is a haven of forests, pitcher plants, mangroves and palms. We visit the Palmarium, a private reserve of endemic palms and vanilla bean. Where lemurs, including indri indri, sifakas, crowned lemurs, and the endangered aye-aye, enjoy complete freedom. B,L,D

After breakfast we cruise by boat to the head of the cannel to Tamatave Madagascar’s most important seaport. After lunch we will visit Tamatave’s colourful Bazary Be markets that sells fruit, vegetables, spices, handicrafts and beautiful bouquets of flowers (should you feel the need to brighten up your hotel room). Fly back to Tana. B,L,D

Our final day in Tana before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. B