Madagascar northeast offers fabulous rainforests and breathtaking landscapes, where we go in search for the delightful lemurs and camouflaged chameleons.
We head off the beaten path and explore Madagascar northeast best-kept secrets. The extraordinary Red and Grey Tsingy (limestone formation) that are so intriguing and takes a fabulous photograph! From beautiful beaches and pristine waterways to lush rainforests with orchids and weirdly wonderful creatures. This compact adventure showcases Madagascar’s famous Northern tip and its beautiful east coast.
HIGHLIGHTS |
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DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Tana (Antananarivo) – Madagascar | ||||||||
DEPARTURE DATES |
28 October 2021 – 11 November 2021 12 May 2022 – 26 May 2022 |
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DURATION | 14 days/13 nights | ||||||||
PRICES per person |
Save AU$500 on our 2021/22 departures. This offer ends 30 April 2021 and only applies to new direct bookings
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GROUP SIZE | 4 to 12 Guests | ||||||||
INCLUDED |
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NOT INCLUDED |
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Additional information
Destination | Madagascar |
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Day 1
Arrive Tana (Antananarivo) Madagascar’s capital. On arrival you will be met and transferred to our group hotel. D
Days 2-3
We fly from Tana to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), in the extreme north and are taken by 4WD’s south of Diego through Joffreville (an historical town characterised by its European architecture), before reaching the Montagne d’Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park. The next day is fully dedicated to exploring the Park. Established in 1958. This massif rises from the surrounding dry region forming an isolated stretch of montane rainforest covering an area of 18.200 hectares at altitudes between 800m and 1470m. The park offers great biodiversity: a huge tropical forest with endemic fauna and flora, luxuriant vegetation and many waterfalls and volcanic lakes. The climate is perfect, and the cool air refreshing after the heat of the lowlands. The dominant ethnic groups in this area are the Sakavala and the Antankarana. A large number of animal species inhabit the NP including 25 species of mammals, among them 6 carnivores such as the ring-tailed mongoose and the fossa. There are 8 lemurs: Sanford’s brown lemur, crowned lemur, lesser bamboo lemur and five species of nocturnal lemurs. B,L,D
Days 4-5
After breakfast we drive 4 hours to Ankarana Special Reserve. Here we find impressive limestone pinnacles known as Tsingy, and the largest network of underground caves with stalactites and stalagmites to be found in Africa. A full day will be dedicated to exploring the reserve: walking through the ‘Tsingy’, visiting the caves which are surrounded by dry deciduous trees such as Baobabs and Elephant foot plant. Its dense forests also support one of the largest and least disturbed populations of crowned lemurs. Keep an eye out for Sanford’s brown lemur, Perrier’s black lemur, northern sportive lemur and dwarf lemurs, also ringtailed mongoose, fossa, tenrecs and striped civet that are also a common sight. Inside the spectacular and huge labyrinth of caves, 14 bat species, local endemic blind shrimps and the world’s only known cave-living crocodiles are waiting for your visit. At night swarms of bats and flying fox swoop in the darkness. B,L,D
Days 6-7
After an early breakfast, we drive back to Antsiranana, with a detour to visit the “Tsingy rouges” or “red Tsingy”, which provide a wonderful spectacle of sculpture and colour all shaped by the wind and rain. Shaped by wind and rain. The sandy track we follow to reach the Tsingy threads between palm trees “satrana”. It is not easily accessible but well worth the scramble. We arrive into Antsiranana in the late afternoon. After a relaxing morning in Diego Suarez we fly back to Tana. B,L,D
Days 8-10
After breakfast we drive to Andasibe for 2 nights, with a stop in Marozevo to visit the private reserve “Pereyras” and Mandraka Reptile Farm – where we’ll have the opportunity for close viewing of some of the island’s most extraordinary reptiles and invertebrates. We continue on to Andasibe-Mantadia NP for a night walk. The star of the park is the indri indri; at up to 1m tall, it’s the largest lemur. But there are more than a dozen other lemur species, many endemic birds and more than a hundred orchid species. We will have a full day to explore this amazing region. B,L,D
Days 11-13
After breakfast, we drive to Manambato on the Pangalanes Canal, a chain of freshwater lakes and lagoons connected by man-made channels to form a 600km inland waterway. Akanin’ny Nofy (Nest of Dreams), on the white sand shores of Lake Ampitabe. It is a haven of forests, orchids, mangroves and palms. We visit the Palmarium, a private reserve of endemic palms and vanilla bean, where lemurs, including indri indri, sifakas, mouse and crowned lemurs, and the endangered aye-aye, enjoy complete freedom. We cruise by boat to Tamatave where we overnight and then fly back to Tana. B,L,D
Day 14
Our final morning in Tana will be at your leisure before our transfer to the airport for our return flight home. B
Please note: The proposed itinerary is just a guide and changes could be made due to domestic flight schedule changes and hotel availability.
Guy Rerard Ratsarazaka
Believe it or not, our top Madagascar guide, Guy Gerard, was educated in both his native country and Belarus! Fluent in Malagasy, English, French, and Russian, Guy received his Master of Oil Chemistry Engineering and Russian Language and Literacy from the Vladimir Ilych Lenin University in Minsk, Belarus. After a career change from the corporate world to something a bit more noble, Guy worked for the Red Cross in Antananarivo and is well trained in first aid and emergency response. He is a specialised guide leading classic tours throughout Madagascar as well as hiking, history, culture, nature, and wildlife tours. Now residing in the coastal city of Mahajanga with his family, you can find Guy reading his Bible and various books on the flora and fauna of Madagascar.
Sue Werner
Sue graduated as a veterinary nurse before embarking on a more adventurous life as a professional outdoor guide. Over the past 25 years she has worked as an expedition leader, photographer and tour guide. Throughout that time she has been at the cutting edge of developments in adventure travel, mainly specialising in Antarctica and the High Arctic. Her enthusiasm has taken her to many remote corners of the world, including Madagascar, the Amazon, Africa and the Himalaya. Spending three months living in Grytviken, working for the South Georgia Heritage Trust and was a highlight of Sue’s career. In January, 2015, Sue purchased Adventure Associates and continues to plan even more exciting journeys to remote destinations.
How to Book
To ensure your place on this exciting adventure, please contact us to reserve a place 02 6355 2022 or , then complete the Adventure Associates Booking Form and return to us with your AUD 1000 per person deposit.
Deposit required per person: | AU$1000 per person |
Balance due: | 75 days prior to departure |
If booking within 74 days of departure: | Full payment must be made. |
Reservations are established when you receive written confirmation and acceptance of the deposit and Booking Form. Travel insurance is strongly recommended at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be advised in writing to Adventure Associates. Cancellation charges are subject to regulations of airlines, coach and tour operators, hotels and other principals involved. If it is necessary to cancel your arrangements, the following non-refundable charges will apply.
More than 100 days prior to departure | AU$500 per person |
Between 99 and 75 days prior to departure | Full loss of deposit per person |
Between 74 and 31 days prior to departure | 75% of tour cost per person |
On or within 30 days prior to departure | No Refund |
If the cancellation charge is more than your advance payment you remain liable for the difference. For these and other reasons mentioned above you are strongly recommended to take out Travel Insurance. Once the Land Tour has departed there will be no refund for any unused portions of the trip.
Tour Reviews
Jack was a great guide, very helpful & sorted me out & I got to see everything that I could have wished for. The Iharana resort is beautiful, overlooking the lake with Tsingy in the background. A really lovely trip.
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