Madagascar, the fourth-largest Island in the world, surely is one of the most rewarding destinations for anyone with a broad interest in nature.
Combination of Birding, Wildlife and beach stay, this itinerary, dedicated to bird watching and wildlife lovers, will take us from the eastern part, the eastern southern part and then to the deep southern part of the big Island in which the coast is rather different from one side to the other.
During safari, you will have a possibility to see many endemic species here in Madagascar in term of fauna and flora not to forget that during any day drive, you will admire many astonishing different landscapes, will meet lovely local people and discover many different daily lifestyle and culture
Antananarivo (Google Map)
Arrival at the international airport of Antananarivo.
After immigration and customs formalities, meet and greet with your English speaking driver/guide. Proceed to money exchange then transfer to the hotel which is situated in the city centre.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Palissandre & Spa or similar
After breakfast, drive to the eastern part of Madagascar, to reach Andasibe or Perinet. After about 4 hours drive on the national road with stop on the way, arrive at destination by lunch time. Afternoon visit of the private park of Vakona where you will start the wildlife expeditions: spot lemurs, birds, crocodiles etc…followed by an evening walk to spot night active wildlife.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge or similar
After breakfast, begin a day expedition to the Mantadia side of the national park with pic nic lunch.
Here you will have the chance to see species such as the Diademed Sifaka, Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemur and the Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Mantadia national park is also a home to some of the ground welling birds such as the Pitta-like Ground Roller, Short Legged Ground Roller, Blue Coua, Paradise Fly Catcher and some Asities.
Then walk to a nearby natural pool, spotting more animals along the way. After this day expedition, you will drive back to the hotel for a short break then go on for another evening walk. You may see animals such as the Brookesia; Leaf tailed Gecko and Parson’s Chameleon during this visit.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge or similar
This morning after breakfast, enjoy another expedition in the forest in the Analamazaotra National Park. This park is the home of the Indri, the largest living lemur, famous for its haunting call. Others species of lemur also share the forest with the Indri such as the Common Brown Lemur, Diademed Sifaka and the Eastern Wolly Lemur.
After expedition, drive to the southern part of Madagascar to reach Antsirabe with lunch on the way.
Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar and is known for its cooler climate and abundance of rickshaws.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Arotel or similar
Today, you will continue the road to the south, with main stop at Ambositra. On arrival, short city tour in town, famous for the woodcraft shops and typical art made of wood. Have lunch there, then continue the drive to the south east, late in the afternoon arrive at the village of Ranomafana, a small town which is on the edge of the Ranomafana National Park.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Thermal Hotel or similar
Morning expedition into the Ranomafana National Park to discover the best of wildlife species. Ranomafana is one of the most important wildlife sites and among the best rainforest National Park in the region. The park is part of the eastern corridor of the island, best places to spot different endemic species.
You will have about 3 to 4 hour walk in the expedition. The highlight of the expedition is to find the golden bamboo lemur which is thought to be extinct, other species of lemurs can also be seen in the forest such as the broad nosed bamboo lemurs, black and white ruffed lemur and the milne Edwards sifaka, while walking around the forest you will do bird watching as the forest is a good place to see the Blue Coua, Pitta like ground roller, Velvet Asity and some species of Vangas, some invertebrates can also be found in the forest floor and it is an opportunity to see the red forest rat.
This rainforest shelters also many flora diversities and large kind of medicinal plants. Transfer to the hotel after the visit.
Before dinner, you will be taken to the edge of the forest to see the mouse lemurs and you will do a short walk along the main road to see chameleons and frogs (evening walk).
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Thermal Hotel or similar
Leave Ranomafana and drive on to the south, passing through the big town of Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao.
In Ambalavao you will visit the Antemoro local paper factory which allows visitors to learn more about the famous “Antemoro paper”. After wards visit a silk workshop to learn about the spinning and weaving of wild silk using traditional methods.
After visits continue the drive to the south, to reach Isalo, the main village at the entry of the national park, you will arrive at destination late in the afternoon, then drive to sandstone window of Isalo to enjoy the sunset. A real post card that deserves the detour.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Le Relais de la Reine or similar
Today you will have a half day trekking expedition into the Isalo National Park. This is among the best and most visited park in Madagascar, with astonishing landscapes of natural massive rock uniform dating from the Jurassic era, with a typical and amazing wildlife species. The visit begins by a morning walk through the forest and canyons, on the way you may see including the ring tailed lemurs and red fronted brown lemurs; it is also a good spot for birding as it is the home of the benson’s rock thrush.
After the expedition back to the hotel for lunch and then head onwards to the city of Toliara, passing through the village of Ilakaka which is famous for the sapphire mines and its Zombitse forest and finally to the quiet coastal beach village of Ifaty, situated at 30km north of Toliara.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dunes d’Ifaty or similar
Today we will have an early morning expedition into the spiny forests nearby. Baobab trees will be seen along the main trail and you will be able to do a bird watching at the same time as this forest is a great spot to locate the long tailed ground roller and other interesting bird species such as the Green Capped Coua, Geckos, snakes, warty chameleons can also be spotted in the forest.
After this expedition you will return to your hotel for lunch and the rest of the day will be spent at leisure.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dunes d’Ifaty or similar
After breakfast, depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport and take the flight to Fort-Dauphin. Situated in the Deep South east of the country, with its setting amongst crescent shaped beaches under high forest-clad mountains and atmosphere of steady decay, Fort Dauphin has an undeniable charm and it is, therefore, no wonder that it has developed into the centre of a prosperous tourist industry.
The city is dominated by splendid mountain chain, the chain of Anosy and the Peak St. Louis, on the north side of the city, which offers a unique and unspoiled view of the area. On the north, east, and south the bright azure colours of the Indian Ocean take over the magnificent view. The town offers the visitor a variety of pastimes like strolling through the markets, lazing on the fine sandy beaches, enjoying the marvellous cuisine or exploring the sensational dry-forests of the surroundings.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel, have lunch and enjoy an afternoon visit of the Nahampoana reserve.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Croix du Sud or similar
Today, after breakfast, drive to Berenty situated in 80Km from Fort-Dauphin and transfer to Berenty Lodge.
This is a 3 hours drive from coastal rainforest to the spiny desert on a decidedly bumpy road! Berenty Lodge is located in the spiny desert in Berenty Reserve consisting of spacious wooden chalets with en-suite bathrooms. The lodge also has a pleasant tea garden where afternoons can be spent watching the mischievous ring tailed lemurs or dancing sifakas at play; alternatively one can visit the museum which displays the local artifacts and history of the region. The lodge is basic but its location in the heart of the private nature reserve boasts one of the best opportunities to observe lemurs up-close. The evening, look forward to a night walk to spot night active wildlife.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Berenty Lodge
Today, you will have a day expedition into the Berenty Reserve, a private wildlife reserve in Southern Madagascar. It has been the focus of scientific research on lemurs for over 40 years. It is also one of Madagascar’s premier tourist destinations. Most television programs about Madagascar show Berenty’s ring-tailed lemur troops sauntering with tails in the air, and Berenty’s white sifaka dancing over the ground or ricocheting between thorn-studded trees.
The star attractions here are the large troops of wild Ring-tailed lemurs, which are completely accustomed to people. Also common are Brown lemurs and Verreaux’s sifaka – one of Madagascar’s most appealing and photogenic animals. In the afternoon, we will be on hand as these desert lemurs “dance” across the path as they return to their roosts in the treetops. The photographic opportunities here are exceptional, as the wildlife is diverse and easy to see. After visit, back to the lodge.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Berenty Lodge
Today, drive back to Fort Dauphin
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Croix du Sud or similar
Enjoy a morning at leisure depending on your flight schedule. Then, transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the highland to reach Antananarivo. At arrival, transfer to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Palissandre Hotel or similar
Today following your flight schedule, you will have a visit to the Tsarasaotra private Park for birdwatching.
After that transfer to the airport to take flight back home.
