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 Bonjour! Next fall I am off to the former French colony, now the Republic of Madagascar, to fulfill a long-held dream to visit this remarkable island with its stunning and unique flora and fauna. Madagascar is truly one of the planet’s delights for those interested in natural history, a biodiversity hotspot resulting from its long isolation from the African mainland. Scientists estimate that Africa and Madagascar parted company about 165 million years, long enough for the island to develop a truly unique character. Madagascar is home to distinctive species such as lemurs, primitive primates endemic to the island; brilliantly coloured lizards, including geckos and chameleons; tenrecs, spiny hedgehog-like creatures; and fossas, carnivorous animals that resemble a cross between a puma and a dog (but which are closely related to the mongoose.) If you would like to see flora and fauna that you will find nowhere else on Earth, this is the place for you! Not only are most of the mammals, reptiles and amphibians endemic but so is 80% of the plantlife. Even the birdlife has an amazingly high degree of endemicism, estimated to be nearly 40%. The island’s playful lemurs—approximately 50 species in all, two more were just discovered in 2005 —are among the most endearing of its creatures: their antics will delight us in the reserves of Ranomafana, Perinet and Berenty. Don’t be surprised when a very trusting lemur descends a tree trunk and dances upright across our path to climb another tree nearby. Several evening walks are planned throughout the tour to look for nocturnal creatures like the fanaloka, an endemic cat-like mammal also known as the Malagasy striped civet, or the tiny brown mouse lemur. Your powers of observation will be challenged as you search for more of the island’s appealing oddities, the thirty species of lurking chameleons that will confound us with their legendary ability for camouflage. At the other end of the spectrum, the massive baobab trees will be impossible to miss—six species can be found in Madagascar while just one species inhabits all of Africa. The flora of the island varies considerably, and our tour has been well constructed to give us an excellent sampling of its many different ecological zones. The Perinet Reserve, a rain forest zone of the eastern coast, is a lush environment that is home to many endemic orchid species (Madagascar boasts more than 1,000 orchid species!) and the handsome indri, the largest and loudest of the island’s lemurs. We will rise early one morning to listen to the thrilling and hauntingly beautiful ’song’ of these creatures. At the southwest corner of the island and lying in its rainshadow, the bizarre spiny forest awaits us. Ferocious trees belonging to the endemic family Didieraceae sport a daunting tangle of thorns, prickles and spines best observed at a distance while we search for the long-tailed ground roller, one of Madagascar’s most beautiful birds. In the central region, the scenery is perhaps the loveliest of all with massive granite outcroppings, curious sandstone canyons and wind-carved hoodoos. This region is home to many endemic plants including the dwarf baobab and the curious elephant’s foot (Pachypodium), a strange rock-clinging succulent. Throughout all our travels we will watch for the many lovely and unusual birds that populate Madagascar—couas, kingfishers, rollers, sunbirds, vangas, perhaps even a paradise flycatcher. Although the focus of this trip will be on the island’s amazing natural history, we will also have many opportunities to interact with its friendly residents, a fascinating mixture of Polynesian, Asian, African and European heritage. The first settlers were in fact Malay-Polynesians who crossed the Indian Ocean. Their Malagasy language, together with French, are the official languages of the island (although the tourism industry largely functions in English.) Africans arrived much later, together with Arab, Indian and Portuguese traders—today there are 18 official tribes. Please join me for this trip of a lifetime! Michael Le Geyt ARE YOU READY
FOR MADAGASCAR? |
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Our proposed Itinerary follows; a map is available. Day 01, Wednesday, Oct. 18
- Paris / Antananarivo Day 03, Friday, Oct. 20 - Antsirabe / Ranomafana National Park We continue this morning with a long but scenic drive to Ranomafana National Park, stopping along the way for lunch in Ambositra, a village of wood carvers with interesting decorative elements on their homes. Late afternoon arrival at Ranomafana with dinner and overnight at the Hotel Centrest. The increasingly rare Madagascar plover is often seen near the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Centrest BLD
Day 04, Saturday, Oct. 21 - Ranomafana National Park We have a full day for walks in the lush mountainous forest, home to ten species of lemurs including the exceedingly rare golden bamboo lemur. Ranomafana National Park is biologically rich with up to 37 tree families and 100 species in one-hectare plots, comparable to South American or West African jungles. This degree of biodiversity is all the more surprising because soils at Ranomafana are mostly red clays developed from parent rock with extremely low levels of nutrients—these soils are considered some of the most naturally infertile in the world. Primate species richness at Ranomafana is among the highest on the planet, with 12 species in five families, all endemic. Our stay in the park will include a nocturnal outing. Meals and overnight at the Centrest. BLD
Day 05, Sunday, Oct. 22 - Ranomafana National Park We will spend another full day in the park looking for lemurs, geckos, chameleons and rare species of birds throughout the forest. The terrain in Ranomafana is steep, the forest is dense, and trails are often slippery so be sure to bring appropriate footwear. Besides the golden bamboo lemur, other lemur species found in this park include Milne-Edwards sifakas, red-bellied and red-fronted lemurs, greater and lesser bamboo lemurs and nocturnal eastern woolly lemurs. Meals and overnight at the Centrest. BLD
Day 06, Monday, Oct. 23 - Ranomafana / Isalo National Park After breakfast we drive to Ambalavao, where we have time for a brief visit to the factory that makes ’Antaimoro’ paper from the bark of the avoha tree. From here to the south lies the most beautiful scenery in the country—the giant granite outcroppings of the Andringitra massif. We continue on to Ihosy, centre of the Bara tribe, for a lunch stop, after which granite gives way to the flat grasslands of the Horombe Plateau. Dinner and overnight at the Relais de la Reine, a remarkable character hotel that is brilliantly constructed to integrate perfectly with the surrounding sandstone hills. Dinner and overnight at the Relais de la Reine
BLD
Day 07, Tuesday, Oct. 24 - Isalo National Park We begin the day’s activities at the Park’s Museum, with its excellent interpretations of the geologic formations, endemic plants and customs of the local Bara tribe. We will take a short hike through the sandstone formations to the Piscine Naturelle (a green oasis with a lovely blue-green natural swimming hole), observing several of the plant and bird species endemic to the area, such as the curious elephant’s foot plant (Pachypodium) or Benson’s rock thrush. Dinner and overnight at the Relais. BLD
Day 08, Wednesday, Oct. 25 - Isalo National Park Another full day to spend in this outstanding park, with several areas to explore including the Canyon des Singes, a deciduous woodland with endemic palms and fascinating succulents, the natural habitat of the ring-tailed lemur. Meals and overnight at the Relais. BLD
Day 09, Thursday, Oct. 26 - Isalo / Tulear We continue through grassland and the Zombitsie Forest to the southwest coast and Tulear. Lunch and afternoon excursion to St. Augustine Bay. We also stop at the Arboretum d’Antsakay, a botanical garden of rare southwestern flora. Founded in 1980 by a Swiss botanist committed to conserving Madagascar’s rare plants, the arboretum features 115 of the 150 native Euphorbias as well as Aloes, Kalanchoes and Didiereas. Dinner and overnight at the Motel Capricorne.
BLD
Day 10, Friday, Oct. 27 - Tulear Today we take a 2-hour boat excursion to Anakao, a coastal fishing village south of Tulear, for a picnic lunch on its high white sand dunes. Anakao is a center of Vezo culture, a nomadic West Coast fishing tribe. The coral reef offshore is an especially interesting locale for divers. Dinner and overnight at the Motel Capricorne.
BLD
Day 11, Saturday, Oct. 28 - Tulear / Ifaty In the morning we depart for a short drive north to the beach and spiny forest of Ifaty, popular with birdwatchers and a place where southern endemics can be seen. The very peculiar Octopus Tree has a trunk that curves into the prevailing southerly wind while the bottle baobab (see below; photos © Milton Spitzer) perfectly illustrates why this tree is called the ’upside down tree’. Meals and overnight at the charming seaside bungalows of Hotel Le Paradisier. BLD Day 12, Sunday, Oct. 29 - Ifaty A day for exploration in the forest with an optional excursion to the offshore coral reef for snorkeling. More than 200 species of colourful fish inhabit this reef, including blue and yellow groupers, clown triggerfish, white-spotted puffers, powder blue surgeonfish and longfin bannerfish. Meals and overnight, Hotel Le Paradisier. BLD
Day 13, Monday, Oct. 30 - Ifaty / Tulear / Ft. Dauphin / Berenty Reserve Return transfer to the airport in Tulear for flight to Ft. Dauphin. Upon arrival at the southernmost tip of Madagascar, we depart for the privately owned 260-hectare Berenty Reserve, a 2-hour drive through coastal rainforest to the spiny desert. We will stop along the way to view impressive baobab trees, rare three-cornered palms and funerary art of the Malagasy burial grounds. Afternoon and evening visits to the reserve. Meals and overnight at Hotel Gite d’Etape. BLD
Day 14, Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Berenty Reserve A full day to spend in the reserve with walks along wide, well swept paths. Ring-tailed lemurs are very friendly and seem pleased to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful Verreaux’s sifakas, lemurs that suddenly appear and ’dance’ upright across the path. Meals and overnight at Hotel Gite d’Etape. BLD
Day 15, Wednesday, Nov. 01 - Berenty Reserve Today we continue our exploration of the reserve, looking for other animals such as flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozens of species of rare birds. Evening nature walk, meals and overnight at Hotel Gite d’Etape. Meals and overnight at Hotel Gite d’Etape.BLD
Day 16, Thursday, Nov. 02 - Berenty / Ft. Dauphin / Majunga This morning we have time for a final visit to the spiny desert reserve and the small but comprehensive cultural museum at Berenty. Then we return to Ft. Dauphin and catch a flight to Majunga on the northwest coast. Afternoon city tour and visit to Cirque Rouge, an amphitheatre of rock formations that is transformed into a painted desert by the setting sun. Dinner and overnight at the elegant Sunny Hotel
with its pristine swimming pool and lush tropical gardens.
BLD
Day 17, Friday, Nov. 03 - Majunga / excursion Ampijoroa Forestry Station Full day excursion by car to Ankarafantsika Reserve and the Ampijoroa Forestry Station, the last parcel of deciduous forest in Madagascar. Six species of lemur reside here, including the handsome Coquerel’s sifaka, along with many species of birds and other fauna unique to the area. We will visit a project dedicated to saving the endangered Angonoka tortoise and walk to the nearby sacred lake of Ravelobe before returning to the Sunny Hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at the Sunny Hotel. BLD
Day 18, Saturday, Nov. 04 - Majunga / Antananarivo After breakfast we take a short morning flight to the capital. We will have a relaxing lunch at La Varangue, renowned for its fine cuisine, which successfully melds local Malagasy flavours with traditional French cuisine. Remainder of day at leisure or take an optional visit to the Tsimbazaza Zoo. Overnight at the Hotel Colbert. BL
Day 19, Sunday, Nov. 05 - Antananarivo / Perinet Reserve In the morning we depart for a drive through scenic highlands to the eastern rain forest of the Perinet Reserve. We will stop en route at La Mandraka Nature Farm for an introduction to the incredible variety of Madagascar reptiles. At the Perinet Reserve, we will stay at the Vakona Forest Lodge. Nestled amid the jungle forest, the Lodge has its own small reserve with troupes of both black and white ruffed lemurs and brown lemurs. The Lodge consists of cabins with a rustic charm perfectly in harmony with its location. Dinner and an evening nature walk at the Reserve.
BLD
Day 21, Monday, Nov. 06 - Perinet Reserve Today we will make an early start to see the large indri lemurs and thrill to their eerie singing calls. Mild hiking will provide a good opportunity to experience the abundant flora of the eastern rain forest with its wealth of orchids. Meals and overnight at Vakona Forest Lodge.
BLD
Day 22, Tuesday, Nov. 07 - Perinet Reserve We spend a full day in nearby Mantadia National Park where, if we are fortunate, we may see diademed sifakas and black and white ruffed lemurs. Both Perinet and Mantadia are exceptionally rich in frogs and reptiles. Meals and overnight at the Vakona Forest Lodge.
BLD
Day 23, Wednesday, Nov. 08 - Perinet / Antananarivo This morning we visit the small reserve of the Vakona Forest Lodge before lunch and then return to the capital. We can relax in dayrooms at the Hotel Colbert before a farewell dinner at the delightful Villa Vanille, a fine old Tana house specializing in Creole food. Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Paris (departing just after midnight). Dinner at Villa Vanille. BLD
Day 24, Thursday, Nov. 09 - Antananarivo / Paris Flight departs at 12:50am, arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport at 10:40am on the same day. Connect to ongoing or homeward destination. PLEASE NOTE The order of the itinerary may be rearranged subject to air schedule changes by Air Madagascar, and some hotels may have to be substituted with similarly priced hotels due to conditions beyond our control. |
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TOUR RATE The all-inclusive cost, based on 16 participants, is $6,685.00
US per person. For single accommodation add $1200.00 US. |
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TOUR COST INCLUDES |
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Bookings cannot be processed unless accompanied by
a completed, signed and dated Tour
Reservation Form (2 pages). |
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Medical and Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended in order to protect your investment. Cancellation Insurance must be requested at time of booking. |
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You are required to carry a valid passport with an
expiry date of six (6) months past reentry into your home country. Please contact the travel clinic in your area
for advice. British Columbia residents may consult Travel
Medicine & Vaccination Centres. Telephone 604-681-5656 in Vancouver
or toll free 1-888-288-8682. |
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an additional disclaimer. The disclaimer is required as Madagascar is considered a third-world country and travel there is accompanied by increased uncertainties and risks. AIRFARE VISA CANCELLATION POLICY SUGGESTED READING LIST
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Tours & Safaris 2000-2006 Last updated April 9, 2006 |