iExplore Madagascar Experience

Tour Description

Welcome to Madagascar!

Situated about 400 kilometers off the Mozambican coast, this pearl of the Indian Ocean is exempt from natural cataclysms offering you ideal holidays in any season.

The population is particularly engaging and welcoming. Sunshine year round, turquoise sea, white sandy beaches, luxuriant fauna and flora, warm reception...could this be your idea of paradise?

Itinerary

DAY 01 - ARRIVE ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR

Arrive Antananarivo International Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Antananarivo, the island's capital city (pop. 2,000,000) sits at 4,500 ft in a twisting valley near the center of the island. "Tana," as the city is often called, has unusual French and Asian inspired architecture and winding cobblestone streets and staircases that create a medieval impression.

Tana Plaza or Carlton Hotel

DAY 02 - ANTANANARIVO - FORT DAUPHIN - BERENTY RESERVE

Transfer to the Antananarivo airport for flight to Fort Dauphin. You are met and transferred to Berenty Reserve (90 km) enjoying stops en route for the local flora, an Antanosy graveyard and Antandroy villages in the spiny desert.

Berenty Reserve. With its large populations of ringtails, brown lemurs and Verreaux' sifakas, Berenty is probably the most famous Malagasy reserve. Birding is rewarding. The reserve protects both spiny bush and dry tamarind woodland, along the Mandrare River bank.

Berenty Lodge features spacious wooden chalets with en-suite bathrooms and a lovely tea garden where one can relax amongst the lemurs, in beautiful surroundings.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Berenty Lodge

DAY 03 - BERENTY RESERVE

Enjoy a full day of exploration of Berenty with your guide.

Berenty Reserve features many baobabs and similar species of trees in the gallery and spiny forests. Large populations of ringtails, brown lemurs and sifaka live here, along with birds and reptiles found only in this region. Two of these unique species are the giant coua and white-browed owl. There are also chameleons, snakes and butterflies.

During your stay, you may visit the museum of the Antandroy ethnic group, people of the dry climate. You may also visit a sisal factory, and take a night walk at the Spiny Forest.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Berenty Lodge

DAY 04 - BERENTY RESERVE - FORT DAUPHIN

This morning you will have a return land transfer to Fort-Dauphin. Here you will enjoy a guided city tour and visit to Saiadi Botanical Gardens.

Fort Dauphin is located in the southeast of Madagascar, and practically at the end of the world. Fort-Dauphin is the "Cote d'Azur" of Madagascar. With beautiful beaches, historical vestiges (mainly Portuguese), the nearby lemur reserve at Berenty, Mahafaly tombs, and special flora such as baobabs. In a radius of 50km, you pass from one climate to another; to the west stretches a vast cactus forest with unique types of baobab; to the east the humid vegetation of the tropics retakes command.

After your city tour, transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and an evening at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Le Dauphin or Hotel La Croix de Sud

DAY 05 - FORT DAUPHIN - ANTANANARIVO - PERINET NATURE RESERVE

Transfer to the Fort Dauphin airport for flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to Perinet Nature Reserve. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant en route.

Drive (3-hrs) east through the lovely villages and scenery of the highlands to the Perinet Nature Reserve. Perinet is Madagascar's most visited reserve, because of its relative proximity to Tana and large variety of rare rainforest animals, notably the baboon-sized Indri, largest of the Lemurs. Vakona Lodge is located minutes from the main entrance to the Perinet Nature Reserve. Accommodation consists of bungalows with en suite bathroom with hot water. A magnificent lounge and restaurant are built around a warm and welcoming fireplace.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Feo'Ny Ala Lodge or Vakona Lodge

DAY 06 - PERINET NATURE RESERVE

Enjoy a guided morning walk in Perinet Reserve and afternoon visit to Vakona Private Reserve.

Hike through the rain forests in search of indigenous plants and animals including the largest known lemur, the indri indri. Many other lemur species inhabit the forest, including the wooly, greater dwarf, brown mouse, grey bamboo, common brown, red fronted brown, black and white ruffed, crowned lemurs and the aye aye. More than a hundred species of birds occur in this special reserve, as well as chameleons, geckos and bats. The reserve also holds a world record for numbers of frog species among rainforests of comparable size.

Nocturnal walks, early morning and afternoon hikes in the reserve are included. Trails are easy to walk, but slippery when wet.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Feo'Ny Ala Lodge or Vakona Lodge

DAY 07 - PERINET NATURE RESERVE - ANTANANARIVO

Enjoy a guided morning walk in Mantadia Reserve.

 

Mantadia is primary rain forest and home to many species not found at Perinet. Star mammal attractions include the Diadem Sifaka and Ruffed Lemur, while sought-after birds include Pitta-like Ground-roller, Short-legged Ground-roller, Forest Rock-thrush - among others.

This afternoon, return Antananarivo with visit Mr Peyrieras' insect & reptile farm en route. Arrive in Tana, transfer to your hotel for check-in and evening at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

Tana Plaza or Carlton Hotel

DAY 08 - DEPART ANTANANARIVO

Transfer by private vehicle to the Antananarivo airport.

Breakfast

Departures

Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.

Pricing Information

2011

Includes; Tana Plaza - Antananarivo, Berenty Lodge - Berenty, Le Dauphin - Fort-Dauphin, Feo'Ny Ala Lodge - Perinet.

$2,999 per person double occupancy.

$2,359 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together

$319 single room supplement

$4,809 solo traveler

Includes; Carlton - Antananarivo, Berenty Lodge - Berenty, La Croix du Sud - Fort-Dauphin, Vakona Lodge - Perinet.

$3,389 per person double occupancy.

$2,709 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together

$479 single room supplement

$5,449 solo traveler

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of April, 2011. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Inclusions:

· Accommodation as indicated in standard twin rooms with private facilities

· Land transportation by 4x4, petrol, driver

· Domestic air: Antananarivo-Fort Dauphin-Antananarivo

· Services of an English-speaking tour escort throughout

· Services of English-speaking local guides, for excursions/activities as outlined in the itinerary

· All visit and entrance fees described in the itinerary, unless specified as extras

· Meals as indicated

· Welcome gift and tourist map of Madagascar

· Transfers with assistance and porterage

Exclusions:

· International airfare/departure tax

· Mineral water and drinks

· All expenses of a personal nature (such as telephone, fax, e-mail, laundry)

· Tips and gratuities for your driver/guide hotel/camp staff etc.

· Visa fess (if required)

· Travel Insurance

· Holiday surcharges

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes