iExplore Madagascar Experience(Trip #46063)

Tour Overview

Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, lies in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. It includes several much smaller islands. A central chain of high mountains, the Hauts Plateaux, occupies more than half of the main island and is responsible for the marked differences – ethnically, climatically and scenically – between the east and west coasts. The narrow strip of lowlands on the east coast, settled from the sixth century by Polynesian seafarers, is largely covered by dense rainforests, whereas the broader west-coast landscape, once covered by dry deciduous forests, is now mostly savannah.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Arrive Anatanarivo International Airport and transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight, Antananarivo

Day 02: Antananarivo - Fort Dauphin & Berenty Reserves
Early for transfer to the Antananarivo airport for your flight to Fort Dauphin. You are met and transferred to Berenty Reserve (90 km,) enjoy stops en route for 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, and enjoy your surroundings.
Breakfast. Lunch, Dinner
Overnight, Berenty

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
Overnight, Berenty Lodge

Day 04: Berenty Reserve - Fort Dauphin
Return land transfer to Fort-Dauphin. Here you will enjoy a guided city tour and visit to the 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 overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight, Fort-Dauphin

Day 05: Fort Dauphin - Antananarivo - Perinet Nature Reserve
Transfer to the Fort Dauphin airport for your flight to Antananarivo. You are met and transferred to Perinet Nature Reserve. 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
Overnight, Perinet

Day 06: Perinet Nature Reserve & Vakona Private Reserve
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, rd 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
Overnight, Perinet

Day 07: Perinet Nature Reserve - Antananarivo
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, you return Antananarivo with visit Mr Peyrieras' insect & reptile farm en route. Arrive in Tana, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight, Anatananarivo

Day 08: Antananarivo - Depart
Transfer to the Antananarivo airport.
Breakfast