Magic of Madagascar

This morning we catch a flight to Fort Dauphin (also known as Taolagnaro), which is beautifully situated along a curved sandy bay on the south-eastern tip of Madagascar. On arrival, we transferred to our hotel. This afternoon we enjoy a city tour to learn about the history of this important city that dates back to 1643. We walk through the impressive Saiadi botanical gardens before having the rest of the day at your leisure.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) We have an early morning transfer to Berenty Reserve, the country’s most popular nature lemur reserve. As we leave the town, we discover impressive desert scenery that includes a surreal spiny forest, vast sisal plantations, mountains with rare palms, cactus and very strange plants. Berenty is a private 260 hectare reserve that offers the chance to experience the magic of the forest. On the property, a sisal factory and an interesting anthropological museum are worth a visit but the main attraction is the lemurs! The opportunities here to photograph close-up lemurs are second to none, as many of them are habituated to humans. We are sure to see brown lemurs and ring- tailed lemurs. One of the highlights of our trip is sure to be witnessing graceful white Verreaux's sifakas 'dancing' their way across clearings in wild and comical leaps on their two hind legs. Our time at Berenty Reserve is sure to leave us with some magnificent memories. We return to Fort Dauphin this afternoon.

This morning, after breakfast, we catch a flight back to the capital, Antananarivo. On arrival we will enjoy a morning city tour of Antananarivo which orientates us around the nooks and crannies of Madagascar's hilly capital. At the Andafivaratra Museum we pay homage to the Merina kings and queens, whilst the former royal palace, the Rova, sits like an imposing sentinel on top of a hill, having been destroyed by fire in 1995. We then continue on another flight down to Tuléar (Toliara). Tuléar is the starting of finishing point of National Road N° 7, which goes all the way to Antananarivo. It is situated in the driest area in Madagascar, with landscape dominated by spiny forest like cactus and various euphorbia plants.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) Here we experience new kind of scenery which comprises of dry forests to the west and spiny deserts to the south and spectacular baobabs in between. After a every early breakfast at 5:30 am, we head off at 6 am for a 2 hour drive to visit an excellent initiative - the Ngo Bel Avenir, which is dedicated to helping less fortunate Malagasy people through various ways through education, proper health care and social assistance. We then travel to the Arboretum Reserve which contains a collection of the extraordinary flora of the spiny forest. In the area you will also find an ethnological interesting museum, which depicts the life of the local tribe. After lunch we continue on to Ranohira, gateway to Isalo National Park for the evening.

 Isalo National Park is known locally is the ‘Malagasy Colorado’. A unique combination of sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons, bush plains and rare endemic plants make this Park particularly rewarding. Covering an area of 81,540 hectares, Isalo National Park comprises the entire stretch of the Isalo Massif, a very spectacular mountain chain made up of eroded sandstone. This strikingly beautiful reserve is filled with golden plains punctuated by craggy pinnacles of terracotta rock, valleys, canyons and waterfalls. We have the option to enjoy two half-day hikes or you can relax in this surreal environment. We may spot ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux's sifakas in the lush forested entrance to the canyon. The park is also home to approximately 55 species of birds, including the endemic Benson’s rock thrush, as well as various lizards and snakes. In the afternoon a six kilometre hike amidst stunning rock formations takes us to Piscine Naturelle, a natural swimming pool in an oasis-like setting. As Madagascar is home to more than half the world’s chameleon population, there is also a very good chance of seeing these unusual, highly adaptable creatures.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After breakfast we depart for the Tsaranoro Valley and arrive in time for lunch and check-in at our tented camp. Over the one-and-a-half days spent here there is a large range of excursions to choose from, ranging from gentle walks to more challenging expeditions like a climb up Mount Chameleon. The easy walks will take us into a sacred forest where we will probably see ring-tailed lemurs, before continuing to a waterfall and on to some the nearby villages. Here there is a unique opportunity to discover the Malagasy traditional life of this isolated population; people live only with the season, the sun and the rice harvest as a clock. There is also the possibility of visiting schools and the only medical station of the valley. Our tented camp features ten permanent tents, each with outdoor en suites which are privately enclosed. The camp has a large, communal dining and lounge tent where we enjoy hearty meals and experience the Malagasy food culture. Adding to the atmosphere, the camp is lit by storm lanterns and candles.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After breakfast we depart for Anja Community Reserve, a small park and a community-based project that features a wild and semi-tamed colony of ring-tailed lemurs and some Betsileo traditional tombs. About 1½ hours up the road is Ambalavao, a town that provides us with some fabulous photo opportunities as it seems as though it has been transported from a western movie set. Set amid golden mountain scenery, Ambalavao holds the biggest zebu market in the country on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Our final stop is Fianarantsoa, where time permitting we go on a tour of the old city and visit the guesthouse which provides magnificent views of the old city from the terrace. Spend the night on the outskirts of town on the banks of Lake Sahambavy offering breathtaking views.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We travel on the winding roads of the terraced highlands as we make our way north. En route we stop for the opportunity to do some shopping at Ambositra, a small town known for its Zafimaniry woodcarvings and handicraft. The Zafimaniry people live in the Malagasy highlands, near Ambositra. They are known for the typical wooden architecture of their houses and fine ancestral woodcarving art. Their culture and lands are classified UNESCO World Heritage. After lunch we continue to Antsirabe, which used to be a 'chic' thermal city and has preserved its superb colonial architecture. Today it is mainly known for its gemstones, its ‘pousse-pousse’ (rickshaws) and handicraft. On arrival we visit a couple of workshops and learning how the locals transform natural materials into everyday utensils and clothing. Zebu horns are made into cutlery and wheat straw into hats. Around town we see some fine examples of the faded colonial architecture from days gone by.

(Driving time: approx 3 hours) We travel to Anjozorobe, one of the last vestiges of dense rainforest on the high plateauz, is a source of life for the population and harbours an enormous biodiversity. With its 11 species of lemurs (Indri, Propitecus Diadema and Microcedus), 82 bird species (among which 43 are endemic) and 423 plants, this forest is a dreamland for nature lovers.

(Driving time: approx 3 hours) After an early breakfast, we visit the local school. Here we have time to meet the students (depending on time of year) and donations are also welcome. After our school visit we travel back to Antananarivo. Our tour finishes on arrival in Antananarivo where you will be transferred to airport