Essential Madagascar

Day 1 - Antananarivo

Transfer from airport to central hotel. If time allows a city sightseeing tour will be included.

Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe

After breakfast we start our drive to the Spa town of Antsirabe. The landscape is dotted with beautiful valleys and rice paddies. En route we stop at Ambatolampy, a town famous for the production of kitchen equipment from recycled aluminium. Antsaribe is a delightful town with tree-lined streets which we will explore on hand-pulled rickshaws.

Day 3: Antsirabe - Ambositra (Ranomafana National Park)

Today we head into the mountainous southern central-eastern highlands. We will visit Ambositra and watch the local craftsmen producing intricate inlaid wood pictures using basic traditional machinery. We then continue to the national park and take a night walk to see our first endemic creatures - the brown mouse lemur (the world’s smallest primate) and with luck the tiny stump-tailed chameleon, the world’s smallest chameleon.

Day 4: Ranomafana National Park

An unforgettable day as we venture into the forest, home to an amazing array of creatures. The park contains no fewer than 12 species of lemur, including the rare golden and greater bamboo lemurs. We can also expect to see a host of other creatures including chameleons, geckos, skinks and abundant bird life.

Day 5: Ranomafana - Anja Park - Isalo National Park

An early start today as we head into the west coast region where the landscape changes dramatically. We now find ourselves in open savannah grasslands where Malagasy cowboys muster their zebu herds. We visit the Anja reserve for a close encounter with Madagascar’s national animal, the beautiful ring-tailed lemur - a wonderful photo opportunity!

Day 6: Isalo National Park

After breakfast we venture into the Isalo Park and witness its spectacular Jurassic limestone formations. We take the Namaza trail and will be treated to more fantastic scenery and wildlife, including the fabulous dancing sifaka lemur. Later in the day we will head out to ‘La Fenetre de L’Isalo’, a dramatic natural sandstone feature, to witness a breathtaking sunset.

Day 7: Isalo National Park - Ifaty Spiny Forest

Today’s drive takes us into the Zombitse forest. Along the way we will see numerous great baobab trees on both sides of the road. On arrival in Ifaty we will visit the famous Reniala botanical gardens, showcasing the incredible flora of the semi-arid south.

Day 8: Ifaty Spiny Forest

We spend the morning exploring this amazing forest. Edged by beautiful palm-fringed white beaches it is home to bizarre fauna, where Baobabs rub shoulders with the strange-looking endemic octopus trees. The area is also a bird lover's dream where, with luck, we will see endangered species such as the long-tailed ground roller and sub-desert mesite.

Day 9: Ifaty - Tulear - Antananarivo

After breakfast we make the short drive for our flight back to Tana. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the historic and ancient King’s Palace complex outside the city. There will also be the opportunity for last-minute souvenir shopping in the local markets.

Day 10: Depart Madagascar

Transfer to the international airport for your flight home.

Tour inclusions

• Accommodation including breakfast

• Park admission fees

• Local guide fees

• Professional English speaking guide

• Private minibus plus driver and fuel

• All activities in the itinerary

• Domestic flight and land transfers

• Tipping

• One bottle of mineral water per person/day

Tour exclusions

• International airfares

• Pre / post tour arrangements / accommodation

• Passport and Madagascan visa fee

• Medical vaccinations and any medical fees

• Travel and medical Insurance

• Any items of a personal nature

• Excursions deviating from the scheduled tour

• Excess baggage charges