Madagascar Extension

Madagascar Extension

December 21 - 26, 2017

$2,649 Per Person

Itinerary

December 21: Arrive in Cape Town/Johannesburg

After disembarking the cruise ship, you will be met by the African Travels representative and transferred to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer to your reserved hotel. 

ACCOMODATIONS: D'OREALE GRANDE HOTEL AT EMPEROR'S PALACE

December 22: Johanesburg/Antananarivo, Madagascar

Take the hotel shuttle back to the airport where you are met and assisted to your flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar. 

Upon arrival at Antananarivo Ivato International Airport and after clearing customs, you will be met by your private English speaking guide and transferred into the city to your hotel for an overnight.

Antananarivo, often affectionately referred to in short as "Tana," is the capital of Madagascar. Its name means "City of a Thousand Warriors". Located in the hilly central highlands, this charming city features palaces of the former king and queen, a zoo, and botanical gardens, Lake Anosy, and the huge, permanent "Zoma" market, where one can find almost anything. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: RELAIS DES PLATEAUX

The hotel offers you European-standard comfort with an exotic touch added. The pool, the park, and its biodiversity make our setting an oasis at the doors of Antananarivo with convenient access to the airport. 

The rooms offer a sitting area and spacious ensuite bathrooms with showers. These is also a hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, flat screen TV with satellite channels, free WiFi access and climate control.

The restaurant is a pleasant blend of modern lounge  and local tradition. With 70% of fresh raw products and 100% of the meals homemade, they answer to two issues; quality & freshness. Eat hot meals from 6 AM till 11 PM. For early starters, a breakfast can be served as early as 4 AM. For late arrivals, a cold meal can be presented in your room at your request. 

December 23: Antananarivo/Andasibe

After breakfast this morning, meet your guide and driver and begin the journey to Andasibe, approximately a four hour drive to the east of Tana. The drive offers first time visitors to Madagascar a gentle introduction to rural life. You will pass rice fields, red brick houses, and simple roadside stalls selling the freshest seasonal fruits. 

On arrival at your lodge, after check-in, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the lodge amenities. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: VAKONA FOREST LODGE

Vakona Forest Lodge is located in the heart of lemur country. Accommodation is in bungalows scattered throughout the hillside gardens. The comfortably decorated ensuite bungalows feature a shower and toilet, safe, mini-refrigerator, mosquito nets, and patios that look out onto the surrounding forest of Andasibe National Park. The main lodge has a central fireplace, bar, and an open plan restaurant that leads to a terrace with breathtaking views of the lake. WiFi connectivity is available. Wander on the paths around the lodge, go for a swim, or perhaps engage in some of the lodge activities such as horse riding and canoeing. 

December 24: Andasibe -  Analamazaotra Reserve (AKA Perinet Reserve)

Begin your search for Madagascar's signature lemurs. Your destination is the Analamazaotra Reserve, maybe better known by its French name, Perinet Reserve. 

Your English speaking local guide will share his expertise on the many unusual inhabitants of the montane rainforest including the largest of all lemurs, the Indri Indri. With a barely visible tail, black-and-white markings and a surprised teddy bear-like face, the Indri is considered one of the most attractive lemurs. Its distinctive call is loud and eerily haunting. There are 11 species of lemurs that live in this area including troops of Grey Bamboo lemurs, Common Brown Lemur, and teh Diademed Sifaka. Birders can hone in on the endemic Velvet Asity, Blue Coua, and Nuthatch, and Nuthatch Vanga. The park is also home to many reptiles, invertebrates, and colorful orchids. 

After lunch at your hotel, you will visit the lodge's private island park, where you will have the opportunity  to see lemurs and crocodiles up close. At night, return to the reserve for a night walk to witness the antics of the nocturnal species in the area. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: VAKONA FOREST LODGE

December 25: Andasibe - Mantadia National Park

Today's excursion will take you to the Mantadia National Park, a 40-minute drive from your base at Andasibe. This national park varies more in altitude (between 2600 feet and over 4000 feet) than the Analamazaotra Reserve and consequently offers different species.

Don't forget your binoculars and camera as Mantadia is known for its scenic beauty with gorgeous views across the forest, rare orchid and excellent bird watching possibilities, including species such as the Scaly Ground-Roller, Pitta-like Ground Roller, and the Red-Breasted Coua. you will also need to look carefully for the well-camouflaged chameleons walking on a branch.

To do justice to Mantadia, you will spend a whole day in the park. This is a naturalist's gold mine with many seldom seen species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park then move to the waterfall of Rianasoa, before returning to the lodge in the afternoon. Enjoy the evening at leisure. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: VAKONA FOREST LODGE

December 26: Andasibe/Antananarivo/Johannesburg/Depart

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Antananarivo Airport for your international flight to Johannesburg, where your tour ends.