The forests of the Ankarafantsika National Park (Ampijoroa) is one of two last remaining examples of western Malagasy tropical dry deciduous forests. A night walk is usually exciting and rewarding and one may find Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur, Grey Mouse Lemur and Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur. During the day Coquerel's Sifaka are commonly seen. Oustalett's and Rhinoceros chameleon are likely as are the iridescent green day geckos. Birds here include a host of vangas including Van Dam's, Sickle-billed, White-headed and Hook-billed, Torotoroka Scops Owl, Grey-headed Love-bird and Coquerel's and Red-capped couas.

Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet) is Madagascar's most visited reserve due to its ease of access from Antananarivo. Offering a wide variety of rare rainforest animals, including the baboon-sized Indri, largest of the Lemurs, rainforest-dwelling birds and reptiles. Perinet is a 3 1/2 hours from Antananarivo on a tarred road. The habitat here is secondary tropical rain forest. Its trails are well mapped and the local forest guides will find many animal and plant oddities for you. The nearby Mantadia National Park, the most accessible example of primary rain forest forest in the country is also close by. It is less developed with steeper trails but it harbours different lemurs and birds to those found at Perinet.

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Itinerary: 7 nights

• DAY 1: Fly to Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the Central Highlands. At the airport our English-speaking Malagasy agents will meet and assist you with formalities. Transfer to the Relais des Plateaux (B&B).
• DAY 2: Transfer to the airport and fly to Mahajanga. After arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred by road to the Ankarafantsika National Park (Ampijoroa), a 2-hour drive inland from the north-west coast. Overnight at the Gite d'Ampijoroa (Full board).
• Day 3: Broad paths lead into gentle terrain, and you may look for all the local endemics; White-breasted Mesite, Coquerel's, Crested and Red-capped coua's, Schlegels' Asity and Van Dam's Vanga. It is also the best place in which to see the spectacular Madagascar Crested Ibis, White-throated Rail and a host of raptors, in particular Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Harrier Hawk, Madagascar and Frances's sparrow hawks and Banded Kestrel. But the star attraction on the raptor front is the endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle, now down to about 100 pairs. In the woods, you'll also seek Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher and various vangas, Madagascar Magpie Robin, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher and Sakalava Weaver. Overnight at the Gite d'Ampijoroa (Full board).
• Day 4: Morning in Ampijoroa before your afternoon return transfer to Mahajanga (Majunga) and visit the market. Overnight at the Sunny Hotel (Full board).
• DAY 5: Today you will transfer to Majunga airport for your flight to Antananarivo. From here you will be transferred by tarred road to the Andasibe-Mantadia NP. Here you will explore the rainforests along with a local forest guide.Overnight at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
• DAY 6: Whole day to explore Perinet's rainforests. To get the most out of your visit here it is best to start early as this is when the birds and wildlife are most active.The trails are not difficult to manage and forest guides speak good English. If lucky you will see Grey Bamboo Lemur, Red-fronted Brown Lemur, Blue Coua, Velvet Asity and perhaps Nuthatch Vanga. You will also discover reptiles like the Malagasy Tree Boa and large Parson's Chameleon. Orchids and other epiphytes festoon the trees. Overnight at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
• DAY 7: Return transfer to Antananarivo and overnight at the Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).
• DAY 8: Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Johannesburg.

Prices include
International (departure from Johannesburg with Air Madagascar) and internal Malagasy flights, all accommodation and meals as indicated, all excursions with car and driver, guides in the reserves, entry permits and all airport-hotel transfers.

Prices Do Not include
Meals not indicated, drinks, tips to guides, porters etc., any personal expenses, travel insurance, airport taxes and visa fees.

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Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2008):

• upmarket option: about USD2850;  EUR1850; ZAR23200
  
• middle market option: about USD2700; EUR1700: ZAR21500

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