Dates: 06 to 18 September 2008

Visiting Montagne d'Ambre, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Perinet), the limestone rock karsts at Ankarana, and Ankarafantsika (Ampijoroa).

Briefly - 13 days - the north

Day 1 Arrive Tana and overnight.
Day 2 Fly to Diego and drive to Ankarana for overnight camp.
Day 3 AM Ankarana; PM drive to Fontenay, Montagne d'Ambre.
Day 4 Day Montagne d'Ambre. Overnight Fontenay.
Day 5 AM Montagne d'Ambre; PM transfer Diego. Flight Diego to Mahajanga. Overnight Sunny Hotel.
Day 6 Drive to Ankarafantsika National Park. Overnight Gite d'Ampijoroa.
Day 7 Day at Ankarafantsika National Park.Overnight Gite d'Ampijoroa.
Day 8 Drive Majunga.Fly Tana and overnight.
Day 9 Drive Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet). Overnight Feon'ny Ala(or equivalent).
Day 10 Day Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet. Overnight Feon'ny Ala (or equivalent).
Day 11 Day Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet. Overnight Feon'ny Ala (or equivalent).
Day 12 Morning at Perinet. Return to Tana and overnight.
Day 13 Flight outbound.


2008
Dates: 06 to 18 September 2008
Minimum 6, Maximum 10 passengers

Per person double room sharing: EUR 4053 ex Johannesburg
Per person double room sharing: EUR 3905 ex Antananarivo
Single room supplement: EUR 391

PRICES INCLUDE
International flights Johannesburg to Antananarivo return (economy class)(ex Jo'burg costing).
All domestic Malagasy flights as per itinerary; all airport assistance and transfers between airports and hotels; all excursions to reserves and other places of interest, with vehicles, fuel, drivers, entry fees and local reserve guide fees; all hotel nights with all meals throughout the tour. Services of English speaking Malagasy guide throughout the tour.

NOT INCLUDED
Personal expenses, drinks in hotels/restaurants including bottled water, coffee and tea with meals, tips, and travel insurance, visas, excursions not mentioned.

PLEASE NOTE:

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FULL ITINERARY

Birds and Wildlife of Northern Madagascar

Dates:06 to 18 September 2008

Madagascar evolved in isolation from other landmasses, giving rise to a large number of birds and mammals not found in any other parts of the world. Ninety per cent of Madagascar's forest birds are endemic, as are about half of the island's 260 recorded birds. In addition, most of the land mammals are unique to the island and include 30 species of lemur. Lemurs, being primates, might be described as distant relatives of Man, and we shall see several species, from the tiny nocturnal Mouse Lemurs to the impressive black and white Indri. Five families of bird are only found here; the rail-like Mesite that superficially resemble some Asiatic babblers; Madagascar Cuckoo-Roller that sweeps over the forests in elegant display-flight; the widely differing but beautiful Ground-Rollers that nest in burrows; the Asities or 'false sunbirds' and the Vangas, which are allied to the shrikes. Other wildlife is equally impressive with inordinate numbers of chameleon, geckos, lizard, over 3000 species of butterfly (97% of which are endemic), and many weird and fascinating insects and plants.

Man arrived in Madagascar between 500 and 900 AD, and since then 14 species of lemur and four species of ostrich have been extirpated. Forests are continually under pressure from slash-and-burn peasant farmers and the rapidly growing human population. Fortunately there are now many excellent, albeit small, reserves that look-after Madagascar's unique treasures. This tour visits the rich northern and eastern rainforest reserves of Montagne d'Ambre and Perinet/Andasibe, the recently proclaimed Mantadia National Park and the exciting dry deciduous forests of Ampijoroa on the west and the tsingy of Ankarana.

Day 1 (Sat): Arrive and overnight hotel in Antananarivo (Tana) (flight from Johannesburg).

Day 2 : Today we transfer to Tana airport for our local flight to the northern town of Diego Suarez (Antsiranana). On arrival we will transfer byroad to Domaine d'Fontenay Lodge near Montagne d'Ambre National Park.

Day 3 & 4:We have two nights at Montagne d'Ambre and on one day we will travel to Ankarana-est to experience the dry deciduous forest biome and to see the limestone karst (locally known as Tsingy) rock formations. Montagne d'Ambre National Park is a well preserved example of upland rain forest. The park is home to Amber Mountain Fork-marked Sportive Lemur, the diminutive nocturnal Brown Mouse Lemur and to the Northern Ring-tailed Mongoose.On the bird side the endemic Amber Mountain Rock-thrush, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Mad Magpie Robin, White-throated Rail, White-throated Oxylabes and Madagascar Crested Ibis are regularly recorded. Tiny stump-tailed Chameleons may be found underfoot and if your eyes are sharp the remarkable master of camouflage, the Leaf-tailed Gecko may spring into view. We have two nights in the Domaine d'Fontenay Lodge near to the reserve.

Day 5: Later today we leave Diego and fly to the dry west coast town of Mahajanga. We overnight at the Sunny Hotel near the airport.

Day 6, 7, 8: Today we head inland - it is about a two hour drive toward the hot western lowlands. Our target destination is Ankarafantsika National Park, one of the two best remaining examples of western Malagasy tropical dry deciduous forests. We have two nights here in the basic forestry bungalows (shared ablution facilities) at Ampijoroa. this will enable us to get the best out of this area. A night walk is usually exciting and rewarding and one could see Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur, Western Avahi, Mongoose Lemur, Golden-brown Mouse Lemur and a selection of chameleons. During the day Coquerel's Sifaka and Brown Lemurs are commonly encountered. Oustalet'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. Later we return to the town of Mahajanga for our afternoon flight toTana where we overnight.

Day 9,10,11: This morning we drive eastwards to the world-renowned upland rain-forest reserve of Perinet (Analamazaotra) - three hours east on a good road. Our time here will be spent in the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (Perinet)and our overnights at the hotel Feony'ala (or equivalent). The protected rain forest here exceeds10,000 hectares and is vital for the survival of many of the island's unique species. The forest is characterised by humid climate, huge trees, and a lush, dense under storey, but there is good access along a number of footpaths. At Perinet the main attraction is the Indri, the world's largest (and noisiest) lemur, a tailless lemur found in family groups and often heard moaning and wailing. Among others, we may also see Grey Bamboo Lemur and Brown Lemur, as well as many birds - specials here include Madagascar Woodrail and Coral-billed Nuthatch Vanga. The bird-life includes six species of Vangas : Red-tailed, Hook-billed, White-headed, Chabert's, Blue and Nuthatch. Also likely to be encountered species include Madagascar Little Grebe, Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Blue Coua, Madagascar Spine-tailed Swift, Broad-billed Roller, Madagascar Bulbul, Ward's and Madagascar Paradise Flycatchers, Souimanga and Madagascar Green Sunbirds, Madagascar White-eye, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Starling and Nelicourvi Weaver. Reptiles abound, including Parson's chameleon and Madagascar Tree Boa.A night walk [a flash light is essential] usually reveals four species of nocturnal lemur, as well as a plethora of reptiles and frogs - including chameleons galore. Trails into the forest are easy to negotiate and because the wildlife in Perinet is highly habituated, animals tend to allow close approach. In Mantadia, which is primary rain forest and home to many species not found at Perinet, the wildlife is more reclusive and the trails are more difficult. Star mammal attractions in Mantadia include the Diadem Sifaka and Ruffed Lemur, while sought-after birds include Pitta-like Ground-roller, Short-legged Ground-roller, Forest Rock-thrush, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-asity and Pollen's Vanga - among others.

Day 12 : Today we have some final time in the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park before returning toward Tana. We may spend some time visiting marshes on the way back to Tana or alternatively we may have time in Tana to visit Lake Alarobia. This lake,on private land offers sanctuary to myriads of waterfowl, egrets, and some passerines. It is an ideal place to get to grips with Mad Pond Heron, Common Squacco Heron, Black-crowned Night-herons, and with luck the now very elusive Meller's Duck. Here we should also find Madagascar Kestrel, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Kingfisher, Madagascar Green Sunbird and Madagascar Red Fody. We overnight in a hotel in Tana.

Day 13 (Thursday): Transfer to the airport for your onward travel arrangements (or flight to Johannesburg).

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