IT12-B-Madagascar Natural History Tour including Anakao

Map

Weather

partly cloudy
27°C
Sunrise 05:14:00
Sunset 17:42:00

Typo3 by Cytracon

Itinerary > Madagascar > Madagascar Wildlife Holidays

<- Back to: Beach and Wildlife combos

IT12-B-Madagascar Natural History Tour including Anakao

For those of you travelling to Madagascar with an interest in Madagascar's natural history, this itinerary takes one to three different ecological areas: the eastern tropical rainforests, the southern spiny forests and the western dry deciduous woodlands as well as a few days at the beach at Anakao. Access to these sites is via Antananarivo using internal scheduled flights and transfers by road.

Itinerary: 14 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. You transfer to the Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).
Day 2: You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Tulear on the south-west coast. This area is the island's most arid region and for nature enthusiasts, it is endlessly fascinating. From the airport you will be transferred through Tulear town and on toward the village of Ifaty, about 29km north on a rough sandy track. The balance of your day can be spent in the hotel grounds where the hotel has its own coastal woodland/scrub vegetation with a circular walking trail, or by the swimming pool. Overnight at the Hotel Paradisier (Dinner, bed and breakfast).
Day 3: This area very hot so early morning excursions are best so as to get the most out of this area. An excursion to the nearby botanical garden, Reniala, a protected piece of Spiny Forest with trails and labelled plants (guides are mandatory), is arranged. The gardens are about 20 minutes north on the outskirts of Mangily village. It is also good for the special birds of the area - Long-tailed Ground-roller, Lafresnaye's Vanga, Sub-desert Mesite, Running Coua and Archbold's Newtonia. The flora here is very different, although those familiar with African vegetation may recognise some of the genera. A chaotic ensemble of drought resistant plants, many of which are bloated, include diminutive Baobabs, Pachypodiums, Moringas, Hildergardia and Delonix spp. There are many orchids as well as species of Aloe, Commiphora, intermixed with the spiny octopus trees (Didieracea). The Paradisier hotel has a pool with deck chairs and umbrellas for those needing some relaxation and snorkelling can also be arranged. Locals with pirogues will try to encourage you to take an excursion to the nearby reefs but please be aware that this is at your own risk. Overnight stay at the Hotel Paradisier (Dinner, bed and breakfast).
Day 4: Transfer to Tulear with your driver/guide. Excursion to the Antsoakay Arboretum. The Arboretum began in about 1980, on the initiative of a Swiss amateur botanist, Hermann Petignat. The arboretum is situated 12 km south-east from the town of Tulear. The initial area acquired was a few plots of land composed of degraded limestone and red calcium sand. Also at Antsoakay there is a small hamlet where limestone is extracted to make quick lime. The area of 40ha is surrounded by hedges. Here, Petignat, busied himself, initially, with the most threatened species, by taking cuttings and seeds and trying his hand at propagation. The Antsokay Arboretum is entirely devoted to the conservation of plants from the arid south-western part of Madagascar. There is close collaboration with many institutions devoted to environmental conservation, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, WWF, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, etc. Currently, after more than 25 years of dedication, protection and care, the Arboretum offers visitors a condensed vegetation experience, presenting a typical spiny thicket biome. Part of the area (4ha) is open to the public and is arranged as a botanical garden with name plates identifying species. More than 900 species are represented here, of which 90% are endemic to the region and 80% are of medicinal value. Among them, many succulent species are also recognized as being highly threatened from constant deforestation and bush fires. A small restaurant serves meals and refreshments. Transfer to the Hotel Paille en Queue (Dinner, bed and breakfast).
Day 5: An early transfer to Tulear port where you will betransferred by boatto your Anakao Hotel. The boat trip takes about two hours (preferably your transfer will be before 8am while the sea is still calm. Overnight at the Anakao Club (upmarket) or Safari Vezo (basic) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 6: Day at leisure. An optional excursion would be a visit to Nosy Ve Island, a small islet well-known for its breeding colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds. Overnightat the hotel Anakao Club (upmarket) or Safari Vezo (basic) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 7: Day atleisure. Overnight stay at the hotel Anakao Club (upmarket) or Safari Vezo (basic) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 8: From Anakao you return to Tulear port by boat, then by road to Tulear airport for your flight to Antananarivo. Transfer to the Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).
Day 9: Transfer to the airport and fly to Mahajanga on the north-west coast. Here you are met and transferred for overnight at the nearby Sunny Hotel (Dinner, bed and breakfast).
Day 10: This morning you will be transferred by road to the Ankarafantsika National Park (Ampijoroa), a 2-3 hour drive inland from the north-west coast. Excursions in the forest. Overnight at the Gite d'Ampijoroa (Full board).
Day 11: 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 sparrowhawks 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 12: Later today you will return to Mahajanga by road for your flight to Antananarivo. Overnight Palissandre Hotel & Spa (Bed & breakfast).
Day 13: Today you transfer by road to Perinet Reserve (3 - 3½ hours on a good, paved contour road i.e. many curves). The scenery en route is picturesque. Remainder of day to explore the rainforest of Perinet with a local guide. Although spring or summer (late August - March) is best, pack a torch as you might get the opportunity to experience a short night stroll in search of any nocturnal animal life. Overnight stay at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
DAY 14: Today you visit the nearby primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park, where the Perinet guides are used to taking visitors. The terrain is more challenging than that at Perinet but the forest is spectacular. It is good for ground-rollers, Collared Nightjar and lemurs here include Diadems Sifaka, Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur as well as Lesser Bamboo Lemur. Overnight at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
DAY 15: Transfer to Antananarivo airport for return flight to Johannesburg.

Prices include
International (ex Johannesburg) 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, internet access, travel insurance, airport taxes and visa fees.

Approximate price per person sharing (October 2008):

upmarket option: USD4900; EUR3200; ZAR38 000
mid range option: USD4500; EUR2900; ZAR34 000

<- Back to: Beach and Wildlife combos

top

Globalnavigation

Hauptnavigation:

Map

Weather

Itinerary > Madagascar > Madagascar Wildlife Holidays

IT12-B-Madagascar Natural History Tour including Anakao

Kontext-Informationen