IT01-A-Madagascar Wildlife East & South: Berenty & Andasibe Mantadia National Park (Perinet)

Berenty is one of Madagascar's best-known private reserves, because of its sub-desert Lemurs (Ring-tailed, Verreaux's Sifaka and Brown Lemur). These have been the focus of many internationally televised documentaries and books about it. Berenty is in the peculiar 'spiny desert' of Madagascar's sub-desert South.

Perinet (Andasibe) is Madagascar's most visited reserve, as it is so easy to access. It holds a large variety of rare rainforest animals, notably the baboon-sized Indri, largest of all the Lemurs. Many rainforest-dwelling birds, reptiles and other animal oddities abound there. Set in lush montane rainforest, Perinet is 3½ hours from Antananarivo on a good paved road. Its trails are well mapped. Forest guides will invariably find many animal and plant oddities. The nearby Mantadia National Park holds a select band of rare mammals and birds, which find sanctuary in its spectacular primary rainforest. Keen naturalists can also visit one of the nearby marshes, like Torotorofotsy or Ampasipoatsy, for endemic birds, reptiles and frogs. The trip is possible throughout the year.

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 Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).

Day 2: Transfer to the Ivato airport and fly to Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro), on the far South-east coast. From here you will be taken directly to the Berenty Reserve, a three hour drive inland, from Fort Dauphin. Along the way you will see some Antanosy memorial stones, pass through a transitional zone, part of the Andohahela National Park set aside to conserve the endemic Triangulate Palm, before entering the dry Spiny Forest zone covered in baobab and Octopus trees.Overnight in the bungalows at the Gite de Berenty Lodge (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

DAY 3: Whole day to enjoy the Reserve. Berenty also offers great birding, as well as interesting reptiles and invertebrates. The spiny desert flora is remarkable plus there is also some good dry gallery forest along the Mandrare River. A torch is useful for night walks when looking for nocturnal fauna. Overnight in the bungalows at the Gite de Berenty Lodge (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

DAY 4: Transfer to Fort Dauphin and check in for your flight to Antananarivo. Private transfer to Perinet reserve (3½ hours) by road (paved and twisty). Picturesque scenery en route. Again a torch is useful here for any night walks looking for nocturnal wildlife in the rainforest. Overnight stay at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange)(B&B).

DAY 5:Whole day to explore Perinet's rainforest. 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 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 6: Today you can visit the nearby primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park, where the Perinet guides are used to taking visitors. This is more challenging terrain, less developed with steep paths in places but you can do as much as you feel comfortable with. The primary rainforest here is spectacular and wildlife includes Diadems Sifaka, Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs and birds like Brown Mesite, Pitta-like and Scaly Ground-rollers, Brown Emutail and Madagascar Blue Pigeon. Overnight at Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).

DAY 7: Morning in Perinet before returning to Antananarivo by road in the afternoon.Overnight stay at the Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).

DAY 8: Transfer to the airport and check in for your return flight to Johannesburg.

Pricings includes
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.

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

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2009)