Nature and Trekking Tour Madagascar - 16 nights

Antananarivo - The Great South with Isalo Mountains and highlands - the Green East Coast with lemurs, wildlife and boat tour - swimming on Sainte Marie

1st Day: Germany - Milan - Antananarivo (Tana)
Connecting flight from all German Alitalia departure airports (e.g. Munich) to Milan. Around 6:55 pm non-stop to Madagascar with the modern Boeing 767-300 of Air Madagascar.

2nd Day: Arrival in Tana
Around 5:50 am you will arrive in the capital of Madagascar where you will be welcomed by your driver who will take you to the Hotel Royal Palissandre in the city centre.

3rd Day: The Great South
This tour provides an overview of the great south, such as Fort Dauphin, the sparsely populated Antanosy region, the seaport town Tulear and the highlands. The diversity of landscapes, vegetation and customs gives you a lasting impression of this country. The tour starts of with the flight to Fort Dauphin and transfer to the hotel of your choice.

4th Day: Lemurs in the Berenty Park
A car transports you to the famous Berenty Park (80 kilometers) passing through vast Sisal plantations until you reach this nature protection area, which has been in existence since 1936. The park covers an area of 240 hectares and is home to numerous lemur families, birds and reptiles. Various hiking trails in the woods offer undisturbed exploration of the flora and fauna. The unique Antandroy Museum exhibits the culture and traditions of the Antandroy people. Accommodation at the Berenty Lodge including half board is provided.

5th Day: Drive back to Fort Dauphin and flight to Tulear
Transfer to the hotel of your choice.

6th Day: Saint Augustin Bay
Boat trip to an old pirate and slave trading village in a secluded location at the end of a great sand dune, which extends far into the ocean. Here you can visit traditional Vezo fishing villages.

7th Day: Transfer to Tulear
En-route Tulear you can visit Arboretum and its local market before you continue to Ranohira. The village of Ranohira is situated on the edge of the Isalo Mountains. Short drive along the mountain range to the Isalo Camp where accommodation is provided on a full board basis. Alternatively you can stay in a hotel.

8th Day: Isalo Massif
Trekking through wild canyons and small oases with Pandanus Palms and opulent ferns. From the peak you will have nice panoramic views of mountainous landscapes with rare succulents such as Pachypodium or Elephant's Foot and Euphorbia. The tour can be customised to suit your preferred level of physical exercise. Accommodation including full board is provided in the camp.

9th Day: Fianarantsoa - "The city where the good is taught"
Today we head south for Fianarantsoa. 50 kilometres before reaching our destination we stop in Amblavao at the Antaimoro Paper Factory. This paper is traditionally made from the bark of a tree that is pounded and softened in water and flowers are pressed into it before it finally dries. Accommodation in a hotel of your choice.

10th Day: Highlands
On the way to Antsirabe we recommend a visit to the wood-carving workshop in Ambositra. Accommodation is provided in the hotel of your choice.

Highlights of fauna and flora
Lemurs: Ring Tailed Lemur, Verreaux's Sifaka, Milne-Edwards's Sifaka, Brown Lemur, Bamboo Lemur and Red Bellied Lemur.
Birds: Hook-Billed Vanga, Crested Coua, Giant Coua, Gray-Headed Lovebird, Paradise-Flycatcher and Rufous-Headed Ground-Roller.
Reptiles: Chameleons (Oustalet's Chameleon, Carpet or Jewel Chameleon).
Flora: Ravinala Palm (Travellers Tree), Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous Plant), Madagascar Palm and Aloe.

11th Day: Drive via Antananarivo to the National Park Andasibe - The Green East Coast
Covered by evergreen rainforest - home of many orchid species and among them the much demanded vanilla - the east coast is the natural garden of Madagascar with coffee, cloves, cinnamon and various exotic fruits. The Betsimisaraka is a local ethnic group and the second largest tribe of Madagascar. Their culture is characterised by many traditions and taboos.
Only a 3-hour drive east of Antananarivo you will reach the National Park of Andasibe. In its extraordinary lush rainforest you can spot various groups of Indri Indri - the largest living lemur. Day and night walks are possible throughout the national park. Overnight stay is provided in a hotel.

12th Day: Lemurs

Early morning trip in the reserve to listen to the peculiar screams of the Indri Indri. Thereafter a 2-hour drive towards the east coast until you reach Manambato on the Canal des Pangalanes. Continue by boat (30 min) to the Bushhouse Lodge where accommodation is provided on a full board basis.

Bushhouse
This lodge was built in 1987 and accommodates up to 20 persons. Guests can get there only by boat either from Tamatave or Manambato.
Rooms/Accommodation: All 10 rooms and bungalows have shower/toilet and mosquito-net. The small restaurant serves typical Malagasy, Creole and French food. Various homemade drinks, such as the locally produced rum assortment, can be sampled at the bar.

Bushhouse Video
This 4-minute video shows the boat ride through Canal des Pangalanes, a local village, the surrounding nature and some of the lemurs which can be found around Bushhouse.

13th Day: Wildlife
A short 30-minute walk along the shores of Ampitabe Lake to a private nature reserve, which is home to numerous wild ranging lemurs. A unique succulent and palm collection as well as terrariums with endemic reptiles can be observed at the entrance. In the afternoon an excursion to the shore of the Indian Ocean with its secluded and endless beaches and breakwaters awaits you. Full board overnight stay at the Bushhouse.

14th Day: Boat
Short hiking tour along the paths of the locals to a typical Betsimisaraka village at the crocodile lake, surrounded by Ravinala Palms. In the afternoon: enchanting boat trip to Tamatave (60 km - about 2 hours) along the Canal des Pangalanes. Transfer to your hotel.

15th Day: Island Sainte Marie

A short flight takes you to the island of Sainte Marie, where innumerable excursion possibilities are available. Accommodation on half board basis in a hotel of your choice.

16th and 17th Day: Enjoy yourself on Sainte Marie
Opportunity for guided hiking excursions, various boat trips, deep-sea fishing and water skiing or just relaxing at the fantastic beaches. From the end of June to the end of September excellent whale watching conditions!

18th Day: Flight back to Tana
Around 11 pm flight via Milan (arrival at 8 am) back to Germany.

19th Day: Arrival in Germany (e.g. Munich) around noon.

Highlights in fauna and flora
Lemurs: Indri Indri, Ring-Tailed Lemur and Coquerel's Mouse Lemur.
Reptiles: Parsons Chameleon, Bignose Chameleon (the smallest chameleon of the world), snakes, leeches and frogs.
Birds: Velvet Asity, Pitta-Like Ground-Roller, Meller's Duck and White-Winged Ibis.
Humpback Whales: from June to September.
Flora: Ravinala Palm (Travellers Tree), ficus and orchids.