MADAGASCAR WILDLIFE TOUR   

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"A very big THANK YOU for an amazing trip.

We saw an incredible amount and variety of species..... The organisation was perfect and the ground agent did a superb job too.

A word about Adam: he was an absolute delight to travel with and his encyclopaedic knowledge was such an asset to the trip. I have learned so much from him. A top guy, and now friend! We were also extremely lucky with our co-travellers. Such a nice company of people to travel with. My daughter and I had a fantastic time.

 

I am looking forward to receiving news about your upcoming trips!

 

Best wishes"

 

George Kass (from 2017 trip)

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Incredibly  biodiverse with an exceptionally high number of endemic species, few places on Earth can offer such a diverse range of wildlife viewing and experiences as Madagascar. Long known as a veritable paradise for nature lovers and high on many wildlife enthusiasts bucket list, a trip to this magical island is like no other you will ever experience. We are therefore extremely excited to announce the dates for our incredible herp tour to Madagascar this October. 

With over 266 species of amphibians, and over 300 species of reptiles (90% of those being endemics). From the beautiful Madagascan tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) to the simply stunning Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) - the island is a herpetophile’s paradise. Join us as we explore the island and its national parks in search of its awesome herpetofauna. The tour will be led by a curator of herpetology from a Zoological facility in Birmingham in the UK - Adam Radovanovic.

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ITINERARY

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October 02: 2018: ARRIVAL IN ANTANANARIVO

Meeting at Ivato international airport and transfer to the city hotel.

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Overnight at AU BOIS VERT LODGE or similar

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October 03: 2018: ANTANANARIVO– MORAMANGA- ANDASIBE

Breakfast, transfer to Andasibe, through a landscape composed of rice fields, waterfalls, and scarce forest stations.

Overnight at VAKONA FOREST LODGE or similar

 

October 04: 2018: ANDASIBE

After breakfast, visit of the reserve and discover the species dwelling inside this forest like Indri Indri, the largest species of lemurs. In the afternoon, visit of the Vakôna Reserve; a private reserve, where you will see varieties of birds, reptiles (crocodiles, snakes, etc.), other lemurs’ species on a tiny island but also the famous “Fosa”, the largest endemic mammals in Madagascar.

Before dinner (own account), off for a night walk along the road to see some nocturnal species of animals.

Overnight at the same hotel (B)

Overnight at VAKONA FOREST LODGE or similar

 

October 05: 2018: ANDASIBE – ANTANANARIVO

In the morning, drive back to Antananarivo. Stop for visiting an exotic park, where you can admire varieties of reptiles such as chameleons, tortoises, etc. Upon arrival, it is possible to visit of the upper town of the capital (old town part) as well as the “Independence Avenue”, symbol of this town with 3 million inhabitants. Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight at RESIDENCE LAPASOA or similar

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October 06: 2018: ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE – AMBOSITRA

After breakfast, drive to Ambatolampy, where you can see how they use recycled aluminum to manufacture pots etc. They also produce tabletop soccer games etc nearby. In Antsirabe, short visit of the "Town of Water": so called because of its numerous thermal springs and the existence of two crater lakes. Visit of a gemstone factory and a workshop where they make miniatures from recycled materials. Continuation till Ambositra. Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight at HOTEL L’ARTISAN or similar

 

October 07: 2018: AMBOSITRA - RANOMAFANA

After breakfast, visit of some Zafimaniry handicrafts workshops: woodcarving, which makes this small town the center of handicrafts in Madagascar .Continuation till Ranomafana- a national park of rainforest which is home to various species of lemurs such as the golden bamboo lemurs, brown lemurs, birds, chameleons, frogs. Check-in at the hotel. Before dinner (own account), possibility of doing a night walk to see nocturnal species of animals. Back to the hotel.

Overnight at CENTREST SEJOUR or similar

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October 08: 2018: RANOMAFANA

Morning visit of the rain forest national park of some 40000 hectares rain forest which is home to various species of lemurs such as the golden bamboo lemurs (which has been discovered only in 1986), brown lemurs, more than 100 bird species, chameleons, frogs, varieties of orchids and medicinal plants.

Overnight at the same hotel (B).

Overnight at CENTREST SEJOUR or similar

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October 09: 2018: RANOMAFANA – RANOHIRA

Early departure to Ranohira. Stop in Ambalavao – the commercial centre of the southern Betsileo region, renowned for its folks, arts and crafts – to visit a wine producer for wine tasting and the “Antemoro Paper” factory (not possible on Sundays). This paper is a delicate, handmade, flower-decorated paper made of the fibres of a tree called “Avoha”. Another stop 12km south of Ambalavao to visit the Anja Park, where you can see some families of ring-tailed  lemurs in their natural surroundings. Arrival in Ranohira around sunset.

Overnight at RELAIS DE LA REINE or similar

 

October 10:  2018: RANOHIRA

A whole day trekking inside the Isalo National Park to discover the massif of Isalo, its ruin like sandstones, canyons, natural swimming pools and its endemic fauna and flora (Lemurs and endemic plants such as Pachypodium, aloes,..). Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight at the same hotel (B)

Overnight at RELAIS DE LA REINE or similar

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October 11: 2018: RANOHIRA- TULEAR-IFATY

After breakfast, off to Tuléar along a straight road. The landscape is composed of high bushes, thick gallery forests and some proudly decorated Mahafaly tombs. Visit of the Arboretum with many species of endemic plants, then continuation to a beautiful beach, 32kms from the town, for beach life and sea activities.

Overnight at HOTEL DE LA PLAGE or similar (B)

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October 12: 2018: IFATY

Free day on the beach or for water sports such as diving, surfing etc. . Or optional visit of the Reniala reserve with some baobabs and other endemic plants, birds etc.

Overnight at HOTEL DE LA PLAGE or similar (B)

 

 

October 13:  2018: IFATY-TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO 

After breakfast, Transfer to the airport and flight to the capital city.  Meet at the airport and transfer to the city.

Overnight at AU BOIS VERT LODGE or similar

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October 14: 2017: ANTANANARIVO – EUROPE

After breakfast, excursion to the Lemurs ‘Park (21 km) where you can see various species of lemurs living freely in a forested area. Then, visit of a handicraft market. At the end of the afternoon, day use at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for the flight back to Europe.

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Trip extensions on request and at a supplement

 

Including:

-Airport transfers

-accommodation, on bed and breakfast basis as listed or similar category 

-Park fees

-Service of local guides in parks and reserves

- A/C 4WD car, a  minibus or midibus rental with a french or english speaking driver

-Driver's indemnities and Fuel

-Excursion to Lemurs’ Park and visit of handcrafts market during the last day in Antananarivo

-tourist levy and VAT

-Domestic flight with airport taxes (Tuléar-Antananarivo)

- UK Expert Herpetologist Tour escort

 

Excluding:

- International flights with their airport taxes

-Visa fee

-All meals and drinks

-All other non- mentioned excursions

-Personal expenditures

-Personal insurance for eventualities like accidents, theft or damage to luggage, cancellation etc

- Single supplement of £465 for single travelers who dont wish to share a room.

 

Greig Smith Travels reserves the right to amend the tour due to (but not limited to) environmental conditions.

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GBP £1995 per person sharing  (subject to change and availability)

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