Madagascar

1000 Views of Madagascar / Dhow Camping Trip / Madagascar North
Madagascar South / Madagascar East / Island Hopping

Madagascar East Package (8 days / 7 nights)

Small group-accommodated tour through Madagascar

Highlights
Andasibe National Park, night walk, reptile farm in Marozevo, Palmarium Park, Sainte Marie island, Antananarivo

DAY 1: Johannesburg - Antananarivo - Andasibe
You will be met at the airport and transferred directly to Andasibe through a landscape composed of rice paddies, waterfalls and scarce forest stations. Along our way we will stop at Marozevo to visit a reptile farm. Then we head to Andasibe, a small and pleasant village, former logging centre and home to one of the most visited National Parks of the island. Before dinner, we will go on a night walk in the area of Andasibe where we will have the chance to see some nocturnal species of lemurs.
Accommodation: Hotel Feon'ny Ala or similar.

DAY 2: Andasibe - Akan in' Ny Nofy B
After breakfast, we will go on a morning visit of the reserve to see the Indri lemurs, the largest of the lemur species, as well as brown lemurs, bamboo lemurs, various birds, colourful chameleons and other fauna and flora Andasibe National Park is renowned for. Later we drive to Manambato, where you will go on a boat transfer to Akanin' ny Nofy, which means "Nest of Dreams".
Accommodation: Hotel Palmarium or similar.

DAY 3: Akan in' Ny Nofy - Tamatave B
In the morning we will visit the private Palmarium Park, also known as Akanin' ny Nofy, which is situated on 50 ha on the east coast of Madagascar, along the Ampitabe lake and the Indian Ocean, in the Pangalanes Channel. You will be able to discover the endemic flora and fauna of Madagascar, such as rare palm trees and plants like orchids and mahoganies, as well as reptiles and 10 different species of lemurs living in its trees. In the afternoon you will go on a boat transfer to Tamatave in the Pangalanes Channel. You will be collected at the port and transferred to your hotel in Tamatave, the major city on the east coast and the country's largest port. It is a pleasant place with long, wide avenues lined with flamboyants and palm trees, a seaside promenade and a good selection of restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel Joffre or similar.

DAY 4: Tamatave - Sainte Marie B
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sainte Marie, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore this wonderful island paradise, Sainte Marie - the charming 57 km-long island that lies 8 km off the coast of eastern Madagascar. The island offers long beaches, shallow seas, cascades, tropical flowers and almost Caribbean atmosphere and is also of interest for its several old buildings and its long history as a pirate haunt.
Accommodation: Vanivola or similar.

DAY 5 - 6: Sainte Marie B
This day is free at leisure and you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the numerous optional excursions available at your own expense. Go on a boat excursion to the small island "Ile aux Nattes", Sainte Marie's jewel with its beautiful beaches, bays and emerald lagoon; or visit the pirates' cemetery. For outdoor-lovers, the island is crossed with tracks and offers many opportunities to explore on foot. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean while snorkeling or scuba diving with one of the many operators on the island. From July to October, you will have the chance to see the majestic humpback whales near the island.
Accommodation: Vanivola or similar.

DAY 7: Sainte Marie - Antananarivo B
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo, where you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. Antananarivo is the picturesque capital of Madagascar. With its bustling markets, friendly people and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world's other capitals. You can wander through the capital's steep and narrow streets, taking in its architecture, atmosphere and pace. Or you can climb up to the old rova (palace) and enjoy the views over Antananarivo and the surrounding countryside. The town is at its best in the evening when the setting sun spectacularly illuminates its hillsides.
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.

DAY 8: Antananarivo - Johannesburg B
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, where your unforgettable tour ends. We hope to welcome you to Madagascar again very soon!

Meal Key B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Group Size Minimum 1 people, Maximum 10 people

2009 Per Person Rate: with 1 person = US$3070, with 2 people = US$1805 each, with 4 people = US$1415 each, with 6 people = US$1250 each, with 8 people = US$1180 each. Single supplement = US$250
Prices valid till 31 October 2009

**Please note that internal flights should be booked in conjunction with international flights and the rates are subject to class, availability and change

Departure Dates 2009 Every day of the week - subject to availability.

Included in the price
Accommodation based on BED & BREAKFAST basis at mid range hotels, all transfers and transport mentioned in the program - including car transfer with an English-speaking driver from Antananarivo to Manambato, all park and reserve entrance fees, service of local guide in Andasibe, all excursions mentioned in the program.

Not included in the price
International and domestic flights (Tamatave to Sainte Marie, and Sainte Marie to Antananarivo), airport taxes, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, laundry, visas and travel insurance, all lunches, all dinners, personal items and shopping, all excursions not mentioned in the programme. (Flights from/to Johannesburg and domestic flights can be arranged by operator)

Pre and post tour accommodation and transfers can be arranged on request.
Standard Room, IC Hotel (Antananarivo) = From EUR28 pp Sharing (BB) , From EUR51 pp Single (BB)
Airport Transfers on request at additional cost

Transport:
Transport will depend on the size of the group; A small car for 2 - 3 pax, A minivan for 4 - 6 - 8 pax, A bus for 10 pax or more
Accommodation:
Accommodation will be in basic hotels. Please note that Madagascar is a country which is in its infancy when it comes to tourism. Accommodation is limited, so all the above mentioned accommodations are subject to availability and we reserve the right to change these using similar accommodation of the same standards. The hotels used are simple & clean and of basic standard.
Spending money:
Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover their lunches and dinners, the purchase of curios and additional entertainment. Madagascar's currency is Ariary. Euros are the most practical and convenient currency to exchange into the local currency, Ariary at the Airport. There are automatic teller machines (ATM's) available in the bigger towns like Tana, Fianarantsoa and Tulear. International credit cards and travellers cheques are very seldom accepted, however Visa is the better option to have at places that do.
First Aid:
Our guides are trained in basic first aid and the vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive medical aid kit. Preventative Malaria medication should be taken before the trip and throughout its duration, although it is advisable to consult a doctor prior to departure.
Luggage:
Maximum baggage allowance on the plane will be 20 kg. Please bring a backpack or soft barrel bag, not a suitcase. Don't bring too much clothing, as there are washing opportunities along the way. Please adhere to the allowance specified as space for luggage is limited.
Insurance:
It is compulsory for all travellers to have insurance covering their personal requirements, medical expenses and personal possessions. This is to be arranged before leaving your home country.
Visas:
NO ENTRY VISA IS REQUIRED for a stay of maximum 30 days, until 31st December 2009.

Information on areas visited

Madagascar
Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world. It is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species, 80 per cent of them unique to Madagascar. Most famous among those are the lemurs. Madagascar and Mauritania are the only countries not to use a decimal currency. Its teeming fertile forests and geographical isolation have served to preserve and propagate 'nature's design laboratory' in a mix found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar's forests are a shimmering, seething mass of a trillion stems and dripping leaves.

Andasibe National Park
Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia with its 12,810ha encompasses two distinct areas: the small Réserve Spéciale d'Analamazaotra (often referred to as Périnet, its colonial-era name, or simply as the Indri Reserve) in the south by Andasibe; and the much larger Parc National de Mantadia to the north. The park is easily accessed from Antananarivo and is a popular stop on tourist itineraries. The Réserve d'Analamazaotra - which is where most visitors come - gets crowded on weekends, but is usually much calmer during the week. It also tends to fill up during late July and August, Madagascar's tourist high season.
Topographically, the area is characterised by low hills covered by degraded forest and dotted with a few small, attractive lakes.
The best times to visit are from September to January, and in May.

Pangalanes Channel
The Canal des Pangalanes was created in colonial times to provide a safe means of transport along the east coast. Today, it is used by local people in pirogues (dugout canoes), where for most of the community it is the only means of transport, especially in the wet season. The canal is a vital source of livelihood for fishing, & the water feeds the fields of cassava lining the banks of the canal. Along your journey, you will see many local fishermen checking their fish traps, as well as children playing in the water & women doing their washing.

Ile St Marie
Ile St. Marie is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and coral reefs. Its dense vegetation and the difficulty of navigating the lagoons which surround it, made it an ideal base for pirates and, later a colony for convicts. Today the island is a vacation paradise. It has the world's only pirates' cemetery and visitors can walk among cashew and cinnamon trees, snorkel from the offshore islet or dive from one of the beautiful sandbanks. The island is less touristy than other resort islands off Madagascar, making it an ideal location to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
From July to September, humpback whales can be seen playing in the ocean and breeching out of the sea in the narrow canal that separates the island from the mainland. They can be seen everywhere from the island but it is best to take a whale watching cruise and get an up-close look at these magnificent grey giants.

Tana
Antananarivo, better known as Tana, is the bustling capital of Madagascar with about 2,000,000 inhabitants. Situated on the high plateau, the city was founded in 1610 by a Malagasy King. To protect the newly gained territory he left 1000 men behind and that's how Antananarivo got its name (town of 1000). It has developed to a quite interesting city with a lot of contrasts. Because Tana contains the country's major international airport, most visitors will find themselves at least passing through the city. But you should spend some days here and explore the city, visit the market places and Roya. Roya is a palace and one of the main features of Tana. It is built on the highest hill and can be seen from for tens of kilometers in any direction.