Madagascar

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

Madagascar North Adventure

Small group accommodated tour through Madagascar

Highlights
Antananarivo, Montagne d'Ambre National Park, Ankarana nature reserve with its tsingy and caves, Nosy Be
(Extension in Nosy Be possible)

DAY 1: Johannesburg - Antananarivo B
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo, 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.
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.

DAY 2: Antananarivo - Diego Suarez - Montagne d'Ambre B
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Diego Suarez, where you will be collected at the airport. We then drive directly to Montagne d'Ambre National Park, which covers 18,200 ha of a prominent volcanic massif and with its striking scenery, rainforest and waterfalls, it is one of Madagascar's most visited natural attractions. It was created in 1958 to protect the massif and its ecosystems, including the region's unique flora and fauna. In the Park you will have the chance to see seven species of lemurs, the aye-aye, the ring-tailed mongoose and a variety of reptiles including frogs, geckos and chameleons, as well as more than 70 species of birds.
Accommodation: Nature Lodge.

DAY 3: Montagne d'Ambre - Ankarana BD
Today we head to Ankarana - a nature reserve with karst pinnacles, sacred caves, underground rivers and beautiful scenery. The rich and diverse flora and fauna includes many lemurs and interesting bird species. Its limestone pinnacles are called tsingy formations, running through and under the tsingy are hidden forest-filled canyons and numerous subteranean rivers. We will explore the extensive cave system, which includes several fascinating bat-filled grottoes.
Accommodation: At a basic lodge in the reserve, on full board basis.

DAY 4: Ankarana - Ankify B
In the morning we will go for a visit of the Ankarana nature reserve, where once again you will have the chance to admire the remarkably rich and varied vegetation and the abundant wildlife of the reserve. Later we drive to Ankify - a small village situated along the white sand beach.
Accommodation: Hotel le Baobab or similar.

DAY 5: Ankify - Nosy Be BD
Today you will go on a boat transfer to Nosy Be where you will be transferred by car and boat to your hotel. Nosy Be, commonly known as "the island of perfumes" and the largest of Madagascar's offshore islands, is a beautiful tropical island covered with palm trees and bougainvillea. Nosy Be is a beautiful place where you could easily spend the entire day simply watching the changing hues of blue in the sea and the sky. In addition to its attractive beaches, the island's assets include luxuriant foliage, friendly people and a relaxed Indian Ocean ambience.
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.

DAY 6: Nosy Be BD
This day in Nosy Be is at leisure. Visit the Lokobe Reserve, a rainforest reserve that protects most of Nosy Be's endemic vegetation. You might see lemurs, birds and chameleons. Or go on a day-cruise to the islands "Nosy Komba"- the island of lemurs or "Nosy Tanikely"- an underwater reserve offering a rich diversity of marine life, such as beautiful corals and a big variety of fish, with excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Fish you might see include surgeonfish, clown fish, barracuda, manta rays, sea urchins, starfish, eels, anemones and many more. At the end of the afternoon we will go back to the hotel where you will have the chance to enjoy the amenities on offer.
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.

DAY 7: Nosy Be - Antananarivo B
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo, where a transfer will take you to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. 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 welcoming you in Madagascar again very soon!

Meal Key B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Group Size Minimum 1 person, Maximum 10 people

2009 Per Person Rate: with 1 person = US$3180, with 2 people = US$1860 each, with 4 people = US$1690 each, with 6 people = US$1560 each, with 8 people = US$1510 each. Single supplement = US$350
Prices valid from 1 January 2009 - 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, (except in Ankarana which is a basic lodge on full board basis, and at Sakatia Towers where you will stay on half board basis), all transfers and transport mentioned in the program, all park and reserve entrance fees, specialist guides in the parks and reserves as per program, all excursions mentioned in the program, an English-speaking guide.

Not included in the price
International and domestic flights, airport taxes, All excursions not mentioned in the program, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, laundry, visas and travel insurance, all lunches (except in Ankarana), all dinners except in Ankarana and at Sakatia Towers), personal items, excursions in Nosy Be. (Flights from/to Johannesburg 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 be in a 4 wheel drive Toyota Condor or appropriate 4WD vehicle.
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 accommodation 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 new 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 travelers cheques are very seldomly 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 travelers to have insurance covering their personal requirements, medical expenses and personal possessions. This is to be arranged before leaving 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.

Montagne d'Ambre National Park
Montagne d'Ambre National Park is a splendid example of montane rainforest. The massif ranges in altitude from 850m to 1,475m and has its own micro-climate with rainfall similar to the eastern region. It is one of the most visitor friendly of Madagscars protected areas, with broad trails, fascinating flora and fauna, a comfortable climate and readily available information. The name comes from the amber coloured resin which oozes from some of its trees and is used medicinally by the local people.

Ankarana Nature Reserve
Ankarana is a small limestone massif which lies about 108 km south of Antsirana. It is an area of tsingy (limestone karst pinnacles) and forest, and the massif is penetrated by numerous caves & canyons. Some of these caves bave collapsed, forming isolated pockets of river-fed forest with their own perfectly protected flora and fauna. The caves and their rivers are also home to crocodiles, some reportedly siz metres long! The reserve is known for its many lemur species, including crowned and Sanford's brown lemurs, and also the inquisitive ring-tailed mongoose.

Nosy Be
15 km away from the northwestern coast of Madagascar lies the 321 km² large island Nosy Be. Here you can still discover a little paradise, which has been spared of mass-tourism. Climb on Mount Lokone (450m) or Mount Passot (350m) and you will be able to see Nosy Be in all its beauty: its jagged coasts, the numerous bays and lovely coves, the deserted beaches and the crystal clear water.
Furthermore you should experience the amazing underwater world of Nosy Be which offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities or do a day trip to the nearby islands, for example Nosy Komba where you can watch the 5,000 black lemurs that roam this island and eat delicious fruits from wild growing lemon, orange, bananas, papayas and mango trees.