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Madagascan Discoverer

Trip type: 
Wildlife
Adventure level: 
3. Moderate
Max group size: 
16
Avg user rating: 
Awaiting reviews
Africa, Madagascar | 17 days
Trip code: 
XMG
What's included: 

Transport - In country flight, private bus, 4WD, on foot.

Accommodation - Hotels (14nts).

Meals - 14 breakfasts.

Trip Highlights: 
Spot Indri lemurs in Perinet on day and evening wildlife walks
Visit the famous Alley of Baobabs at sunset
Explore the scenic Isalo National Park
Indri lemurs in Perinet
see full itinerary >>
Holidays in Madagascar
You'll follow an itinerary which has been researched and planned by our experts, saving you all the hassle of organising the trip. The itineraries are designed to minimise the time spent travelling and maximise the variety of experiences.
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Itinerary

(Departures in 2013)
  • Day 1/2 - Overnight flight to Antananarivo (Tana)
  • Day 3 - Perinet National Park
  • Day 4 - Antananarivo
  • Day 5 - Antsirabe
  • Day 6 - Ranomafana National Park.
  • Day 7 - Ranohira
  • Day 8 - Isalo National Park
  • Day 9/10 - West coast
  • Day 11 - Kirindy and the Alley of Baobabs
  • Day 12 - 4WD to Bekopaka
  • Day 13 - The Grands Tsingy
  • Day 14 - 4WD to Morondava
  • Day 15 - Antananarivo
  • Day 16/17 - Overnight flight home
Extensions and Extras: Extend your holiday and see more of the world. View additional tours for this trip »
Day
1/2

Overnight flight to Antananarivo (Tana)

You will arrive in Antananarivo and be transfered to Andasibe through the green and luxuriant vegetation of the east. The first step takes you to the humid part of the country with many pristine forests and lakes. Along the way you will see Merina villages in the rocky mountains. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax. Hotel - 1 night

Day
3
Perinet National Park

Perinet National Park

Today you spend a full day in the Perinet NP. The parks are home to the teddy bear-like Indri, the largest of Madagascar’s lemur species, as well as other forms of flora and fauna and a wide array of bird life. Listening to the piercing yet melancholy cry of the Indri in the morning is an evocative experience and for those who are prepared to follow them through the thick rainforest, the reward is often a close-up view of these beautiful creatures. A group of five Diademed sifaka have recently been re-introduced to Perinet from Mantadia, and if you are lucky, you may spot one of these beautiful creatures. In the evening, take a twilight/nocturnal walk, looking out for the nocturnal species of lemur by catching their eyes in the torchlight. (B)

Day
4
Antananarivo

Antananarivo

Today you return to Madagascar's capital - known simply as "Tana"to the locals. Enroute you will visit the Peyeiras centre in Mandraka which houses an incredible number and variety of butterflies, frogs and chamaleons.  (B)

Day
5
Antsirabe

Antsirabe

Head for Antsirabe and explore the streets of this charming town, well known for its precious and semi-precious stones. The town is cooler due to its altitude of 1500 metres and is home to hot springs and thermal baths which have dran visitors since the 19th Century. If time permits you will visit some artisnal workshops before visiting one of the local lakes , which are volcanic in origin.  Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
6
Ranomafana National Park.

Ranomafana National Park.

Today is an early start to drive to Ranomafana. The 40,000 hectare park with its abundant wildlife and rain forested hills, has long been considered one of Madagascar's highlights, and is rightfully one of the key highlights on any tour to Madagascar. The evening is spent on a night walk along the roads in the hope of spotting some nocturnal lemurs, chamaleons and other animals.

 Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
7
Ranohira

Ranohira

Another early start to have a final exploration of Ranomafana before heading off to Ranohira where the scenery changes dramatically during the 9 hour journey. You will however stop along the way in Ambalavao to visit Anja park - a small reserve where several families of Ring-tailed lemurs may be seen in the wild. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
8
Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park

Spend the day exploring Isalo National Park. Isalo is a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. During your time you will go walking in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux Sifaka. You'll also visit the ‘Piscine Naturelle’ (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape, where we can swim and relax. Perhaps the magic is just to soak up the sheer beauty of the park, the combination of coloured eroded rock forms, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. Please bear in mind that Isalo is a big national park and there will be a certain amount of driving involved today (driving to the Canyon des Makis takes around 1h 30-2 hours). (B)

Day
9/10
West coast

West coast

You leave early in the morning for the west coast. On arrival there is time to visit the bustling coastal town of Tulear, and will have a half day at the beach to explore the surroundings, go for a swim or just chill.  The following day you will fly back to Antananarivo and may have time (depending on the flight schedule) to explore Antananarivo on your own. Hotel - 2 nights (B)

Day
11
Kirindy and the Alley of Baobabs

Kirindy and the Alley of Baobabs

You have a relaxing start to the day before catching a flight north to the coastal town of Morondava known for having one of the finest climates in Madagascar. The beaches here are great and stretch for miles, and a common sight is that of local pirogues (flat-bottomed fishing boats). Just prior to sunset you will arrive at the famous ‘Alley of Baobabs’ where the plan is to spend sunset. This is the best time to see these amazing trees as the colours at this time of day are spectacular, making for a perfect photo opportunity Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
12

4WD to Bekopaka

Today is a long driving day as you head north of Morondava towards your next destination – the wonderful Tsingy. On route visit the Kirindy dry forest reserve and cross the Tsiribhina river by local ferry boat. The western landscape is arid but has a beauty all of its own. Your destination is the village of Bekopaka, your base for discovering the amazing Grands and Petits Tsingy. Hotel - 2 nights (B)

Day
13
The Grands Tsingy

The Grands Tsingy

A UNESCO world heritage site since 1990, the area has unique geography, well preserved mangrove forests and some amazing bird and lemur species. The Grands Tsingy is famed for its pinnacles, a forest of limestone pillars and limestone plateaux. Some of its needles are several hundred metres high! You will trek throughout the Grands Tsingy. The karst landscape and deciduous forest are a refuge for rare and endangered species and in the park there are over 11 species of lemur, 90 species of bird and 50 types of reptile, some of which you might be lucky to spot on your hike. (B)

Day
14

4WD to Morondava

You travel 4WD to Morondava and pass the Sakalava tribe tombs along the way. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
15

Antananarivo

Enjoy some well-earned free time this morning in Morondava before catching your internal flight back to the capital, Antananarivo. In the afternoon there will be some free time for individual sightseeing and shopping for last-minute souvenirs before your farewell dinner. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Day
16/17

Overnight flight home

Today you will be transfered back to the airport to catch your overnight flight home. (B)