|
| Start: Antananarivo
| Day 1 Anjozorobe Antananarivo
In the morning, we leave for Anjozorobe forest (2h1/2 drive). On the way, stop at Tsarasaoatra Birdlife Sanctuary.
The Anjozorobe forest corridor is one of the last vestiges of dense rainforest on the highlands, covering 66 500 ha and stretching over 80kms. Eleven species of lemurs live in the forest, including the "Indri-indri" or Babakoto, the "Propithecus diadema", and nocturnal species of "Microcebus"... For ornithologists Anjozorobe is a dreamland : 82 bird species, of which 43 are endemic. There are also more than 423 plant species, 65% being endemic.
We are expected at Soa tented safari camp where you can take walks in the forest in the afternoon and during the night to spot nocturnal animals.
Meals: Lunch, dinner | Day 2 Antananarivo
Full day to explore the forest. Return to Tananarive in late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the capital. | Day 3 Saint Marie Island
Early flight to Sainte Marie island and transfer to Princess Bora Lodge. After lunch, the special whale watching program begins! During the next 2 days you will join the Megaptera team of whale specialists to learn about their research and have the opportunity to go to sea with them and help collect data. You will be part of the team, assigned with a mission! The eco-guides of Megaptera will explain their way of approaching and observing the whales. Pay close attention, you're a member of the research team too and you may find yourself having to locate the whales blowing, taking pictures, listening to the mammals using the hydrophone or writing down the position of a group of whales. This data collection contributes to a worldwide database that allows us to improve our knowledge, and consequently, the protection of humpback whales. We then go out boat cruising to see these sea giants, a very moving 'ballet"!
Back to hotel at the end of the day, for a conference on whales around a pot of hot tea. Dinner and night at Princesse Bora Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 4 Saint Marie Island
Second whale watching day! At sunrise, we take a 30 minutes flight to spot the whales from the skies. Then, we take a second boat safari with the Megaptera team. Back to the hotel for lunch. In the early afternoon, we go by car (4 wheel drive) to the north of the island (about an hour's drive) We cross Ambodifotatra, the "tiny capital" of St Marie, which boasts the most ancient church of the Madagascar… We arrive at Coco Bay, probably the most beautiful beach spot of the island. With binoculars, we observe the whales from the beachside.
After a little "tea break" on the beach, we head back for the lodge. Talks and conferences with the scientists before dinner. Dinner and night at Princesse Bora Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 5 Saint Marie Island
Today, we will spend our time at "Ilots au Sable", sandy islands lost in the sea. Full day to relax, swim and snorkel amongst the colourful fish. Picnic lunch. Return in the afternoon to the Lodge. For those who would prefer, we can replace "Ilots au Sable" by a morning dive (rest of day at leisure).
Dinner and night at Princess Bora Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 6 Sainte Marie / Tamatave / Ankanin'Ny Nofy
Early morning, departure for Tamatave by boat (1 hour) and road (3 hours). Seafood lunch at Tamatave. 2 hours boat cruise on the Pangalanes Canal, a chain of fresh water lakes and lagoons parallel to the coast of the Indian Ocean, separated by a narrow stretch of land. Cruising by boat on the calm waters of Pangalanes is a fascinating journey through time and History : many traditional Betsimisaraka villages can be seen along the banks, as well as pirogues, local fishermen, over-crowded ferries and rafts with straw huts carrying timber to Tamatave, as it has been done since early colonial times.
We reach Ankaknin'ny Nofy ("nest of dreams") on lake Ampitabe. Dinner and night at Bush House, awesome views on both lake and ocean within your bungalow.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 7 Ankanin'Ny Nofy
Second day in the "nest of dreams"! In the morning, visit of the Palmarium private parc, where we will see lemurs very closely. The "star" is the Indri Indri, the biggest of all lemurs, with black and white fur and no tail. Apart from the lemurs, in this 60ha little Eden Parc, we can also see orchids, palm trees, ravinalas (the emblem of Madagascar), endemic frogs, chameleons. Lunch at Bush House.
After lunch, we take a walk around the lakes, in particular the Nephentes lake (the nephentes is an endemic carnivorous plant) and in the Betsimisaraka villages. You will surely have time too to take a swim in the sweet, clear and safe waters of the lake, just in front of the ecolodge.
Dinner and night at bush house.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 8 Ankanin'Ny Nofy / Andasibe
After breakfast, take an hour's boat ride to Manambato, also on the Pangalanes. From there, a 2 ˝ hours drive to Andasibe National Park .
Andasibe - Mantadia natural reserve preserves an extraordinarily lush rainforest with 60 groups of lemurs.. Andasibe also is home to tanrecs (an endemic kind of hedgehog), chameleons (the Parson chameleon, the largest of the island, being the most impressive), many bird species : the blue coua, the Red Fronted coua, Vangas… ). It is also very interesting for the flora : medicinal plants, orchids, water lilies. Lunch at Vakona Forest Lodge.
Afternoon walk and night safari to spot the nocturnal animals in the national Parc. Dinner and night at Vakona Forest Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Day 9 Antananarivo
Full day to observe the fauna and flora of the Parc. We wake up early, as the lemurs are very active in the mornings. We will also take the time to visit the private parc of the hotel, where a traditional "Betsimisaraka" village has been constructed : you will learn all about the village and homes of this ethnic group of the eastern coast: the orientation of the rooms of their houses, the room of the ancestors…
Lunch at Vakona Forest Lodge. Towards the end of the afternoon, we head back to Tananarive (2 1/2hrs). | End: Antananarivo
| Rate includes
. accommodation and meals as mentioned
. boat and road transport Tana / Tana
. local guides at Palmarium, Andasibe, Anjozorobe
. activities mentioned in Ste Marie and Ankanin'Ny Nofy
. park fees | Rate excludes
. drinks & porters
. personal expenses
. tips
. domestic flight
. extra/additional excursions
. domestic flight Tana / Sainte Marie |
|
