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Madagascar Highlights Holiday
A private tour packed with wildlife & culture in our favourite parts of Madagascar.
Duration: 14 days
Location: Madagascar
Highlights: Andasibe Rainforest, Ranomafana Rainforest, Isalo Canyons, Lemurs, Ifaty Beach
Price: £3,997pp
Enquire Now!This
private 13 night Madagascar highlights tour takes in the rainforests of Andasibe and Ranomafana, the diverse canyons of Isalo, the tribal tombs of Mahafaly and ends on the beautiful beaches of Ifaty for some R&R, whale watching and Baobab excursions. Offering incredible scenery, a fascinating insight into Malagasy culture and amazing endemic wildlife in some of the best national parks in the country, this is a holiday idea to truly inspire.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: London to Antananarivo
Fly this morning from the UK to Antananarivo (via Paris). On arrival into the Madagascar capital this evening you will be met and transferred to Au Bois Vert to spend 1 night, a lovely rustic city retreat which is convenient for the airport but hidden away in its own nature estate.
Day 2: Antananarivo to Andasibe
With your private 4×4 and guide you will drive to the eastern rainforests of Andasibe to spend 2 nights at Relais de Mantadia, a firm Sundowner favourite. Only 5 minutes from the Analamazaotra National Park, this hotel is ideal for nature lovers. This afternoon you will visit Lemur Island for your first close encounter with these amazing creatures! Prefer tracking wild lemurs? Remember, this is just a starting point idea to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our holidays are uniquely designed for each individual client. Contact us on 01273 923100 or holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk to start designing yours.
Day 3: Andasibe
Full day with local specialist guides to explore the Analamazaotra Reserve, one of the best areas in the country for the largest Indri Indri lemur, the Vakona Reserve, the Mitsinjo Community Reserve and the lush primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park – this is prime lemur country but remember to keep your eyes peeled for the smaller creatures such as the incredible leaf-tailed geckos and giraffe-necked weevils.
Day 4: Andasibe to Antsirabe
A long day on the road today but some great views as you return towards the capital and join the famous RN7 south to the central highlands city of Antsirabe, where you will spend 1 night at the Couleur Café, a charming owner run guest lodge & restaurant close to the central of town. Want to break this journey up a little? We design holidays tailored to you. Give us a call on 01273 923100 to start planning.
Day 5: Antsirabe to Ranomafana National Park
After a morning tour you will get back on the road, heading south to the rainforests of Ranomafana National Park, stopping en route at Ambositra to visit the wood carving capital of Madagascar. You will stay at Setam Lodge for 2 nights, definitely the best lodge in Ranomafana it has a great location with beautiful views of the rainforest and very close to the park entrance. Enjoy a nocturnal forest walk this evening.
Day 6: Ranomafana National Park
Full day to explore Ranomafana National Park with your local specialist guide. Another primary rainforest region bursting with wildlife, the park was set up specifically to protect the Golden Bamboo Lemur and is also home to another 11 species of lemur, over 120 species of frog and 13 species of chameleon.
Day 7: Ranomafana to Isalo NP (via Anja Reserve)
A big journey south today but some great stops along the way. First stop will be the colourful town of Ambalavao where you will be able to watch the famous Antaimoro paper making process and if you plan your visit on a Wednesday it is also the Zebu cattle market which can be a fascinating experience as the many tribes gather to do business. Next stop is the Anja Reserve where you will have the opportunity to take a guided forest walk to see the iconic Ring-tailed Lemurs, before continue to Isalo National Park to spend 2 nights at Relais de la Reine. This family owned property has a beautiful setting overlooking the park, a great pool for cooling off in the day and even stables if you fancy some riding. We design every holiday from scratch to suit each individual. Call us now on 01273 923100, let us know what you’re looking for and your budget and we will put a Madagascar holiday together for you.
Day 8: Isalo National Park
Full day of guided hiking in the dramatic Isalo National Park. Made up of soaring sandstone formations, huge canyons and waterfalls this beautiful park is not only a hiking paradise, its terrain is also home to an incredible mix of flora and fauna with highlights including the Verreaux’s sifaka, the Malagasy rainbow frog and the Benson’s rock thrush. We recommend the “Cascade of the Nymphs” hike which offers amazing views and a beautiful natural pool for swimming!
Day 9: Isalo NP to Ifaty (via Mahafaly tombs)
Leaving behind the arid landscape of Isalo you will drive to the southwest coast, stopping en route with your guide to visit the traditional tombs of the Mahafaly Tribe. Heading to Ifaty Beach you will spend 4 nights at Hotel La Mira, a friendly owner run beach lodge with 19 bungalows overlooking the ocean, an amazing pool and beautiful coastal gardens. It is a perfect spot for a “Sundowner Moment”.
Days 10 to 12: Ifaty & the Indian Ocean
Three full days to relax and explore the area. After your wildlife adventure the normal order of the day is beach relaxation but there is plenty to do in and around Ifaty. Activities include fishing, local pirogue excursions, mountain biking, snorkelling, quad biking and in season humpback whale watching. We also recommend an excursion to the Reniala Private Reserve to see some of the incredible Baobab Trees! Want more days on the beach? We can tailor this holiday idea to you. Call us on 01273 923100 now!
Day 13: Ifaty to the UK
Today you will transfer to Tuleur Airport for your domestic flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival a day room at Bois Vert will be available (if required) before you will connect with your International flight back to the UK (via Paris).
Day 14: Home
Welcome home…. (with endless adventures in Africa you can always go again!)
Relais de Mantadia
Indri Lemur
Giraffe necked weevil
Couleur Cafe
Andasibe
Golden Bamboo Lemur, Ranomafana
Relais de la Reine
Sunset at Isalo
Cascade of the Nymphs
Ifaty Beach
Baobab Trees
This Madagascar holiday idea costs from £3,997pp and includes international flights (price based on London), all internal flights, all accommodation on a sharing basis, 1 night B&B in the capital, 11 nights half-board, all park fees, a driver & private 4×4 vehicle for the duration of your wildlife tour, specialist local guides and all transfers. It does not include other meals, taxes or tips.
The latest word on the street about Sundowner’s Madagascar holidays:
We had an absolutely fantastic time. You totally understood what we were looking for and delivered in every way. Your Madagascar team were great, helpful and flexible.
Madagascar
Our itinerary was just right and the suggestions of the sites did not disappoint. I believe the main aim of our trip that my wife gave you was “lemurs, lemurs, lemurs”. You helped us to achieve this in spades and in so many different settings.
Madagascar
It was a super and absolutely unforgettable holiday. We were so lucky with wildlife – with lemurs, chameleons, frogs, birds, strange plants all around us. A big thank you to all.
Madagascar
Thank you for all help in arranging my trip, which was hugely successful. Tsara Komba, with its magical setting, was lovely. Also, the Le Pavillon de l’Emyrne in Tana was perfect. Again the staff could not have been more charming, positive and helpful. Having the garden to sit and read in, was a welcome retreat as Tana is hectic.
Madagascar
I just wanted to tell you what an amazing time we had in Madagascar. It all went perfectly and we enjoyed very minute of it. The visits to the Reserves and the wildlife we saw were out of this world. Our guide, Eunice was a great guy and a pleasure to be with. All in all we had the most wonderful time.
Madagascar
A fantastic holiday with an amazing combination of charming people, extraordinary wildlife, stunning contrast of terrain. Thank you for all your recommendations.
Madagascar
FANTASTIC! It was the most incredible experience. We loved the variety that you had planned for us, from the rainforest in Andasibe to Isalo which was stunning (the hotel was really special). Ifaty was also a really interesting place but the piece de resistance was definitely Anjajavy. We thought we had died and gone to heaven! The honeymoon package was wonderful but the best part was Cedric and his passion for the environment. Another aspect which we were thrilled by was the quality of the guides. A special thanks for the guide in Isalo and Ifaty – I think he was called Sedeer. He was so knowledgeable and good company.
Madagascar
Our Holiday was AMAZING! Loved Vakona. And Anjajavy…well ‘paradise’ just about sums it up! BEST Place we have ever stayed.
Madagascar
I have just returned from a holiday in Madagascar. We both had an amazing and enjoyable time. We were very impressed with our driver/guide. He was helpful, full of interesting information, answered all our questions (and there were a lot!) with good humour and excellent English. Always flexible and willing to cope with special requests (especially for my photo stops) and even taught us some Malagasy. At Andasibe National Park we had a top class wildlife guide who was very knowledgeable and his ability to spot wildlife in the forest was uncanny. He even managed to spot a Leaf-Tailed Gecko (a master of camouflage in the wild) which was amazing.
Madagascar
Excellent holiday. Spoilt totally at both our lodges. The guide, Andreas was outstanding in knowledge of not just wildlife but also culture, politics and history of the people. He managed his trackers to best advantage and discreetly. Great to be able to view wildlife on foot, on boat and canoe. Staff and locals determined that we saw as much as possible. Endlessly patient and willing to tell us about their lives and country.
Madagascar
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