Itinerary

Day 1: Air travel to Antananarivo, Madagascar and arrival.

Upon you arrival in the capital of Madagascar, our crew will pick you up at the airport to transfer you to your hotel located downtown.

Hotel Chalet des Roses (B)

Day 2: Drive from Antananarivo to Andasibe and first contact with Madagascar’s wildlife.

After breakfast, we leave the capital and we drive to the Pereyras reserve to take close up shots of many reptile species and our first lemurs.

Our lunch will give us an opportunity to review our shots, exchange between participants and get more advices from our lead photographer.

We continue our journey towards the rain forest. We arrive in Andasibe by the end of the afternoon and we have a night visit to see and photograph some nocturnal animals.

Hotel Feon’ny Ala (B)

Day 3-4-5: Hike and Photography in the Andasibe rainforest.

Our days will start with a very early breakfast to have the best conditions for photographing the animals.  We jump in our SUVs and drive through the dirt roads to reach the remote entrance of the Mantadia reserve.  We will hike in the rain forest to track lemurs and at the same time see various species of plants, trees, insects and reptiles.  Photographing in the forest presents interesting challenges since natural light is not abundant and animals are moving unpredictably.  We will also see various landscapes that include waterfalls and rivers deep in the forest.

We will visit the park also at night, in search of nocturnal lemurs, chamelons and other animals. During our passage in Andasibe , we will also visit the Analamazaotra special reserve. In this section of the forest, we will have an easy hike to find the largest lemur, the Indri Indri.

Hotel Feon’ny Ala (B)

Day 6: Drive to the region of the great lakes.

We hit the twisty roads leading to Madagascar’s east coast to reach the small village of Manambato, on the shores of one of great lakes. During that journey, you will have many opportunities to take photographs of the colorful markets; the ever-changing landscape and most importantly connect with the locals. We change our mean of transportation and take a boat to navigate the Pangalanes channel to reach our lodge the very remote Ankanin’Nofy or “Bird’s nest”.

Hotel Palmarium (B)

Day 7: Palmarium visit

Our hotel is located in a palmarium and adjacent to the rainforest.  In this very special location, you may discover about 10 different lemur species living in complete freedom! Indri, Sifaka, Coronatus, Varécia, variegata, Propithèques, ect..

A very singular terrestrial wildlife as well as a really outstanding flora (orchids, carnivorous plants, granadilla wood, mahoganies, voyager trees…) and the most beautiful and rarest Madagascan palm-trees (Dypsis, Ravenea, Orania, and also Voanioala and Lemurophoenix). After breakfast, we will have awesome opportunities to get to know and take snapshots of these elements, which make this place so unique. We will spend the afternoon reviewing our pictures or simply relaxing in a hammock on the veranda of your bungalow, taking a dip in the lake, or hiking in the surroundings.

Hotel Palmarium (B)

Day 8: Fishermen village visit and drive back to the capital

 After breakfast, we leave our lodge to navigate the Pangalanes channel on a boat. This will be a great opportunity to witness the daily lifestyle of the villagers who only have the channel as a mean of communicating with the outside world. We will visit a fishermen village and drive back to the capital Antananarivo.

 Hotel Chalet des Roses (B)

 Day 9: Heading South – Antananarivo – Ranomafana: 7.5 hour drive

 Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 7:00 am for Ranomafana. This is a very long strech and we may stop for quick photo shoots. We will see Ambositra, the Malagasy handicrafts’capital located 105 km from Antsirabe, but our main goal is to reach Ranomafana in the afternoon.

A night visit is planned.

 Hotel Centrest (B)

 Day 10: Visit of the Ranomafana National Park Ranomafana

 We have to wake up early in the morning and have breakfast at the hotel. At 07:00, accompanied by a tracker and a ranger, we will hike through the national park of Ranomafana to see other species of lemurs, birds and the unique flora. After the visit, we will return to the hotel for lunch. We have the afternoon free. We finally get ready for a nocturnal visit along the national road. We will seek for nocturnal lemurs, such as the microcebe and other chameleons.

Hotel Centrest (B)

Day 11: Ranomafana – Ambalavao – Ranohira

 After breakfast, we will leave around 09:00 to continue the road heading south. We will admire the terraced rice fields and the colorful clothing style of the Betsileo. With the majestic Andringitra in the background, we will end up crossing the highlands and enter a new microclimate in dry bush and semi desert of southern Madagascar. After lunch, we will drive to Ambalavao to be there in the afternoon and go towards the Anja Reserve, managed by the local community of villagers. This reserve is home to many unique species of lemurs including the very famous Lemur catta.

 After the quick vist, we will transfer you to your hotel in Isalo.

 Hotel Toiles de l’Isalo (B)

 Day 12: Isalo – Visit of the Isalo National Park

 Breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 am, accompanied by your park ranger, we will hike through the canyons and oases of Isalo and its lunar landscape. After a short-drive of 17km, we’ll do the remaining 2km by foot in order to reach the site. Once at the Canyon des Makis, we’ll do the additional 2 km to reach the Namaza point and then we will have the opportunity to swim in the natural pool and watch the few waterfalls. This environment was formed during the Jurassic age and where the unique flora has evolved adapting to the existing conditions. By late afternoon, we will contemplate the sunset over the famous window of Isalo.

 Hotel Toiles de l’Isalo (B)

Day 13: Ranohira – Toliara:

After breakfast, we will set off at 07:00 for the shores of the Mozambique Channel. Before that, we will cross one at a time the numerous villages formed by the sapphire rush. We will stop at the Zombitse National Park for a visit before continuing our journey to the city port of Toliara.

 Hotel L’Escapade (B)

 For the July departure, you will spend one extra night here. Day at your leisure

 Day 14: Toliara – Antananarivo

 You will be transferred to the airport of Toliara to take your flight to Antananarivo. Depending on the flight’s arrival time, you will be able to make final purchases at the handcraft market before we get to the Hotel.  The tour comes to an end. You will be transferred to the airport to take your international flight. Veloma!

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