(A UNIT OF NOVA GROUP OF COMPANIES)
NOVA TRAVEL
Madagascar Adventure-13 Days
Itinerary-13 Days
Day 1: Fly to Antananarivo via Nairobi
Overnight to Antananarivo, via Nairobi. (N)
Day 2: Antananarivo
Morning arrival. Transfer to Hotel for 1 night. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions to the Lemur Park or Ambohimanga. (D)
Day 3: Andasibe • Analamazaotra Reserve
Early morning drive to Andasibe. Transfer to Lodge and stay for 2 nights. Afternoon visit to Analamazaotra Reserve, home to the largest living lemurs, the indri. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Mantadia National Park • Vakona
Private Reserve • Mitsinjo forest Morning walk through the primary forest of the Mantadia National Park. En route back, visit Vakona Private Reserve, including its small island sanctuary for lemurs. In the early evening, visit Mitsinjo forest’s reforestation project for an opportunity to plant an endemic tree, followed by a short talk by one of its specialist guides*. Take a short evening walk along the road, where you may spot nocturnal lemur species, including mouse, greater dwarf and eastern woolly lemurs. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Antsahabe • Antsirabe
Morning drive back to Antananarivo and continue south to Antsirabe. Stop at Antsahabe, a village typical of the Merina tribe. After lunch, continue to the spa town of Antsirabe and stay 1 night at Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Ambositra • Ranomafana
Take a tour of Antsirabe, centre of the gem trade and home to hundreds of pousse-pousse (rickshaws), a legacy of Chinese labour imported to work on the railways. Continue south to Ambositra, known as Madagascar’s handicraft and wood-carving capital. Following a typical Malagasy lunch accompanied by folklore entertainment, continue to Ranomafana. Late afternoon arrival into Ranomafana and stay 2 nights at Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ranomafana
Morning walk in the Ranomafana National Park where you can spot three species of bamboo lemur: the grey, the golden and the greater. Endemic birding in the park is also excellent, with a chance to see brown mesites, Crossleby’s babblers and pigmy kingfishers. Afternoon visit to Tanala village, followed by a talk at the ValBio Research Centre by a specialist guide*. Take an evening walk in search of nocturnal species such as mouse lemurs, chameleons and frogs. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Fianarantsoa • Ambalavao • Ranohira
Morning drive via Fianarantsoa, the Betsileo tribe’s capital, to the vineyard of Lazan’ny Betsileo. Continue to Ambalavao. Visit the Antemoro paper factory and the Anja Reserve, where ring-tailed lemurs are often spotted. Continue to Ranohira and stay 2 nights at Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Isalo National Park
Visit Isalo National Park and see breathtaking eroded sandstone landscapes. In the morning, visit the natural swimming pool where there is a crystal-clear waterfall that tumbles into a deepgreen pool. Return to the hotel in the afternoon to rest before venturing out in the early evening for traditional music performed with a view of the sunset. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Zombitse National Park • Ifaty
Continue towards the west coast and watch the landscape change from rugged mountains to expansive grassy plains. Stop en route at, where flocks of Verreaux’s sifakas can be seen. It may also be possible to spot Appert’s tetrakas, one of the most endangered endemic birds on the island. The region is known for its large baobabs and traditional family tombs, central to Malagasy beliefs and culture. Stay 2 nights at Hotel, a quiet coastal fishing village known for its long beach. (B, D)
Day 11: Toliara (Tulear)
Morning excursion to the tortoise village and Reniala forest. Remainder of the day at leisure. Evening farewell dinner with your Malagasy guide.* (B, D)
Day 12: Fly to Antananarivo
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight from Tulear to Antananarivo. Transfer to Hotel. After dinner, transfer to the airport. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Fly back home via Nairobi
Fly back home, via Nairobi. Afternoon arrival. (N)