Madagascar
Land of the Lemur

Thursday 22 September - Thursday 6 October 2011 (15 days)
Thursday 27 September - Thursday 11 October 2012 (15 days)

Separated from the African continent by just a few hundred miles of sea but more than a hundred million years in time, Madagascar is really a tiny continent all of its own. Here evolution has followed a quite distinct course, producing a whole range of life-forms that are found nowhere else on earth. Join us for a fascinating fortnight in the land of the lemur!



Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, having severed the land-ties to Africa more than 100 million years ago. This vast span of time, coupled with the size of the land-mass and a great variety of landforms, has enabled the forces of evolution to play, to experiment, and now to dazzle wildlife enthusiasts with a range of creatures and plants both bizarre and unique.

This was the home of the Elephant Bird, the largest bird that ever lived, until just a few centuries ago - what a sight that would have been. Catastrophic habitat loss has led to the extinction of this and many other endemic species but there are still more than 100 endemic birds with several whole endemic families, including the amazing vangas with their great range of forms.

Madagascar is also home to more than half the world's chameleons including Parson's Chameleon, the world's largest at up to 60cm, and some quite extraordinary geckos. But perhaps the most famous group of creatures on the island are the lemurs, entirely confined to Madagascar and the nearby Comoro Islands. Lemurs are one of the most primitive groups of primates which have evolved into a stunning range of species ranging from the howling Indri, which greets the dawn in Périnet with its echoing calls, to the tiny nocturnal Mouse Lemurs.

We'll be travelling to several of the last remaining areas of lush forest, dry deciduous woodland, and spiny desert. In the face of vast commercial pressures, responsible ecotourism can help immensely to preserve these remnants with their immeasurably precious wildlife treasures. This will be an adventurous trip, with quite a bit of travelling to get the best out of this wonderful land, but we know that the beauty of the country, the friendliness of the people, and above all the extraordinary nature of its wildlife will make the effort worthwhile. Please note that early morning starts will be necessary on several days.

Accommodation: We stay in lodges and hotels with en suite facilities throughout. Standards vary from excellent at Périnet to basic-but-adequate at Ranomafana.



Prices:
2011 - £ 3,795
2012 - £ 4,295

Single Supps.:
2011 - £ 525
2012 - £ 565

Deposit: £ 500 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return economy scheduled flights London-Antananarivo, internal flights, full board accommodation, transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, Madagascar Visa (c£40), optional tips to local drivers and guides, drinks and other personal expenses.

*For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Tana) please deduct £795 per person from the tour cost.

Leaders: Tim Earl and local guides

Numbers: Max. 14 clients

Madagascar map

Outline Itinerary
Days 1-2 We fly London - Antananarivo (known as Tana), arriving the next day. Overnight Tana
Days 3-5 We catch an internal flight south to Fort Dauphin. From Fort Dauphin (where we may overnight if the flight arrives late) we travel to Berenty private reserve, one of the best reserves for lemurs. Two nights Berenty Lodge, overnight Fort Dauphin (order depending on flight times)
Day 6We drive to Fort Dauphin airport to catch a local flight to Tulear on the south-west coast Overnight Tulear
Day 7We drive to Isalo with a stop for birdwatching at the Zombitse Forest. Overnight Isalo
Days 8-9We take the long drive north towards Ranomafana, where we stay for two nights. Established in 1986 after the discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur, Ranomafana National Park is one of the premier ecotourism projects in Madagascar. Half the entrance fee goes to support sustainable development in the area and a training centre for naturalist guides has been established. The area is rich in lemurs and simply wonderful for birds. Two nights Ranomafana
Day 10We travel north again, stopping for lunch at one of the villages. Here we have a chance to visit one of the local woodcarving workshops for which the town is famous. We continue on to Antsirabe. Overnight Antsirabe
Days 11-13We continue across the interior plateau, and continue on to the lush forests of Périnet. This is the wettest part of Madagascar, and the lush forest also contains some small lakes. We stay overnight at a lodge just outside the National Park.

We spend two full days in Périnet. Famous for its population of Indri, the largest of the lemurs, the forest is also home to an excellent range of birds, including several endemics. Three nights Périnet
Day 14 If time permits, we'll have a final morning near Périnet before driving back to Tana and catching our flight home, arriving on Day 15.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary