This circuit is dedicated to you and all naturalists because you go to be into the richest part in term of the fauna, the flora and exceptional all over the world. Virgin Earth, primary forest which shelters endemic species, beach gilded unexplored and three park sailors which protect more than 10 000 hectares of coral reefs, marine plant … Produce you to the endemicity ...
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• The Peyreiras reserve and its endemic reptiles
• Vakona private reserve and its famous lemurs
• Analamazotra reserve and the biggest lemur alive (Indri Indri) and other species
• There where the forest and the sea meet
• Trekking in rain forest and a lot of activities like scuba diving, kayaking ...
• One of the most beautiful wet rain forests of Madagascar
• 3 submarines Parks which protect more than 10 000 hectares of coral reef
• World natural heritages of the forests of Antsinanana
• More than 60 % is endemic 10 species of lemurs of the park, 4 are a member of the category of the primates
• The carnivore mongoose Salanoia concolor or Brown-tailed
• Observation of whales from July to September
• Big dolphin and dolphin with pink stomach
• Some species of Serene and Dugong 41 genres of corals were inventoried in Masoala
• Reptiles, batrachians, marine tortoises and marine fishes and of fresh water complete the list
• More than 600 botanical species among which seven species of Mangrove swamps 99 species of seaweeds
• About fifty species of palm trees
• The carnivorous plant Nepenthes Masoalensis of ferns, seaweeds
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING
From € 4390 /pax (LUXURY HOTEL OPTION)
From € 2440 /pax (MID-RANGE HOTEL OPTION)
From € 2115 /pax (BUDGET HOTEL OPTION)
The price indicated is per person sharing room (DBL or TWIN), it is based on 2 Persons; if less or more, please contact us and we will send you the final price.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions:
• Private Meet & greet at Antananarivo international airport
• Return private transfers from/in airport/hotel
• All boat transfer activities (Maroantsetra/Masoala/Nosy Manga Be/Maroantsetra)
• Private vehicle with a driver English speaking (Fuel included)
• Accommodations in standard DOUBLE/TWIN room with private sanitary
• The meals as specified
• The day tour as specified
• Entrance Parks/reserve and local guide fees
• The return charter flight Antananarivo/Maroantsetra Be/Antananarivo *Only for the luxury option (mid-range and budget, please contact us)
Exclusions:
• All international flight costs and visa fees or assistance unless otherwise specified.
• Tips; drinks; personal expense and none specified items.
Ticket Flight Condition:
• COUP DE COEUR (EL1): Nonrefundable and non modifiable rate after issuing the ticket flight
• DECOUVERTE OFFER (LL1): Nonrefundable and modifiable rate with penalty of € 18/person after issuing the ticket flight
• LIBERTE (YL1): Refundable and modifiable rate with penalty of € 18/person after issuing the ticket fligh
• PRIVILEGE (CL1): Refundable and modifiable rate with penalty of € 18/person after issuing the ticket flight
JOINING TOUR ABROAD
08 days/07 nights: From Antananarivo to Antananarivo. This is a tailor-made wildlife safari and can be edited to suit your needs, wants and budget. Talk to our destination specialists to find out more about this trip and to get advice on whether it is the best one you’re your specific requirements and interests.
Day 1: Antananarivo
Meet and greet at Antananarivo airport by GMT+3 representative and then transfer to your hotel in Antananarivo city. Briefing about your program and introducing the timing.
After breakfast, depart for Andasibe National Park, passing through highland scenery and rice paddies. The drive takes approximately 4 hours and gives you your first glimpse of this culturally and scenically diverse country as you pass rice fields, villages, and roadside stalls. We leave the mountainous region and make a small stop at Marovezo to visit the Peyreiras Reserve or the exotic park famous for its endemic reptiles. You will discover different types of butterflies, chameleons, tomatoes frogs, snakes, and lemurs. After the visit, continue towards Andasibe and check in at your hotel. Night walk before dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Excluded | DINER: Excluded | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: Private Vehicle
Day 3: Andasibe – Antananarivo
Today, you are going to visit Andasibe National Park (Analamazotra reserve) to discover in the wild the biggest lemur alive which is the Indri Indri; the golden (diademed) Sifaka and then brown lemurs. They are often seen in the reserve. You will discover a lot of medicinal and endemics plants... Continuation to visit Vakona private reserve and begins with the lemurs Island. You are going to discover: the common brown, the bamboo; the black and white ruffed; the red ruffed; the golden (diademed) Sifaka and then ring-tailed lemurs… to the crocodile valley to see some crocodiles, geckos, turtles, and endemic birds. After the visit, drive back in Antananarivo and then check in at your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Excluded | DINER: Excluded | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: Private Vehicle
Day 4: Antananarivo – Maroantsetra – Masoala
After breakfast; transfer to the airport for your flight to Maroantsetra. Upon arrival, you will be met and then transferred to the harbor for your speed boat for the voyage across Antongil Bay to the Masoala Forest Lodge. The journey takes around two hours, with the possibility of dolphin and whale sightings in season and the forested mountains of the Masoala Peninsula as a dramatic backdrop to the destination. On arrival at the lodge beach, you are welcomed ashore and settle into camp. After freshening up in the accommodation, lunch is served in the beach house. The afternoon activities include exploring the beaches and coastal forest in the lodge area and maybe enjoying a swim in the sea, before taking a guided walk along the coast past Tampolo Point, with the possibility of spotting white-fronted brown lemurs in the coastal forest. Return to camp for sundowners around the fire on the beach and dinner in the lodge.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Included | DINER: Included | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: Private Vehicle; flight & speed boat
Day 5: Masoala
Awaken early for coffee and breakfast on the sea deck before setting off on the day’s adventure. Today this is a walk down the coast and up into the primary rainforest in search of the Red-ruffed lemurs, Dwarf chameleons and other wildlife endemic to this forest. After some hours in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest. The afternoon activity could be a snorkel on the nearby coral reefs, rich in diversity, or a guided sea kayak to the look-out rock at the “Secret Cove” for the sun set, with the chance of a close encounter with Bottlenose Dolphin or Green Turtle. Dinner in the lodge.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Included | DINER: Included | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: -
Day 6: Masoala
A relaxed start to the day and breakfast on the sea deck. Depart on a guided walk through the coastal forest, in search of more birds and mammals. After a couple of hours walk, take a welcome swim in the crystal-clear water of the cascades of the Tampolo River at the foot of the forested mountains. Return to camp on a traditional dugout canoe paddled down the shady river. After lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon swimming on the private beaches or snorkeling on the coral reefs. A guided nocturnal walk with the intriguing possibility of seeing some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife such as Leaf-tailed Gecko, Dwarf and Mouse lemurs and maybe even the elusive Aye-Aye.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Included | DINER: Included | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: -
Day 7: Masoala – Maroantsetra – Antananarivo
An early breakfast on the sea deck. Board the boat for the voyage to the island of Nosy Mangabe. Once ashore on the densely forested island, explore the network of trails with your guide with a chance of spotting Black and white-ruffed and White-fronted brown lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos and perhaps a Madagascar tree boa. You can view the traditional Malagasy tombs in a cave and the engraved rocks on the "Plaige des Hollandaise". After a picnic lunch on the beach, you board the boat once more for the voyage to Maroantsetra and transfer to the airport in time for the flight out to Antananarivo with the private charter airplane. Upon arrival, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel | LUNCH: Included | DINER: Excluded | BREAKFAST: Included TRANSPORATION: Speed boat; flight & private vehicle
Day 8: Antananarivo
After breakfast, depart for Ambohimanga Kings Palace which is located at 22 km from Antananarivo, it is the cradle of the Merina dynasty, the Mecca of the Merina Kingdom and the starting point for the unification of Imerina. This ancient royal city was reputed to be a sacred city where no foreigner could enter. There's a lot to admire in this place. From the entrance of the village, the old stone gate-shaped disc in the chamber, the royal box of Andrianampoinimerina, the summer palace of the queens, the Horse Park and sacred ponds. The enclosure is surrounded by a wall consisting mainly of egg whites in place of cement. The door to the east has "Ambatomitsangana" inscribed on it and is a large stone disc 4m in diameter rolled closed every night and open every morning by dozens of men. After the visit, continuation to the Digue market, the place for handcrafts Malagasy that you will be able buy some souvenirs. Transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual's own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated medium so everyone can join it. We will usually involve easy walks (2 to 6 hours/day) at low altitudes (below 2000m). Some previous hill walking experience would be beneficial but these walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life.
PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR PREFERENCE.
You can still modify according to your needs and choice.
DAYS
CITIES
LUXURY
MID-RANGE
BUDGET
1
Antananarivo
Radisson Blu
Sakamanga hotel
Niaouly hotel
2
Andasibe
Vakona Forest Lodge
Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
Feon'ny Ala
3
Antananarivo
Radisson Blu
Sakamanga hotel
Feon'ny Ala
4, 5 & 6s
Masoala
Masoala Forest Lodge
Dounia Forest Lodge
Camping
7
Antananarivo
Radisson Blu
Sakamanga hotel
Niaouly hotel
8
Antananarivo
-
-
-
Most of the hotels in Madagascar do not have the standard internationnal level, except some hotels in Antananarivo, Sainte Marie and Nosy Be but GMT+3 guarantees to find you the best hotels and accommodation for your budget. We will supply all of the necessary details for you to prepare your holidays and have a memorable stay in each hotel. Please note that in Madagascar, there is only one 5 star hotel, which is the Carlton Hotel in Antananarivo,. Once you leave the capital, the ranges of hotels are varied.
GMT+3 LUXURY (hotels/Lodges/guest house/Camping)
Wherever you stay in Madagascar, we will guarantee to find comfortable hotels, lodges or guesthouses with twin or single rooms and en suite facilities. Our hotels have air-conditioning/heating where appropriate and reliable hot and cold water. They generally have a very good level of service and mosthaveadded amenities such as a restaurant, bar, gardens or swimming pool.
These hotels usually have twin or single rooms with en suite facilities. They are generally standard, no-frills hotels with adequate amenities and service standards. Whilst comfort levels are perfectly acceptable to most, please don’t expect too much! These are often small, family-run establishments
GMT+3 BUDGET (hotels/Lodges/guest house/Camping)
These accommodations may be communal or dorm-style, and WC / washing facilities are usually shared. Running hot and cold water may be unreliable or even unavailable. However, these can be the most rewarding and memorable places to stay, despite the comfort levels being low.
SAINTE MARIE
Sainte Marie Island (Nosy Boraha) is situated on the East Coast of Madagascar. The most Beach tourist place after Nosy Be and known by its kilometrical sandy beaches shaded by coconut palms, bays and coves protected by coral reefs. Please note that the best beaches are located in the northern; western and in Islet aux Nattes. In the same time, you will like its lush vegetation and animals. In winter (from June to the end of September) the humpback whales (Megaptera) are present around Madagascar but the best place to spot is in Sainte Marie Island …
HOW TO GET THERE ?
Location: You need to return in Antananarivo first and then take the flight from Antananarivo to Sainte Marie or continuation to Tamatave and then to Soanierana Ivongo + speed boat to Sainte Marie. Transportation: by plane; vehicle & Speed boat
NOSY BE
Nosy Be island lying about 5 miles (8 km) off the northwestern shore of Madagascar. The name means “Big Island.” It is 19 miles (30 km) long, 12 miles (19 km) wide, and has an area of about 120 square miles (310 square km). Formed by volcanoes, the island is forested and has numerous craters and crater lakes. Its highest point is Mount Passot (1,079 feet [329 metres]). It has an annual rainfall of 78–118 inches (1,975–3,000 mm). The island’s products, chiefly sugar and oils for perfumery, also include rum, vanilla, black pepper, and bitter oranges. Nosy Be is the top beach destination in Madagascar with its surrounding islands remain paradise in the buff. A lot of activiies are available to make your holidays more Unforgettable .
Area: 594,180 sq km. Population: 24,890,189. Language: French, Malagasy. Religion: Christian, Muslim. Local Time: GMT +3 Electric Supply & Plugs: 220V, 50Hz, two pin round plug. Recommended Maps: Freytag & Berndt 1:2,000,00 Madagascar. Recommended Books: Bradt Guide: Madagascar, Dervla Murphy: Muddling through Madagascar, G. Durrell: The Aye-aye and I, D. Attenborough: Zoo Quest to Madagascar, I. Sinclair: Birds of the IndianOcean Islands, I. Tattersall: The Primates of Madagascar.
SEASON & CLIMATE
The climate is tropical, but very cold in the highlands (dropping as low as 5°C at night in July/August in Antananarivo). The dry season is March to October continuing into November in most areas. The southwest area is hot, dry and semi-arid. November (spring) is generally the best time for wildlife and birds, but lemurs can be viewed all year round. Additional information and climate charts can be accessed here.
The western coast of Madagascar is much drier than the eastern coast. In general, we can say the climate here is dry tropical. During the dry months between May and November it does not rain at all and the temperatures are pleasant (20 to 25°C on average). Between December and April it can rain torrentially or just a couple of showers, depending on the area and the year. The northern area is greener and indeed considerably wetter than the south. The hottest months are March, April, November and December, when the average temperature is 30° C or even more.
FORMALITIES
VISA REQUIRMENTS:
The visa is always free for an holidays less than month and subject to change. We will confirm you before your arrival. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of return.
All visitors must obtain a tourist visa (maximum duration 3 months). This costs approximately 25.00 Euro per person and can be obtained in any Madagascar Embassy or upon arrival at the international airports of Antananarivo, Diego Suarez, and Nosy Be or in Tamatave (Toamasina). Return International flight tickets.
VACCINATIONS & PROTECTIONS:
Please consult your doctor when planning your journey: Malaria is present in most parts of Madagascar. Some form of anti malarial is recommended. Always use mosquito repellent and avoid being bitten. Vaccinations against tetanus, cholera and yellow fever are recommended. Bring your usual medicines because they may not be available in Madagascar. In top Urgency, GMT+3 works with specialist doctors to assure and assist you before your evacuation.
INSURANCE:
We recommend you to see a Travel insurance to secure your holidays in Madagascar. You must take your policy document with you on tour and it should state in writing that you are the named policyholder and that the cover is valid for your period of travel. Your policy document must also indicate that you have medical expenses and emergency repatriation cover and a 24-hour contact telephone number for your Insurance Company must be shown on your documentation in case of emergency.
MONEY
CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELERS CHEQUES:
Credit cards are still not used widely in Madagascar. However, they are accepted in big cities, international hotels and in the banks of all cities. You will find ATMs in most main cities, where you can withdraw Ariary. VISA and MASTERCARD are most commonly accepted cards. It is also useful to bring some Travelers Cheques or cash in Euros or US dollars. AMERICAN EXPRESS is seldom accepted outside of Antananarivo. Please note that $100 date 1996 bills are not accepted (better from 2006 dated)
TIPPING:
Tips are expected for most services. The size of the tip depends on your satisfaction but 5 to 10 % is an acceptable level. We suggest that you plan on average 10 Euros per person per day for a guide. Remember that wages are very low in Madagascar so be careful not to over tip and create unreasonable expectations for other travelers
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT TO BRING
LUGGAGES:
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company. Please note that 20kg per person is allowed for the internal flight.
CLOTHING:
Given the variations of day and night temperature, and the changes of altitude between the highlands and the coast, we recommend that you dress in layers. Bring light clothes but have additional layers (fleece, pullover, jacket, windbreaker or raincoat). Make sure you have long sleeves and long trousers to protect against mosquitoes in early morning and dusk.
PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT:
On each tourt a first aid kit is carried but you should have your own blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirin and other essentials. Please do not give medicines to local people without consulting the tour leader. See the list in the General Information Booklet for more information. A good pair of sunglasses is essential for protection against UV rays and glare at high altitudes. Sun Hat, High Factor Sun Cream/Block & Lip Salve. Choose a high factor sun cream (Factor 30 or more) to protect your skin against the sun at high altitudes. A combination sun block/ lip salve are ideal for facial protection. A head torch is essential for NOCTURNAL visit. Remember to bring some spare batteries and a bulb. Sun screen and insect repellent. Make sure you have enough camera film and spare batteries, as both are difficult to obtain locally. Bring a beach towel and swimming costume.
