Madagascar Wildlife Discovery Tours 2024 & 2025

Today you will be taken on an excursion to the 10,000ha rainforest of Maromizaha, classified as an 'Experimental Reserve'. (If Mantadia National Park is accessible and if there has been improvement in wildlife sightings there after the pandemic, we can visit Mantadia instead). Maromizaha and Mantadia are both home to a select band of mammals, birds and herps. (In 2022, numerous clients had wonderful wildlife experiences in Maromizaha). Do note that trails are steeper than is the case in Andasibe. Key attractions include Diademed sifaka, Black & white ruffed and Red-bellied lemurs, Pitta-like ground-roller; Parson's and Nose-horned chameleon and colourful Mantella baroni frogs, among others. The scenery is beautiful, including superb views from the top of the trail over the rainforest-clad slopes.

After breakfast, you will be taken on a final rainforest walk in Andasibe-Mantadia, during which you can seek species previously missed out on. We will also take you on a visit to the habitat restoration project under way by the NGO Association Mitsinjo: this is one of the many inspiring initiatives now being supported by the charity Money for Madagascar. You will have the opportunity to plant an endangered, endemic tree from the impressive nurseries here, as part of the reforestation efforts: this is a wonderful way of literally putting something back into Malagasy soil. Unbeknown to most wildlife enthusiasts, the Indris made famous by the David Attenborough documentaries - among others - were all filmed in the Mitsinjo / Analamazaotra rainforest, rather than at Andasibe across the road. Among the birds often seen and heard, is the Cuckoo-roller, photographed here by Rainbow Tours group tour client Jan Gersag) After lunch, drive back to Antananarivo in time for dinner and overnight at the very comfortable Relais des Plateaux.

You will be transferred to the airport after breakfast for the flight to Tulear on the south-west coast, close to the Tropic of Capricorn. This is the most arid corner of the country and the natural habitat there, is mostly sub-arid 'spiny thicket' or Euphorbia-Didieraceae thorn bush. It is remarkable in places, being comprised of much shrubby Euphorbia, interspersed with drought-resistant trees and plants including Bottle baobabs (here Adansonia rubrostipa) and spiky Octopus trees (Didieraceae family). The endemicity rate among this floral assemblage is remarkably high and people come here also, to seek a selection of rare, range-restricted locally endemic birds and reptiles. Birds include the Long-tailed ground-roller, Sub-desert mesite and LaFresnaye's vanga. Reptiles include the peculiar little Three-eyed lizard. Today's excursion will depend on the time of the Antananarivo - Tulear flight: if the flight is in the early morning, as is the case in September/October 2024, then you will be taken to remote St Augustin Bay and Sarodrano Cave Excursion (Tsinjiorake Protected Area): This interesting excursion allows for the opportunity to explore a less-visited part of the dry south-west, the Tsinjiorake Protected Area which spans from the Onilahy River to the flat sandstone La Table Hill and includes Sarodrano and Binabe Caves, St Augustin Bay and St Augustin village, Depart with your private guide and private driver in your private 4-wheel drive vehicle along a variable road to the relaxed Eden Ecolodge at St Augustin Bay. (Drive time about 25 - 30 minutes from Tulear). Here you can enjoy breakfast, followed by visits to brackish water Sarodrano Cave; a walk in the Coral ragg scrub (the term used to describe the 'spiny bush/ Euphorbia-Didieracea bush in this part of the South) for interesting flora and birds; a boat trip in the local Mangrove area and you can also be taken to see the Flamingos which occur there seasonally. Your guide will explain the interesting culture of the seafaring Veso people, who reside in the area and you can make a photo stop at the Tropic of Capricorn marker. Afterwards, return to Tulear from where you drive about 25 minutes north to Ifaty. ALTERNATIVELY: When Antananarivo - Tulear flights are in the afternoons, we are able to take our clients to the Royal Village of Ambohimanga (about 24km from Antananarivo), intead. You will be transferred to Ifaty Beach for a 2 night stay in the very comfortable Le Paradisiers, with all meals included.

An early start: after breakfast, you will be taken to a nearby parcel of 'spiny bush' (there are two locally managed/protected parcels that are visited this day - this morning the visit will be to 'Parc Mosa') to see the remarkable flora which travel writing legend Dervla Murphy so aptly Christened 'Nature's Botanical Lunatic Asylum'. In this otherworldly habitat you'll be able to seek some highly localised endemic birds, along with rare or range-restricted reptiles such as Madagascar radiated tortoise (now critically endangered) - many are held here at the 70,000m2 Village des Tortues, after having been confiscated from poachers, especially in two truly massive seizures in the last two years. Other bloated, drought-resistant trees that you will see today include Delonix adansonoides, part of the same tree family as the 'Flamboyant' tree, which originates from remote central-western Madagascar.

This morning travel 20 minutes south along the tarmac road back to Tulear. Continue travelling inland for about 4 hours along the paved RN7 route, to Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, which year-round is a rewarding wildlife hotspot: you'll be able to look for the iconic Verreaux's sifaka; locally endemic Hubbard's sportive lemur; the massive Oustalet's chameleon; locally endemic Standing's day gecko and birds including the locally endemic Appert's greenbul and the stately Giant coua, which can be seen strolling around on the forest floor. After the guided nature walk in Zombitse-Vohibasia, continue driving inland for about 1 hour to the sandstone massif of Isalo, where the country's most visited national park is located. Stay 2 nights at the very comfortable Relais de la Reine; or its sister property, Jardin du Roy.

Your guides will take you to explore a trail in Isalo National Park today. You will be able to drive up to the vehicle parking lot, from where you complete one of the circuits on foot. (Note that a second park guide will be provided for those who wish to take a slower pace, or shorter trail). While much of the park is comprised of dry, 'ruiniforme' sandstone formations, trails do take visitors to verdant streamside vegetation. Here, you can look for Ringtail lemurs, Verreaux’ sifakas and locally endemic flora. The best known plant here is the dumpy 'Elephant's foot' Pachypodium, which flowers in September. Look on the lodge buildings at night for birds such as Madagascar long-eared owl, Madagascar white-browed owl and Madagascar nightjar.

After breakfast, drive about 6-7hours east across the desolate central southern interior (Bara country) to a granite domes region which marks the entrance to the southern Highlands. Here, visit another deservedly popular stop, the 30 ha Anja Parc, a community- managed protected area near Ambalavao which is home to a thriving population of Ringtailed lemur, the island's national mammal, and plenty of other, smaller wildlife (notably chameleons, geckoes and skinks). The terrain, dominated by granite domes, is spectacular. Worth noting is that this protected area, provides a livelihood for some 2,400 people who live in the region. Overnight in Betsileo Country Lodge, with all meals included.

After breakfast at the lodge, an approximately 4 hour drive north-east along the RN7 route, will take you to the 41,600ha upland rainforest of Ranomafana National Park, where seeing 5 species of lemur in a day walk is not uncommon. Key species include the Milne-Edwards diadem sifaka and adorable Red-bellied lemur. Ranomafana is also home to a number of rare bird species, including the Brown mesite, Rufous-headed ground-roller, Yellow-bellied sunbird asity and Pollen's vanga. Walks vary in length from a couple of hours to a half day - do note that the majority of trails here traverse some arduous terrain with long slopes. Your accommodation for 3 nights is Thermal Hotel Enjoy an introductory walk in this very beautiful rainforest. A night stroll outside the park periphery should reveal some Rufus mouse lemurs and with luck, Leaf-tailed geckoes and Tree frogs, as well as some interesting invertebrates. (Its the best place in which to seek Malagasy comet moth). Do note that from September to November, the area is packed with wildlife enthusiasts so you will not be alone during night walks.

Explore wonderful Ranomafana National Park today. Here, look for lemurs such as the endangered Golden bamboo lemur, found almost exclusively in this rainforest. This icon of the park was discovered in the mid 1980s by primatologist Patricia Wright - who almost single-handedly put the park on the international tourism map and who established the Centre ValBio, which you will be able to visit during your time at the park. After dinner, make another night walk if desired *** Ranomafana is the only place where Greater (broad-nosed), Golden and Grey (Eastern lesser) bamboo lemurs coexist. Many visitors also see the striking Milne-Edward's sifaka here, another of the park's flagship species. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, healthy climate and plentiful wildlife here. *** Visitors who wish to look for radio-collared Aye ayes and who have a high level of physical fitness, can make the challenging night hike at Kianjavato, near Ranomafana. The cost for this excursion is £120 per person. (Please advise well in advance if you wish to do this)

You will have another day to explore Ranomafana's upland rainforest with your guides today. Aside from its many lemurs and birds, you'll have the chance to look for remarkable life forms such as the bark-mimicking Fringed gecko (Uroplatus). The area is especially good also for well known invertebrates including the lovely diurnal Urania moth. Orchids, Palms and Bamboos abound, the island holding more species of all three these plant groups than the African mainland does.

After breakfast, set off on the scenic half-day journey northwards along the popular RN7 route, passing through Betsileo and then Merina territory, where you can see people cultivating rice, selling food on the roadside and at Antsirabe, numerous colourful rickshaws. Enjoy exploring some craft stalls and overnight in Couleur Café OR Plumeria Hotel, with all meals included.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Antsirabe through scenic Highlands country back to Antananarivo, where those departing after midnight (Air France), have the use of day rooms at Relais des Plateaux. Others overnight at the hotel. Visit some of the capital highlights with your guide. After a farewell dinner, participants flying back to the UK with Air France***, will be transferred to Antananarivo airport to check in for the Air France flight departing after midnight. *** Participants flying out with Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines or Air Mauritius will depart this afternoon - we will arrange to have you at the airport in good time for this.

Air France departs to Antananarivo around 01h20 and arrived in Paris CDG by mid-morning. Kenya Airways departs at 02h40. Connect with the flight back to London Heathrow or selected other UK airports.