Lemurs, Forest & Baobabs

Day 1. Depart London

Depart London for Antananarivo via Paris.

Days 2 & 3. Andasibe [B, D]

On arrival in the early morning you will be met and transferred to a nearby hotel to freshen up before transferring to Andasibe for a 2-night stay at Vakona Lodge. There will be time to explore the Analamazaotra Reserve which protects the largest of Madagascar's lemurs, the Indri and you should hear their piercing morning calls. To the north lies an expansive area of primary rainforest known as the Mantadia National Park, which protects the attractive Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur, Red-bellied Lemur, Lesser Bamboo Lemur and Brown Lemur. There will also be an opportunity to explore the rainforest at night, offering the chance to spot the Eastern Woolly Lemur, the Greater Dwarf Lemur and the curious Rufous Mouse Lemur.

Day 4. Antananarivo [B]

After a morning spent in the park you return to Antananarivo for the night at the Tana Plaza Hotel.

Days 5 & 6. Berenty Reserve [B, D]

Today fly to Fort Dauphin and transfer to Berenty Reserve set in Tamarind gallery forest along the Mandrare River in south Madagascar. Entering the spiny forest region there are impressive views of the tall spiny trunk of the Alluadia, a family found only in south Madagascar. Indeed of the plants found in the spiny forest, some 92% are regional endemics making this one of the most biologically distinct and unusual ecosystems on earth. You spend two nights at Berenty Lodge, in the heart of the reserve. Wildlife-viewing is not hard here as the famous Ring-tailed Lemurs and Verreaux's Sifaka are likely to wander past your door! Other wildlife you may see includes the Madagascan Fruit Bat, Sportive Lemur and Madagascan Boa Constrictor while bird species include the Giant Coua and Sickle-billed Vanga.

Day 7. Antananarivo [B]

Return to Antananarivo to the Tana Plaza Hotel.

Day 8. Kirindy Forest [B, D]

After breakfast you head out to the airport for the flight to Morondava, a lively town on the west coast. On arrival you transfer to Kirindy Forest where you spend the day exploring. Kirindy lies about 60 kilometres north of Morondava and is perhaps the best place to get to know nocturnal Malagasy wildlife. The wonderful Kirindy Forest is home to the diminutive Pygmy Mouse Lemur (which weighs a mere 35 grams), Fork-marked, Coquerel's Dwarf, Fat-tailed Dwarf, and Grey Mouse Lemur. In terms of reptile fauna, Kirindy is home to the gorgeous Labord's Chameleon and the huge Oustalet's Chameleon. Birding in Kirindy is good too with Coquerel's and Crested Couas, Sicklebill, and White-headed Vangas, Lesser, and Greater Vasa Parrots and a variety of raptors being regularly seen. You will be based at a basic lodge within the park.

Day 9. Morondava [B, D]

After a morning in the park you return Morondava, visiting the 'Avenue of Baobabs' en-route. Spend the night at the Baobab Hotel.

Day 10. Homeward [B]

Return to Antananarivo, where you will have day use of an airport hotel room before heading to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, via Paris.

Day 11. Arrive home