Madagascan Highlights

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. Antsirabe [B, D]

This morning you embark on a long drive through the rolling highlands to Antsirabe where you spend the night at the Arotel Hotel.

Days 5 & 6. Ranomafana National Park [B, D]

Your destination today is Ranomafana National Park on the banks of the Namorona River. The park is best known for its bamboo lemurs - the Golden Bamboo Lemur, rare Greater Bamboo Lemur and the more common Lesser Bamboo Lemur are all found here. Others to see include Milne-Edwards Sifaka, Red-bellied, and Red-fronted Brown Lemur. On a nocturnal walk you may see Rufous Mouse Lemur and even Striped Civet. You spend two nights at the Setam Lodge.

Days 7 & 8. Ranohira & Isalo National Park [B, D]

Today you drive on to Ranohira via Fianarantsoa. The spectacular scenery and paddy fields are replaced by savannah as you drive down to the western plains and the picturesque Isalo National Park. A 2-night stop at the Relais de la Reine here gives you a day to visit the reserve with its endemic Dwarf Baobabs and aloes and a chance to spot Ring-tailed Lemur or Verreaux's Sifaka.

Days 9 & 10. Ifaty [B, D]

Continuing south-west you pass the dry forest of the Zombitse Reserve where you stop to look for the elusive Appert's Greenbul en-route to the beach at Ifaty where you spend two nights at the Le Paradisier. Inland is a fascinating spiny forest where the Long-tailed Ground Roller and the Sub-desert Mesite can often be seen. The snorkelling here is good with whales often seen in July and August.

Day 11. Fort Dauphin [B, D]

Drive to Tulear for the flight to Fort Dauphin on the south-east coast where you spend one night at Le Dauphin Hotel and have the chance to enjoy colourful markets and beautiful beaches with a backdrop of the spectacular Pic Louis Mountain.

Days 12 & 13. Berenty [B, D]

Transfer along the scenic road to Berenty Reserve for two nights at Berenty Lodge. 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 14. Fort Dauphin [B, D]

This morning you return to Fort Dauphin visiting Andohaela National Park en-route where you take a guided walk and have a picnic lunch.

Day 15. 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 16. Arrive home.