Madagascar Culture, Wildlife, Beauty. October 22-November 6, 2018

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1 930 Irwin Street, Suite 222, San Rafael, CA Phone: CST Permit # Madagascar Culture, Wildlife, Beauty October 22-November 6, 2018 Experience a comprehensive exploration of ecologically pristine Madagascar on this fantastic journey to the semi-arid savannah and the canyons of the south and the idyllic quiet beach of Ifaty through the mountainous central Highlands with its red lateritic soil and terraced rice fields to the rainforest of the Eastern slope.

2 The circuit allows us to experience three different threatened ecosystems, the eastern rainforest vegetation, the spiny desert and the dry deciduous forest of Madagascar. We visit several national parks and reserves to admire the unique fauna and flora of Madagascar and enjoy wildlife viewing up-close. There will be many opportunities to observe several species of lemurs quite easily. During this tour, we will meet several ethnic groups and get to know their cultures: the Merina, the Betsileo, the Antandroy, the Bara's and the Mahafaly as well as the Vezo fisher tribe alongside beautiful beach of the Mozambique Channel. October is the perfect month to visit Madagascar and enjoy the wildlife. It is spring; trees are blooming, temperatures are at their best and the baby lemurs are born. Getting There: We can assist you via our consolidator if you like. You will need to fly into Johannesburg. Many flights arrive in the early morning and you will remain at the airport for the connecting flight to Antananarivo. If you arrive at night, there are hotels close to the airport. Oct. 22 / Day 1 Mon Arrive Antananarivo (D) Depart Johannesburg South African Airways 8252, 10 am, arrive Antananarivo 210 pm. (Flight schedule subject to change). You will be met on arrival and transfer to hotel (approx 30 min drive). Arrival will be at approx 3:30 PM. After check-in and lunch on your own, we ll embark on a two hour city tour including the artisanal handicraft market with our historian tour guide. Dinner at the fabulous restaurant at Hotel La Varangue. Overnight at Hotel Le Louvre or Hotel La Varangue. Oct. 23 / Day 2 Tues Fly to Fort Dauphin- Berenty Reserve (B,L,D) Transfer to airport for flight to Fort Dauphin in the southeastern tip of Madagascar, depart 730 am, arrive 845 am. Fort-Dauphin is a small locality of inhabitants. It is the headquarters of the Antanosy people. There is not much to see in town except the scenic view of the bays (the town was built on a peninsula). On arrival, we drive to Berenty Private Reserve. The 90 km/ hour drive by 4WD from coastal rainforest to the spiny desert. The road is paved but in terrible shape; last 4 km on red dusty track better than the paved road! Stop along the way to view the unique baobab trees, rare triangular palm trees and funerary art of the Antanosy burial grounds. Berenty is the headquarters of the Antandroy people. Transfer to hotel on arrival. This evening we visit the reserve. Overnight at Berenty Lodge at the edge of the forest. Oct. 24 / Day 3 Wed Berenty Reserve (B,L,D) Located about 100 km from Fort Dauphin, near the town of South Amboasary and inside a huge sisal plantation, the Berenty Private Nature Reserve covers an area of 240 ha along the river Mandrare. Its

3 wildelife belongs to the gallery forest classified as spiny bush characteristic of southern of Madagascar. The fauna is mainly composed of lemur, four species are particularly very common in the south: Verreaux Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi), Ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), Grey mouse lemur (microcebus murinus) and White footed lemur (Lepilemur leucopus). The Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus rufus) was introduced from Morondava area but been adapted to the environment. Turtles, chameleons, snakes and butterflies are also found there. It is a good spot for bird watching as well. The flora is composed of Tamarind trees, Didieracea (Didiera trollii, Alluaudia procera), Euphorbiacea (Euphorbia stenoclada, Euphorbia onoclada), Apocynacea (different Pachypodium, Catharantus roseus) and Liliacea (different species of Aloe). We visit the small but comprehensive cultural museum at Berenty (opens at 8:00 am). It is devoted to Antandroy tradition and arts, exposing parts of everyday life, musical instruments, amulets and other talismans intended to the art of divination. And then spend the morning in the reserve with walks along the wide, well swept paths. The walks in this park are the easiest of all with broad paths, all flat and wildlife viewing easy and abundant. The Lemur Catta or Maki, better known as the ringtailed lemurs, are very friendly and seem to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful sifaka lemur and other species including flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozens of species of rare birds. Overnight at Berenty Lodge. Oct. 25 / Day 4 Thurs Berenty / Fort-Dauphin / Tulear/ Ifaty (B,L,D) We depart early for the hour drive back to Fort Dauphin. Transfer to airport for flight to Tulear dep 15:50, arr 16:35. Upon arrival in Tulear, its only a 15 minute drive into the city where we will have a short sightseeing tour including the bazaar de market place as well the local seashell and handicraft market. Tulear, a bustling town of inhabitants, is the last town of the southwest part of the country and home to the Antandroy tribe, meaning the people living in the spiny area who erect majestic burial tombs decorated with wooden figures and sculptures known as Aloalo carvings in a totem-like style. In the Southwest, wealth and social status of the Bara, Antandroy and Mahafaly people are measured in their cattle. Continue, driving 20 km/approx 45 minutes, south to the beach settlement of Ifaty set on a lagoon with barely penetrable spiny thicket behind the coast to the east. (Road is not paved). Rest of the afternoon/evening is free. Overnight at hotel Les Dunes D Ifaty or Le Paradisier. Oct. 26 /Day 5 Fri Ifaty (B,L,D) After breakfast visit the Honko Conservation Association managed jointly with the local population Vezo people to observe the mangroves ecosystem located in Belalanda village area. In Ifaty you

4 will encounter Vezo fisher tribe alongside beautiful beach of the Mozambique Channel. This afternoon visit Reniala Private Reserve, a small protected area of only 60 ha that shelters an amazing, bizarre and unique eco-system which only occurs in the south-eastern part of Madagascar: the spiny forest. The towering spiny bushes are home to more than 2000 plants species (many of them local endemic) some spectacular and very old baobab of 12,5 diameter) and complete endemic plants family, the Didieraceae, the Euphorbiaceae Overnight at hotel Les Dunes D Ifaty or Le Paradisier. Oct 27 / Day 6 Sat Ifaty /Tulear/Isalo (Ranohira) (B,L,D) Depart at 9 am and head northwards to Ranohira/ Isalo National Park (250 km) towards the savannah and the baobab areas, through the Ilakak village known for its sapphire mining. Several species of spiny vegetation of this area are endemic and exist nowhere else. We will pass through villages and the famous decorated tombs of Mahafaly and Antandroy tribes. Here, the Aloalos (funeral sculpted decoration) are considered as messengers between the living and their ancestors. (2.5-3 hrs including stops; some portions of the road are in bad shape). After 100 km/1.5 hr on paved road, stop at the Zombitse National Park to observe other species of lemurs like the Hapalemurs. The hike here is very easy with broad paths, all flat. Late afternoon arrival in Ranohira, gateway to Isalo National park. Overnight at hotel Relais de la Reine. Oct. 28 / Day 7 Sun Ranohira: Isalo National Park (B,L,D) We will have a leisurely hike in this eroded uniform sandstone formations from the Jurassic era. Isalo is a semi-desert area characterized by its huge canyons, oases and lunar landscape - home for lemurs and many other endemic species. Begin the picturesque hike up to the Cascade des Nymphs from the entrance to Canyon Namaza, a spectacular hidden waterfall with emerald green pool, an opportunity to meet the sifaka and the redfronted brown lemurs at the beginning of the trail. This breathtaking spot gives a sensation of an outer-world journey. On the return hike, enjoy a picnic lunch and extended photo session with ringtails at the campsite. The hike in Isalo generally covers a circuit of perhaps 4 miles (6 km) over mostly unshaded, somewhat rough terrain. There is an initial up climb to the Piscine naturelle. To get an idea of how this region was formed, the expedition starts with an easy walk up 200 low-rise sloping steps on a level plateau. Your guide will find alternate paths for you that are easier and will assist you. In Ranshira we will encounter a mixture of two different ethnic groups: the Bara and the Betsileo. As the temperature rises in the afternoon, you will be able spend leisurely time by the natural swimming pool or at the black pool inside the canyon. The sunset at Isalo is a memorable moment. Overnight at hotel Relais de la Reine. Oct. 29 / Day 8 Mon Ranohira/Ambalavao/ Fianarantsoa (B,L,D) Drive northwards (approx. 6 hours in total) to Ambalavao throughout the rocky and savannah

5 scenery. This huge plateau and valley is the area of the Bara, - a conservative farming tribe whose livelihood and rituals are centered on the zebu. Visit Antaimoro paper factory, a silk weavers workshop that belongs to a local association of women and the small community-run reserve of Anja - where one can get very close to the ring-tailed lemurs. Continue to Fianarantsoa, for overnight at Hotel Zomatel. Oct. 30 / Day 9 Tues Fianarantsoa/ Sahambavy/Ranomafana (B,LD) This morning, 8 am, drive about 1.5 hours outside of town, (the first 3 km are paved; the remaining 23 km are on a red dusty road), making stops along the way to visit the Betsileo villages and their rice and corn fields. The walks inside the villages will be very short and easy on flat and dry terrain throughout the villages. Then board a pirogue (traditional long narrow dug-out canoe) for a 2.5 hour ride down the Matsiatra River during which you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Betsileo region and see villages, plantations, corn and grape fields and terraced rice paddies. There will be two people in one pirogue. The guide will be in a separate pirogue in the center of the group s pirogues so you can hear him as he talks about the sights along the way. Life-jackets are provided. The pirogue ride culminates at Sahambavy the tea plantation area (picnic lunch). Continue to Ranomafana, 84 km/1.5 hr on good paved road. Overnight at the hotel Setam Lodge Oct. 31 / Day 10 Wed Ranomafana National Park (B,LD) Drive 5 km on good paved road to Ranomafana National Park to experience more rainforest, home for rare primates amongst other animals and plants. The morning will be spent inside the park. In Ranomafana National Park, the terrain is steep, the forest is dense, with up and down trails and often slippery particularly during the wet season. Therefore I suspect you will not want to have a full day hike on the trails here. Instead we can enter the park for an easy walk and you do not need to go too far to see birds, repitiles and even one or two lemurs. In the afternoon, we will visit the village of Ranomafana where you can observe the Tanala people s daily lifestyle. We will also go to the village water springs centre where you can have a massage with essential oils extracted from local plants if you wish (pay direct). In the evening, we will take a short walk to observe nocturnal animals around the park such as the grey mouse lemurs, the narrow-stripped mongoose. Overnight at the hotel Setam Lodge Nov. 1 / Day 11 Thurs Ranomafana/Ambositra/Antisirabe (B,L,D) Drive to Ambositra (160 km/4 hr-the first half of the road is very good shape; the 2 nd half is paved but in bad shape). On the way, we visit local markets and other typical villages of the Betsileo tribe.

6 We ll stop for lunch in Ambositria, known for their fantastic Zafimaniry woodcarving workshops. Continue (90 km/2 hrs) to Antsirabe, meaning the place of much salt and the capital of pousse-pousse rickshaws. This colonial town is located in a volcanic area and the land is very fertile. Antsirabe is known for its precious stones and minerals that you will have the opportunity to discover during the visit of workshops. Overnight at Couleur café Guesthouse. Nov. 2 / Day 12 Fri Antisirabe/Antananarivo/ Andasibe National Park (B,L,D) Depart this morning at 8 am for the drive to Andasibe. We head to the capital and then go east to Andasibe National Park. This is a long day of driving sorry no other choice. The scenery will be wonderful. The first 280 km/ 3 hrs on a good very scenic paved road through the landscape of terraced hillside rice paddies characteristic of the central highlands. We will stop in Tana for lunch and stop for photos along the way.. We continue driving 150 km through the verdant highland countryside to the eastern rainforest of Andasibe National Park, a four-hour drive on a good paved scenic road. We arrive late afternoon. This evening our exploration begins with an easy walk inside Mitsinjo Community Reserve, a small private local community-run reserve, for a quick introduction into the wildlife in Andasibe. Note: there is a slight ascent to start the walk but then it s flat rest of the walk. The same species as in Analamazaotra Special Reserve can be observed here with some very rare ones as well. Birds check list: Kittlitz Plover, Hottentote Teal, Velvet Asity, Ptta-like Ground Roller, Madagascar Wagtail, Collared Nightjar. The ethnic group living in Andasibe area is the Betsimisaraka. Overnight at Vakona Forest Lodge.

7 Nov. 3 / Day 13 Sat Andasibe National Park/Ankanin ny Nofy (B,L,D) Mantadia National Park and Analamazaotra Special Reserve are both part of Andasibe National Park, which was inscribed in the World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana. Logging and deforestation has resulted in these parks now being isolated. The road to Mantadia is very rough. It is a primary forest, difficult to see animals and the walk is strenuous. We will not visit Mantadia. Analamazaotra Special Reserve (aka Périnet, known locally as Andasibe after the local village), is best known for its population of Madagascar s largest lemur, the indri-indri which allegedly sing. We depart at 8am for a walk inside Analamazaotra Special Reserve to see the Indri and hear their haunting singing call. An easy walk provides a good opportunity to experience the abundant fauna and flora of the eastern rainforest. It is mainly covered with primary forest peculiar to the east side of Madagascar. Many rare and endemic species can be found in this rain forest. The biodiversity is so amazing; we can meet Indri Indri the largest of lemurs here. His behavior is fascinating and your guide will explain all about him. Many other species are living there such as Grey Bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus), Wooly lemur (Avahi Laninger) and others. We will be inside the park about three hours. Afterwards, we ll have lunch in Andasibe and depart driving east along the evergreen landscapes (approximately 4 hours) to Manambato. At Rasoabe Lake we board a private boat and cruise the Pangalanes Channel to the Reserve of Palmarium (approximately 1 hr 30 minutes). We ll check into the hotel and settle in. This evening, at about 6 pm, we board a boat for a 10 minute cruise on the channel to a small island, Nosy Akolaya for a nocturnal walk to spot the Aye-Aye. It is our unique chance to see these rare Lemurs during this trip. We walk a very short distance of about metres and spend about an hour observing wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Palmarium Lodge Nov. 4 / Day 14 Sun Ankanin ny Nofy- Tamatave- Antananarivo (B,LD) We start at 8 am for an exploration of the private reserve of Palmarium to observe other species of lemurs and other endemic animals as well as typical plants. The Palmarium Reserve called Ankanin'ny Nofy (the dream nest) is located on the east coast of Madagascar, on 50 ha along the Ampitabe Lake and the Indian Ocean on the Pangalanes Canal. At 11 am we board a boat to Tamatave (aka Toamasina), the chief seaport of the country. Our journey will take four hours with stops in villages for short walks and explorations. We ll have a picnic lunch on the boat. On arrival in Tamatave at 3 pm and transfer to the airport for flight departing at 5:50 PM, arriving Antananarivo at 6:35 pm. Overnight at Hotel Le Louvre or Hotel La Varangue. Nov. 5 / Day 15 Mon Antananarivo / Ambohimanga / Antananarivo (B,L,D)

8 Departing at 8:30 am we drive 15 mi NE of Antananarivo to visit Ambohimanga (a hill and fortified royal settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Ambohimanga is considered to be the most significant symbol of the cultural identity of the Merina People and most important and best preserved monument of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Madagascar and its precursor, the Kingdom of Imerina. The walled historic village includes residences and burial sites of several key monarchs. The sikte, one of the 12 sacred hills of Imerina, is associated with strong feelings of national identity and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for at least four hundred years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere. Visit Ambohimanga Palace, UNESCO world heritage site, the Queen s Palace (under reconstruction), and the old palace of the Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony who married the three Queens. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ambohimanga. We ll have lunch in a restaurant near the site. Return to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner at a restaurant in Upper Town, Le Grill du Rova, near Queen s Palace. We ll enjoy music and dance performance from the provinces of Madagascar (minimum 6 people). Overnight at Hotel Le Louvre or Hotel La Varangue. Nov. 6 / Day 16 Tues Depart Antananarivo (B) After breakfast, check-out of hotel. We will visit handcraft market, where you might be surprised of the high quality of local products, such as embroidered tablecloths and shirts, leathers, semi-precious stones, chessboards and solitary games, as well as wooden or metal instruments and toys. Transfer to airport. Most flights depart at 3 or 330 pm. Price: $3875 based on min 4 people; Single Room Supplement: $800 Plus domestic airfares (estimate/exact upon booking): Antananarivo-Fort Dauphin $340, Fort Dauphin- Tulear $303, Tamatave-Antananarivo $250. Includes: Accommodations with daily breakfast 14 Lunches, 15 Dinners Bottled water in the vehicle during drives (2 litre bottles per person per day) Airport transfers Transport throughout in ac 4WD, 8 seats group size 4, Mercedes Sprinter 12 seats group size 5-9, Toyota, Nissan or Hyundai bus 18 seats for group size Driver /guide for group size 2-4; separate driver and guide for group size 5-12 Local guides in Fort Dauphin and Berenty National Park and site fees Guided safari and excursions including pirogue trip to Sahambavy Boat excursion to Ankanin'ny Nofy Gov taxes Accommodations based on availability: Antananarivo: Hotel La Varangue OR Hotel Le Louvre Berenty Reserve: Berenty Lodge

9 Fort Dauphin: Hotel Croix du Sud Ifaty: Hotel Les Dunes D Ifaty OR Le Paradisier Ranohira: Hotel Relais de la Reine or Satrana Lodge Fianarantsoa: Hotel Zomatel Ranomafana: Setam Lodge Antsirabe: Couleur Café Guesthouse Andasibe National Park: Vakona Forest Lodge Ankanin ny Nofy: Palmarium Lodge Does Not Include: Visa fee, tips to driver/guide, camera fees if any, alcoholic beverages, trip cancellation/travel insurance, Air tickets within Madagascar (priced separately), flights to and from Antananarivo (request if you want our assistance). NOTES: The Couleur Café Guesthouse in Antisrabe does not have ac. Antsirabe is the coolest region in the country and most of the hotels are not equipped with a/c. It gets dark at about 6:30 pm. Whenever we have a nocturnal walk, we will depart hotel at about 6. These will be short walks and about an hour of observation. Dinner will be about 8 pm. On these days, be sure to stock up on snacks. You can take fruit, bread, cheese etc from breakfast buffet and it is also suggested to bring your own favorite snacks from home.

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