HIGHLIGHTS OF MADAGASCAR TRIP NOTES

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1 Trip Code: WZI (AZI) Country: Madagascar Amended: September 2013 Edition No: SA Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS OF MADAGASCAR TRIP NOTES HIGHLIGHTS The chance to see lemurs in their natural habitat Incredible wildlife in the Perinet Reserve and in Ranamofana N.P. Isalo National Park, with its amazing rock formations, spectacular canyons and natural swimming holes Striking spiny forest in Tsimanampetsotsa N.P. Relax on the beach in the coastal town of Anakao SUMMARY Madagascar is genuinely different. It is home to countless endemic species of flora and fauna and has some spectacular scenery. Our itinerary includes an extraordinary array of landscapes: mid-altitude rainforest, mountains and arid desert, as well as the chance to walk among the amazing rock formations of Isalo National Park. There is ample opportunity to enjoy the rare flora and wildlife as we visit Ranomafana, Perinet, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and Isalo National Park, as well as Anja Reserve. With at least 80% of the plant life and reptiles endemic to the island, each day of the itinerary offers the chance to discover something new. Madagascar is a paradise for wildlife lovers, often being described as 'a living museum' - much of its animal and plant life cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The chief attraction is the lemur; undeniably one of the most delightful and cute creatures, there are about 70 species spread throughout the country. The Ring-tailed lemur is perhaps the best known but there is also the Indri, the largest of the lemurs with a haunting cry, the Verreaux Sifaka which dances across the ground on its hind legs, and the nocturnal Mouse lemur, the smallest primate in the world. Of the native plants, 80% are endemic as are about 90% of the reptiles. There are over 1000 known species of orchid, 85% of which are endemic. The island boasts seven different species of baobab tree and a wide array of chameleons that the Malagasy people have an unnerving ability to spot even in the thickest of forests or whilst travelling at speed! This trip takes in the best that Madagascar has to offer, combining visits to a variety of national parks where we may spot numerous species of lemur, and other endemic fauna. We aim to break our road journeys with visits to small villages so that we may gain a better impression of the Malagasy people, their traditions and their way of life. In short, this is a sensational destination with a bewildering amount to see and absorb - a truly unique experience. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 In the evening we take a twilight/nocturnal walk, looking out for the nocturnal species of lemur as the torchlights pass by their eyes. (B) Day 4 To Antsirabe We drive back to Tana, and head south to Antsirabe, across the highland landscape with its beautiful rice fields on stage. The spectacular eroded hills called 'lavaka' remind us of the Far East with its rice fields and green landscape with vegetables and fruit trees. On the way we visit the Peyeiras centre in Mandraka which houses an outstanding collection of butterflies, chameleons and frogs. Arrival in Antsirabe, or 'the place of salt', an elegant city well known as the centre of the beer industry and we can smell the Star Brewery as we enter the town. Founded by the Norwegians in 1856, it is the only place which really feels and looks like a European city. It has a temperate climate and all fruits and vegetable, which grow in cold climates, are found in Antsirabe. (B) IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Madagascar is a rewarding destination with its wealth of flora and fauna, however, before you decide to travel, we would highlight the following issues for you to consider: Travelling by vehicle in Madagascar can be uncomfortable as some of the road quality varies. Please read our travelling conditions for more information. We do have some longer drives but the diverse scenery more than makes up for time spent on the bus. We break up our road journeys with stops to visit villages, to take photos and to stretch our legs. Parts of Madagascar are mountainous. There are some great walks but you do need to be prepared to walk in hilly surroundings for periods of up to four hours. The trails are fairly gentle in Perinet but steeper in all of the other national parks. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries and a degree of flexibility and improvisation is required at times. The tourist infrastructure in Madagascar is still new and some services are limited. It is not unusual for there to be changes to accommodation or internal flights and for this reason, the order of the itinerary (but not the content) may sometimes have to be changed. However, what tourism does exist is of a pleasantly good standard and you may be impressed by the level of services in some of the places we stay. Grade moderate: Some of the areas we visit are quite remote and will have basic facilities. Some of the walks in the national parks are uneven and may be slippery underfoot so you need to be comfortable with this. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Antananarivo; overnight in hotel There are no included activities today so you are free to arrive at any time. Day 2 To Andasibe Following the arrival of the group flights, we drive directly to Andasibe through the green and luxuriant vegetation of the east. This first step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way we will see Merina villages in the rocky mountains. Day 3 Perinet N.P. Today we spend a full day in the park. Perinet is home to the teddy bear-like Indri, the largest of Madagascar's lemur species, as well as other forms of flora and fauna and a wide array of bird life. Listening to the piercing yet melancholy cry of the Indri in the morning is an evocative experience and for those who are prepared to follow them through the thick rainforest, the reward is often a close-up view of these beautiful creatures. A group of five Diademed sifaka have recently been re-introduced to Perinet from Mantadia, and if we are lucky, we may spot one of these beautiful creatures. Day 5 To Ranomafana After breakfast we drive to Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. We are still in the highland, which is characterized by its architecture: the houses are made with ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters with bright colours. Further on we pass the 'le col de tapia', a type of tree, which is resistant to the bush fires of the area. The landscape is still dominated by rice fields on stage, pine forests and eucalyptus trees and rocky mountains. Our destination for the day: Ranomafana National Park. (B) Day 6 Ranomafana N.P Parc National de Ranomafana (approximately 40,000ha), with its rain forested hills and abundant wildlife, has long been considered one of Madagascar's highlights, and is one of the most heavily visited of the country's national parks. Its entrance lies about 7km from Ranomafana village. Altitudes in the park range from 800m to 1200m. In addition to its densely forested hills, Ranomafana's terrain is characterised by numerous small streams, which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. We will go for walks in the National Park for several hours in the hopes of spotting some of the lemurs, chameleons and other animals found here. (B) Day 7 To Ranohira An early start as we leave Ranomafana Nationa park behind us and begin our drive to Ranohira. The scenery changes dramatically as we head to the small town of Ranohira (a journey of approximately 9 hours, inclusive of our visit to Anja Reserve, lunch and photo opportunities). We stop in Ambalavao to visit Anja Reserve - a small park where several families of Ring-tailed lemurs may be seen in the wild. Finally we continue onto Ranohira - our base for exploring Isalo National Park. (B) Day 8 Isalo N.P After an early start, we spend our day exploring Isalo National Park. Isalo is a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. During our time we will go walking in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky Ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux Sifaka. We also visit the 'Piscine Naturelle' (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape where we can swim and relax. Perhaps the magic is just to soak up the sheer beauty of the park, the combination of coloured eroded rock formations, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. (B) Day 9 To Tulear After breakfast, we continue to Tulear. This step brings us new scenery, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south. On the way, we can admire the different 'Mahafaly tombs and the 'Antandroy tombs' and visit Zombitse National Park for a few hours. The Zombitse National park forest is of particular interest to birdwatchers, as it is home to one of Madagascar's rarest endemics, 2

3 ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD We use tourist class hotels throughout the trip. The hotels are simple but comfortable. Please note that although all the hotels are said to have a reliable electricity and water supply there may be instances in which you experience some gaps in supply - this is more a reflection of life in Madagascar than the standard of the hotel. The food in Madagascar is generally of a good quality, particularly so at the coast where the seafood is excellent. The cuisine has been strongly influenced by the French and a three-course meal should cost 9-13 GBP (approx. US$ 16-23). A one-course lunch should cost 4-6 GBP (approx. US$ 7-11). Please allow approximately 220 GBP (approx. US$ 375) for the meals not included, plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner! Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and easily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyone's taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured Rum's which are widely sold and very reasonably priced. Appert's greenbul, as well as other species such as Giant coua, Crested ibis and Cuckoo roller. Verreaux's Sifakas, Red-fronted Brown lemurs and Sportive lemurs are also seen here. (B) Day 10 To Anakao This morning we take a boat transfer to Anakao. We will get there at around 9.00 am. The rest of the day is free for optional activities. Possibility of snorkelling, diving, pirogue excursions, swimming and more. (B) Day 11 Tsimanampetsotsa National Park An early 4x4 transfer to Tsimanampetsotse for a full day visit of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. The large, shallow soda lake is the focus for this terrific 43,200ha national park. The large limestone plateau here has some of the most striking spiny forest vegetation in Madagascar with countless endemic species. The park sits on a large underground aquifer that runs north, evidenced by the numerous sinkholes and caves. The lake is renowned for its waterfowl, notably flamingoes and other rare endemic birds including the Madagascar plover. We may even be lucky and spot the emblem of the park, the very rare Grandidier's mongoose! Then we return to Anakao. (B) TRANSPORT Travel is mainly by small private bus. Most of this trip is on wellsurfaced roads with only the occasional poor and bumpy section while in the national parks. There are three days where the drives are necessarily long but we make plenty of stops along the way and time passes quickly. There is one internal flight; from Tulear to Tana. There is also a return boat transfer from Tulear to Anakao and a 4WD transfer to Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. We use 4WD vehicles on this section of the trip as the road is a dirt road and can be a little uneven at times (though the surrounding landscape and destination more than make up for it!) WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 12 Nosy Ve Today we will take a boat excursion to Nosy Ve to see the world's most southernmost all-year breeding colony of Red-tailed tropic birds, nesting in this small island. Stunning all-white seabirds with red bills and long, thin, red tails. If you are lucky you may see the females roosting under small shrubs, well hidden from any airborne predators such as hawks or eagles. A stroll around Nosy Ve's shoreline including a long white sand beach takes about one hour. After our exploration we will return to Anakao. (B) Day 13 Fly to Antananarivo. An early start for the boat transfers back to Tulear. Upon arrival we are then transfered to Tulear airport for our flight to Tana. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel for the night. (B) Day 14 Antananarivo This morning we will embark on a city tour of Tana, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. With its bustling markets, friendly people and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world's other capitals. We visit Ambohimanga, the fortified village and its Royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was for a long time forbidden to Europeans. The kings and queens returned here for rest and relaxation on top the forested slopes of this hill-top village. From here began the line of Kings and Queens who united Madagascar into one country. Ambohimanga still remains of spiritual significance for the Malagasy people with ceremonies and rituals still taking place. (B) Day 15 End Antananarivo (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the following day. Madagascar has a tropical climate with two seasons - rainy and dry. The driest season extends from April to October. It can be cold on the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings, and in the rainforest areas, so you should bring warm clothes (fleece and waterproof). There is considerable regional variation but coastal areas will normally be very hot and dry. Expect daytime in the shade temperatures up to 38ºC from October-December and up to 30ºC during the trips running from April-June and September. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 16 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sun Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Kenya Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later 3

4 date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Internal flights during the trip are normally with Air Madagascar. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Free Transfers Exodus offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip: please see the Free Transfers section below for more details. JOINING THE TRIP IN ANTANANARIVO 15 days, normally start Antananarivo Sat, end Antananarivo Sat Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Antananarivo in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Free Transfers Exodus offers FREE airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip, so no matter which flight you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 21 (approx. $US 37) should you decide to make your way independently. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: This trip employs local leaders and staff through all aspects of the trip whenever possible. We use predominantly locally owned and run accommodation on this trip and many local restaurants and shops are also used to purchase items throughout this trip which benefits the local community. We pay the mandatory park fees which contribute to conservation of the parks and surrounding areas. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Visas are required for entry to Madagascar. 30-day tourist visas may be obtained at the airport on arrival. If obtaining a visa at the airport, you should ensure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport. The visa fee is currently suspended. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip. Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip, and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited on this trip. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly 4

5 recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT +3hrs Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 5 and 18 people. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 18 years. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) Visit to Lemur's park near Tana: approximately US $ 65 for 1 person approximately US $ 45 per person for 2 people approximately US $ 35 per person for 3 people approximately US $ 30 per person from 4 people Visit of the botanical and Zoological park of Tsimbazaza near Tana: approximately US $ 55 for 1 person approximately US $ 35 per person per person for 2 people approximately US $ 30 per person per person for 3 people approximately US $ 25 per person per person from 4 people Tipping (leader and local staff) Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. You may feel that your leader has performed well over the course of your time in Madagascar and want to show your appreciation of their services. If you would like to tip your leader we suggest a figure of approximately 2 GBP (approx. US$ 3) per person per day. It is also courtesy to tip any extra guides/ drivers you may have over the course of the trip, though certainly not compulsory. Shortly after arrival the leader will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of 40 GBP (approx. US$ 70) per person towards a kitty on arrival. This money is then used for tipping local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc and will be distributed by the leader. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Lightweight clothing, to include at least one pair of long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt (for protection against mosquitoes and scratchy plants) Walking boots or training shoes with good tread Rain jacket (all year round) Sunscreen Sunhat Sunglasses Torch/flashlight for use when camping, wildlife viewing at night and for powercuts. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Madagascar is the Ariary (MGA), with an exchange rate of 3505 to the UK and 2200 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. A Visa card (not Mastercard) can be used to obtain a local currency cash advance at some banks, but note that we advise you to bring your spending money in, Euros or US$ cash as these are easiest to change to local currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into the country, provided it is declared on arrival. Sterling is as accepted as Euros and Dollars in Madagascar. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATM machines are only available in the towns of Antananarivo, Antsirabe, and Tulear on this trip. Please note you cannot rely on credit cards for payment as they are not widely accepted. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Airport departure tax US$14.50 paid in cash at Antananarivo airport. Optional items: Warm sweater or fleece jacket (as nights can be chilly) Binoculars Camera Daysack Swimming costume Earplugs if you have trouble sleeping Mosquito repellent Some clients might find walking poles useful. Please note that tampons are virtually impossible to get hold of in Madagascar. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 20kg. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Guide to Madagascar, Hilary Bradt (Bradt Publications) Madagascar & Comoro s, Lonely Planet Muddling through Madagascar, Dervla Murphy (Murray Publishers) Field Guide to Birds of Madagascar, New York Press, Field Guide to Mammals of Madagascar If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', 5

6 JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 6