RAINFOREST, BIGGEST LEMURS, BAOBABS & SPINY FOREST 18 DAYS & 17 NIGHTS PRIVATE SAFARI WITH CHARTER FLIGHTS BEVERLY HOUWING SEPTEMBER 17 - OCTOBER 4, 2019 (6 PARTICIPANTS SHARING 3 ROOMS) ITINERARY: ANTANANARIVO ANDASIBE BERENTY MANDRARE - ANTANANARIVO - MORONDAVA KIRINDY - BELO SUR MER MORONDAVA - ANTANANARIVO THEME: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BIRDING Discovering of the wonderful nature and wildlife of Madagascar arranged by Alexandra Travel. HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP The Capital City Antananarivo Andasibe National Park in the East Berenty Reserve in the South-East: Spiny Forest Luxury lodge of Mandrare River Camp Baobab Alley The Kirindy dry forest and the Fossa The West of Madagascar: Tropical and dry forests ACCESSIBILITY Suitable for all ages DAY 01, ARRIVAL ANTANANARIVO SEPTEMBER 17 Depending on the international flight s schedule, meeting and greeting by the Alexandra Travel team to the airport Ivato Antananarivo, capital city of Madagascar. Then, transfer in your hotel where you will have a short brief before the continuation. Overnight on Bed and Breakfast basis at PALISSANDRE HOTEL & SPA or similar. DAY 02, ANTANANARIVO ANDASIBE (150KM BY CAR ABOUT 3HOURS) SEPTEMBER 18 After breakfast, the driver will pick you up to the hotel for a drive about 3 hours, by the National road n 2. You will see the typical landscape of the highland and the eastern rainforest. On the way, a stop for visiting Peyreiras reptile s farm, where you can spot endemic species of chameleons, lizards, geckoes, frogs. Then, you will have lunch in a restaurant at Moramanga at your own arrangement. Arrival to Andasibe in the afternoon. Check in to the hotel, and before the dinner, evening hike at Mitsinjo reserve to spot the nocturnal fauna as the mouse lemurs, chameleons, frogs. Accommodation on half board basis at VAKONA FOREST LODGE or in similar for 3 nights. DAY 03, ANDASIBE (MANTADIA NATIONAL PARK) SEPTEMBER 19 After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day visit of the primary forest of the Mantadia National Park where diurnal lemur species as the Black and white ruffed lemur, the diademed sifaka lemur, the common brown lemur, the eastern grey bamboo lemur and the red bellied lemur might be spotted as well as different endemic species of birds. Picnic lunch at your charge. Back to the hotel after the visit. DAY 04, ANDASIBE (ANALAMAZAOTRA SPECIAL RESERVE & VAKONA PRIVATE PARK) SEPTEMBER 20 After breakfast at the hotel, morning visit of the Analamazaotra reserve which is a special reserve for the Indri, the largest living lemur. Lunch at your charge. In the afternoon, visit of the Vakona private reserve which is comprising two different places: its crocodile s farm and its lemur island. Before dinner, a little evening walk along the main road to spot some wonderful and active nocturnal animals.
DAY 05, ANDASIBE ANTANANARIVO SEPTEMBER 21 After breakfast at the hotel, morning visit of the VOIMMA reserve. Back to the hotel for lunch at your charge and check-out, then, drive back to Antananarivo. Accommodation on half board basis at PALISSANDRE HOTEL & SPA or in similar. DAY 06, ANTANANARIVO IFOTAKA BERENTY (BY CHARTER FLIGHT) SEPTEMBER 22 Transfer to the airport for your private flight to Mandrare. Upon your arrival, meet your car and drive straight to Berenty. You can have a stop on the way for photos: fruits market, the Antanosy tribe funerary art, spiny forests, baobab trees, sisal plantation. Arrival in Berenty, installation at the hotel. Lunch at your charge. If time allows in the afternoon, take a walk within the gallery forest for spotting lemur and birds. Before the dinner, night hike within the spiny forest for spotting nocturnal species as the grey Mouse lemur and the white footed sportive lemur. Accommodation on half board basis at BERENTY LODGE. DAY 07 & DAY 08, BERENTY SEPTEMBER 23 & 24 All days for exploring the Berenty private reserve and its surroundings. Three species of diurnal lemurs are easily seen within this reserve including the ring tailed lemur, the sifaka lemur and the red fronted brown lemur as well as different endemic species of birds. You might see some endemic birds as the Giant Coua, crested coua, chabert s Vanga, Madagascar sparrow hawks, Madagascar Harrier hawks or Sooty falcon.lunches at your charge. Accommodation on half board basis at BERENTY LODGE. DAY 09, BERENTY IFOTAKA ( MANDRARE) SEPTEMBER 25 After breakfast at the hotel, meet the driver then 1 to 2 hours transfer by 4x4 to Ifotaka. After installation, enjoy the majestic views over the Mandrare River. A 3 course lunch is served on the river terrace. Around 5pm depart for a night walk in the Forest of Zenavo, a fantastic way to see diurnal lemurs bedding down, and the nocturnal lemurs begin to wake in the eerie and prehistoric Spiny Forest. You will spot Sifakas and sleeping White-footed Sportive lemurs, two mouse lemur species, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls and now active Sportive lemurs. Overnight Mandrare River Camp (All inclusive). DAY 10, IFOTAKA (MANDRARE) SEPTEMBER 26 After breakfast, in the morning, continuation to the stunning Sacred Gallery forest to the south of the Camp. Depending on the river depth, you could walk or take a boat across the Mandrare River to reach this largely deciduous forest. Inquisitive groups of ring tailed lemurs and the always entertaining Verreaux sifaka are the highlight of this excursion. Return to the Camp for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. In late afternoon, walk through the Sacred Spiny forest filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, as well as an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, unique to the spiny forest. You will have an English speaking guide and tracker from the local community will give you an introduction to Antandroy culture and customs. Overnight Mandrare River Camp (All inclusive). DAY11, IFOTAKA (MANDRARE) SEPTEMBER 27 After breakfast, hike to the Spiny Forest for an early morning walk where you will see a large variety of birds through the octopus trees. Head back to the Camp for a sumptuous breakfast followed by a visit to the local market (on Thursdays and Saturdays) or the local village to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Lunch will be served at the Camp followed by a relaxed afternoon watching life along the river from your tent terrace. At 5pm, departure for a sundowner amidst the baobabs. Watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the Baobabs to the mountains beyond is a magical experience. In the evening, the local village may come to perform beautiful traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music. Song and dance is at the heart of Antandroy culture and is used to accompany the major rituals and events of everyday life. Overnight Mandrare River Camp (All inclusive).
DAY 12, IFOTAKA MORONDAVA-KIRINDY (BY CHARTER FLIGHT) SEPTEMBER 28 Breakfast at your hotel, then, transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Morondava. Lunch at your charge. Once we land, we would do a city tour and visit the Vezo fishermen village of Betania. The Vezo are semi-nomadic coastal people of southern Madagascar that have become accustomed to live from sea fishing. Afterwards, drive to Kirindy. Stop at the baobab alleys for taking some pictures. Accommodation on Half Board basis for 3 nights at RELAIS DE KIRINDY DAY 13, KIRINDY SEPTEMBER 29 After early breakfast, drive to the Baobab Avenue for sunrise and pictures. Enjoy panoramic view of these giant trees. Lunch at your charge. Drive to Kirindy forest for diurnal visit in this deciduous forest for discovering its wildlife. Evening walk before the dinner to discover nocturnal species of animals. Or If skies are clear, visit Baobab avenue for night photography. Accommodation on half board at for 2 Nights at RELAIS DE KIRINDY or similar. DAY 14, KIRINDY MAROFANDILIA KIRINDY SEPTEMBER 30 Today you drive to Marofandilia village and visit the reserve. Diurnal visit of the reserve and then back. Lunch at your charge. Possibility to enjoy the sunset again at Baobab Avenue for night photography. DAY 15, KIRINDY - MORONDAVA BELO SUR MER OCTOBER 1 After breakfast at your hotel, drive southwards on a dirt and sandy track to Belo sur mer. The adventure starts with crossing Kabatomena, the first long river without bridge, then followed by Maharivo, a second shorter one. Arrival in Belo sur Mer around noon. A small town situated on the beach, Belo is a fishermen village known for its dhow construction. Lunch at your charge. Afternoon visit to the village and see the traditional open air dhow construction. Accommodation on Half Board basis at ECOLODGE DE MENABE or similar. DAY 16, BELO SUR MER (VISIT KIRINDY NATIONAL PARK MITEA) OCTOBER 2 After breakfast, drive to the national park of Kirindy Mite, which is about 10km of Belo sur Mer, where you can discover the famous primary dry forest of the region. The Park stands out in terms of its faunistic richness and its high endemicity rate in all groups of animals: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians. Kirindy- Mite Biosphere Reserve comprises a watershed and a mosaic of rich but fragile ecosystems, such as dry forests, thickets, thorn forests, savannahs, salty swampy depressions known as tannes, mangroves and coral reefs. Lunch at your charge. After the hike, drive back to Belo sur Mer. Accommodation on Half Board basis at ECOLODGE DE MENABE or similar. DAY 17, BELO SUR MER - MORONDAVA OCTOBER 3 Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Lunch at your charge. In agreed time, drive back to Morondava. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation on Half Board basis at PALISSANDRE COTE OUEST. DAY 18, MORONDAVA ANTANANARIVO (BY CHARTER FLIGHT) OCTOBER 4 Breakfast at the hotel. In agreed time, transfer to the airport of Morondava and take the Charter flight to Antananarivo. Lunch at your charge. Arrival in Antananarivo, transfer to your hotel for day use room, depending on the international flight s schedules. Transfer again to the airport of Antananarivo and assistance for your flight home. END OF TOUR SERVICES
NET RATES IN EURO PER PERSON Valid for September 2019 (rates may be subject to change) US Dollar rate is based on current exchange rate with EURO and may change. WITH A PIPER CHEYENNE II 500KG Participant basis 6 participants+ guide 2 people per room $10,200.00 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT : $1,625.00 for private room. FLIGHT TIMES: CHARTER PIPER CHEYNNE II (MAXIMUM WEIGHT 600KG, INCLUDING THE GUIDE) Day6: From Antananarivo to Ifotaka : 1hour32mn Day12: From Ifotaka to Fort Dauphin for refueling : 00h54mn Day12: From Fort Dauphin to Morondava : 01hour 21mn Day18: From Morondava to Antananarivo : 00h54. LUGGAGE REQUIREMENTS: Total luggage s weight including camera, hand bag is limited to 20kg per passenger without any overweight possibility. The luggage should not be more than 140cm if the height is added to the width and the length. The luggage must be flexible - soft duffel style. Recommended size: 24 x 14 x 9 Each piece of luggage will be weighed and measured before check-in. In case of overweight luggage at check-in, extra luggage can be safely stored at our facility at the airport. This particular bag is available on Amazon - make sure you get the cammo version as the fabric is sturdier that the solid color options. https://www.amazon.com/dp/b075lnqcd8/?coliid=i360kche469ghp&colid=b5o7m4jur7e8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it PASSENGERS: Upon booking, the client weight should be given to MTA for us to organize the aircraft and its weight and balance. Our flight operation and aircraft choice is based on a standard estimate of 85 kg per passenger. This is to satisfy our client s reasonably without compromising safety and in-flight comfort. Safety regulations stipulate that all passengers must be able to fasten their seat belts without the use of any seatbelt extension that is prohibited; body waist must be therefore less than 140 cm. The seating width must not be more than 45 cm in respect of other passenger seating on the next seat. Each passenger will be weighed according to aviation regulations of light aircraft. INCLUDED: Accommodation on half board basis during the entire tour ** Except for day1 and for the stay at Mandrare River Camp Lunches from Day 2 to Day 18 Accommodation on All-inclusive basis for 3 nights at Mandrare River Camp (day 9 to day11). All transfers from/to the airport where needed. Service of a private English speaking guide services throughout the trip Road transfer Mandrare - Berenty - Mandrare Charter flights indicated in itinerary A private driven car in all land tours including the gasoline and the driver indemnification. All visits mentioned in the program. Entrance fees and local guide services in all parks and reserves mentioned in the program. Tourist taxes, handling & international wire transfer fees. Gonex 60L Packable Travel Duffle Bag, Lightweight Water Repellent & Tear Resistant 14 Color Choices
EXCLUDED: Tipping (suggested) 2 per meal per the group 5 per day for the driver per the group. 10 to 15 per day per day per guide for the group. Long haul air tickets from your international destination to/from Antananarivo (TNR) Airport. Visa fee of 35 per person Drinks & meals not indicated in the program or mentioned as at your charge All visits which are not mentioned in the program or any change of the program on the spot. Items for personal nature & souvenirs. Any case of an important alteration of the rates of the hotels or the other service provider s rates given are subject to change. BOOKING INFORMATION: To reserve your place a non-refundable deposit of $3,500.00 is required by September 20, 2018. Any booking made after this cannot be guaranteed as these lodges are holding the bookings provisionally and will release them to other parties requesting the same dates. We will also be able to lock in 2018 rates, by booking in September 2018. The balance of $6,700.00 will be due by May 31, 2019. PASSPORT: It is your responsibility to ensure you have a current passport, valid for six months after your return home. Please ensure it has at least three blank pages in it for stamps/visas. If it does not, you are likely to be denied access into the country. TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is required that all participants have their own insurance for medical evacuation, medical expenses and baggage loss. Full trip cancellation insurance is not required, but highly recommended. RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Cholera,Yellow Fever & Malaria. Share this itinerary with a travel health specialist to see what is recommended. QUESTIONS: Please contact Beverly Houwing at: beverly@squidgallery.com 310-488-8848 Our private trip is very competitively priced compared to other photography and group trips I looked at that are advertising Madagascar excursions on the Internet. OTHER COMPANIES TOURS COMPARED * THESE ARE NOT PRIVATE AND CAN BE FOR GROUPS UP TO 10 PEOPLE. 1 - Ultimate: 15-day $11,500 2 - Mark Meunch: 13-day $14,500 3 - Penda: 18-day $7,000 * No flights which add $3,500 to cost. 4 - WWF: 13-day strenuous $10,195 plus $2,000 for charter flights.
BOOKING CONFIRMATION With your check of $3,500.00 deposit for the Madagascar Safari, please provide the following information: 1. Full Legal Name 2. Date of Birth 3. Passport Number 4. Passport Expiration Date 5. Meal Preferences 6. Height 7. Weight I must received this no later than September 20, 2018 in order to confirm our booking. Payment can be by check made out to: Beverly Houwing. Or via PayPal to: beverly@squidgallery.com please remember to select the Sending to a Friend option.
TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE TRAVEL GUARD (AIG) or similar insurance companies offer Full Trip Coverage. This is highly recommended because of the advance purchase of this tour. Once you purchase an initial coverage policy, that policy can be added to as you make additional payments towards the trip. The initial purchase and any additional purchases that you need included in the policy coverage must added within 15 days of when you paid for them! Coverage for the Madagascar Trip: For the Madagascar Safari, your non-refundable deposit is due by September 20, 2018. That means you would need to start your policy coverage for $3,500.00 no later than October 5, 2018 (or earlier if you made your payment prior to this date). Just make sure you are within the 15 day window! The balance for the trip of $6,700.00, which is due on June 15, 2019, would need to be added to the same policy before June 30, 2019. When you purchase your international air tickets, make sure you add these to the policy within 15 days of your purchase to include them as well. The full trip cancellation policy also covers, medical evacuation (which is a requirement for all trips to Africa), flight delay, trip interruption, lost baggage and other standard items. Travel Guard offers two policies, which I recommend you discuss with their agent to see which one is better for you and depending on any promotions they might be offering: The coverage cost will be different depending on whether you are 69 years of age or less or 70 and above. Here is the number for Travel Guard: 1-800-826-1300. If you want to compare TravelEx, who also offer Trip Insurance, they are at 1-800-228-9792. Follow the links below to see the detail tabs (e.g., Medical, Trip Protection) on each of the coverage options. Platinum https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-providers/aig-travel/travel-guard-platinum/#tab_plan-summary Gold https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-providers/aig-travel/travel-guard-gold/#tab_plan-summary Silver https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-providers/aig-travel/travel-guard-silver/#tab_plan-summary Basic https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-providers/aig-travel/travel-guard-basic/#tab_plan-summary