1- The world’s largest lemurs
2- Meet with the Aye-Aye lemurs
3- The exceptional biodiversity and lush forest
The east coast is Madagascar’s most luxuriant region because it receives a lot of rain during much of the year. The driest period lasts from Mid-August to mid-December; whereas from mid-December to March, the weather is generally fine, with some rain mainly in the evenings, but occasionally there is a risk of hurricanes. The weather in April and May is variable, with alternating dry and rainy days; from June to mid-August it is cooler and rains frequently. So in spite of its sometimes problematic weather, the east coast offers extraordinary landscapes: verdant savannah covered by Ravinala palms (« the traveller’s tree »), coconut palms, beautiful flowers, perfumed essences and spices, ferns and all kinds of tropical plants, and gaudily coloured birds.
The best itinerary goes from the capital to Marozevo breeding station for butterflies and chameleons; the ethnographic museum at Moramanga and, above all, the Andasibe Reserve where you can admire, among the other lemurs, the Indri-Indri, the biggest ones, living in their rainforest habitat.
During this itinerary you can also see the interesting Pangalana Canal, which runs parallel with the sea and offers gorgeous landscapes.
A tour of the east coast can be completed with visiting the island of Nosy Boraha. This island is not only a well-known seaside resort, but also a historic region, filled with traditions, marvellous landscapes, clove plantations, lush forests, unforgettable views of the ocean and sheltered bays. Also remember that between June and September, you can do whalewatching of Humpback Whales.
Arrival at the international airport of Ivato; after formalities process, meet with your driver and transfer to a hotel in the city; accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight at hotel.
| Breakfast at hotel; morning drive to Andasibe through the eastern plateau; on the way, stop in Marozevo for a visit of the Madagascar Exotic farm: you will see many varieties of endemic animals: reptiles, batrachians, geckos, iguanas, lemurs; after the visit, continuation of the road. On the way, lunch at your charge; upon arrival in Andasibe, check-in at hotem; in the evening, nocturnal visit in Andasibe; the road makes for easy walking and the proximity to the vegetation will mean that you are likely to spot something: lemurs, different species of frogs and lots of insects; afterwards, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at hotel. |
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Breakfast at hotel; transfer of about an hour to Mantadia National Park; a primary Mantadia forest, home to a multitude of species of lemurs, chameleons and birds, as well as an incredible variety of orchids, pandanus and giant ferns; there are also species of reptiles, amphibians… free lunch; in the afternoon, visit the lush Vakona private reserve to observe other animal species, including crocodiles, harmless snakes, herons, chameleons, fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox) and various species of lemur; return to the hotel; dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
| After an early breakfast, start of the excursion in the Analamazaotra reserve, characterized by high altitude rainforest dotted with streams and waterfalls, in a profusion of lush trees, gigantic ferns, fragrant flowers and a thousand varieties of orchids; during the excursion we can see the largest living lemur, the Indri-Indri, well-known for its characteristic call that pervades the whole forest; at the end of the visit, drive back to your hotel; picnic lunch at your charge; at the end of the morning, drive to Manambato where you take a speedboat to Ankanin’ny Nofy. Upon arrival, dinner and overnight at hotel. |
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Breakfast at hotel; start your day with an excursion to the beautiful Palmarium Reserve, a great place for seeking adventure and discovery. You can explore coffee, cocoa, lychee, cinnamon, and vanilla plantations and admire the beauty of orchids and the Ravinala palm, Madagascar’s symbol. Also meet various species of lemurs who welcome you to their territory. In the afternoon, visit of a village and have a cultural exchange. As the sun sets, excursion to an islet where a rare and fascinating species lives: the Aye-Aye nocturnal lemurs. Afterwards, come-back to your hotel for a dinner and overnight.
| Breakfast at hotel; In the morning you will leave Ankanin’ny Nofy for Mantasoa. First, you will take the boat to Manambato, enjoy the tranquility of these clear waters. On the other side of the lake, the driver will be waiting to take you back to RN2. Lunch at your charge on the way. Arrive in Mantasoa in the afternoon. Accommodation at hotel. Dinner and overnight. |
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Breakfast at hotel; in the morning, visit of the Nosy Soa Park, a naturalized zoo on an island in the middle of the great Lake Mantasoa. Crocodiles, turtles, snakes, chameleons, sifaka (lemurs) and butterflies make for an enchanting walk. After the visit, lunch at your charge. In the afternoon, drive back to the capital through the National road n°2. Arrival at the end of the day, installation at your hotel in the city. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
| Breakfast at the hotel; in the morning, visit of Antananarivo or « the city of a thousand », from the lower city to the upper city perched on the hill of Analamanga, where the most typical buildings of the Merina civilization are found, the vestiges of the Queen Palace, former official residence of the sovereigns of Madagascar in the 19th century; after the visit, transfer to the airport for the international flight. The memories of this trip will stay with you forever. Thank you for visiting the Big Island with us! Veloma! End of services |
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