The many faces of Madagascar

das Vulkangebiet von Ampefy
Reisterassen - Besuch mit Übernachtung bei einer Familie - Ranomafana Nationalpark & Bambuslemuren - Zebumarkt - Isalo Nationalpark und Katta Lemuren - Ifaty: Baobabwald, Mangroven, Lagune, Schnorcheln - Schildkröten - Chamäleons und Reptilien - Indri (der Größte Lemur) - der nachtaktive Mausmaki - Andasibe NP - Lemuren "auf Augenhöhe" - Bootsfahrt auf dem Pangalanes

Die vielen Gesichter Madagaskars

Day 1: Departure from Europe
Day 2: Arrival in Antananarivo 1 night at "Chalet des Roses", "Belvedere" "les Trois Metisses" hotel.

Days 3 - 4: Ampefy and Antsirabe, rice fields between volcanic mountains
We don't stay long in the capital, but start our journey across the country and welcome our first lemurs on this day. Together we explore the impressive volcanic area to the west of Antananarivo, whose spectacular highlight is a geyser. The next day we visit the Lily waterfall, a lively natural spectacle! There is another well hidden cascade. In the afternoon we drive through bright green fields: the rice granary of the country. If possible, we will take breaks along the way to make side trips to individual villages.
Antananarivo - Ampefy (150 km)
1 night in the lakeside hotel "Kavitaha".
Ampefy - Antsirabe (170 km)
1 night at Hotel Vatolahy

Days 5 - 6: To Mama Berthe!
We drive further to the south to a big bridge at the river Fatihita (60 km). From there we take a small path on foot and visit a typical Malagasy family! Mama Berthe, the proud tribal elder, welcomes us to her home and looks forward to hosting us for two days and sharing in the farm life.
3 hrs hike, approx. +/- 420 meters altitude difference, 2 nights in the family home

Days 7 - 8: Ranomafana National Park
After this time travel, we hike (3 hrs) on another path to the asphalt road, where our coach is already waiting for us. Now we take course to Ambositra. There, within a guided tour, we will learn the Malagasy art of wood carving. After another stage of our journey we will reach the Ranomafana National Park in the afternoon. It is one of the last mountain cloud rainforests on earth and is also home to - besides a unique flora and fauna - real thermal springs. After the exhausting excursion, a bath in the warm water will do wonders! On day 8 we will look for the Golden Bamboo Lemurs, the Sifaka and all their forest friends. (approx. 4 hours hike in the forest, +/- 350 meters altitude difference). The afternoon is free. In the evening, we will go on a night hike with our local travel friend and, with a little luck, we will look into the big eyes of the mouse lemur. Will we also spot chameleons and the other nocturnal creatures of the rainforest? 2 nights at the Hotel "CENTR'EST".

Day 9: Zebus and Kattas
We continue south through the picturesque landscape of the rice terraces. Ambalavao is known for its large cattle market. Here in the south, zebu, a type of cattle, has a special importance in society and in sports. They have their own rules and life values here. Is the island of Madagascar really a world apart? Together we search for answers to this question.
A few kilometers west of Ambalavao, we visit the Kattas, a distinctive and quite trusting lemur species due to its distinctive ring tail. The Anja Reserve, where they are at home, is a successful conservation project, where the trust between humans and forest dwellers is clearly noticeable: pure lemur! In the afternoon we reach Ranohira. 230 km

Day 10, 21.10.2020: Isalo National Park
A whole day to be amazed! We hike the trails of the impressive Isalo National Park, marvel at its rock formations (5 to 6 hrs hike, +/- 250 hm), climb gorges (very easy) and swim in small oases. We continue to look out for lemurs, birds, insects and reptiles that inhabit the evergreen tapia forest.
2 nights at the "Isalo Ranch” hotel.

Day 11: Dry forest, mangroves and sea
Through the window of our bus, we clearly see a change in the passing environment; we are heading through the dry southwest to the Antandroy and Mahafaly villages. The contrast of this landscape – compared to the land of the Betsileo, which we have just left behind - makes us clearly feel the uniqueness of the island of Madagascar in its diversity. Many of the species native here do not live in any other spot on earth: savannah and steppes with baobabs that hide incredible mineral resources in their soil. The small sapphire villages we visit show us this "discrete" wealth of the country. Later we reach Ifaty on the Mozambique Channel. 2 nights half board at the "Princesse du Lagon" or "Ifaty beach club" hotel.

Day 12, 23.10.2020: Ifaty, day off
How about a short walk in the forest of giant baobabs and an encounter with turtoises? Or would you rather go diving in the Blue Lagoon? For this you can take a traditional sailing boat to the Parc Marine! If you just want to relax in front of your hotel room and occasionally jump into the swimming pool, Ifaty offers the possibility to relax a little after the manifold impressions of the southern route

Day 13 Flight to Antananarivo

Day 14. East: off to Andasibe!
After the unique church service at Father Pedro's (Sunday) we drive from Antananarivo through picturesque mountain landscapes to Andasibe. On the way we explore the gardens of Madagascar Exotic and discover colorful butterflies, colorful iridescent chameleons and reptiles excellently adapted to their environment. In the late evening, we can observe the nocturnal lemurs under twinkling starry skies by the light of flashlights on a guided hike!
140 km, 3 to 4 hrs, approx. 1 hr. night hike, To Father Pedro: www.perepedro-akamasoa.net , 2 nights at Hotel "Grace Lodge" or "Feon'ny Ala".

Day 16, 27.10.2020: To the Nest of Dreams!
Today, various highlights already await us on the journey; we stop at typical Malagasy fruit stands, grandiose viewpoints and other curious places. Our tip: The bathing suits should be ready to hand! In the afternoon we reach a lake, which we cross on a boat to get to the Nest of Dreams (Akaninofy).
130 km, approx. 3 ½ hrs. and 1 ½ hrs. by boat.
3 nights at Bushhouse: https:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsHF-gMEd28

Days 17 - 18: Pure relaxation in the Nest of Dreams.
We stay two full days to enjoy this secluded, idyllic place! In the morning of the first day, we hike together through tropical forest and meet more lemurs at eye level. The rest of the time is free to explore and enjoy the surroundings on your own.
In the evening, the fingered animal Aye-Aye - a very rare, nocturnal lemur species - can be observed on a short guided trip (optional).

Day 19, 30.10.2020: Return trip to Antananarivo
Day 20, 31.10.2020: Departure flight
Day 21, 01.11.2020: Arrival in Europe

The price includes:

• Overnight stay with breakfast and dinner
• Green Suitcase German speaking tour guide during the whole trip
• Air-conditioned private bus or off-road vehicle with driver during the whole trip
• All boat trips according to the program
• Domestic flight Toliara - Antananarivo
• Park entrance fees and park guide
• All airport transfers

Not included

• The long-haul flight in economy class costs between 700 € and 900 € if the tickets are booked early. We are happy to take care of the flights with our partner travel agency Fairlines (www.fairlines.de). Please let us know your preferred dates and airport and we will send you our offer.
• All travel insurances
• Lunch and drinks
• Personal expenses
• tip