Forest, Beach and Savannah Adventure - A 20 day safari - From £3,400 per person

Day 1

Arrive into Antananarivo, met by your private vehicle and driver and transfer to your hotel in Tana.

Overnight: Hotel Palissandre – very comfortable located within walking distance from the town centre, great food and lovely views.

Day 2

Today you continue your drive south through the highlands and make your way eastwards to the rain forest reserve of Ranomafana National Park.

Overnight: Hotel Domain Nature; a real rainforest lodge overlooking the Namorona River. 14 bungalows set amongst lush vegetation and constructed with local materials offer comfortable accommodation

Day 3

Day to visit the Ranomafana forest. Here you may be lucky and see 3 species of bamboo lemur (out of 4 found in Madagascar). The most common is the lesser bamboo lemur which you may have seen in Andasibe. The greater bamboo lemur is very rare and only known for 2 locations, you may find them by hearing the crack of big bamboo stems as they feed. The star of Ranomafana is the golden bamboo lemur which was only discovered in 1986 (researchers were trying to find the greater bamboo lemur). A diet of bamboo tips containing cyanide may be responsible for their golden fur. The largest lemur in the park is the elusive Milne-Edwards sifaka, often spotted high up in the forest canopy. You should also look out for red bellied lemur which live in couples with their offspring and red fronted brown lemur which live in large groups. Ranomafana is a birding hotspot but finding birds in the dense forest can be very tricky - an early morning start is essential. Evening nocturnal visits are organised here in a designated area in the forest where bananas are offered to bring out mouse lemur and meat to attract the striped civet.

Overnight: Hotel Domaine Nature

Day 4

Another full day to explore the rainforest of Ranomafana.

Overnight: Hotel Domaine Nature

Day 5

Today you make an early start for the drive to the south. After a brief stop at Fianarantsoa the last major town on the highlands we descend into the west coast region where the scenery changes to open savannah grasslands with zebu herds tended by Malagasy cowboys. There is time before lunch to visit the vineyards found at the town of Ambalavao and to see handmade paper being produced. Just after Ambalavao is the community managed reserve of Anja. Here you should be able to spot troupes of ring-tails in the forest between huge granite outcrops. In the late afternoon you will be driving through the fantastic scenery of the Isalo National Park before arriving at the oasis setting of the Jardin de Roy Hotel.

Overnight: Jardin du Roy; a stunning hotel newly constructed in the Isalo National Park

Day 6-7

Today you have the fantastic opportunity for some trekking through impressive canyons and along dramatic bluffs; Isalo's topography has been sculpted over the years by wind and water and now lends itself to some quite fanciful shapes! A classic walk is along the Massif affording dramatic views and arriving late in the afternoon at "La Piscine Naturelle", a natural swimming pool formed in the rocks fringed by palm trees and forever topped up by a flowing waterfall. After a day out in the sun it is hard to refuse! Travellers also have the option of visiting a variety of natural canyons in the area, horse riding or just relaxing back at the Jardin du Roy. There is no better way to finish the day however than to watch the sun setting through "La Fenetre" a natural rock formation providing a window to the setting sun!

Overnight: Jardin Du Roy

Day 8-9

After breakfast you leave the hotel for a final drive across the savannah plains before arriving at the coastal town and regional capital of Toliara. You stop just before town at the arboretum which has the most extensive collection of south Madagascan plants found anywhere on earth. After lunch you can take a walk on the botanical trail and you may also spot a sleeping mouse lemur among the bizarre branches. There is no beach at Toliara but just 20 miles north is the reef protected bay of Ifaty.

Overnight: Hotel Paradisier; Wooden bungalows with private terraces and mezzanine levels perched on the edge of the beach offer a great place to sit back and relax. With sweeping sea views, a beautiful swimming pool and some of the best diving in the world it is impossible not to enjoy this private haven!

Day 10

Today you transfer to the aiport for your internal flight from Tulear back to Tana. Met upon arrival by your vehicle and driver you transfer to the Hotel Palissandre to relax before continuing your journey.

Overnight: Hotel Palissandre – very comfortable located within walking distance from the town centre, great food and lovely views.

 Day 11

In the morning you set off in the direction of Andasibe Reserve with a brief stop at the Ambohimanga Palace on your way. This Palace represents the lineage of kings and queens past and is an important place to stop in order to understand the history and culture of the "Red Island". Leaving the Palace you drive east to Andasibe Reserve passing through highland scenery and rice paddies. Time to relax upon arrival, take a stroll or have your first nocturnal wildlife walk.

Overnight: Vakona Lodge; the most luxurious lodge in the area with 24 quiet and comfortable bungalows and also a swimming pool. Delicious food with courteous service. Horse riding is an optional extra or alternatively visit the hotels' own little reserve where you can observe former "pet lemurs" living in relative freedom. You also have the option of spotting your own wildlife just by walking along the road near the lodge!

Days 12-13

A day to explore Andasibe/Perinet National Park or Mantadia with your local wildlife guide. A montane forest park offering the chance to spot a variety of lemurs, reptiles and birds. One of its most famous inhabitants is the Indri, Indri - the largest of lemurs with a black and white teddy bear like appearance. You hear the Indri before you see them and waking up to their songs of communication in the early hours of the morning with the mist still hugging the rainforest canopy is a highlight of your trip to the Red Island. Best to leave early morning to be near the Indri when they make their distinctive morning group communication calls. Other lemurs which can be seen here are the red-bellied lemur, brown lemur, lesser bamboo lemur, with nocturnal lemurs - brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur (Sep/Oct - May), Eastern woolly lemur, sportive lemur, aye aye (seen once each year!).

Overnight: Vakona Lodge

Day 14

Today you depart Andasibe and return to Tana in time for your flight to Anjajavy in the morning.

Overnight: Hotel Palissandre

Day 15

Today you catch an internal flight across the country to Anjajavy. This unique hotel cannot be accessed by road so you are flown directly to the private airstrip. Located approximately 120km north of Majunga and on the Mozambique Channel.

Overnight: Anjajavy - a luxury hotel consisting of 25 rosewood villas with a large terrace overlooking the sea, a living room area, breakfast area and bedroom. A small staircase also leads to the first floor which you can use as an office or guest room. The bathroom consists of separate lavatories and a large bath!

Days 16-19

The next couple of days are at your disposal to relax and explore this unique area. Optional excursions include: water skiing, snorkelling, wind surfing, catamarans, fishing, boat excursions, visits to the local villages and a variety of walks to admire the local fauna and flora (chameleons, Sifaka lemur (Verreaux's propithecus), the bird of paradise and Cuvier's oplure (a type of iguana) and the fish eagle). The hotel also has a fresh water pool, a boutique and benefits from some excellent cuisine which is a mix of both western and Malagasy flavours

Overnight: Anjajavy

 Day 20

Today you fly back to Anatananarivo in time to meet your international flight back home.