Lemurs, Whales and Beaches Family Safari

A 14 Day Family Safari - From £3,220 Per Person Sharing Based on a Family of 4, Excluding International Flights

Day 1

On your arrival into Madagascar you will be met by your driver and guide who will transfer you to your hotel for the night.

Overnight: Lapasoa – is a boutique hotel with large bright, en-suite rooms. The hotel is close to the centre of town, restaurants, banks and shops

Day 2

Today you set off on your journey southwards and to the National Park of Ranomafana. This park protects a large tract of rainforest in the east of the island where if you are lucky you will see the rare golden bamboo lemur! Rano is Malagasy for water; mafana is Malagasy for hot. About a hundred years ago a Malagasy discovered hot springs down in the valley, and the French created a spa around them. This has now become the town of Ranomafana.
Overnight: Domaine Nature - 14 bungalows set amongst the lush vegetation and constructed with local materials offer comfortable accommodation for the traveller (B/D)

Day 3

Today is spent exploring Ranomafana. This National Park covers an area of 41 000 hectares and has dense rainforest of medium altitude with waterfalls and rapids. It is home to 12 species of Lemur including the golden bamboo. Lemurs are not the only attraction however with the park boasting an impressive 118 species of bird! A variety of trails and footpaths lead you through this dense jungle but it's the sheer majesty of the forest itself that makes the Park so beautiful. A variety of orchids, tree palms and ferns and a huge variety of geckos, chameleons and beautiful little coloured frogs make this a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Overnight: Domaine Nature (B/D)

Day 4

Today you drive southwards, through a mixture of dense forests and dramatic open plains and hillsides. An eye opening experience to see the devastation that has affected these once beautiful forests. As you approach Isalo over the open plains, the distant rock massif on the horizon slowly grows bigger and the diversity and magic of this island soon becomes apparent. 

Overnight: Relais de la Reine - A perfectly integrated hotel blending into the surrounding landscape with spectacular views over the nearby Isalo Massif. The comfortable stone chalets are a real treat when travelling through Madagascar and combined with the swimming pool offers a pleasant stop over when travelling down to the coast (B/D)

Day 5

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 Relais de la Reine. 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: Relais de la Reine (B/D)

Day 6

Today your journey continues onwards and south towards the coastal town of Tulear for a short flight back to Antananarivo for the night.

Overnight: Lapasoa (B)

Day 7

In the morning you set off in the direction of Andasibe Reserve passing through highland scenery and rice paddies. This afternoon enjoy an afternoon walk through the reserve in search of the lemurs and other wildlife.

Overnight: Vakona Lodge (B/D)

Day 8

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 (B/D)

Day 9

This morning you set off east towards the Pangalanes Canals on the east coast. This is a series of lakes that were linked together to form a safe passage up the east coast. After a 45 minute boat trip you will arrive at the private reserve of Palmarium. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to relax and enjoy the lemurs that live in the trees around the lodge.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge – has several bungalows overlooking the lake. Each bungalow has a balcony and en-suite bathroom (B/D)

Day 10

Enjoy a walk through the forest with one of the lodge guides. Here it is possible to see a family of indri, Coquerel’s sifakas, black lemurs, crowned lemurs, black and white ruffed lemurs and red lemurs. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge (B/D)

Day 11

Today you take a 2 hour boat trip up the canals past villages, fishing traps, pirogues, barges and children swimming before arriving at Tamatave in time for your flight to Ile Sainte Marie. This is a fantastic location for some beach relaxation and exploration. Located in a palm grove along a white sandy beach this is the perfect place to relax and reminisce after the last 10 days of adventure.

Overnight: Princess Bora Lodge – Luxury Bungalow – located along a turquoise lagoon with only fifteen villas constructed of local Malagasy materials this is an idyllic eco-retreat (B/D)

Day 12, 13

Relax for the next few days in this idyllic setting. A variety of activities are possible including diving (PADI lessons are available), snorkelling, relaxing by the pool. A highlight of your stay here is the opportunity to go whale watching; during the months of June – September hundreds of humpback whales come to this are for breeding. Up to 15m in length this is a spectacular opportunity to experiences these mammals up close and personal as you visit them with the research team and help them to collect vital research data. Breeching whales is an experience not to be missed…!

Overnight: Princess Bora Lodge (B/D)

Day 14

Today you depart this idyllic paradise and fly back to Antananarivo (Tana) for your international flight back home (B)