TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Saturday 07/01/2023 In flight
Depart the United States for Madagascar.

Sunday 07/02/2023 Antananarivo Palissandre Hotel
Upon arrival at Antananarivo International Airport, clear customs and immigration, meet your local guide, and transfer to your
hotel. This is a travel day and no meals are included. Please note operational days for flights to Madagascar are subject to change
without prior notice and there might be need for additional hotel nights at Antananarivo at additional cost.
Check-in starts at 12 pm.
Room type – Standard

Monday 07/03/2023 Andasibe Vakona Lodge or similar (BLD)
After a short briefing, check out and travel east through green and luxuriant vegetation. Stop in Marozevo and spend some time at
Peyrieras Nature Farm, a small, private reserve. This is a good photo opportunity for endemic chameleons, bats, frogs, and unique
insects like the endangered comet moth, one of the largest moths know to science. Have a picnic lunch at the farm before
continuing on to Andasibe. This part of the country is characterized by many primary forests, lakes, and a humid climate. Set amid
a eucalyptus plantation about four miles from the Analamazaotra Reserve entrance, Vakona Forest Lodge is considered one of the
most comfortable hotels in this area. The individual bungalows are thoughtfully scattered throughout the grounds and each boasts
generous space, a private bathroom, an electric heater, a mini bar, and a safe.
Room type – Standard Bungalow

Tuesday 07/04/2023 Andasibe Vakona Lodge or similar (BLD)
This morning, visit Analamazaotra Reserve to spend the day photographing in the Andasibe region. This tropical wet forest is
home to the largest of all lemur species: the indri. Return to the lodge for lunch, then visit Vakona Reserve and Lemur Island, a
sanctuary for displaced lemurs that were former pets and not suited for reintroduction into the wild. The rescued lemurs are
island-bound but free-ranging and present outstanding photo opportunities of a nice selection of species. At about 5:30 pm,
depart for an evening walk in the forest to look for frogs, chameleons, moths, leaf-tailed geckos, mouse lemurs, and other
nocturnal animals at VOIMMA Community Reserve. The acronym stands for Vondron’olona miaro mitia ala, which translates to
“local people love the forest.” Return to the hotel at about 8 pm for dinner.

Wednesday 07/05/2023 Andasibe Vakona Lodge or similar (BLD)
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel, then drive about eight miles to Mantadia National Park. Walk within the park for the
chance to spot a variety of lemurs, including the indri, diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, grey bamboo lemur,
common brown lemur, and red-bellied lemur. Also watch for birds such as couas, vangas, sunbirds, and ground-rollers. Have a
picnic lunch within the park. In the afternoon, continue your time at the park before heading back to the hotel. Make another visit
to Lemur Island on the hotel property. This evening, return to VOIMMA for another nocturnal walk.
Room type – Bungalow

Thursday 07/06/2023 Akanin’ny Nofy Palmarium Hotel (BLD)
Early this morning, visit Analamazaotra Reserve for some final photographic opportunities in the Andasibe region (with picnic
lunch). Later, drive to the seaside village of Manambato and from there, take the ferry to Akanin’ny Nofy, which means “Nest of
Dreams.” After an early dinner, take a nocturnal excursion by boat in search of the unusuallooking
aye-aye lemur.
Room type – Bungalow

Friday 07/07/2023 Akanin’ny Nofy Palmarium Hotel (BLD)
Today, spend time in the Akanin’ny Nofy private reserve, also known as Palmarium Park. The park covers approximately 124
acres in the Lake Ampitabe area, on a peninsula between the Pangalanes Channel and the Indian Ocean. Discover endemic flora,
such as rare palm trees, orchids, and mahoganies. Up to 10 lemur species can be seen in the park, including the black-and-white
ruffed lemur, black lemur, crowned lemur, Coquerel’s sifaka, and a brown-and-crowned lemur hybrid. After lunch at the hotel, go
to the beach to photograph some frogs and local flora. Have an early dinner, and then take the boat to the peninsula for a second
nocturnal excursion to find the aye-aye.

Saturday 07/08/2023 Antananarivo Palissandre Hotel (BLD)
After breakfast, transfer by boat to Manambato and drive back to Antananarivo. Arrive at the hotel in Antananarivo in time for
dinner.
Room type – Standard

Sunday 07/09/2023 Berenty Berenty Lodge (BLD)
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Fort Dauphin on the southeast coast. Upon arrival, learn about
the history of this fishing town and about the positive effects tourism has had as you explore the colorful streets on foot. Have
lunch, then continue to Berenty. Berenty is a privately owned reserve that lies only 50 miles from Fort Dauphin. However, the
road is long and bumpy, so be prepared for an adventurous four- to five-hour drive through local villages and stunning
countryside. Upon arrival in Berenty, settle into your room and have a short rest, followed by dinner. Later, take a walk through
the spiny forest, looking for nocturnal species such as the grey mouse lemur, the white-footed sportive lemur, chameleons, and
birds.
(Please note that the schedule of internal flights within Madagascar is subject to change without prior notice.
Depending on final flight schedule, the final itinerary might be different.)
Room type – Superior

Monday 07/10/2023 Berenty Berenty Lodge (BLD)
Spend the next four days exploring the Berenty reserve along its network of trails. The reserve is home to five species of lemurs, a
resident colony of Madagascar fruit bats or flying foxes, and 96 bird species. Berenty is famous for its lemurs because of the ease
with which they may be seen here in the wild. Red-fronted brown lemurs occur in large numbers during the day, and both whitefooted sportive and grey mouse lemurs are regularly encountered on night walks. The ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas are
frequent favorites. Be on the lookout for the numerous Giant Coua, as well as any other species you may have missed so far.
Before dinner each night, enjoy walks within the spiny forest to look for nocturnal species.

Tuesday 07/11/2023 Berenty Berenty Lodge (BLD)
Full day at Berenty private reserve.

Wednesday 07/12/2023 Berenty Berenty Lodge (BLD)
Full day at Berenty private reserve.

Thursday 07/13/2023 Berenty Berenty Lodge (BLD)
Full day at Berenty private reserve.

Friday 07/14/2023 Antananarivo Palissandre Hotel (BLD)
After breakfast, return to Fort Dauphin and fly to Antananarivo. Have dinner at a local restaurant.
Room type – Standard

Saturday 07/15/2023 Antananarivo Palissandre Hotel – dayroom (BLD)
This morning, visit Lemur Park, a small botanical garden and lemur reserve, with lunch on-site. There is a possibility of
photographing nine lemur species, including the very rare crowned sifaka, mongoose lemur, and black lemur. Then spend the
afternoon at a bird park in the middle of the city for final photographic opportunities. Have dinner at the hotel. If you are
continuing on the post-trip extension, stay the night at Palissandre Hotel. Otherwise, head to the airport for your departure flight;
hotel check-out is at 11 pm.

Sunday 07/16/2023 Arrive U.S.
Arrive home following your overnight flight.