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Madagascar |
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Madagascar ~ Spiny ForestsBerenty ReserveA private reserve amidst sisal plantations, with habituated ring-tailed lemurs, ‘dancing’ Verreaux’s sifakas and beguiling brown lemurs seen from wide, easy trails in gallery (riverine) forest near the reserve lodge. Sightings are guaranteed, giving ample scope for good photographs. Fruit bats nest in the area and bird life is exceptional with over 100 recorded species. A night walk in the eerie spiny forest should reveal mouse lemur, sportive lemur, chameleons and owls.
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 Mandrare River Camp |
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(Madagascar Classic Camping) This lodge combines well with Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge (Islands and Coastal section) |
Kaleta /Amboasary-Sud
Another area to see the remarkable spiny forest. Also offers great birding, as well as interesting reptiles and invertebrates.
Tsimanampetsotsa National Park
A RAMSAR site, it is the newest National Park in Madagascar and one of its most unusual reserves. It comprises a milky blue 15-km long saline lake populated by pink and dwarf flamingos and other wading birds, with an adjacent limestone escarpment covered in rare pachypodium-dominated spiny forest displaying extreme adaptation to the arid environment. Oddities include 2000 year-old, squat baobabs and a ficus tree grove with roots extending into a sinkhole river system, used by ring tailed lemurs to access a drink. With 90 per cent of all resident species endemic to the park, it has the highest endemicity of any reserve on the island. One species of fish is found here in the cave river system which runs under the desert and spiny bush. It is a small, pink-white blind cave fish which feeds on plankton, crustaceans, and insects. There are rare avian endemics, three species of lemur including the ring-tailed (much wilder than those at Berenty), the rare radiated tortoise and the recently discovered, locally endemic Grandidier's mongoose, first described in 1986. An expedition to Tsimanampetsotsa can involve hot and bumpy travel and a bone-shaking ride by zebu cart. However, it is a rewarding and unforgettable experience, easily combined with a comfortable beach hotel at Ambola or Anakao.
Ifaty
North of Tulear on an Indian Ocean beach, Ifaty enables visits to both spiny forest and offshore reefs. The spiny forest is a bizarre tangled mix of drought-resistant plants with extravagant adaptations to their environment such as baobabs and didierae (known as octopus trees). This is a good location for locally endemic birds including long-tailed ground roller and sub desert mesite. Reptiles include three-eyed lizards, spiny tailed iguanas and day geckos.
With superior accommodation, remarkable scenery and an impressive variety of wildlife both terrestrial and marine, this “Madagascar soft adventure” is an excellent introduction to the Big Red Island. Find out more...
A well-paced overland journey escorted by private guide and driver, with panoramic landscapes, a luxury coastal resort to end and a cast of irresistible lemurs and other unique wildlife only to be found in Madagascar. Find out more...
This breathtaking Madagascar wildlife tour combines exceptional wildlife and scenery found in the most important wildlife reserves of the north-west with a beautiful tropical island for coral reefs and pure beach relaxation. Find out more...
Something extra-special to look forward to after your wedding, this delightful Madagascar honeymoon begins with the perfect location for some well-earned relaxation: Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge. It then reveals the many natural history marvels to be found in the forests of Madagascar, ending at a lovely lodge on its Baobab Beach. Well worth getting married for. Find out more...
These locations are some of the most impressive and exciting in all Madagascar, resulting in a varied and adventurous Madagascar holiday, mostly well off the beaten track. Including Kirindy with the world’s highest primate diversity, two World Heritage Sites, a mountain climb through the pristine rainforests of Marojejy and ending at the stunning Masoala where the rainforest meets the shore. Find out more...
A comprehensive natural history exploration of many contrasting, unique regions appealing greatly to active individuals who relish good hiking, stunning landscapes, varied wildlife viewing, unusual flora and friendly encounters with interesting tribes. Find out more...
Designed for the budget-conscious traveller who wishes to enjoy a good spread of Madagascar’s manifold attractions at an affordable price, including a rainforest reserve, the best dry deciduous forest park and beach time at a tropical island. A well rounded and stimulating Madagascar budget holiday of exceptional value. Find out more...
The following compact itinerary is based on a film shoot for the Holiday Programme arranged for the BBC by Reef and Rainforest Tours. It gives those with limited time the chance to gain an excellent insight into what makes a Madagascar holiday so special, while enjoying luxury lodge and boutique resort comforts. Find out more...
Suiting off-season travellers (Dec-Apr) when rain is more frequent, this itinerary includes a range of prime wildlife locations which normally receive the least precipitation, revealing a wide variety of habitats and species to perfectly suit rainy season travellers, or indeed those going at any time of the year. Find out more...
A mix of highly contrasting exotic worlds - Madagascar's forest and Indian Ocean beaches with endemic small wildlife (e.g. various lemur, chameleon, gecko species) and South Africa's bushveld with the Big Five and more (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) on luxury safari. An altogether wonderful wildlife honeymoon. Find out more...
Combining the weird and wonderful wildlife, forests and landscapes of Madagascar with luxury African safari game drives in South Africa. Experience two very different wildlife destinations in one holiday Find out more...
This superb itinerary covers the renowned overland route via Andasibe-Mantadia (Perinet / Analamazaotra), through the scenic Hauts Plateaux, to stunning Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks and then to the coast and spiny forest at Ifaty – varied scenery and habitats, wildlife-rich, many lemur encounters, friendly people – and exceptional value for money.
IMPORTANT NOTE (1): Despite recent improvements, Madagascar still has some accommodation of a low standard, and a precarious infrastructure including unreliable domestic flights, poor communications and bad roads. Many areas are isolated and far from medical and other services. Trails can be strenuous, campsites and park huts basic. Bookings are only accepted if the client accepts Reef and Rainforest Tours has done everything in its power to ensure there are no difficulties, but has limited control over standards of equipment, availability of accommodation and other services, airline and hotel reservation policies, flight schedule changes or breakdowns in communications.
IMPORTANT NOTE (2): Each location generally has limited satisfactory hotels, and international and domestic flights often fill early. Because increases in hotel beds and flight seats have not kept up with visitor numbers, early booking for tailor-made tours is advisable to secure desired itineraries, particularly during high season (from late May to mid November). Some waitlisted nights are to be expected if booking less than 18 months in advance. Waitlists usually clear prior to departure. We do our utmost to secure accommodation specified in your itinerary, but alternative accommodation will be offered and must be accepted by you in the unlikely event waitlisted nights do not clear. Your booking is conditional on your understanding and acceptance of this situation.
We saw ten species of lemur which was clearly the highlight of the trip…I must say Madagascar is a hugely underrated destination. The wildlife, fabulous scenery, varied geography and the people make the country a very attractive active holiday destination.
Mr A N, Bangkok.
