Ultimate Madagascar Photography Tour I

Itinerary

Can you believe 80% of Madagascar’s plants and animals exist only on this island? Many of you have this trip on your bucket list, now is the time to be adventurous and explore a part of the world many do not have the opportunity to visit!

Here is a quote from Andrew Solomon, a writer for Travel & Leisure. Love it!!

“There is nothing dangerous or threatening in Madagascar. On mainland African safaris you have to stay in a vehicle, because lions will eat you and hippos will trample you and rhinos and buffalo will charge. In Madagascar, the animals will only look at you with wide-eyed wonder. In most of Africa there are poisonous snakes and frightening scorpions, but in Madagascar there is nothing venomous. The Malagasy are the nicest people in the world, thrilled that you have come so far to visit. You go there for the lemurs, the island’s odd primates, who are shy and mild but untroubled by your visit, and the people are the same. There’s something miniature and unspoiled about life in Madagascar.

The world’s fourth-largest island is another Galápagos, called by some ecologists “the eighth continent.” It broke off from Africa’s eastern coast some 160 million years ago and developed in isolation; 80 percent of Malagasy plants and animals are endemic, and it rivals Brazil in its biodiversity. The bizarre flora and fauna seem to be the result of a mad collaboration among Dr. Seuss, Jim Henson, and God. Humans have been here for only 2,000 years, and though they have eliminated some species, they haven’t dominated nature; there’s simply too much of it and too few of them.”

This trip is for the Explorer that can handle remote travel, heat and humidity, schedule changes, and loves to travel on the unbeaten path, not being a typical tourist. Please read through the whole itinerary and Helpful Information tab above to understand what this trip entails. We’ve included many domestic commercial and private charter flights to help ease travel around the island. There are pools at the hotels to enjoy after a long day of shooting, and beverages are included! If you get along with others, want adventure, and can “go with the flow” when needed, we welcome you to join us in Madagascar!

Sunday, October 9

If flying from Johannesburg, arrive in Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo (also called Tana), today and transfer to a nearby hotel. Spend the day relaxing and recovering from jet lag. Overnight Relais des Plateaux

Monday, October 10 (B, L, D)

If flying via Paris, arrive early AM today. Flight to Morondava this afternoon. When we get to a small beach town on the delta of the Morondava River on the west coast, we’ll take a little time to settle into our hotel before loading into 4x4s for an adventure to Baobab Alley. The giant baobab trees are an 800 year-old legacy of the dense tropical forests that once thrived here. Over the years, as the country’s population grew, the forests were steadily cut down, leaving only the baobab trees which the locals preserved for religious reasons. Overnight Hotel Palissandre Côte Ouest

Tuesday, October 11 (B, L, D)

At sunrise, before breakfast, take an early morning walk on the beach to view local fisherman going out on their boats with handmade sails. Photograph locals in town and at fisherman’s wharf. Enjoy some free time midday to take a swim at this beautiful resort or walk through town. Overnight Hotel Palissandre Côte Ouest

Wednesday, October 12 (B, L, D)

Today we’ll head out to a nearby reserve to look for chameleons and lemurs along with some time to photograph a nearby village. Baobab shoot tonight with optional evening light painting of these mammoth trees and star trails. Overnight Hotel Palissandre Côte Ouest

Thursday, October 13 (B, L, D)

Fly to Bekopaka and transfer to our hotel in Bekopaka village. An afternoon visit will bring us to Petit Tsingy, a labyrinth of limestone and viewpoints over impressive pinnacles. Overnight Soleil des Tsingy

Friday, October 14 (B, L, D)

We’ll spend the day exploring the Tsingy of Bemaraha, named a UNESCO heritage site in 1990. The Tsingy of Bemaraha is known for its exceptional landscape of limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy (walking on tiptoes), along with an extensive cave system, a network of underground rivers, and a large undisturbed, dry, deciduous forest home to a wealth of flora and fauna. If we’re lucky, we may catch a glimpse of endemic rare species of lemurs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and the many other creatures that exist only in this area of the world. Overnight Soleil des Tsingy

Saturday, October 15 (B, L, D)

Depart Bekopaka in the morning to fly to Berenty Private Reserve. The reserve is home to six species of lemur and has southern Madagascar’s largest colony of Madagascar fruit bats. The ease of observing ring-tailed lemurs and “dancing” Verreaux sifakas has turned this small protected area into one of Madagascar’s most popular destinations. Overnight Gite d’Etape

Sunday, October 16 (B, L, D)

We’ll spend the day wandering Berenty’s flat, broad trails and interacting with the friendly abundant wildlife. The many lemurs seem happy to pose for photos. Overnight Gite d’Etape

Monday, October 17 (B, L, D)

We’ll spend one last morning photographing the lemurs, chameleons, birds, and spiny plants in Berenty and then board our return flight back to Tana. This is a good night to regroup and get ready for the second half of our adventure. Overnight Relais des Plateaux

Tuesday, October 18 (B, L, D)

Today we’ll drive three hours by bus to the Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic Reserve. Numerous varieties of colorful butterflies and chameleons can be found here along with geckos, frogs, crocodiles, and bats. In the afternoon, we’ll continue on to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, approximately 1.5 hours. Tonight we’ll take a walk to spot nocturnal animals. Overnight Vakona Forest Lodge

Wednesday, October 19 (B, D)

Early AM visit to Lemur Island, where four species of lemur can be found, including the bamboo lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, brown lemur, and the diademed sifaka. The afternoon is free for a swim or catch up on editing images. Night walk before dinner. Overnight Vakona Forest Lodge

Thursday, October 20 (B, L, D)

Grab your luggage, we’ll have an early breakfast on the bus this morning. There will be one last optional trip to Lemur Island and then off to Manambato.

Drive to Manambato (approximately five hours) and then take a boat (two hours) to Akanin’ny Nofy, the “nest of dreams,” also known as the Palmairum Reserve. We’ll explore this paradise situated on the shores of Lake Ampitabe, separated from the Indian Ocean by sand dunes. Indris, Coquerall sifakas, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, crowned lemurs, mouse lemurs, and black lemurs are the most notable inhabitants of this private reserve. Overnight Palmarium Hotel

Friday, October 21 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll head outside for a nature walk around the reserve with a local guide. Bring your camera to breakfast! Afternoon free time to hang out in the hammock on your deck or photograph around the lodge.

When night falls, we’ll take an excursion to seek out the very rare nocturnal aye-aye lemur.  Overnight Palmarium Hotel

Saturday, October 22 (B, L, D)

Breakfast followed by a nature walk with a local guide. A full day to explore the wonders of Akanin’ny Nofy. Photograph the many lemurs, frogs, snakes, chameleons, geckos, and even iguanas that reside here Sunbathe on the beach while enjoying some of the locally made rum, or take a swim in the warm waters of Lake Ampitabe. Free time to photograph around the reserve, repack, and get ready for the travel day back to Tana. Night walking tour. Overnight Palmarium Hotel

Sunday, October 23 (B, L, D)

Early breakfast before departure by boat at 8:00am. Today we have a three-hour boat ride, lunch in Tomasina, and then we’ll take a flight back to Tana. Upon arrival in Tana, we’ll visit a nearby outlet to buy quality vanilla and spices to take home. We’ll also stop at a craft market to get last minute gifts including petrified wood items. Day room at Relais des Plateaux for guests departing this evening via Paris or overnight for guests flying home tomorrow via Johannesburg. Farewell dinner.

Monday, October 24 (B)

Flying via Johannesburg, depart this afternoon to arrive home on October 25th.