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 who can handle remote travel, heat, humidity, and schedule changes and loves to travel on the unbeaten path—not being a typical tourist. Please read through the whole itinerary and Helpful Information to understand what this trip entails. We’ve included private charter flights to help ease travel around the island. There are pools at most of 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!

Saturday, September 27 (D)

Please Note: Flight arrival and departure dates will depend on which airline you choose to fly with. Some arrive in the afternoon/evening on September 27 and others in the early morning of September 28. Please make sure your flight itinerary corresponds with the tour itinerary. Departure for Morondova is midday September 28!

Arrive in Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo (also called Tana), today and transfer to the hotel. Spend the day relaxing and recovering from jet lag. Overnight at Nosy Manga (NEW HOTEL)

Sunday, September 28 (B, L, D)

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 and have lunch.

Late day, we’ll load 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 at Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa (4-star)

Monday, September 29 (B, L, D)

Before breakfast, at sunrise, 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 the fisherman’s wharf. Midday, we have a special shoot with the local ladies dressed in traditional clothing and faces painted with colorful mud.

Take a walk on the beach in the late afternoon to photograph the locals and birds, followed by a sunset shoot.

Overnight at Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa

Tuesday, September 30 (B, L, D)

Enjoy some free time midday to take a swim at this beautiful resort or a walk through town. Overnight at Palissandre Côte Ouest Resort & Spa

Wednesday, October 1 (B, L, D)

Depart Morondava this morning on our private charter to Berenty Private Reserve. We will fly to Fort Dauphin and take a private bus to Berenty. The reserve is home to six species of lemurs and has southern Madagascar’s largest colony of Madagascar fruit bats. The ease of observing ring-tailed lemurs and the “dancing” Verreaux’s sifakas has turned this small protected area into one of Madagascar’s most popular destinations. Overnight at Berenty Lodge

Thursday, October 2 & Friday, October 3 (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. This will certainly be one of the highlights of our Madagascar adventure. Another is visiting the flying fox roost, where about 300 of these impressive animals with 1.25-meter wingspans spend their day squabbling and presumably sleeping. Overnight at Berenty Lodge

Saturday, October 4 (B, L, D)

Before breakfast, we’ll spend one last morning photographing the lemurs, chameleons, birds, and spiny plants in Berenty before we return to Antananarivo. This is a good day to regroup and get ready for the second half of our adventure. Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel, Antananarivo Waterfront

Sunday, October 5 (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 to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Tonight, we’ll take a walk to spot nocturnal animals. Overnight at Manjarano Lodge & Spa (NEW HOTEL)

Monday, October 6 (B, L, 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 at Manjarano Lodge & Spa

Tuesday, October 7 (B, D)

Drive to Manambato (approximately five hours) and then take a boat (1.5 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 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 at Palmarium Hotel

Wednesday, October 8 (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 at Palmarium Hotel

Thursday, October 9 (B, L, D)

Breakfast is 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 at Palmarium Hotel

Friday, October 10 (B, L, D)

Early breakfast before departing at 8:00 am for a 2-hour boat ride and then our private charter back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, we’ll have lunch. Day room at Nosy Manga for guests departing this evening or overnight for guests flying home tomorrow. Farewell dinner.

Saturday, October 11 (B)

Depart today and arrive home on October 12.