Madagascar: Otherworldly Marvels

13 DAYS FROM $9,995 2023 DEPARTURE DATES: May 16–28, May 7–19, Jun 11–22, Sep 3–15

See www.abercrombiekent.com.au for up-to-date departure dates, availability and pricing.

MOZAMBIQUE

Nosy Be/ Nosy Komba

MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL

MADAGASCAR

Mantadia National Park Antananarivo Andasibe National Park

INDIAN OCEAN

ARRIVE/DEPART

AIR

ROAD Ifotaka Curious and other-worldly, Madagascar is full of surprises and extraordinary creatures. It has people, wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on earth and a culture far removed from any of its near neighbours. On this fascinating journey you’ll explore the island nation and its flora and fauna with the help of expert guides. Still largely untouched by tourism, Madagascar is astonishing. You’ll be amazed by its rainforests, its clear blue seas, white beaches and spiny forest habitat on this incredible journey of discovery.

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Seek out rare species on escorted wildlife outings by day and night with expert local guides • Tick off several varieties of lemur and chameleon in the country’s finest national parks • Hike through 500-year-old baobabs in the Sacred Spiny

Forest, one of the oldest on the planet • Experience the culture of the unique Antandroy tribe, one of the most traditional in Madagascar • Immerse yourself in the idyllic island life of Nosy Komba, with its picturesque beaches of white sand and turquoise waters, dense forest and extraordinary variety of fauna and flora • Explore the incredible undersea world with a spot of snorkelling, or take a ride in a dugout boat or canoe with a chance to view dolphins on an almost daily basis • Limited to a small group size of 14 guests

Day 1: Arrive Antananarivo, Madagascar. Arrive into Antananarivo (known locally as Tana), one of Africa’s most striking capitals where you are met by A&K and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. The largest city on the island, Tana is bustling with life. Your accommodation is located in the embassy district of Haute-Ville. This part of the city is a tangled assortment of steep, partly cobbled streets, red-tiled rooves and pastel-coloured houses and a lovely cool climate. After time to settle in, gather with your fellow travellers and Resident Tour Director for a festive welcome drinks and dinner. Hotel Colbert | Meals: D Day 2: Andasibe | Protected Rainforest Reserve. Head east out of the city today to Andasibe through a panorama of rice fields, redbrick houses and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables. Andasibe is a stunning rainforest park comprising two protected areas — the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. Perinet is world famous for its population of Indri, which is the largest living lemur species.

After settling into your lodge, enjoy a guided night walk in the forest surrounding the reserve on the look out for a variety of nocturnal species: mouse lemur, white footed sportive lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, as well as the woolly lemur.

Relax after a day of safari with a visit to the lodge spa, indulging in a massage with natural Madagascan oils, a dip in the spa or some laps in the outdoor pool. Mantadia Lodge | Meals: BLD Day 3: Andasibe | A Wildlife Haven. Spend a day in the 810-hectare Perinet Reserve in search of the Indri, considered to be the largest lemur in the world. There are another 11 species to spot as you wander through the rainforest, including grey bamboo lemur, common brown lemur, diademed sifaka and black and white ruffed lemur. Birdwatchers should look out for the velvet asity, blue coua and nuthatch vanga and many more endemic species. Perinet is also home to many reptiles, invertebrates, and some of Madagascar’s thousand orchid species.

This evening visit Mitsinjo Forest Reserve, a private reserve operated by a local NGO funding reforestation, community education and Madagascar’s first amphibian captive-breeding facility. Enjoy a guided night walk, keeping an eye out for the endemic lemur species, spectacular insects, floral wonders and other natural wonders. Mantadia Lodge | Meals: BLD Day 4: Antananarivo | Discover Lemur Island. Prepare to be amazed as you venture to explore Lemur Island, a small private reserve that protects a number of habituated lemurs. There are four species to see: bamboo lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, brown lemur and one diademed sifaka, with plenty of space for them to play, forage and rest. Afterwards, return to the capital. Relais des Plateaux | Meals: BLD Day 5: Ifotaka | Otherworldly Forest Explorations. This morning take a flight to Fort Dauphin located in the far south of the island. Head into the interior by road to Mandrare River Camp, a classic tented safari camp offering majestic views over the Mandrare River.

In the late afternoon, venture on foot with your expert guide into the sacred spiny forest, home to the highest percentage of endemic plants in Madagascar. Keep an eye out for some extraordinary wildlife, including Verreaux sifaka, chameleons and ground boa constrictor. Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BD Day 6: Ifotaka | Sacred Spiny Forest & Ancestral Tombs. Today, immerse yourself in this incredible region. Set out for the stunning sacred gallery forest, travelling on foot or by boat across the Mandrare River. See inquisitive groups of ring-tailed lemurs and the always entertaining Verreaux sifaka, in addition to many species of birds and more than one hundred other species including reptiles, turtles, and bats.

Later today, venture on foot for a second foray into the sacred spiny forest and stand in awe of the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe, one of the most traditional in Madagascar. Returning to your lodge, savour sundowners on the river bank, watching the dusky light bathe the beautiful landscapes surrounding you. Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD Day 7: Ifotaka | Village Encounters. Your day is off to an active start, exploring the spiny forest on an early morning walk. A place bursting with natural wonders, see the sunlight break through the octopus trees and look out for endemic birds such as crested coua, a variety of vangas and the running coua.

This afternoon, relax in camp and sip sundowners amidst the baobabs as the sun sets and the moon rises. Mandrare River Camp | Meals: BLD Day 8: Antananarivo | Highland Hub. After a leisurely morning return by road to Fort Dauphin for your flight back to Tana. This evening enjoy dinner with your travelling companions. Le Relais des Plateaux | Meals: BLD Day 9: Nosy Komba | Remote Coastal Seclusion. Today you will take a flight to Nosy Be before a short boat ride south to Nosy Komba. This beautiful, mysterious island is a former volcano covered by luxuriant vegetation and a dreamy coastline that lures with its stunning white sand and turquoise waters. There are numerous villages, deserted coves, sheltered harbours, isolated beaches, as well as hills to explore offering

outstanding viewing points, and an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna to discover including black lemurs and chameleon.

After settling into your stunning lodge surrounded by lush tropical gardens with glorious ocean views, enjoy some time at leisure. You may choose to wander through the lodges private indigenous nature reserve, take to translucent waters in a canoe or enjoy a walk along the beach. Tsara Komba Lodge | Meals: BLD Day 10: Nosy Komba l The Island of Perfumes. This morning join your local guide for a trek through the dense and majestic forest bordering the property. Nosy Komba is a former volcano today covered by a lush tropical forest, which is home to all kinds of trees or flowers and extremely rich in wildlife. You can meet the mischievous Macaco lemurs, the slow but bright chameleons, birds, lizards, frogs and colourful butterflies. You’ll also be passing through vanilla and wild pepper plantations, bringing a delightful touch of fragrance to your trip.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon keeping an eye out for dolphins that swim by regularly in the bay. Tsara Komba Lodge | Meals: BLD Day 11: Nosy Komba l Design Your Day. Today, choose your own adventure with Design Your Day activities: > Take to the waters in a traditional dugout canoe, visiting the bustling village of Ampangorina to observe their handicrafts skill, and Nosy

Ambariofasy, a charming small island surrounded by translucent waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. > Go snorkelling at Nosy Tanikely, known for its outstanding marine and land-based biodiversity. With a mask and a snorkel, you will discover the underwater wonders of which this natural aquarium abounds. > Relax with a massage using Madagascan essential oils designed to soothe sore muscles, energize and improve skin tone, all whilst comfortably relaxing on your private terrace, looking out into the bay. Return to the lodge for dinner. Tsara Komba Lodge | Meals: BLD Day 12: Antananarivo | Farewell Madagascar. After an early breakfast, transfer back to Nosy Be airport for your flight back to Tana. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner and drinks with local entertainment. Hotel Colbert | Meals: BD Day 13: Depart Antananarivo. After breakfast, transfer to the international terminal for your onward flight. Meals: B Inspiring Accommodations

Tsara Komba Lodge Small, intimate eco-lodge featuring just 8 spacious suites with private balcony surrounded by tropical gardens and views out over the ocean.

Hotel Colbert, Antananarivo Comfortable air-conditioned rooms located in the heart of Antananarivo.

Mantadia Lodge, Andasibe 25 comfortably appointed rooms with private terraces and panoramic views.

Relais des Plateaux, Antananarivo Modern and elegant air-conditioned rooms come complete with balcony. Mandrare River Camp, Ifotaka Exclusive accommodation in just six large tents on the banks of the river.

Customise Your Journey

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.