Tsingy and Kirindy

6 days from £950pp plus international flights.

highlights

Visit Madagascar's western dry region.
Unique, unworldly scenery of the tsingy.
See the famous Avenue of Baobabs.
A chance to spot Madagascar's largest carnivore, the nocturnal fosa.

This holiday takes you to the heart of Madagascar's western dry forest, an area with spectacular, other-worldly scenery and wildlife species that are found nowhere else on earth. You'll certainly need your camera to hand to capture these unique scenes.

You'll begin your adventure by seeing the famous Avenue of Baobabs. Sometimes called 'upside-down trees', these huge baobabs look as though their roots are sticking into the air. Then you explore the unworldly landscape of soaring eroded limestone pinnacles (tsingy), as well as glistening lakes and eerie mangrove swamps.

Not to be outdone, the animals also vie for your attention, from the tree-leaping sifakas to the giant jumping rat, stump-tailed chameleons to the crested coua. It's breathtaking stuff, but you'll have time to rest and relax too.

With so much seen in just 6 days this is a great introduction to the mysterious, bewitching land that is Madagascar, which will doubtless lure you back again and again.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN MORONDAVA

Today you will fly from Tana to Morondava. On arrival at Morondava airport you'll be welcomed by a local representative and driven to the hotel, Chez Maggie. Morondava is a pleasant beach resort and you'll be staying by the seashore. Relax with a stroll along the beach or in the gardens and a refreshing swim in the pool before sitting back with a drink and watching the sunset over the ocean.

DAY 2: MORONDAVA TO BEKOPAKA

After breakfast your driver will collect you for the 4x4 drive to Belo. This takes you through a forest of mighty baobabs - the 'Avenue of Baobabs'. These distinctive trees thrive in harsh conditions, storing water in their huge trunks. 6 of the 8 species of baobabs are found only in Madagascar, so it's no surprise that this is the national tree. You'll have a boat ride before continuing by vehicle to Bekopaka. Along the way you'll witness people going about their daily lives. You should reach the hotel around 6pm. Breakfast

The amazing landscape of Tsingy de Bemaraha

DAY 3: TSINGY DE BEMARAHA

Having had breakfast you'll be taken to the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve for a full day guided visit. The reserve has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its forests, lakes and mangrove swamps which harbour populations of lemurs and wild birds, though it is the jagged limestone pinnacles for which it is best known. These have been formed over many centuries by the action of wind and water and some of the peaks are several hundred metres high. You'll observe how plants have adapted to thrive in this environment and should see several of the 7 species of lemur. Breakfast

See nocturnal species in Kirindy Reserve

DAY 4: BEKOPAKA TO KIRINDY

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by the drive to Kirindy. You'll reach Kirindy Lodge and will have plenty of time to relax. Later, as dusk falls, you'll set off for a night visit to the private reserve. Kirindy is a prime example of the dry deciduous forest that used to cover much of this part of Madagascar. Huge baobab trees dominate the forest and there are large numbers of endemic species not found elsewhere. Among these are six species of lemur, many types of reptiles, and the fossa, Madagascar's largest carnivore. Breakfast

DAY 5: KIRINDY TO MORONDAVA

You'll have breakfast at Kirindy Lodge after which there's time for a second visit to the reserve, this time see it in daylight. Your guide will help you spot, with luck, the 2 diurnal lemurs here, the brown lemur and Verraux's sifakas. The latter are energetic animals, using their powerful back legs to leap from tree to tree, which is quite a sight to behold. You'll then set off for Morondava, with a stop at the famous 'Avenue of the Baobabs', a great photo opportunity. You'll spend the night back at Chez Maggie. Breakfast

DAY 6: DEPART MORONDAVA

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your transfer back to Morondava airport, where the holiday concludes. Breakfast

Price & Dates

Guide price from (pp sharing): £950 (ex. international flights)

Includes: Accommodation on a twin-share basis; return airport transfers; transport in a 4x4 vehicle; all excursions described in the itinerary; breakfast on day 2 - 6; Return flights from Tana to Morondava.

Excludes: International and domestic flights and taxes; visas; travel insurance; meals not specified; drinks, laundry; tips; optional excursions; items of a personal nature

Getting there: This holiday starts and ends in Morondava. Return flights from the UK to Antananarivo (Tana) cost from around £800 per person, depending on availability and season. We will be happy to arrange nternational for you.

Departure dates: This is a tailor-made holiday and can depart on the day of your choice.

places you will see

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facts and information

 Time: GMT +3 hours

 Flight time: Flights from Europe to Madagascar take about 10/11 hours.

 Language: Malagasy and French are Madagascar's official languages. English or German is spoken by a municipal workers and guides.A basic working knowledge of French will make communication easier.

 Visas: Most nationalities require a Madagascar visa, obtainable from the High Commission in London (or on arrival into International Airport.

 Health: Malaria is present in most of the country. No vaccinations are compulsory.