8-Day Madagascar Barefoot Luxury Southern
Duration: 8 days
Priced from: EUR 2169 / USD 2928 / ZAR 20 091 (High Season)
ZAR 16 375 (Low Season)
________________________________________
NEW SPECIAL PACKAGE
** Spend a week in Madagascar by booking and taking advantage of our new Madagascar 8 day Barefoot Luxury Southern Explorer package. Enjoy 8 days exploring beautiful South Eastern Madagascar in luxury. Where you'll be greeted by the various species of Lemur and exotic rain forests. With activities such as; canoeing in the mangroves, early morning boat trips for wetland birding, day and night walks in the forest, fishing. You're guaranteed a great time and a fun, memorable trip.
You'll lodge at exclusive accommodation places such as The Pavillion deL’Emyrne, an exclusive Lodge situated in Madagascar's capital,Antananarivo. Included in your stay you'll visit the sacred Antandroy forestwhere you'll cross the river on foot to observe lemurs and many birdspecies, a trip to the giant sand dunes of Lake Anony, watch the sun set atthe Baobabs,canoeing in the mangroves and early morning boat trips forwetland birding.
There are boat trips as well to the nearby islands for asecluded picnic lunch, walks along long empty beaches and visits to thelocal village and school. Other activities include snorkelling in the bay andnearby cove, whale watching from the 15ft observation tower (June toDecember).
Highlights: Mandrare River, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, Spiny forest, Sacred Forests and tombs of Ifotaka, day and night guided walks, baobab forests, authentic tribal displays, local village and market, Beach at Manafiafy, walks in the rainforest, exploring deserted beaches, whale viewing (June - December), snorkelling, canoeing in the mangroves.
Group Size: Minimum 1 person, Maximum 10 people.
2012 Price:
Tour Fare
Low season:
8 Jan – 14 Jun 2012
15 Nov – 15 Dec 2012
1 pax: EUR 2930 / USD 3955 / ZAR 27 142
Per sharing adult: EUR 2169 / USD 2928 / ZAR 20091
High season:
16 Jun – 14 Nov 2012
16 Dec 2012 – 07 Jan 2013
1 pax: EUR 3433 / USD 4635 / ZAR 31 809
Per sharing adult: EUR 2563 / USD 3460 / ZAR 23 742
Flights:
Internal Flight Antananarivo – Fort Dauphin – Antananarivo from: EUR 340
**Please note that internal flights should be booked in conjunction with international flights and the rates are subject to class, availability and subject to change
Validity: Price valid from 1 January 2012 – 07 January 2013
Included in the price: 1 night in Antananarivo on a bed and breakfast basis, 3 nights at Mandrare River Camp on an all-inclusive basis (activites, meals and international drinks), 3 nights at Manafiafy Lodge inclusive of activites, meals and local soft drinks and beers, all required transport in an air-conditioned vehicle in Antananrivo, and in 4x4 vehicles in all other locations, the services of an experienced professional Malagasy guide, all excursions, park fees and community/environmental levies.
Not included in the price: International and domestic flights (Antananarivo – Fort Dauphin) and their taxes, Any excursions not mentioned in the program, any beverages not included above and all wine and spirits at Manafiafy Lodge, laundry, visas and travel insurance, personal expenses.
(Please note it may be advisable to book your domestic flights along with your international flights for potential cost saving).
Departure Dates 2012:
Departure is possible every day of the week from 1st April – 5th January, subject to flight schedules and lodge availability.
Mandrare River Camp is closed from 5th January to 1 April each year, due to the rains.
________________________________________
Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo
Upon arrival in Antananarivo (Madagascar’s capital), you will be met and welcomed by an English speaking guide, before transferring to your hotel in the city centre.
Accommodation: Pavillion de l’Emyrne, or similar (double room with en-suite bathroom)
'The Pavillion de L’Emyrne has just twelve rooms and is situated in the heart of the old town of Antananarivo. It was originally built as a private residence in the 1930s and is a delightful city guest house with its own garden. Rooms are air-conditioned and have satellite television.'
Day 2: Antananarivo – Fort Dauphin
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred back to Ivato airport for your two hour flight to Fort Dauphin, on the south eastern coast of Madagascar.
Upon arrival in Fort Dauphin, transfer by road, then settle into your tent or enjoy the majestic views over the River. After a barbeque lunch, of succulent grilled meats and salads, leave for a walk to the Sacred Ifotaka community forests. The forests are filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy Tribe, as well as a bewildering array of flora and fauna, unique to the spiny forest.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp (Private luxury tents with en-suite bathroom, hot water)
Day 3: Mandrare River Camp: morning and afternoon activities
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the banks of the river, before embarking on a trip to the sacred Gallery forests to the south of the camp, these forests are deciduous mainly tamarind, and full of wildlife, especially lemurs with large groups of Ring tailed Lemurs. In the afternoon we head up to enjoy sundowners at the Baobab, watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the Baobabs to the mountains beyond, this is a magical experience. In the evening the local village may come to perform traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp(Private luxury tents with en-suite bathroom, hot water)
Days 4: Mandrare River Camp – morning and afternoon activities
After breakfast you head South through the Mandrare Valley to Lake Anony, a stunning soda lake with huge sand dunes (a must for children!), littoral dry forest scrub and a good number of greater flamingos are to be spotted on the lake. After a relaxing picnic lunch on the lakeside hut you return to camp.
Accommodation: Mandrare River Camp(Private luxury tents with en-suite bathroom, hot water)
Day 5: To Manafiafy
After our last breakfast by the river, we transfer by road to Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge Manafiafy, also known as Sainte Luce Situated on a beautiful white sandy bay, fringed with forest covered mountains, your lodge offers barefoot luxury with wildlife and water on your doorstep.
Enjoy the location of your lodge in the afternoon, as the sun sets over the bay.
• Please note it is possible to fly from Mandrare River Camp to Manafiafy, which avoids the long road transfer. The flight requires a minimum of 2 people to operate, takes approximately 45 minutes, requires reservation in advance and costs from EUR 240 per person. Maximum 3 people per plane.
Accommodation: Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge (Private bungalows with en-suite bathroom, sundeck and separate access to the magnificent unspoilt beach)
Days 6 & 7: Manafiafy – morning and afternoon activities
After breakfast you will embark on your choice of a wide range of wildlife and sporting activities which are included in your stay.
Some of the options include: Canoeing in the mangroves, early morning boat trips for wetland birding, day and night walks in the rainforest to see five species of lemur, snorkelling in the bay and nearby cove, whale watching from the 15ft observation tower (June to December). Boat trips to the nearby islands for a secluded picnic lunch, walks along long empty beaches, visits to the local village and school.
Optional activities, payable locally at the lodge include: massage treatments, whale watching boat trips (June to December), deep see fishing trips.
Forest walks are the main reason for visiting this part of the island and those accessible from Manafiafy are “Littoral” rain forests – shady dense vegetation with a high degree of humidity and home to several Lemurs (collared brown, woolly, brown mouse, dwarf and sportive) as well as reptiles, spiders, birds, insects and orchids.
Walks can be done at any time of the day and early evening, and are always accompanied by a Manafiafy guide.
The rocks, islands and bays surrounding Manafiafy provide endless opportunities for exploring and within a short boat ride it is possible to find deserted beaches, scout for whales, or snorkel in the crystal clear water viewing corals and tropical ‘aquarium’ fish. There is always something to do at Manafiafy and each excursion provides its own reward of new experiences – most of them unique to the island of Madagascar.
Accommodation: Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge (Private bungalows with en-suite bathroom, sundeck and separate access to the magnificent unspoilt beach)
Day 8: Return to Antananrivo (via Fort Dauphin)
You will drive back to Fort Dauphin and continue to the airport for your scheduled flight to Antananarivo, where you will connect with your departure flight.
