Evolving in isolation for 165 million years, Madagascar has some of the world's most unique flora and fauna including lemurs, chameleons, orchids and towering baobab trees. Our journey begins in the bustling capital of Antananarivo. To the east, Andasibe is our base for excursions into the lowland and mid-altitude rainforest of Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park. We enjoy night and morning walks to spot lemurs, eastern ring-tailed mongoose, frogs and chameleons.
Travelling through terraced farmlands, we arrive in Antsirabe, a highland urban oasis surrounded by volcanic lakes. After lakeside walks and visits to artisan workshops, we continue to Ranomafana National Park. This montane rainforest is home to carnivorous pitcher plants, 12 species of lemur and chameleon and almost half of Madagascar’s bird species. For contrast, Andringitra National Park is a walker’s paradise with prairies and open grassland below lunar-like granite massifs.
After visiting the paper-making village of Ambalavao, we walk in the canyons and riparian rainforests of Ranohira Isalo National Park. To the south, forests of spiny ‘octopus’ trees contrast with avenues of baobabs. At Ifaty and Anakao, we snorkel on coral reefs and visit a nearby island protecting the red tailed tropic bird. Our final wildlife encounter is at Tsimanampesotse National Park before we return to the capital.
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