Face to face – short version

Short programm, 10 days

A new program for a group tour, guided by Klaus Heimer (63), who has been living in the country for more than 20 years as photographer and journalist and also works for the Madagascar guidebook of the Reise-Knowhow serie in german language (it came out in 2009, 2012, May 2015 and probably in 2022) (should be 2023).

The full version of this tour of around 3000 km in an internationally mixed group leads to the east of the country, along the Pangalanes canal, through Tamatave, Foulpointe, Fenerive Est and then from Soanierana-Ivongo by boat to the beautiful island of Sainte Marie (if the sea is not too rough). Then back to Tana by airplane, and to the volcanic area around Ampefy and Analavory. After that via Faratsiho and Sambaina to the National road No. 7 until Antsirabe. From there, drive through the highlands to Fianarantsoa, and from there by train ride with the “train of life” or Jungle Express or the Draisine (if its in working condition) the 163 km to Manakara at the southern east coast. As the last highlight, visit of the Ranomafana NP. This tour includes the visit of two National parks and several small reserves. Meet the local population; enjoy the knowledge of your English and German speaking guide, and many opportunities to take great pictures. You’ll also experience some culinary highlights. As a bonus, you can bring a USB stick with you and you’ll get a copy of all pictures which the guide Klaus Heimer will take, he’ll also take pictures of the participants. Seeing of lemurs, chameleons, and other endemic animals and plants is included in the tour

Dates of the short version 2022

the departure on the listed below dates is guaranteed if there are a minimum of two pax (please note that due to the Corona Virus Sars-CoV2, entry requirements apply, please inquire with us to get news):

  • April 13. to 30.
    (Arrival the latest on April 14th 05AM, departure the earliest April 29th at 8PM)

     

  • May 04. to 21.
    (Arrival the latest on May 5th 05AM, departure the earliest May 20th at 8PM)

     

  • May 25. to June 11.
    (Arrival the latest on May 26th 05AM, departure the earliest June 10th at 8PM)

     

  • Aug. 31.. to Sept. 17.
    (Arrival the latest on Sept. 01st 05AM, departure the earliest Sept 16th at 8PM)

     

  • Oct. 19. to Nov. 05.
    (Arrival the latest on Oct. 20th 05AM, departure the earliest Nov. 4th at 8PM)

     

  • Nov. 16. to Dec. 03.
    (Arrival the latest on Nov. 17th 05AM, departure the earliest Dec. 02nd at 8PM)

    Other dates upon request, but then with another guide than Klaus Heimer

Subject to modifications of the flights

Depending on the chosen airline, some additional nights in Tana will be necessary; you’ll find the tariff per supplementary night here below.

Madagascar 1st day Thursday:
ANTANANARIVO
Depending on flight arrival, meet and greet at the international airport of Antananarivo Ivato (short form for Antananarivo is “Tana”) and transfer to the hotel Belvedere in the city center or similar, overnight there.

Due to the events on some airports in the world, the safety regulations have been tightened, and only people with a valid flight ticket have access to the airport now. Don’t let your luggage out of hand. The driver will wait for you with a sign just outside of the arrival hall.

Madagascar  2nd day Friday:
ANTANANARIVO – ANDASIBE (142 km, about 4 hours driving time, on a tared road)

Drive on the National Road No. 2 (RN 2) around 142 km to the well-known National Park Andasibe (Analamazaotra – Mantadia). On the way, stop at the private reptiles park in Marozevo where we can see chameleons and other animals close up. In the morning, we’ll buy at a supermarket in Tana already all we need for an open air picnic lunch. Check-in at the hotel Feon’ny Ala or similar. Possibility to do a nocturnal visit along the road outside of the park with a local nature guide, where with the help of flashlights you can see nocturnal lemurs (mostly Goodman mouse lemurs with maximum 50 grams, wooly lemurs and fat tail lemurs), sleeping chameleons, tree frogs, etc.. We’ll walk maximum one hour along the flat road.  Dinner possible at Mary’s guesthouse. Overnight at the Feon’ny Ala hotel or similar.

Madagascar 3rd  day Saturday:
ANDASIBE – MANAMBATO – AKANIN’NY NOFY (Akanin’ny Nofy means „Nest of dreams“, 125 km on good road, then 7 km on dirt track, then some 1,5 hours on the boat on the canal)
The around three hour long early morning walk (first a little ascent, then mostly flat) leads from around 07h30 with a local park guide through the evergreen secondary forest of the Park Analamazaotra, on the trail Indri 2. Here we can see with some luck two of the 63 families living in this area of the biggest lemur, the Indri, with its distinctive call. You can also see many birds, some reptiles (if its not too cold) and other species of lemurs (Diadem Sifakas, Brown lemurs, Bamboo lemurs etc.). Then drive on the RN2 to Brickaville, we’ll then shortly after the big railway bridge turn right and drive -then by 4WD car – on a dirt track to Manambato which is situated on the shore of lake Rasoabe. Then drive by boat along the Pangalanes canal to Akanin’ny Nofy at lake Ampitabe, where we’ll stay in the Palmarium hotel with an attached lemurs park or at the annex “Palmarium beach”. Overnight with breakfast at the Palmarium hotel or annex , electricity is produced by a generator and switched off at night. We’ll only take light luggage (day pack) with us if possible for this two days.

Madagascar 4th  day Sunday:
AKANIN’NY NOFY
In the morning, walk of several hours in the Palmarium park to spot several species of lemurs, who’ll watch us attentively, we’ll see some from quite close up. When night falls, boat excursion to a place where you can spot the very rare and nocturnal Aye Aye lemur (Daubentonia madagascariensis) with the long middle finger, eight of them live on this well guarded island in the canal. Should the weather be good on the day before, we’ll be flexible and do this visit then. Overnight with breakfast again at the Palmarium hotel or at the annex.

Madagascar 5th day Monday:
AKANIN’NY NOFY – TAMATAVE – FOULPOINTE (around 2,5 hours by boat, then some 60 km on the road to Foulpointe)
60 km long Motorboat transfer to Tamatave, the biggest harbour town of Madagascar, then lunch or buy a picnic lunch, and continue after by minibus to Foulpointe, a seaside resort, which is also popular among the Malagasy on weekends. We’ll discover the 1817 to 1824 built old Fort Manda with its guide Fidel, enjoy the sea and its food, walk along the beach or relax. Dinner possible at the “Friendly Fisherman” restaurant. Overnight at the Manda Beach Hotel or similar.

Madagascar 6th day Tuesday:
FOULPOINTE – SOANIERANA-IVONGO – SAINTE MARIE (around 100 km on the road with potholes, then some 1,5 to 2 hours on the ferry boat to the former pirate island)
Early breakfast at 05h30 AM, then at 6 AM departure to Soanierana-Ivongo, then do the registration formalities there and then cross the sea with the “Gasikara Be” ferry to the beautiful island of Sainte Marie. Overnight at the bungalow hotel Lakana or similar on the beach between the airport and the city of Ambodifotatra, on half board base.

If the sea should be too rough and the boat transfer forbidden, we’ll change the program spontaneously, and stay another night in Foulpointe, and try next day.

Madagascar 7th day Wednesday:
SAINTE MARIE
Free day on  Sainte Marie. We can explore the south of the island with the  Ile aux Nattes or explore the North or east by walking or bicycle or by Tuk Tuk, or do water sports or relax on the beach. The pirates cemetery is also interesting to see at low tide (communal tax around 4 €/person), it can now be reached easily. Between July and September, a whalewatching excursion can be booked through the hotel. Enjoy the nice sunset. Overnight again at the Hotel Lakana or similar.

If due to the rough sea, the ferry transfer to Sainte Marie wasn’t possible, we’ll stay in Foulpointe another night and start the drive back to Tana next day.

Madagascar 8th day Thursday:
SAINTE MARIE
Due to the change of the domestic flight schedule, another free day on  Sainte Marie. Night at the same hotel on half board.

If due to the rough sea, the ferry transfer to Sainte Marie wasn’t possible, we’ll start the drive back, and will drive until Andasibe or Moramanga (depending on hotel availability), overnight there and continue to Tana next day.

Madagascar 9th day Friday:
SAINTE MARIE – ANTANANARIVO (domestic flight, not daily)
Depending on flight schedule, transfer to the airport and flight to Tana, if there’s no last minute change with Air Madagascar / Tsaradia. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the Belvedere Hotel or similar.

If the Sainte Marie island visit wasn’t possible due to weather conditions, we’ll continue the drive back to Tana

Madagascar 10th day Saturday:
DEPART

Take off at about 01.00 AM or later, depending on the airline, perhaps an additional night will be necessary.

Changes in the program reserved, especially if train timetable changes ect.

The above mentioned hotels are planned for the tour, but this is subject to modification.
Tariffs are subject to changes, especially if heavy fluctuation in exchange rate and/or fuel prices. All tours and tariffs are subject to changes in case of cancellations or overbooking of flights or trains, changes in timetable, bad weather and road conditions, strike, political troubles, problems with fuel supply, tribal and other war, closing of sites, natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods and other acts of God. Please also see our general conditions.