A 13 Day Magical Madagascar Adventure
Activity Package
This is a compulsory payment that covers what we consider to be an ‘essential activity’ on our tour. This payment is 100% transparent and is listed below. As the activity package on this tour is compulsory; we recommend that you pre-pay this to your agent prior to your arrival.
Activity Price Compulsory National Park Fees R3325
Countries Visited Madagascar
Vehicle Private mini van or sedan car
Malaria Malaria prophylactics are required.
Departure Point 08:00am from IC Hotel, LOT 043 MMA II, Ivato Tana 105, Madagascar. Tel: +261 20 22 48210, +261 20 24 51721 www.ichotel.mg
End Point IC Hotel, LOT 043 MMA II, Ivato Tana 105, Madagascar. Tel: +261 20 22 48210, +261 20 24 51721 www.ichotel.mg
What’s included Accommodation, meals, registered guides and transport as per itinerary.
What’s excluded All items of a personal nature, alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, tips and optional activities (see list for an indication of prices.)
Health
Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disability that you may have.
VisasPlease note that these are your responsibility. Most Nationalities require a visa. The cost is 140 000 MGA or EURO57 per client. (Subject to change)
Insurance
All clients require adequate Travel Insurance. Medical Insurance is not sufficient. Activity providers can refuse participation of activities, if the correct valid Travel Insurance is not provided. Travel insurance can be purchased via the Nomad website http://www.nomadtours.co.za/travel_insurance.html (Nomad World travel insurance is in no way affiliated with Nomad Tours)
Climate
Generally the climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. May to October is the most pleasant time to travel to Madagascar, with cooler temperatures and little rain. Please use a factor 30 sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration.
Currency and Banking
The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureaux de change; ARIARY CAN BE CONVERTED BACK into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars and Euro. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at most banks, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to become accepted in top hotels and major towns.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are recommended against Hepatitis A and typhoid, and all travellers coming from a country with yellow fever require inoculation against the disease. Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled or chemically treated. It is recommended that travellers bring antibiotics and anti – diarrhoeal drugs in case of severe diarrhoea. Medical facilities are limited, and outside of the capital medical care may be difficult to find. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent or Nomad to make these bookings.
Arrival Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any problems such as forgotten luggage, misplaced bags or any unforeseen problems such as airline strikes or delayed flight arrival.
Departure Please book your flight to depart the day after the tour officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may experience due to unpredictable road conditions.
Note: All information is subject to change without prior notice. Travel times and accommodation can change depending on road or weather conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Madagascar Antsirabe Pousse Pousse Ride € 5 to € 10
Madagascar Ranomafana Thermal Source € 5 to €6
Madagascar Ranomafana Orchid Garden € 5 to € 8
Madagascar Fianarantsoa Sahambavy Tea Plantation € 5 to € 8
Madagascar Ambalavao Anja Park (Lemurs – History) € 10 to € 20
Madagascar Ilakaka Visit Mine Saphir € 15 to € 20
Madagascar Tulear Arboretuim Antsokay € 5 to € 15
Madagascar Tulear Museum of Ethography € 5 to € 15
Madagascar Ifaty Reserve Reniala € 15 to € 20
Madagascar Ifaty Whale Watching € 45 to € 50
Madagascar Ifaty Snorkeling € 25 to € 35
Madagascar Ifaty Diving € 55 to € 65
Note:
There are more optional activities being created every day – we have listed only the most popular. If there is something specific you would like to do then speak to your guide as they will be able to assist you (if it is possible…)
Day 1 Antananarivo (Tana) – Antsirabe
After breakfast we depart on a city tour of old Tana including the Queen’s palace. Then we take the RN2 to Andasibe along the green landscape of the east.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Two per room: Hotel Feon’ny Ala Facilities: En-suite, restaurant, bar
Route: Tana to Andasibe ±135 km Travel time: ±3 hrs
Antananarivo
The city is built on the summit and slopes of a long and narrow rocky ridge, which extends north and south for about 4 km and rising at its highest point to about 200 m above the extensive rice plain to the west. Unlike most capital cities in southern Africa, Antananarivo was already a major city before the colonial era. The city was founded circa 1625 by King Andrianjaka and takes its name (the “City of the Thousand”) from the number of soldiers assigned to guard it. For many years it was the principal village of the Hova chiefs and gained importance as those chiefs became sovereigns of the greater part of Madagascar, eventually becoming a town of some 80 000 inhabitants. In 1793 Antananarivo was made the capital of the Merina kings. The conquests of King Radama I made it the capital of almost all of Madagascar. Until 1869 all buildings within the city proper were of wood or rushes, but even then it possessed several timber palaces of considerable size, the largest being 37 m high. These crown the summit of the central portion of the ridge; and the largest palace, with its lofty roof and towers, is the most conspicuous object from every point of view.
Since the introduction of stone and brick, the entire city has been rebuilt and now contains numerous European-style structures, including the royal palaces, the houses formerly belonging to the prime minister and nobles, the French residency, the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals, and several stone churches.
Owing to its high elevation of 1 300 m – 1 400 m above sea level, the city is known for its mild climate. Antananarivo seldom exceeds 26 degrees Celsius even during the warmest part of the year.
Day 2 Andasibe National Park
In the morning we will visit the Andasibe National Park, to see the biggest lemurs on the island, the Indri Indri. We explore the 810ha reserve, which contains unique fauna and flora, including a wide variety of birds and chameleons. In the afternoon, we visit Andasibe village, where we will meet the second largest tribe of the island to experience their culture and way of life.
Meals: Breakfast, Accommodation:Two per room: Hotel Feon’ny Ala Facilities: En-suite, restaurant, bar
Route: Antsirable to Andasibe. ± 280 km Travel time: ± 5-7 hours
Day 3 Andasibe – Tana – Antsirabe
Driving through the green landscape and unique vegetation of the east, we make our way back to Tana, passing Merina village on our journey. Then we take the RN7 to Antsirabe. In the afternoon we visit some local craftspeople that produce wonderful miniature cars; we also have a look at the semi-precious stones that are on sale here. We will experience sunset on the edge of Lake Andraikiba.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation:Two per room: Coleur Café
Route: Andasibe to Antsirabe. ±280 km Travel time: ± 5-7 hours
Day 4 Antsirabe – Ranomafana
Today we head to Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar’s wood carving industry. Many people are amazed by the ‘medieval’ style architecture of the houses here – great for photography. We will visit some of the local wood carving workshops, before continuing on to Ranomafana. Notice how the landscape becomes greener, passing through tropical forests, sometimes interrupted by small villages.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Two per room: Ihary Hotel Facilities: En-suite, bar
Route: Antsirabe to Ranomafana ±250 km Travel time: ±5-6 hrs
Day 5 Ranomafana National Park
The Ranomafana National Park, established in 1991, covers 40,000 and is home to 12 species of lemurs. Our local guides will take us on an expedition into the forest, where we will encounter more than 100 bird species, reptiles, butterflies and other insects which live in the park.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation:Two per room: Ihary Hotel Facilities: En-suite, bar
Day 6 Ambalavao
Our morning journey takes us to Fianarantsoa – the “gate of the south” and home to the Betsileo tribes. After a short city tour we head further south to Ambalavao, which is the centre of the wine industry. Here we will enjoy some local wine tasting. Still in Ambalavao, we visit the Anteimoro paper factory
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Two per room: Aux Bougainvilless
Route: Ranomafana to Ambalavao ± 150 km Travel time: ± 3-4 hours
Day 7 Isalo
Today we head on to Isalo. 10km from Ambalavoa, we stop and visit Anja Park, run by the local village. Here we will see many different lemurs. Then we head to Ihosy, the island of the Bara. We pass through the mountain chain of Andringitra, which serves as a transition between the green highland and the dry south. You will notice the landscape changing, with huge granite blocks forming the spacious and empty plains. We feel like being swallowed by this emptiness. From a long distance, we will be able to see a huge imposing rocky hill called “Bishop’s hat”, a sacred place for the local people.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation:Two per room: Le Motel de l’lsalo (http://www.motelisalo.com/emotel.html) Facilities: En-suite, bar, swimming pool
Route: Ambalavao to Isalo ±195km Travel time: ± 4-6 hours
Day 8/9 Isalo National Park
The next 2 days will be spent exploring Isalo National Park, famous for its strange geological formations. Composed with sandstone and eroded by the rain and wind, the mountain offers the most spectacular scenery of the country. During our guided walk in the park, we pass the natural swimming pool where we enjoy a refreshing swim before reaching the top where we marvel at the panoramic view of Isalo.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Two per room: Le Motel de l’lsalo (http://www.motelisalo.com/emotel.html) Facilities: En-suite, bar, swimming pool
Day 10/11/12 Ifaty
Today we head to Ifaty. Day 11 and 12 will be spend at leisure. Just north of the Toliara (Tulear), Ifaty is the ideal place to relax in the sun. Swimming and snorkelling are great ways to spend the next two days. If you are not interested in sitting in the sun, please speak to the reception of the hotel about the optional day tours on offer.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Two per room: Belle Vue
Route: Isalo NP to Ifaty: ±260km Travel time: ± 6 hours
Day 13 Ifaty – Tulear – Tana
Today we will head back to Tulear and take a transfer to the airport to catch a local flight to Tana. Your tour will end upon arrival in Tana.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: IC Hotel (awaiting international flight)
Route: Ifaty to Tulear ±20 km Travel time:± 90 minutes, Tulear to Tana flight ± 2 hours
Tour Ends You can book an additional night at the IC Hotel www.ichotel.mg. This needs to be pre-booked through your travel agent or Nomad.
TIPPING ON TOUR
In general tipping in restaurants is expected and is around 10% for good service, more if you have received exceptional service, and, feel free not to tip at all if you received poor service. Tipping taxi drivers etc is really at your own discretion and not always expected. If in doubt please ask your guides. It is expected to tip Porters and Car-guards etc. Ask your guides how much is appropriate in local currency.
THE NOMAD AFRICAN TRUST www.nomadafricantrust.co.za
At Nomad we are passionate about the people, places and wildlife of Africa that make our tours so special. In order to give back we have set up the Nomad African Trust.
By the end of your tour you may have left-over local currency that you will not be able to change outside of its country of origin. Any assistance you could provide to the trust by donating this left over currency will be appreciated. Thank you for your help and please join our newsletter at the website above to receive regular updates on what we are doing to support our beneficiaries.
Green Seats – Travel responsibly in Africa
Nomad gives you the opportunity to offset your carbon foot print by purchasing a “Green Seat”. If you would like to help Nomad making Africa Greener, simply choose the tick box on your booking form and we will take care of the rest. The Nomad African Trust will plant trees that are ecologically viable and that have very high carbon absorption.
Green Seats can be purchased at departure or on tour with your guide. For more information on our “Green Seats”, please visit www.nomadtours.co.za/nomad_greenseats.html.
THANK YOU FOR TRAVELLING WITH NOMAD
At the end of your tour you will be provided with feedback forms. These forms are confidential and should be given to your crew in a sealed envelope. If you are not sure of the confidentiality of the feedback form please feel free to email us as well on ops@nomadtours.co.za. Please make sure to also complete the feedback form as we use the answers on these forms to improve and maintain our service levels.
Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice, the accommodation listed in this dossier is our preferred supplier, but sometimes due to availability, we are unable to make use of the property listed in this dossier. If we cannot use the accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards, however, en-suite facilities are not always guaranteed.
