Grand Tsingy & Lemur Escape • 10 Days

Grand Tsingy & Lemur Escape

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From

$ 11,680.00

per person

All our guided group tours can be offered on a private basis, and all our packages can be customized. Our experienced destination experts will design itineraries tailored to your needs and budget.

Experience the unique beauty of Madagascar, from the vibrant city of Antananarivo to the remote wilderness of Tsingy de Namoroka National Park, with our Grand Tsingy & Lemur Escape package. This 10-day tour offers a mix of adventure and relaxation as you explore sacred forests, spot lemurs and chameleons, and stay in luxury tented camps by scenic rivers. Whether you’re hiking through lush forests or admiring the iconic baobab trees, Madagascar’s natural wonders are sure to captivate you.

Highlights of the Grand Tsingy & Lemur Escape Tour

Antananarivo 

Antananarivo, affectionately called “Tana,” is Madagascar’s buzzing capital. It is the primary arrival and departure hub for most visitors to the island. The city offers excellent opportunities to delve into Madagascar’s history, with attractions like the Queen’s Palace and the Royal Hills of Ambohimanga, which can be explored on a cycling tour.

Ifotaka

Situated in the Amboasary Sud District, Ifotaka a town and a commune on the beautiful island of Madagascar. It is known for its spectacular natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and its numerous historical, sacred sites. It is home to the remote Ifotaka Community Forest, which is a wild, secluded sanctuary protected by the local Antandroy people. This off-the-beaten-track destination features abundant spiny forest, ancient hidden tombs, and unspoilt landscape inhabited by an array of endemic wildlife including a variety of lemurs and many bird species, such as the malachite kingfisher, hook-billed vangas, scops owl and many others. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions and visit the ombiasy healer.

Tsingy de Namoroka National Park

Jagged limestone plateau encompasses the vast and varying landscapes of Tsingy de Namoroka Strict Nature Reserve, also known as Namoroka National Park. Located in northwestern Madagascar just 50 kilometres south of the town of Soalala, this wondrous labyrinth of limestone needles belongs to the same protected complex as Baly Bay National Park. Nature lovers are drawn to the peaceful tranquillity and jaw-dropping natural setting of grassy savanna, towering baobabs, dry deciduous forest, dazzling canyons, lush marshes, rice paddies and natural swimming pools. Enjoy a guided trek along the harsh terrain and admire the extraordinary flora and fauna that inhabits the region including lemurs, frogs, reptiles, the big-headed turtle, over 80 species of birds and abundant plant life.

Accommodation

Day 1

Maison Gallieni (or similar)
Antananarivo, Madagascar

Days 2 – 5

Mandrare River Camp (or similar)
Ifotaka, Madagascar

Day 6

Nosy Manga (or similar)
Antananarivo, Madagascar

Days 7 – 9

Namoroka Tsingy Camp (or similar)
Tsingy de Namoroka National Park, Madagascar

Included

  • 9 x Breakfast
  • 8 x Lunch
  • 9 x Dinner
  • All required transport in an air-conditioned vehicle in Antananarivo and in 4×4 vehicles in all other locations
  • All meals & drinks and accommodation as per the itinerary
  • Services of an experienced professional Malagasy guide
  • All excursions, park fees and community/environmental levies
  • Flights & airport taxes:  Domestic (Antananarivo – Ifotaka & Antananarivo – Soalala return)

Excluded

  • Pre and post tour accommodation
  • Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the program
  • Any beverages not included
  • Personal expenses such as gratuities, visas, travel insurance, curios, laundry etc.

Pre-tour Information

Departure

When arriving in Antananarivo on the morning of day 1 of the tour, you will be picked up from the airport and embark on your tour. Should you arrive prior to day 1, pre-tour accommodation can be arranged and you will be picked up from your hotel on the morning of day 1 (Pick up time will be confirmed on arrival).

Transport

A 4WD vehicle is used during this tour

Visas

A visa is required to enter the territory of Madagascar and can easily be obtained upon arrival at the airport of Antananarivo with a validity of up to 60 days. Tourists staying for less than one month can purchase a visa for 115’000 Ariary (around 35 €). Paying with the exact amounts or small currency is advised. No photographs are required, however, please ensure that passports are valid for at least 6 months after the return date.

Travel Insurance

Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with Jenman Madagascar Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance

Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be met and welcomed by an English-speaking guide, before transferring to your hotel in the city centre. Unpack, settle in, and spend the rest of your day at leisure, enjoying a dip in the pool while taking in the mesmerizing view of the city before dinner.
After breakfast, 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 you will be met and transferred to your luxury tented camp where you can settle into your accommodation and enjoy the breath-taking views across the Mandrare River. Thereafter, you will depart for a night walk in the Forest of Zenavo. You will have the opportunity to spot various types of lemurs, chameleons and owls throughout your walk.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the banks of the river, before embarking on a trip to the sacred gallery forest, crossing the Mandrare river on foot or boat, to observe the ring tailed lemurs and the always entertaining Verreaux sifaka. Return to your camp for lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your leisure, before you depart on an afternoon activity. In the late afternoon, embark on a leisurely stroll through the hallowed spiny forest, adorned with ancestral tombs belonging to the esteemed Antandroy tribe. This remarkable landscape is home to an unparalleled assortment of plant and animal life, found exclusively within the spiny forest’s confines. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide and a knowledgeable tracker from the local community, you will receive an insightful introduction to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Antandroy people. Concluding your visit, indulge in a delightful experience of sundowners on the banks of the Mandrare River.
After a cup of tea or coffee, you will head out for an early morning walk in the spiny forest, witnessing the sunlight break through the trees while keeping an eye out for endemic birds such as the Vangas and the running and crested Coua. Head back to the camp for a delicious breakfast, followed by a visit to the local market or the local village to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Lunch will be served at the camp, followed by a leisurely afternoon where you can unwind and observe the vibrant life along the river from the comfort of your tent’s terrace. Later that day, enjoy a sundowner amongst the baobabs trees with a spectacular view of the mountains in the distance. As evening falls, you may have the pleasure of witnessing the local village’s captivating traditional dances, accompanied by mesmerising singing and melodic music. Song and dance hold a central place in Antandroy culture, serving as integral elements that accompany significant rituals and joyous occasions in their everyday lives. Prepare to be immersed in the rhythmic beauty and cultural richness of these performances.
After breakfast, set out for a day excursion to the picturesque Lac Anony. This saltwater lake, nestled behind towering sand dunes, lies just off the Indian Ocean and serves as a habitat for greater flamingos and numerous other saltwater birds. The drive from camp takes about two hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely walk along the lake’s edge before reaching a scenic picnic area. For those seeking adventure, climb the impressive 70-foot dunes to take in panoramic views, and perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake. Return to camp by evening, ready for dinner.
After breakfast, you will take a short transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight via Fort Dauphin and back to Antananarivo. On arrival, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel, where you will have the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy some time lounging at the rooftop pool or enjoy some drinks at the bar. In the afternoon, you will visit Ambohimanga, located 20 km northeast of Tana. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ancestral home of the Merina kings and queens who unified Madagascar. The site is a sacred, fortified hill with 16 gates leading to King Andrianampoinimerina’s residence (who reigned from 1787 to 1810) and a collection of elegant royal summer homes.
Today you will board a scheduled charter flight to the coastal town of Soalala. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you for a road transfer (2 hours & 30 minutes) to Namoroka Tsingy Camp . Along the way, take a refreshing break with a village walk through mango groves. After arriving at camp, settle into your tent and unwind. Later in the afternoon, set out on a guided forest walk around the camp. You’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife, including birds, chameleons, Von der Decken’s sifakas, red lemurs, and possibly even a fossa or an elusive Aye-Aye. As the day winds down, relax with sundowners beneath the iconic baobabs.
Spend the next two days discovering the remote beauty of Namoroka National Park, known for its rugged landscapes and minimal visitor traffic, with only about 50 visitors a year due to the difficulty of access. This pristine park is a sanctuary for wildlife, including over 100 bird species and six different types of lemurs. Keep an eye out for the lively Von der Decken’s Sifaka, the nocturnal Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur, the Red Lemur, and the elusive Aye-Aye. During your stay, explore the remarkable cave system that runs beneath the park’s towering limestone formations. In these caves, you’ll find fossilized remains of the Archaeolemur, a now-extinct giant lemur that weighed up to 26kg, along with traces of Madagascar’s lost megafauna, which disappeared around 1,000 years ago. Enjoy a picnic lunch nestled in the shade of the Tsingy as you take in the remarkable surroundings.
You will transfer to Soalala Airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Antananarivo, where you will connect with your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again on one of our other African adventures!
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