Madagascar | Pre-trip Extension: Exploring Ankarafantsika

Depart the United States for Madagascar.

Arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, on a late-night flight. After clearing immigration and customs and exchanging money at the airport, meet our local guide and transfer to the hotel. Check in and rest after the long flight. (Please note: We recommend considering a stopover in Paris en route, or coming in a day early, to rest.) This is a travel day and no meals are included. Please note operational days for flights to Madagascar are subject to change without prior notice and there might be need for additional hotel nights at Antananarivo at additional cost. Check in starts at 12 pm.

Early morning flight to Mahajanga. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and have breakfast. Check in starts at 12 pm, if we are unable to arrange early check in, take a guided walk of the city and market before returning to the hotel for lunch and check-in. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure to recover from the long journey.

This morning and afternoon we will enjoy a boat tour to Betsiboka River Delta. The 525 kilometer (326 mi) long Betsiboka River originates east of Antananarivo and empties to Bombetoka Bay, forming a large delta. The distinctive red color is a result of the sediments carried through. The river is surrounded in mangroves giving us great opportunities for bird photography such as the endemic Madagascar teal, crab plover if we are very lucky and various other shore and wading birds.

After breakfast, we will travel to Ankarafantsika National Park (which used to be known as, and still incorporates, the Ampijoroa Forest Station). The area is home to eight lemur species and is the last refuge of several lemur and bird species, which is why protecting the park is so important. It is the only place where the golden brown mouse lemur occurs. During day hikes, Coquerel's sifaka are commonly seen, as well as mongoose and brown lemurs and the rhinoceros chameleon. At night, it's possible to see the Milne Edwards' sportive lemur, mongoose lemur, western woolly lemur, grey mouse lemur, and fat tailed dwarf lemur. Ankarafantsika is also the best place to see the spectacular Madagascar Crested Ibis, White throated Rail, and a host of raptors. The star attraction, however, is the endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle, now down to about 100 pairs. In the woods, you may also see Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and various vangas. A boat cruise on Lake Ravelobe offers sights of Humblot's Heron, Madagascan Malachite Kingfisher, Madagascar Fish Eagle, as well as excellent views of many other water birds.

Continue exploring Ankarafantsika, including another boat ride. Ankarafantsika National Park is often called the "Kingdom of Birds," but this dry tropical forest has an equally impressive number of woody plants. Over 800 species are present, many of them endemic to Madagascar. Notable examples include the flowering bush mpanjakabenitany (Baudouinia fluggeiformis), the katrafay (Cedrelopsis grevei) used in traditional medicine, the small tree lohavato (Hymenodictyon occidental), and sakoanala (Poupartia silvatica), a large tree with conspicuous flowers. It also has a good selection of reptiles and endemic frogs, including Nile crocodile, collared iguanid lizard, Oustalets's giant chameleon, long nosed chameleon, leaf tailed geckos, spiny tailed iguanas, the extremely rare Madagascan big headed turtle, Antsouhy tomato frog, Madagascar bullfrog, Mascarene ridged frog, western bright eyed frog, yellow striped reed frog, and tri colored reed frog. This is also an area where the enigmatic leaf nosed snake has been found.

Continue exploring Ankarafantsika National Park.

Morning photo session at the hotel then afternoon transfer back to Mahajanga. Lunch at a local restaurant. late afternoon flight back to Tana.