19/ Discover the hidden treasure of Madagascar,

Embark your children to discover the hidden treasure of Madagascar. This tour is designed for young children from 3 to 9 years. Distances are short, and many activities are made specially for them to maintain and keep their attention. The key is to see many lemurs, reptiles and combined with contact with local children and to get an experience of the life of local people. Sea excursion and the turtle are   a plus that kids will love.

DAY 1: Arrival ANTANANARIVO (TANA)

Arrival in Tana, meet and greet upon arrival in the capital of Madagascar. Then, transfer to your hotel GASSY COUNTRY HOUSE for spending the night, on B&B.
Antananarivo means “City of thousands”. Its story began 500 years ago, the king Andrianjaka sent over 1000 soldiers to cut the forest and to conquer the land. Then the great King Andrianampoinimerina, attracted by the beauty of the city, decided to build a palace there, which became later his successor’s main palace. From here the same king started to unify the different kingdoms of the island. During King Radama’s reign Antananarivo became the capital of all Madagascar. Antananarivo is build on 3 levels: the high city where the queen’s palace is situated, the first area occupied during the royal period, then the mid-city, the administrative area where all the better boutiques of the capital are found, then the low city which is the commercial area of the town.

DAY 2:TANA – ANDASIBE: 145 km – 3h

Morning city tours of Tana before heading eastward for 4 hours’ drive to Andasibe, through the green landscape of the east. This step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forest and lakes. Our first stop is in the waterfall which is place for “collective laundry”, in fact after a funeral, the whole family comes here to do their washing. This is a ritual in the highland, meaning that the river takes away all the bad luck. Our second stop is in Manjakandriana which is a huge agricultural city. It supplies milk and vegetable to the whole region. On the way, we stop in Pyereras Reptiles park to see farmed chameleons and other species of reptiles. On a walk inside the forest, we can spot 2 species of lemurs: the sifaka “coquereli” and the brown lemurs “fulvus”. Night in Hotel

DAY 3 :ANDASIBE

2 to 4 hours morning exploration of the Special Reserve of Andasibe, to see the Indri Indri the biggest lemurs of the island. This 810-ha reserve is a unique with endemic fauna and flora. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. Afterwards, visit the “Island of lemurs” of Vakona where we can see 3 different lemurs ‘species which come close to visitors. In the afternoon, visit to Andasibe village, a typical Betsimisaraka village, the second largest tribe. Overnight in the same hotel on B&B.

• ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK

Situated on the east, rainy and humid part of the country, at 135 from Tana and 25 km from Moramanga, Andasibe is the nearest and easiest National Park to visit from the capital. This 810 ha reserve is a very special one with a high rate of endemicity as far as fauna and flora are concerned. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. The highlight is without any doubt to observe the Indri Indri, the largest lemurs and known for its spectacular whooping calls. 9 species of lemurs, 10 species of tenrecs, 3 carnivores and 5 rodents, 109 birds have been recorded among them is the blue coua, coral-billed nuthatch vanga, they can be easily seen in the small stream and river around the park. 28 reptiles species have been recorded; among them is the tiniest one which measures only 5 cm and the largest one which measures 60 cm. Of special note is the 2 species of stump-tailed chameleon “ brookesia thieli” and “Brookesia theriezeni” both of them are only seen in the area. The reserve is also very rich on amphibians, and claims a world record for frog diversity, 24 species have been recorded, the most noteworthy frog is the tiny golden mantella which is only found in the area. Spiders and insects are abundant.

DAY 4:ANDASIBE – MANAMBATO – AKANIN’NY NOFY: 135 km: 2 – 3 hours

After breakfast, 3 hours’ drive to Manambato. Stop and visit the town of Brickaville, an old colonial city known for its sugar cane plantation. Then continuation on a dirt track to Manambato where we take a 1-hour boat transfer to Akanin’ ny nofy. We cross the Rasoabe Lake then the Pangalanes channel built during the colonisation period for commercial use. We can admire many birds along the luxuriant vegetation of the east. Arrival in the afternoon. Ankanin’ny Nofy means nest of the dreams. Surrounded by a huge and blue lake, this is the ideal place for rest and to be in contact direct with nature. Overnight in hotel

DAY 5:AKANIN’NY NOFY

We’ll have 2 hours hike to explore « PALMARIUM” private park which is home to 7species of lemurs, with “ Indri Indri” as a highlight, many species of reptiles and birds. Flora is also very rich with its garden of palm trees, orchids and the famous vanilla. Since the bungalows are situated inside the park, making it very easy to access, guest will be permanently in contact with lemurs, which makes makes this park ideal for kids who will during the day come across with different species of lemur. Surrounded by a huge lake, this is one of the few places ideal for rest in the middle of nature. The visit to Andranokoditra village on the other side of the canal is an opportunity to meet and play with the local children. By 05.30 pm, we take a 30 minutes boat across the Ampitabe lake and visit the “aye aye” island, a newly created park to protect the endangered lemurs “aye aye”. This 1-hour visit enables us to see very closely this unique and seldom seen lemurs in its natural habitat. This is a unique adventure for the children as they will search for the “aye aye” and will enjoy the show of “aye aye” having their daily diet. Overnight in the same accommodation, on B&B.

• « Palmarium Reserve»:

A private park about 4 ha where we can see different kinds of animals: lemurs, chameleons inside a luxuriant rainy tropical forest. The highlights are the “Indri Indri”, sifaka or “propithecus verreauxi” that you can see very close. Also, night active lemurs like eulemur coronatus, and macaco. With its wide tropical garden, many orchids, vanilla and different tropical plants are displayed.

Day 6: AKANIN’NY NOFY – TAMATAVE – TANA

Breakfast at hotel then 3 hours boat transfer to Tamatave along the Pangalanes channel. During this journey, enjoy the life of the people living along the channel, where the only means of communication is by the canal. Bamboo pirogue transporting charcoals, boat – brousse transporting goods and passengers, women washing dishes and laundry, kids swimming, and many fishing nets are the scenery that you will find along the navigation. Arrival in Tamatave Transfer to the airport and fly back to Tana. Transfer and night in Hotel.

Day 7:TANA – DIEGO-SUAREZ (Domestic Flight)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Diégo-Suarez. After landing, short city tours of Diego, then transfer and check-in to your lodge: “Jungle Lodge” on half Board. This lodge offers a wide range of activities such as trekking around the region, rock climbing or just relax and enjoy the beautiful natural environment. Overnight in your lodge on half board

Day 8:DIEGO SUAREZ:

Full day in Jungle park, ideal for kids to immerse in a natural environment, sustainable and ecotourism. Many activities are offered on the spot, like hiking, bird watching, acrobranching park, paintball, bush golf, natural swimming pool. Overnight in the same lodge

Day 9:DIEGO-SUAREZ – JOFFRE VILLE – TSINGY ROUGE – ANKARANA

After breakfast, 1-hour drive to Joffre Ville, where you have 3 to 4 hours visit to the Montagne d’Ambre National Park, accompanied by a local guide. The park located on the mountain of Ambre, consists of a tropical rainforest of 18,200 ha covering a volcanic massif composed mainly of basaltic rocks. This park is rich in wildlife and is home to a lot of endemic fauna and flora. Reptiles are impressive, stump-tailed chameleons, snakes and insect life is particularly rich. Numerous rivers have their source here and flow out in different directions, so the park is a vital water catchment area for the nearby town of Diego Suarez. There are several attractive crater lakes and some spectacular waterfalls. Much of the park is covered with upland moist tropical forest, with numerous giant trees, smaller ferns and several orchid species. On the way stop in Anivorano and take a dirt road for 1-hour drive to the “Tsingy Rouge”, a strange sculpture resulting from the erosion of a red sandy mountain. Then back to the main road and have 2 hours’ drive to Mahamasina, on the foot of Ankarana National Park. Overnight in the hotel on B&B.

• Amber Mountain National Park

Created in 1958 this national park is located 7km’s from Joffre Ville and 32km’s from Diego Suarez. It is a tropical rainforest with an area of 18,200 hectares and the altitude in the park ranges from 850m – 1485m. The park has its own microclimate which makes the flora and fauna unique. Seven species of lemur have been recorded in the park including the crowned lemur and Sanford’s brown lemur which are usually easily spotted. With a high annual rainfall rate, the park is covered with upland moist tropical forest, with numerous giant tree species, smaller ferns and several orchid species.
The easiest and most visited one is the “Sacred Waterfall” (Cascade Sacree). It is a short and very rewarding walk to a waterfall falling into a pool where you have good chances to spot some lemurs and birds.
The Cascade Antankarana circuit is also easy and not long, the Cascade Antomboka is a little bit harder. Other treks lead to some crater lakes. The shortest walk is to the Lac de la Coupe Verte, with nice views of the forest. To visit the “Lac Grand” and “Lac Maudit” one will need the whole day. It is also possible to climb up to the Amber Mountain itself and enjoy a spectacular view over all the forest beneath.

Day 10:ANKARANA

After breakfast, we start our morning exploration of the “Tsingy Ankarana”, where the limestone highland has been worked by the erosion and which gives us the impression of walking on a spiny land. It offers us an extraordinary spectacle. The vegetation itself is as unusual as the Tsingy itself. The area consists of 18,225 ha covering a massif of Jurassic limestone rising abruptly from a surrounding savannas-like plain. Dominant canopy trees include Dalbergia and casia various figs, and superb specimens of the baobab Adansonia madagascariensis, numerous palms. The Tsingy harbours a fascinating assemblage of drought-adapted succulent plants. These include Pachypodium decaryi, Adenia neohumbertii and so on…Abundant wildlife in forested canyon. Overnight at the same hotel on B&B.

• Ankarana Special Reserve

is located about 108km south of Antsiranana (also named Diego Suarez) and covers 18,220ha. Ankarana is known for its limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy along with its extensive cave system and network of underground rivers, some of which contain crocodiles. Dry deciduous forest is found in much of the reserve. Visitors may encounter the crowned lemur, Sanford’s brown lemur, Perrier’s black lemur, the northern sportive lemur and dwarf lemurs. A variety of chameleons and leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos can also be found in the reserve

Day 11: ANKARANA – ANKIFY – NOSY BE

After breakfast, drive towards Ankify. Our first stop is in the town of Ambilobe to visit the picturesque market of this Muslim city. Then a 2 to 3 hours drive across the coffee, cacao and ylang ylang plantations. This region is volcanic and the most fertile land of Madagascar. You drive along the mountain chain of Tsaratanana, with the highest peak of the island, before reaching Ankify, the main harbour to Nosy Be island. Stop in Ambanja for a visit to a cacao and vanilla plantation of Cyrille. Then 1-hour transfer by speedboat to Hell Ville the main town of the island of Nosy be. Transfer by car to your hotel. Check-in and overnight in hotel

Day 12: NOSY BE: NOSY KOMBA -TANIKELY

Boat excursion to Nosy Komba and Tanikely which are 2 isles around Nosy Be. First stop in Nosy Komba, a tiny isle on the south east of Nosy be. Named after the black lemurs or “komba” which habited the primary forest of the island. Visit the small park run by the village where one can see the “maccacco maccacco” lemur which is only found in this area. Nosy Komba is also known for the embroidered table cloths made by local women. Then 1-hour boatride to reach Nosy Tanikely, an uninhabited submarine National Park which offers good snorkelling and diving. Fresh Sea-food lunch, then around 03.00pm, sail back to Nosy be.

Day 13: NOSY BE: NOSY IRANJA

90minutes boat transfer to Nosy Iranja, located on the north of Nosy be. Called “Turtles’ Island” for the visiting Hawksbill turtles that bury their eggs in its immaculate white beaches. This perfect sanctuary is also home to unique fauna and flora that live in gentle tranquillity surrounded by azure seas and natural coral reefs teeming with exotic fish. For a few unforgettable days, the stunning natural beauty of Nosy Iranja could be your very own tropical paradiseSun kissed beaches, a azure ocean boasting natural coral reefs teeming with exotic fish, breathtaking sunsets and a tropical climate combined with absolute tranquility, natural beauty and unique flora and fauna, provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable getaway in this paradise. Sun kissed beaches, a azure ocean boasting natural coral reefs teeming with exotic fish, breathtaking sunsets and a tropical climate combined with absolute tranquillity, natural beauty and unique flora and fauna, provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable getaway in this paradise. Back to Nosy be by 2.00 pm. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 14: NOSY BE – TANA (Domestic Flight)

Flight back to Tana and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel GASSY COUNTRY HOUSE, on B&B

Day 15: TANA

After breakfast, excursion to Croc Farm. Then, transfer to airport on time for your flight back home.