The big island of Madagascar is a center of biodiversity, famous worldwide for its extraordinary landscapes, fauna and amazing flora, ancient culture… it is the place of a great floristic richness especially on palms with 192 species of which the vast majority are endemic. But, the palms of Madagascar are in great danger! Deforestation nibbles the Malagasy forest cover step by step and 83% of Malagasy palm species are now threatened with extinction.

Participating at one of these trips will be a unique opportunity to finally discover Madagascar and its mythical forests populated with rare plants and lemurs. Either one of these trip will be unforgettable. To do this, Palmeraie-Union teams, who know well those places, have prepared for you 5 different options, always in small groups of 6 to 7, 8 or 9 people. These tours have been specially chosen to observe the most interesting places in terms of flora and especially of palm trees.

All these trips are organized in connection with a specialized travel agency based in Madagascar that will guarantee you a welcome and quality support throughout your stay. All accommodation, transfers and visits will be taken into account.

Passport : You are advised to check passport validity requirements

Health : Check with your travel health professional, remember to bring a first aid kit with your usual medications.

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1 – Madagascar: Highlands and Andasibe Pre Tour:

• • Pre Tour Saturday 16th May to Friday 22nd May – 6 nights – 7 days
  • Tour Operator: Mada Tour Antoka – refer separate Terms and Conditions which must be signed and returned to the IPS to participate in the Madagascar tours.
  • Min 6 people Max 8 people 

Difficulty 1 on a scale of 3

Ambohitantely Special Reserve

You will land in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. The next morning, after a hundred kilometers of road and then a dozen of track, you will arrive at the special Ambohitantely reserve, a little-known forest reserve, located in the northwest of the capital, about 1500 meters altitude, and which has the particularity of sheltering one of the last vestiges of forest of the high central plateau of Madagascar. There, you will have the chance to discover one of the most important populations of the mythical Dypsis decipiens, the famous palm of the highlands. In this incredible landscape alternating savannas as far as the eye can see and forest groves in the bottoms of valleys, you may also observe the very rare Dypsis oropedionis(CR) as well as a rich flora typical of highlands including aloes, orchids. The evening, you will return to Antananarivo to spend the night again, before leaving the next day for Andasibe.

Andasibe

About 3 hours drive from the capital, Andasibe is a huge forest area made up of several parks and reserves more or less connected. This place is famous for easily observing some emblematic species of Malagasy wildlife, including the largest lemur, Indri Indri, but also other species of lemurs including Propithecus diadema. But it is also known by palm lovers to host an incredible diversity of species including some of the most emblematic. For this stay of 4 days in Andasibe, 3 to 4 reserves will be on the program according to your desires. You will stay at Vakona Lodge (subject to availability), known for cultivating in its garden the famous Dypsis sp. Black Stem.

Analamazaotra Special Reserve

This small forest reserve, easy to access, can be scheduled from the afternoon of your arrival. With a little luck, you may observe the Indri Indri, and get a first idea of ​​the flora of the area, with many small species of understory palms, but also some more impressive like Ravenea robustior. 

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Maromizaha Reserve

Composed of steep hills separated by narrow valleys, this reserve has a wide variation in altitude, from 700 m to over 1200 m altitude, conferring a variety of environments and therefore a very important floristic wealth. Managed by the Group of Studies and Research on Primates (GERP), this reserve is quite unknown because it is poorly open to the public. You will find an important diversity of palms between the ridges and valley bottoms and will probably discover some of the last Beccariophoenix madagascariensis and the rare Marojejya insignis. Lemurs should be at the rendezvous again!

Mitsinjo Reserve

The Mitsinjo reserve is a small village community reserve, as interesting in diversity as the previous ones, which has the particularity of hosting the very rare Ravenea louvelii (CR), as well as probably the mysterious Dypsis pilulifera. The Mitsinjo Reserve is known worldwide for hosting one of the last known populations of the golden frog Mantella aurantiaca and for having developed a conservation program for the species and a breeding center.

Back to Antananarivo where you will spend the last night, according to the flight schedule, you may enjoy the capital and why not its botanical garden Tsimbazaza where you will admire the collections of succulents and some beautiful specimens of palm trees (Dypsis decipiens, Dypsis mananjarensis, Bismarckia nobilis …)

Day 1 – Saturday 16th May 2020 

Fly La Reunion to Antananarivo. 

Suggested flight Air Austral UU 611 – depart St Denis 16:00 – arrive Antananarivo 16:35

Overnight in Tana

Day 2 – Sunday 17th May 2020  

By road to Ambohitantely 

Visit the Ambohitantely Reserve

Back to Tana

Overnight in Tana

Typical forest of Highlands

Dypsis decipiens, Dypsis oropedionis, Ravenea, understory Dypsis

Day 3 – Monday 18th May 2020  

By road to Andasibe

Visit the Analamazaotra Special Reserve

Overnight in Vakona Lodge

Lot of palms: Dypsis sp., Ravenea robustior, understory Dypsis …

Dypsis Black Stem in Vakona Garden

Indri Indri Lemur

Day 4 – Tuesday 19th May 2020

Visit the Maromizaha Reserve

Dypsis sp., pilulifera, 

Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, Marojejya insignis, understory Dypsis …

Diademed sifaka Lemur

Day 5 – Wednesday 20th May 2020  

Free time in Vakona Lodge (lemur island, Crocodile Park …) or visit another reserve (Vohimana or Mantandia)

Day 6 – Thursday 21st May 2020  

Visit Mitsinjo Reserve

Back by road to Tana

Dypsis sp., Ravenea Louvelii, understory Dypsis

Day 7 – Friday 22nd May 2020

Free time in Tana (Tsimbazaza garden …)

Fly Back to La Reunion

Suggested flight Air Austral UU 612 depart Antananarivo 12:10 – arrive St Denis 14:30

Note accommodation for the night 22nd May is NOT included in the Biennial Package or the Pre Tour packages and must be separately booked by participants either direct through the hotel, or through your travel agent or online booking service

INCLUDED

• Transfer airport to hotel and back
• Hotel or camp night
• Full board accommodation lodge or camping except dinner in Antananarivo on first day
• Visit picnic and mineral water
• Speed boat or pirogue transfer or trip
• Guide fees
• Entrance permit to parks and reserves

EXCLUDED 

• • International flight to/from Reunion
  • Internal flights in Madagascar
  • Accommodation for the night of 22nd May 2020
  • Others fees
  • Insurance policy

PRICE: $1100

Register Now

 

2 – Madagascar: South Coast Pre Tour:

VERY IMPORTANT! –

The departure and return dates for this tour have been brought forward by2 days and the itinerary and content for this tour has been amended to suit Madagascar domestic flight scheduling which was not available at opening of registrations.

Pre Tour Friday 15^thMay to Friday 22nd May –7 nights –8 days

• Tour Operator : Mada Tour Antoka – refer separate Terms and Conditions
• Min 6 people Max 8 people 

Difficulty 1 on a scale of 3

From la Réunion, you will reach the main city of the southern part of Madagascar, Fort Dauphin (or Toalagnaro). Depending on flight schedules, you may enjoy the charm of the peninsula-shaped city and its sublime white sand beaches.

Sainte Luce Reserve

You will visit the forest of Sainte Luce, in the north of Fort Dauphin, well known for giving a name to a very beautiful and colourful palm tree, Dypsis saintelucei. This reserve managed by an NGO is a small corner of paradise, located on a wild peninsula between fantastic beaches as far as the eye can see and lush forest. It is home to many species of lemurs, endemic birds and reptiles, as well as a very interesting flora typical of pandanus coastal forests, including many species of understory palms.

 

Day 1 –Friday 15th May 2020

Fly to Fort Dauphin

Suggested flight Air Madagascar MD197 – depart St Denis 14:20 – arrive Fort Dauphin (Toalagnaro) 15:05

Overnight in Fort Dauphin (Aux Croix du Sud or equivalent)

Day 2 –Saturday 16th May 2020

Visit the Domaine de la cascade

Overnight in Fort Dauphin

Day 3 –Sunday 17th May 2020

Drive to Sainte Luce (Coastal forest, Ravenea musicalis … )

Visit Sainte Luce Forest Reserve (afternoon)

Overnight in Sainte Luce

Day 4 –Monday 18th May 2020

Visit Sainte Luce Reserve (morning)

Drive Sainte Luce to Fort Dauphin

Overnight in Fort dauphin

Day 5 –Tuesday 19th May 2020

Climb Pic St Louis (for good trekkers)

Possible visit Nahampoana Reserve and Saidi garden for others

Overnight in Fort Dauphin

Day 6 –Wednesday 20th May 2020….)

Drive to Andohahela

Visit the Andohahela National Park (Dypsis decaryi, succulents, pachypodiums)

Back to Fort Dauphin

Overnight Fort Dauphin

Day 7 –Thursday 21st May 2020

Excursion to Lokaro Bay and lunch at Evatraha village

Overnight in Fort Dauphin

Day 8 –Friday 22nd May 2020 

Fly back to La Reunion

Suggested flight Air Madagascar MD196 – Depart Fort Dauphin 10:45 – arrive St Denis 13:20

Note accommodation for the night 22nd May is NOT included in the Biennial Package or the Pre Tour packages and must be separately booked by participants either direct through the hotel, or through your travel agent or online booking service

 

INCLUDED

• Transfer airport to hotel and back
• Hotel or camp night
• Full board accommodation lodge or camping, except half board in Fort Dauphin. 
• Visit picnic and mineral water
• Speed boat or pirogue transfer or trip
• Guide fees
• Entrance permit to parks and reserves

 

EXCLUDED 

• International flights including to/from Reunion
• Internal flights in Madagascar
• Accommodation for the night of 22nd May 2020
• Lunch and Dinner in Antananarivo not included
• Others fees
• Insurance policy

 

PRICE: $1250

Register Now

 

3- Madagascar : Masoala & Makira Pre Tour :

VERY IMPORTANT! –

Due to recent Madagascar domestic flight scheduling confirmation the itinerary and duration of this tour has been extended. Participants on this tour will arrive in Reunion on the evening of 21st May, 1 day early for Directors, 2 days early for participants.

Pre Tour Tuesday 12th May to Thursday 21st May – 9 nights – 10 days

• Tour Operator: Mada Tour Antoka – refer separate Terms and Conditions which must be signed and returned to the IPS to participate in the Madagascar tours.Without the signed Ts&Cs we cannot forward your details to the tout operator to complete the booking.
• Min 6 people Max 8 people 

Difficulty 2 on a scale of 3

Masoala National Park 

The Masoala National Park is the largest and most beautiful park in Madagascar. Located on the peninsula of the same name, it is home to a flora and fauna of incredible diversity and many species of palm trees. After having reached Maroansetra by domestic flight from Tamatave, you will cross the bay of Antongil by boat to reach the comfortable Lodge “Chez Arol” located in an idyllic setting, at the edge of a huge deserted beach surrounded by forests. From there, you will be accompanied by guides knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and for 2 days, you will explore the surrounding forest in search of some of the rarest palms in the world, including the legendary and very impressive Lemurophoenix halleuxii, but also many others: Dypsis hovomantsina, Dypsis dransfieldii, Dypsis carlsmithii… and even the very rare Satranala decussilvae! You will also discover a multitude of other plants: orchids, begonias, ferns, … Back from ballads, you will have great pleasure to stroll in the small fishing village not far from there or to enjoy breathtaking beaches. When you return to Maroansetra, you will stop at Nosy Mangabe Island. You will discover a botanical trail where you can surely observe the white-fronted lemur, the micro-chameleons, the black and yellow treefrog. You will also visit the Betsimisaraka Tombs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makira protected Park

After a break in Maroansetra, where you may do some shopping, visit the very typical local market, and maybe even have the chance to see the famous tomato frogs, you will go on an adventure towards the Makira Park. From Maroansetra, it will take you a day to reach the Makira science camp, after 4 to 5 hours of pirogue and a steep approach walk (3 hours of walking for about 500 m of elevation). Makira Park is an immense forest corridor (300,000 ha) of recent protection status and considered one of the most biodiverse areas of the Big Island. It is home to 20 species of lemurs including the very rare silky Indri and Sifaka, as well as a multitude of endemic plant species, many of which are still unknown to science. Protection of the reserve has recently been provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as part of a community project in partnership with the local population, thus ensuring that the surrounding villages benefit directly from the benefits provided by the Park. This stay which is proposed to you is exceptional because the park is only little open to the public. You will thus benefit from the Makira camp usually reserved for scientists where you will be accommodated in bungalows (2 places) or under tents. From here, always accompanied by guides who know perfectly the fauna and the flora, you will be able to traverse the paths of this little known forest, and to discover about twenty species of palms emblematic: the majestic Ravenea Albicans and Orania ravaka, the immense Dypsis tsaravoasira, the sublime Dypsis thiryana, …. In the evening, you may enjoy night tours in search of the mysterious nocturnal animals of the forest, funny little lemurs and the huge lizards Uroplatus. After returning by pirogue to Maroansetra, then one last night to Maroansetra, you will go back to Tamatave by a domestic flight, then la Reunion. A trip you will never forget …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 – Tuesday 12th May 2020

Fly La Reunion to Antananarivo

Suggested flight Air Austral UU 611 – depart St Denis 16:00 – arrive Antananarivo 16:35

Free time in Antananarivo

Overnight in Antananarivo

Day 2 – Wednesday 13th May 2020

Morning visit the Tsimbazaza Botanical Garden

Fly from Antananarivo to Maroansetra

Suggested flight Tsaradia TZ416 depart Antananarivo 14:40 – arrive Maroansetra 15:55

Overnight is Maroansetra

Day 3 – Thursday 14th May 2020

Cross by boat the Antongil Bay to Masoala 

Trek to Lemurophoenix station

Overnight in Masoala (Chez Arol Lodge)

Lemurophoenix, Beach, fishermen village …

Day 4 – Friday 15th May 2020

Visit the Masoala National Park

Overnight in Masoala (Chez Arol Lodge)

Coastal forest with lot of palms: Dypsis carlsmithii, Dypsis hovomantsina… Ravenea, Orania, Satranala, understory Dypsis …

Lemurs

Day 5 – Saturday 16th May 2020

Cross by boat the Antongil Bay to Maroansetra

Visit the Nosy-Mangabe island forest reserve or free time in Maroansetra

Overnight in Maroansetra

Rainforest, palms, lemurs, tomato frogs …

Day 6 – Sunday 17th May 2020

Trek to Makira Forest (run up the river by boat and walk)

Overnight in Makira Forest Camp

Day 7 – Monday 18th May 2020

Visit the Makira Forest

Night Walk in the Makira Forest 

Overnight in Makira Forest Camp

Upland forest with lot of palms: Dypsis tsaravoasira, Ravenea albicans, Orania ravaka, understory Dypsis… 

Silky sifaka lemur, Uroplatus

Day 8 – Tuesday 19th May 2020

Visit the Makira Forest (morning)

Back to Maroansetra (walk and boat river)

Overnight in Maroantsetra

Day 9 – Wednesday 20th May 2020

Free day in Maroansetra (markets, tomato frogs….) 

Fly Maroansetra – Antananarivo

Suggest flight Tsaradia TZ417 depart Maroansetra 16:30 – arrive Antananarivo 17:45 

Overnight in Antananarivo

Day 10 – Thursday 21st May 2020

Free time in Antananarivo

Fly Antananarivo – St Denis 

Suggest flight Air Austral UU depart Antananarivo 17:05 – arrive St Denis 19:25

Note accommodation for the nights 21st and 22nd May is NOT included in the Biennial Package or the Pre Tour package and must be separately booked by participants either direct through the hotel, or through your travel agent or online booking service. 

INCLUDED

• Transfer airport to hotel and back
• Hotel or camp night
• Breakfast only in Antananarivo at start and finish of tour, 
• Full board except Antananarivo
• Visit picnic and mineral water
• Speed boat or pirogue transfer or trip
• Guide fees
• Entrance permit to parks and reserves

EXCLUDED 

• International flights including to/from Reunion
• Internal flights in Madagascar
• Accommodation for the night of 21st and 22nd May 2020
• All meals on arrival day 12th May 2020
• Others fees
• Insurance policy

PRICE: $ 1450

Register Now

 

4 – Madagascar: from Andasibe to East Coast Post Tour:

Post Tour Saturday 30th May to Saturday 5th June 2020 – 6 nights – 7 days

Tour Operator : Mada Tour Antoka – refer separate Terms and Conditions which must be signed and returned to the IPS to participate in the Madagascar tours.

Min 6 people Max 8 people

Day 1– Saturday 30th May 2020

Fly La Reunion to Antananarivo overnight in Tana

Day 2– Sunday 31th May 2020

By road to Andasibe

Visit the Analamazaotra Special Reserve

Overnight in Vakona Lodge

Lot of palms: Dypsis sp., Ravenea robustior, understory Dypsis …

Dypsis Black Stem in Vakona Garden

Indri Indri Lemur

Day 3 – Monday 1^stJune 2020

Visit the Maromizaha Reserve

Lot of palms: Dypsis sp., pilulifera,

Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, Marojejya insignis, understory Dypsis …

Diademed sifaka Lemur

Day 4 – Tuesday 2^ndJune 2020

By Road to Foolpointe

Overnight in Analalava Reserve Camp with the chance of seeing the solitary tree of Beccariophoenix fenestralis and possibly the giant Raveneas

Day 5 – Wednesday 3^rdJune 2020

Visit the Analalava Reserve

Overnight in in Analalava Reserve Camp

Lot of palms: Dypsis carlsmithii, hovomantsina, Marojejya darianii, Ravenea lakatra, Orania trispatha, understory Dypsis …

Day 6 – Thursday 4^thJune 2020

2^ndday of visit the Analalava Reserve

(Or free time in Foolpointe)

Overnight in Foolpointe

Day 7 – Friday 5^thJune 2020

By road to Tamatave

Fly back to La Reunion

INCLUDED

Transfer airport to hotel and back

• Hotel or camp night

• full board accommodation lodge or camping

• Meals All included except lunches and drinks

• Visit picnic and mineral water

• Speed boat or pirogue transfer or trip

• Guide fees

• Entrance permit to parks and reserves

EXCLUDED

• International flight including to/from Reunion

• Others fees

• Insurance policy

PRICE: $870

Register Now

 

 

5 – Madagascar: Expedition on East Coast Post Tour

This tour is no longer available