Photo Trip and Solar Eclipse
19 days—Observe the annular Solar Eclipse in Madagascar and better your photographical skills visiting the best places of the Big Island
$2123-2123 USD
pp
Safari summary
During 22 days, you will visit the best places of Madagascar. And especially this year, you will observe the annular eclipse on the shore of a beautiful lake. Visit two wonderful National Parks, and cross the famous Baobab Alley. The best is that with our two professional photographers, you will keep capture the best images of Madagascar!
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Primate trekking | |
| Activity level | Moderate activity | |
| Best months | August, September | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Photography safari—with professional guide
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 - 26th of august: Departure to Antananarivo From Amsterdam a flight with Turkish Airlines over Istanbul to Antananarivo where you’ll arrive the next day.
Day 2
Day 2 - 27th of august: Arrival in Antananarivo (D) Arrival at the airport Ivato Antananarivo (also called ‘Tana’ by local people) around 14h30. You can get your visa at the airport, change some money. Our driver/guide will wait for you directly after the customs border on the airport and then can help you. Transfer to your city hotel. Overnight on HB at the hotel ‘Les 3 Métis’ or similar..
Day 3
Day 3 - 28th of august: Antananarivo –Andasibe (B,D) After the breakfast, transfer to Andasibe, a journey of about 138 km and taking around three and a half hours. On your way, you visit a butterfly and reptile farm. Andasibe has a national park and one natural reserve of 810 hectares. It is considered one of the nicest parks of Madagascar. You will find 11 species of half monkeys, many species of birds, large chameleons, an orchid park, rosewood trees, lianas, etc. In this forest, the largest of the lemurs is found - the Indri. Arrival at Andasibe in the afternoon. Night on HB at the charming rainforest hotel ‘Feon’ny Ala’ or similar.
Day 4
Day 4 - 29th of august: The Andasibe National Park / Andasibe (B,D) Very early in the morning, you visit the National Park of Mantadia / Andasibe, known as home of the lemurs ‘Indri- Indri’. There are a lot of walking possibilities in this national park, going from 2, 5 hours till 8 hours, so together with the Photograph you check before entering the park which kind of itinerary you want to follow. With an experienced local guide, you will look for animals such as chameleons, lemurs, birds, insects, but also colorful frogs. You will also discover endemic floras: big trees with precious wood and orchids. Night on HB at the rainforest hotel ‘Feon’ny Ala’ or similar.
Day 5
Day 5 - 30th of august: The Analamazaotra Natural Reserve/Andasibe - Moramanga (B, D) The morning is dedicated again for the visit of the Andasibe Natural Reserve or some of the private parks around. Also the photography of the Indri will be, if wished, one of the items. In the afternoon, you drive back on the short way to Moramanga (about 45 minutes), the place where you find the railway station and the gateway to Alaotra Mangoro region. Night on HB at ‘Bezanozano hotel’ or similar.
Day 6
Day 6 - 31th of august: Moramanga – Ambatondrazaka (B,L,D) Around 10‘0 clock a.m, your old train to Ambatondrazaka will leave Moramanga. Your today’s destination is located at 156 km in the north of Moramanga. Principal city and administrative capital of the region, Ambatondrazaka is located in the middle of rice fields. Picnic lunch in the train. Arrival at Ambatondrazaka around 4‘0 clock p.m. Then, night on HB ‘Chez Max’Irène’ or similar.
Day 7
Day 7 - 1th of september: Ambatondrazaka – Andreba gare – Alaotra lake (B, L, D) Very early in the morning, you will be transferred by car to a place called ‘Andreba gare’, located on the shore of the Alaotra Lake. This is the largest lake in Madagascar (22 000ha) and classified as Ramsar site (exceptional wetland). Ecotourism project and village tourism are sustained and supported by the decentralized cooperation between Alaotra-Mangoro region and the department Ille et Vilaine France. Between 10’o clock a.m and 2’o clock p.m, you can enjoy the solar eclipse on this wonderful place. MAXIMUM SOLAR ECLIPSE DURATION: about 3 minutes! At 12h52! Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, visit of the lake on wooden pirok. Night on HB at Vohitsoa, very simple, local place. Day - 8 second of september: Alaotra lake / Vohitsoa – Bandro Park(B,L,D) This day is dedicated for the visit of the Bandro Park, unique for the region, with a surface of 85ha among the large Alaotra Lake. In order to find the very special aquatic lemur, locally called ‘Bandro’, a species that is found nowhere else, you take again wooden pirok. Back to Vohitsoa in the afternoon. Second night on HB at Vohitsoa.
Day 9
Day 9 - 3th of september: Alaotra lake / Antanandava – Zahamena National Park - Ambatondrazaka (B,L,D) Very early in the morning, drive by car first to Antanandava, the gateway into the park. After that, you continue 9 km to the Zahamena National Park. With an area of 66.000 ha,this Park includes many varieties of endemic fauna and flora of Madagascar and especially of the region (the park’s endemic plant named after the ‘Zahana mena’, a hardworking tree red in colour). Zahamena National Park hosts 13 lemur species, including the famous Indri-indri, 29 fish species, 62 amphibian species, 46 reptile species, 425 insects species,112 bird species, 60 orchid species, 22 palm species, 10 pandanus species and 511 woody plant species. This park offers an interesting walk through true and wild nature; different scenery and local culture are outstanding adventures for visitors. Three tours of a duration between 3 and 8 hours can be done inside the park. Lunch in Antanandava. In the afternoon, possibility of meeting with local people in Antanandava. Then, drive back to Ambatondrazaka. Night on HB ‘Chez Max’Irène’ or similar.
Day 10
Day 10 - 4th of september: Ambatondrazaka – Moramanga - Antananarivo (B,L,D) After this unforgettable adventure in the Alaotra region, you drive back by train to Moramanga (departure around 6h45mn a.m) .Picnic lunch. You then arrive in Moramanga around 1‘o clock p.m. Then, continuation by car to Antananarivo. Overnight on HB at the hotel ‘Les 3 Métis’ or similar.
Day 11
Day 11 - 5th of september: Antananarivo – Antsirabe (B,D) You leave the capital early and continue your way during 3,5 hours to Antsirabe.You drive through the highland and its rice terraces, small red houses , hills and mountains.The small town of Antsirabe is also called the ‘pousse-pousse city’ (rickshaw) or the ‘spa town’ of the red island.Walking through Antsirabe is very pleasant.If you arrive early in the afternoon,you still have time to drive to a nice small krater lake not far away from the city.Overnight on HB, with its lovely garden in the hotel Chambre du Voyageur.
Day 12
Day 12,13 - 6th & 7th of september: Antsirabe - hinterland, (B, L, D) We try this morning to manage a visit at the THB factory. The word ‘THB’ is a well-known term in Madagascar.This ist the famous malagasy beer, which is produced in Antsirabe since 1958 by the local STAR company. After the visit, you begin your trekking through the highland, in the region of Vakinankaratra, accompanied by a local tour guide.Your car will first bring you to 6km westward from Antsirabe, to a place called Ambodirano, your departing point for the trekking. You will experience the daily life of local people (agriculture) as well as the way of living on the highland.This trekking tour allow you to know more about the highland’s culture,tradition and customs. You will also walk through volcanic regions, small villages and rice fields in terraces.From time to time, you will have fantastic panoramic views over the hills.You sleep 2 nights in a farmhouse in the village Fiadanana.
Day 14
Day 14 - 8th of september: Fiadanana – Betafo – Morondava (B,D) Today,you have to get up early and walk back to a point of the national road number 34, where your bus awaits you for a continuation towards west. You drive through the village of Betafo, where you stop to enjoy the typical architecture of this region, and walk across the market.Then, your trip leads you to one of the hotest regions of Madagascar. You travel from the highlands to the becoming increasingly dryer west. Along the way, you can just have a short break at Miandrivazo, a small town laying on the Tsiribihina River. You arrive at Morondava in the evening and enjoy the night at the nice Hotel Baobab Cafe.
Day 15
Day 15,16 - 9th & 10th of september: Morondava (B,D) You have these two whole days to discover Morondava and its surroundings.The region of Morondava is famous due to ist Baobab Alley.This Baobab Avenue is particularly magical during sunrise and sunset, which occurs about 30 minutes. Moreover, it is wonderful to relax on the hotel beach. The town can easily be explored on foot.
Day 17
Day 17 - 11th of september: Morondava - Belo Sur Mer. (B, L, D) Early in the morning,your driver brings you to a tiny harbor, where a motor boot will transport you to the nice Ecolodge in Belo sur Mer. You will spend the next few days in this small fisher village near the Mozambic Channel, and on full board.
Day 18
Kirindy Mitea
Day 18,19 - 12th & 13th of september: Belo Sur Mer (B,L, D) Again two whole days at and around the Ecolodge Entremer, and on full board.Your hotel offers the possibility of snorkeling. But you can also take the service of a local fisher who brings you to some nice spots for snorkeling activities, or simply walk on foot during 60 to 90 minutes to discover other wonderful snorkeling areas.other possibilities are the boat trip to amazing beaches or 30 minutes walk to the Kirindy Mitea reserve for a visit. This beautiful reserve is so remote that it is rarely visited. It is a transition region from the West with its baobab trees to the arid south with its special vegetation. All the fauna in this place is virtually 100% endemic, accordingly a must for true nature lovers!
Day 20
Day 20 - 14th of september: Belo Sur Mer – Morondava - Antananarivo, (B,D) Today, you will sail back to Morondava, where you take the domestic flight to Antananarivo.Transfer to the city hotel Lapasoa or Louvre.
Day 21
Day 21 - 15th of september: Antananarivo - Departure (B) Your last day in Antananarivo, before your transfer to the airport. Then, return flight and arrival in Europe on the next day. You can use this last day for undertaking a city tour of Antananarivo. Are included in the mentioned price: • All airport transfers • All intercontinental and domestic flights • 2 Photographers specialized in Madagascar during the whole trip • Transport with private car • Fuel and English speaking driver/guide included • All hotel nights on half board base • Stay on full board in Alaotra (
Day 5
day 5 to
Day 8
day 8 ) and among the farmers in Antsirabe (
Day 11
day 11 to
Day 12
day 12) • All mentioned acitvities in Alaotra and in Antsirabe • Entrances in the national parks Andasibe and Zahamena • Entrances tickets for the butterfly and reptile farm (
Day 2
day 2 ) and the Bandro Park (
Day 7
day 7 ) • The excursion to the farmers in Antsirabe (
Day 11
day 11 &12) • The tickets for the train Moramanga – Ambatondrazaka – Moramanga (
Day 5
day 5 and
Day 9
day 9) • The half day excursion to the baobab avenue (
Day 14
day 14) • The boat transfers Morondava – Belo sur Mer – Morondava (
Day 16
day 16 and
Day 18
day 18) • Lunches (
Day 5
day 5 to
Day 9
day 9 /
Day 11
day 11 to
Day 12
day 12) • Reservation costs • VAT Are not included in mentioned price: • Visa • All drinks • Lunches (except
Day 6
day 6 to
Day 10
day 10 /
Day 12
day 12 to
Day 13
day 13) • Entrance in the non above other mentioned parks (for example: in Belo sur Mer) • Park guides (obligatory in most parks ) except for the Alaotra region (Bandro Park and Zahamena National Park:
Day 7
day 7 & 8) • All activities in Morondava and in Belo sur Mer (
Day 15
day 15 to
Day 19
day 19) • Tips • Insurances It is possible to do a 12 days tour, please contact us. Flight changes may change the trip, Mora-Travel is not responsible for flight changes but will do all its effort to get the best solution. For travel in Madagascar a passport with at least 6 months of validity from departure is needed
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