Madagascar Advice Request (1 Viewer)

[BodyResults]

My wife, 13 yo daughter and I will be visiting Madagascar in the middle of July for about 19 days. We are planning to hire a guide for a custom trip. We are really fond of wildlife (including birds - but not a hardcore birding trip) and want to experience as much diversity as possible. So far this is our rough plan is the following. Any advice on what we may not be considering and what we may want to avoid would be greatly appreciated.

Day1 Sun.16.07 Arrival in Tana at 14.30, Transfer to the hotel.
Day2 Mo.17.07 Fly to Tuléar with MD712/11.30 - 12.40. Visit of the arboretum then drive to Ifaty. Hotel Solidaire
Day3 Tue.18.07 Visit of Reniala reserve. Hotel Solidaire.
Day4 Wed.19.07 Drive to Ranohira, Zombitse NP. Isalo Ranch.
Day5 Thu.20.07 Isalo NP. Isalo Ranch.
Day6 Fr.21.07 Isalo NP. Isalo Ranch.
Day7 Sa.22.07 Route to Tsarnoro Valley, visitof Anja private park. Tsara Camp.
Day8 Sun.23.07 Tsaranoro Valley. Tsara Camp.
Day9 Mo.24.07 Continuation to Ranomafana. Nocturnal walk. Setam Lodge.
Day10 Tue.25.07 Ranomafana NP. Setam Lodge.
Day11 Wed.26.07 Drive to Antsirabe. Couleur Café. www.couleurcafeantsirabe.com
Day12 Thu.27.07 Visit of tritriva lake, then off to Andasibe. Vakona Lodge.
Day13 Fr.28.07 Andasibe NP. Vakona Lodge.
Day14 Sa.29.07 Andasibe NP. Vakona Lodge.
Day15 Sun.30.07 Drive to Manambato, boat to Akanin'ny Nofy. Bushhouse.
Day16 Mo. 31.07 Palmarium reserve, nocturnal visit to the Aye-Aye Island. Bushhouse.
Day17 Tue.01.08 day free in Akanin'ny Nofy. Bushhouse.
Day18 Wed.02.08 Transfer back to Manambato, drive back to Tana. La Résidence Lapasoa.
Day19 Thu.03.08 City tour, Ambohimanga palace, transfer for your exit flight


Thanks
Doug

 

[amears]

I don't know all those sites Doug, but you have some crackers in there.

The southern spiny forest
Rainforest at Ranomafana

You'll see masses of great wildlife.

Look up Ian Merrill's birding trip report, should be easy to find. It will inspire you and might give you an extra idea or two...

Cheers,
Andy

 

[T.O.]

Sounds like a good trip, but be aware that your day 11 is a very very long drive in Madagascar. With a private car you might be able to do it in one day, but it is no fun...

In Ifaty you might want to stay there for the night in Reniala, mouse lemurs are common on the roofs of the houses and inside the forest and many nice chameleons can be found there as well.

I would also spend more time in Ranomafana, there is a lot to see there, it is especially worth to spend some time at the different altitudes the forest offers, higher up there are completely different species and the feeling is completely different. Being there 2 days also increases your chance to see the highly endangered but wonderful greater bamboo lemurs.

 

[BodyResults]

I don't know all those sites Doug, but you have some crackers in there.

The southern spiny forest
Rainforest at Ranomafana

You'll see masses of great wildlife.

Look up Ian Merrill's birding trip report, should be easy to find. It will inspire you and might give you an extra idea or two...

Cheers,
Andy

Thanks Andy.

 

[BodyResults]

Sounds like a good trip, but be aware that your day 11 is a very very long drive in Madagascar. With a private car you might be able to do it in one day, but it is no fun...

In Ifaty you might want to stay there for the night in Reniala, mouse lemurs are common on the roofs of the houses and inside the forest and many nice chameleons can be found there as well.

I would also spend more time in Ranomafana, there is a lot to see there, it is especially worth to spend some time at the different altitudes the forest offers, higher up there are completely different species and the feeling is completely different. Being there 2 days also increases your chance to see the highly endangered but wonderful greater bamboo lemurs.

Thanks T.O. I'm looking into having an extra day in Ranomafana.

Best