Madagascar Family Highlights Holiday

Duration: 16 days

Location: Madagascar

Highlights: Rainforest, Waterfalls, Lemurs, Chameleons, Beach

Price: £2,742pp

This
16 night Madagascar family adventure from the eastern rainforests all the way to the southwest coast, offers the perfect mix of weird and wonderful wildlife, incredible scenery, fascinating Malagasy culture, heaps of activities, beautiful beaches and even the odd Baobab tree, really allowing all the family to get under the skin of this fascinating country.

SPEAK TO OUR FAMILY HOLIDAY SPECIALISTS

This is just one idea. We have lots more up our sleeve. So let’s talk Madagascar and how it would work best for your family, whether they need a more relaxed itinerary or can handle even more exploring, call 01273 923100 now. Or if you are worried the boss will be listening in, drop us an email, holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: London to Antananarivo
Fly this morning from the UK to Antananarivo (via Paris). On arrival into the Madagascar capital this evening you will be met and transferred to Au Bois Vert to spend 1 night in a duplex family room. This lovely rustic city retreat is very convenient for the airport but hidden away in its own nature estate so very peaceful and a great first stop in Madagascar. Remember, this is just a starting point idea to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our family holidays are uniquely designed for each family. Contact us on 01273 923100 or holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk to start designing yours.

Day 2: Antananarivo to Andasibe
With your private 4×4 and guide you will drive to the eastern rainforests of Andasibe, stopping en route at the Pyreiras Reptile Park, to spend 3 nights at Vakona Forest Lodge in a duplex family bungalow. A firm family run Sundowner favourite with a beautiful location in the rainforest, Vakona has its own wildlife packed reserve which includes Lemur Island for some close and personal encounters with these amazing creatures. This evening enjoy a nocturnal forest walk, a family moment to remember.

Days 3 & 4: Andasibe
Two full days with your local specialist guide to explore the Analamazaotra Reserve, one of the best areas in the country for the largest Indri Indri lemur, the Vakona Reserve, the Mitsinjo Community Reserve, Lemur Island and the lush primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park. The guide will be able to tailor any walks to your family.

Day 5: Andasibe to Antananarivo
After a final morning in the rainforest you will drive back to the capital to spend 1 night at the Pavillon de l’Emyrne in 2 superior rooms. Located in the heart of the old town, close to some nice restaurants this small owner run boutique hotel is a firm sundowner favourite. Talk to us about your favoured room types for your family and we will let you know the hotels that work best. Email us at holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk or call 01273 923100.

Day 6: Antananarivo to Antsirabe
This morning you will meet up with your driver & private 4×4 and head south along the famous RN7 to the central highlands city of Antsirabe, where you will spend 1 night in a family room at the Couleur Café, a charming owner run guest lodge & restaurant close to the central of town. This afternoon you will have a tour of this city bustling with rickshaws and we recommend a visit to Chez Marcel to sample some of the traditional sweets being made! It tends to keep the children happy!

Day 7: Antsirabe to Ranomafana National Park
A long day on the road today as you continue south but you have some great scenery, the flexibility to stop as much as you need and en route you will visit Ambositra, the wood carving capital of Madagascar. Your final destination today is the rainforests of Ranomafana National Park where you will stay in a family bungalow at Setam Lodge for 2 nights. Definitely the best lodge in Ranomafana it has a great location with beautiful views of the rainforest and very close to the park entrance. Enjoy a nocturnal forest walk this evening. Want to break up the journey a little? We can tailor this holiday idea to you family – call 01273 923100 and let’s start designing!

Day 8: Ranomafana National Park
Full day to explore Ranomafana National Park with your local specialist guide. Another primary rainforest region bursting with wildlife, the park was set up specifically to protect the Golden Bamboo Lemur and is also home to another 11 species of lemur, over 120 species of frog and 13 species of chameleon.

Day 9: Ranomafana National Park to Isalo National Park (via Antaimoro & Anja Reserve)
A big journey south today with some great stops along the way. First stop will be the colourful town of Ambalavao where you will be able to watch the famous Antaimoro paper making process and if you plan your visit on a Wednesday it is also the Zebu cattle market which can be a fascinating experience as the many tribes gather to do business. Next stop is the Anja Reserve where you will have the opportunity to take a guided forest walk to see the iconic Ring-tailed Lemurs, before continue to Isalo National Park to spend 2 nights in a luxury family room at Relais de la Reine. This family owned property has a beautiful setting overlooking the park, a great pool for cooling off in the day and even stables if you fancy some riding.

Day 10: Isalo National Park
Full day of guided hiking in the dramatic Isalo National Park. Made up of soaring sandstone formations, huge canyons and waterfalls this beautiful park is not only a hiking paradise, its terrain is also home to an incredible mix of flora and fauna with highlights including the Verreaux’s sifaka, the Malagasy rainbow frog and the Benson’s rock thrush. If the children are up to it, we recommend the “Cascade of the Nymphs” hike which offers amazing views and a beautiful natural pool for swimming!

Day 11: Isalo National Park to Ifaty Beach
Leaving behind the arid landscape of Isalo you will drive to the southwest coast, stopping en route with your guide to visit the traditional tombs of the Mahafaly Tribe. Heading to Ifaty Beach you will spend 5 nights in a marina bungalow at Hotel La Mira, a friendly owner run beach lodge with 19 bungalows overlooking the ocean, an amazing pool and beautiful coastal gardens. It is a perfect spot for a “Sundowner Moment”.

Day 12 to 15: Ifaty Beach
Four full days to relax and explore the area. After your wildlife adventure the normal order of the day is relaxation but there is plenty to do in and around Ifaty. Activities include fishing, local pirogue excursions, mountain biking, snorkelling, quad biking and, in season, humpback whale watching. We also recommend an excursion to the Reniala Private Reserve to see some of the incredible Baobab Trees! Want to spend more time on the beach? Ask us to tailor this holiday to your family. Call 01273 923100.

Day 16: Ifaty Beach to the UK
Today you will transfer to Tuleur Airport for your domestic flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival a day room at Bois Vert will be available (if required) before you will connect with your International flight back to the UK (via Paris).

Day 17: Home
Welcome home…(I wonder how many of your children’s classmates did that?!)

Semi-habituated lemur, Lemur Island

Look out for Mouse Lemurs on your guided night walk

Brookesia Chameleon, Andasibe

Madagascar rainforest, Ranomafana

A rare Golden Bamboo Lemur, Ranomafana

Take a guided walk in the Anja Reserve

Relais de la Reine

shutterstock_virreaux sifaka dancing lemur

Verreaux’s sifaka, ‘dancing’ lemur, Isalo

Take a dip in the pool on the ‘Cascade of the Nymphs’ hike, Isalo

Ifaty Beach

This Madagascar family holiday idea costs from £10,968 per family (based a family of 4 with children aged 5 -11 years) and includes international flights (price based on London), all internal flights, all accommodation on a sharing basis (as outlined above), 2 nights B&B in the capital, 13 nights half-board, all park fees, a driver & private 4×4 vehicle for the duration of your wildlife tour and all transfers. It does not include additional meals, taxes or tips.

Now let’s make this family holiday yours

Want to slow the pace and spend more time on the beach? Want to feed a lemur? Want to get some other perfect family hotel options? Let us do the work. Call 01273 923100 now or complete an enquiry form.

Want to find out more about visiting Madagascar for your family? Fire questions at us to help make up your mind – call us or email holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk. Or take a look at our family holidays page for more inspiration.

The latest word on the street about Sundowner’s Madagascar holidays:

We had an absolutely fantastic time. You totally understood what we were looking for and delivered in every way. Your Madagascar team were great, helpful and flexible.

Sarah Mott Madagascar

Our itinerary was just right and the suggestions of the sites did not disappoint. I believe the main aim of our trip that my wife gave you was “lemurs, lemurs, lemurs”. You helped us to achieve this in spades and in so many different settings.

Terry Dalton Madagascar

It was a super and absolutely unforgettable holiday. We were so lucky with wildlife – with lemurs, chameleons, frogs, birds, strange plants all around us. A big thank you to all.

Ernest Jenson Madagascar

Thank you for all help in arranging my trip, which was hugely successful. Tsara Komba, with its magical setting, was lovely. Also, the Le Pavillon de l’Emyrne in Tana was perfect. Again the staff could not have been more charming, positive and helpful. Having the garden to sit and read in, was a welcome retreat as Tana is hectic.

David McCue Madagascar

I just wanted to tell you what an amazing time we had in Madagascar. It all went perfectly and we enjoyed very minute of it. The visits to the Reserves and the wildlife we saw were out of this world. Our guide, Eunice was a great guy and a pleasure to be with. All in all we had the most wonderful time.

Sue Lesley Madagascar

A fantastic holiday with an amazing combination of charming people, extraordinary wildlife, stunning contrast of terrain. Thank you for all your recommendations.

Keith Bye Madagascar

FANTASTIC! It was the most incredible experience. We loved the variety that you had planned for us, from the rainforest in Andasibe to Isalo which was stunning (the hotel was really special). Ifaty was also a really interesting place but the piece de resistance was definitely Anjajavy. We thought we had died and gone to heaven! The honeymoon package was wonderful but the best part was Cedric and his passion for the environment. Another aspect which we were thrilled by was the quality of the guides. A special thanks for the guide in Isalo and Ifaty – I think he was called Sedeer. He was so knowledgeable and good company.

Judith Lamb Madagascar

Our Holiday was AMAZING! Loved Vakona. And Anjajavy…well ‘paradise’ just about sums it up! BEST Place we have ever stayed.

Mel Fewtrell Madagascar

I have just returned from a holiday in Madagascar. We both had an amazing and enjoyable time. We were very impressed with our driver/guide. He was helpful, full of interesting information, answered all our questions (and there were a lot!) with good humour and excellent English. Always flexible and willing to cope with special requests (especially for my photo stops) and even taught us some Malagasy. At Andasibe National Park we had a top class wildlife guide who was very knowledgeable and his ability to spot wildlife in the forest was uncanny. He even managed to spot a Leaf-Tailed Gecko (a master of camouflage in the wild) which was amazing.

Sarah Hay Madagascar

Excellent holiday. Spoilt totally at both our lodges. The guide, Andreas was outstanding in knowledge of not just wildlife but also culture, politics and history of the people. He managed his trackers to best advantage and discreetly. Great to be able to view wildlife on foot, on boat and canoe. Staff and locals determined that we saw as much as possible. Endlessly patient and willing to tell us about their lives and country.

Mr & Mrs Milsom Madagascar

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