THE TURTLE TRAIL

Morning visit of AMBOHIMANGA PALACE. Ambohimanga or "the blue hill", 21 km north of the city is one of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina. Cradle of the Merina monarchy and later, summer residence of the queens, the ROVA is classified as a UNESCO heritage site.

Ttransfer to airport for the flight to Tulear.

Arrival in Tulear, transfer to hotel. Overnight in a hotel

Transfer to Tulear pier and continuation by motorboat to the small village of Anakao. Crossroads of fishermen from the Vezo ethnic group, these nomads who with their oudriggers canoes navigate the entire West coast. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in hotel.

Morning excursion, in a traditional canoe, to Nosy Ve Island, a coral island which stretches about 5km long and 2km wide. Its translucent water and its marine richness make it a natural aquarium for snorkelling. In addition several species of birds are recorded there, like the red-tailed tropicbird.

Overnight in hotel.

Departure by 4WD car to Itampolo, by a sandy track along the coast and crossing the dry vegetation of the Mahafaly plateau.

Along the way, stop at Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. Short visit to the park.

The park is home of Madagascar’s first Ramsar site, the lake Tsimanampetsotsa. A salt lake which is an important wintering place for aquatic birds such as flamingos. Moreover, this mixed of coastal and dry forest contain remarkable biodiversity, with an endemicity rate of no less than 75%: lemurs, turtles, bats, reptiles, baobabs, etc. Several caves can also be visited and blind fish live there.

Arrival in Itampolo in the afternoon, a small fishing village on the edge of a lagoon offering crystal clear water.

We still continue in 4WD car. For two days we follow the coast by track. Driving through magnificent sites, superb wild beaches; stop in fishing villages and discover of Atandroy traditional lifestyle.

Arrival in Lavanono at the end of the afternoon: fishing village, sand dunes and wild beaches. It is also the most beautiful surf spot in Madagascar.

Overnight in hotel.

Morning visit of the special reserve of Cap-Sainte-Marie which is the southernmost tip of Madagascar and there is where the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel meet. Characterized by cliff landscape and sub-arid spiny bush vegetation, the site is the habitat of two endangered endemic turtle species including the radiated turtles or Madagascar star tortoise and the spider turtles.

Cap Sainte Marie is also known for its beautiful fine sand beach with magnificent dunes and its lagoon separated from the Indian Ocean by a long barrier of black reefs. Its lighthouse allows you to admire the expanse of the sea to the South Pole and Antarctica.

From June to October, it is also a real spot to observe the migration of humpback whale.

Overnight in hotel.

Early in the morning, continuation to Berenty.

Arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon.

In the afternoon, first incursion into the reserve.

The reserve which is located in the heart of a gallery forest is a sanctuary for lemurs, well-known mammals on the island, and it is created to protect these latter and their natural environment. Many animal species like reptiles, turtles, birds, bats, etc. also delight travelers. And natural and floristic varieties such as forest, red sands, bushes, offer a show of incomparable endemic richness.

A reference site for scientists, it is today visited by many visitors, curious to experiment the animal and plant diversity that overflow these 250ha of protected areas.

Nocturnal visit to have the chance to observe the smallest lemur of Madagascar, the microcebus, and other nocturnal lemurs.

Overnight in a hotel.

Continuation of the visit. Visit to the “Arembelo” museum to discover the Antandroy culture.

In the afternoon, return back to Fort Dauphin.

On the way, discover of the endemic carnivorous plant “nepenthes madagascariensis”.

Overnight in hotel.

Full day excursion to Lokaro bay and Evatra village, a superb wild site that deserves a detour.

Transfer by car to Lanirano village and continuation by motor boat to Evatra village through a mangrove river, a fishermen village. Another 2 hours of walk, during which you will pass at the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the village Evatra, and you will reach the bay of Lokaro.

You will be amazed by the beauty of the site: deserted rocky beach, wild white sand and thanks to its translucent water it is also a great spot for snorkelling.

Around 4PM, return back to Fort Dauphin, with the same route as the outward journey.

Overnight in hotel.

Excursion to Nahampoana reserve.

An amazing tropical garden which allows you to discover one of the most extraordinary fauna and flora of the planet, that of the East and South part of the island: 6 species of lemurs including 2 nocturnal species, turtles, crocodiles, chameleons, birds, and other animals.

In addition, natural pool, cave, waterfall and a short canoe trip along the river bordering the reserve.

Overnight in hotel.

Transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule to Antananarivo.
Arrival in Antananarivo, transfer at the hotel.
Overnight in hotel.

Visit of a handicraft shop and then transfer to the airport for the return flight.