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Cost: $6700, plus international and internal airfare, including all meals beginning with dinner on August 5 through lunch on August 23. Single supplement: $515. Airfare: Approximately $2200 from the West Coast and $2000 from the East Coast of the USA via Johannesburg. Inland flights: $540, paid with the final payment for the land costs. By departing on August 3, you will have ample time on the inter- national flights to arrive by August 5. Leaders: Doug and Gail Cheeseman, Gerard Ravoajanahary, a top resident guide and naturalist in Madagascar. Gerard has amazing talents for dealing with every detail throughout the trip. He is wonderfully friendly and has an in-depth knowledge of both mammals and birds, plus many years of experience guiding. Also assisting throughout the tour will be senior guide for Madagascar AirTours, Michel Rakotonirina, an expert on the flora, fauna and culture as well as Gerard. Local guides will assist Gerard, Michel in the national parks. Outfitters: Madagascar AirTours, located at the Hilton Hotel in Antananarivo. Group Size: 12, plus leaders and driver. Deposit: $500 ($150 non-refundable) Conditions: A nonsmoking safari for people who are very interested in the wildlife of Madagascar. Itinerary updated 5/2004 [Note: Although in recent years it has become much better, arrival and departure times of flights within Madagascar are frequently changed. On our trip last August all the flights were on time and none of the times were changed, which was a "first"! However, the knowledge that changes may occur will hopefully enable us, as a group, to accept the situation if changes do happen and help us enjoy the many wonders of Madagascar, which will undoubtedly be around us. If necessary, Madagascar AirTours will adjust the schedule as we move along. It's a wonderful country and the people are very friendly, but schedules do not run like clockwork. If the flight from Majunga to Tana is late afternoon, then we'll have to overnight in Tana and go to Perinet early the next day. The flight schedules can't be sorted out until nearer the time, so it's important that you are aware of this. In fact, flight schedules are normally announced each evening on television, due to the many last minute schedule changes.]  Brief Itinerary and Lodging:
Itinerary in Full: Wednesday - Friday, August 3 - 5. Flights to Antananarivo We are happy to assist with booking your flights. Allow two days of flying time. There is a good connection via Johannesburg from JFK in New York or from Atlanta on South Africa Airlines, a partner with Delta Airlines. An excellent Holiday Inn is situated near the airport if you need an overnight in Jo'burg. Upon arrival in Antananarivo (afternoon of 5 August), clear customs and meet our resident guides, Gerard Ravoajanahary and Michel Rakotonirina. We'll make a 45 minute drive to central Antananarivo (Tana) where rooms are booked for us at the Hilton Hotel. Welcome dinner together at the Hilton. You will be delighted by the delicious cuisine in Madagascar, a wonderful blend of French, Chinese and Malagasy influences. You will see many endemic lemurs, chameleons and birds. Perhaps you will even see on this fascinating adventure a well preserved egg of Aepyornis, the Elephant Bird, which stood about 10 to 11 feet and weighed approximately 1000 lb. H.G. Wells, who originally was trained as an anatomist under T. H. Huxley, wrote about the elephant bird, Aepyornis, is his short story "Aepyornis Island". Saturday, August 6. Drive to Fianarantsoa.. We leave after an early breakfast and drive south to Fianarantsoa. It's interesting to see something of the way of life of the local people and their tall brown square houses dotted about the rolling hills and rice paddies. Most of the day will be taken up with traveling, but we'll make a few birding stops as we head along, perhaps seeing our first Madagascar Kestrels, Madagascar Wagtails, and Madagascar Cisticolas. We'll have lunch in the town of Antsirabe. In the afternoon we'll stop at a marsh where we hope to find Madagascar Snipe, often our only ones of the tour. Night at Soafia Hotel, Fianarantsoa. Sunday, August 7. Drive to Ranamofana National Park. Early this morning we'll drive east to one of Madagascars most rewarding forests, the fabulous Ranamofana National Park. The road is rough and slow, but it's only about 40 kms. and we'll make stops along the way, undoubtedly finding many new birds and perhaps our first lemurs too. Typical birds along the drive are, Madagascar Buzzard, Blue Coua, Ashy Cuckooshrike, Chabert's Vanga, Common Newtonia, and Green Jery. After checking in to our hotel, we'll meet our local guides and take their expert advice on how to spend the afternoon. We may visit a nearby marshy area, or walk one of the forest trails. Rest assured though, whatever we do, new birds and lemurs will be found. Night at the Centre Est Hotel. Monday - Tuesday, August 8 - 9. Ranamofana National Park.
The birding at Ranamofana is fabulous and in addition to a wealth of the more common forest species we'll hope for, Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Brown Mesite, Cuckoo Roller - the sole member of the family Leposomidae - Red-fronted and Blue Couas, Madagascar Blue-Pigeon, Madagascar Flufftail, Velvet and Sunbird Asities, several vangas, including Pollen's and Tylas, Forest Rock-Thrush, Spectacled and Grey-crowned Greenbuls, the mouse-like impossibly difficult to see Brown Emutail, Wedge-tailed Jery, Yellow-browed Oxylabes, Cryptic Warbler (only discovered in 1992) and Forest Fody. Nights at Centre Est Hotel. Wednesday, August 10. Drive to Ranohira in the Isalo Massif. After some final birding at Ranomofana, we'll head south leaving the rice farms behind as we pass through a drier habitat of open grasslands. We expect to arrive at the Isalo Massif in the late afternoon, giving us time to search the dramatic limestone cliffs for one of Madagascar's most localised endemics; Benson's Rock-Thrush. The massive rock formations are some of the most dramatic in Madagascar and Isalo National Park also has rare endemic plants and a wonderful bird sanctuary. Night at the luxurious and unique Relais de la Reine in Ranohira. Thursday, August 11. Drive to Zombitsy Forest and to Tulear on the coast Today we continue our drive south arriving in the late afternoon at Tulear on the south-west coast. On the way stop at the Zombitsy Forest, where we'll search for the critically endangered Appert's Greenbul, a species virtually restricted to this small forest island. We'll also enjoy a picnic lunch there. Shortly before we arrive in Tulear, we'll pass through an area of Euphorbia scrub. This is the habitat of the Red-shouldered Vanga, a species only discovered in the late 1990's and we'll spend some time trying to find this little known bird. We'll then continue in to town where at low tide an area of exposed shore attracts terns, Dimorphic Egrets and shorebirds. Night at the Hotel Capricorne, now the best hotel in Tulear. Friday, August 12. The San Augustine River, and on to Ifaty. We'll leave very early and drive through an area of coral rag for a morning near the San Augustine River. Here, in an area of scrub, cliffs and beach we'll look for Humblot's Heron, Madagascar Sandgrouse, Madagascar Green-Pigeon, the very local Verreaux's Coua, and Greater Vasa Parrot. We'll then follow the coastal road north, checking salt water pools along the way, for it is here that we have a chance of seeing what has become Madagascar's most uncommon shorebird; the Madagascar Plover. We expect to arrive at Ifaty in the late afternoon where we'll spend three nights based in a lovely beach bungalow at the Hotel Lakana Veso, an upmarket seaside resort. You may also enjoy snorkeling on the reef for looks at the many species of beautiful tropical fish. Saturday - Sunday, August 13 - 14. The Spiny Forest. During two full days at Ifaty, we'll have plenty of time to walk in the spiny forest, just a short drive from our hotel. This area is home to some of Madagascar's most endangered birds - the rarest, Sub-Desert Mesite, and Long-tailed Ground-Roller, are both members of small families endemic to Madagascar. Unfortunately, the habitat is still unprotected, and we'll see evidence of the on-going destruction; however, by walking further away from the populated coast we have a very good chance of seeing most of the special birds here. We hope for Madagascar Buttonquail, Madagascar Cuckoo, Running and Red-capped Couas, Grey-headed Lovebird, Banded Kestrel, Lafresnaye's, Sickle-billed and White-headed Vangas, Sub-desert Brush-Warbler, Thamnornis Warbler, Archbold's Newtonia and Sakalava Weaver. Although somewhat dependent on the weather, boat trips to the reef can easily be arranged where there is excellent snorkeling. Nights at Hotel Lakana Veso. Monday, August 15. Fly to Fort Dauphin, and drive to Berenty Reserve.
Tuesday, August 16. Berenty Reserve. Situated on the Mandare River, the Berenty Reserve is a privately owned area of gallery forest surrounded by patches of spiny forest and a large working sisal estate. Though much of the forest has been destroyed, the de Heaulm family estate owners have now created this small reserve to protect the remaining wildlife. Immediately behind our cabins, a system of trails provides easy access to an abundance of lemurs, birds and a resident colony of Madagascar Fruit Bats. Of the lemurs, Ring-tailed are the most numerous and are unafraid, allowing delightfully close observation and photography. Red-fronted are also very common, but for many it's the Verreaux's Sifakas that steal the show. It's a delight to watch these rufous and white 'ballerinas' as they dance across the red sandy soil and spring effortlessly through the boughs of a spiky Euphorbia. The photography is fabulous. The bird life is excellent and we'll be particularly on the look out for Giant Coua and Hook-billed Vanga. Additionally we should see many of the more common species, perhaps including Crested Coua, Madagascar Hoopoe, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Turtle-Dove, Madagascar Buzzard, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher, Madagascar Magpie-Robin, Madagascar Bulbul, Common Newtonia, Common and Stripe-throated Jery's, Souimanga Sunbird and Madagascar Red Fody. In the afternoon we'll return to Fort Dauphin and stay in one of the de Heaulme's hotels there, either the Dauphin, or the Miramar. Wednesday, August 17. Fly to Tana. We expect a morning flight to Tana, now scheduled for 10:15 am, arriving at 11:30 am. We are once again booked at the Hilton Hotel. This afternoon visit a private lake, Alarobia Lake, where large numbers of herons and duck are sometimes present. There should also be some time for shopping, or perhaps just relaxing at the hotel. Night at the Hilton Hotel. Thursday, August 18. Fly to Majunga Today we'll fly to Majunga in the north-west. With the present schedule fly at 3 pm, and arrive at 4:05 pm. We will have time in Tana to visit The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a World Heritage Site, which consists of a royal city and burial site, and an ensemble of sacred places. It remains a place to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere and has a splendid view of the city. We'll have lunch at Chuamiere, a wonderful restaurant with Creole dishes, near Ivato Airport. If time permits, after arriving in Majunga and transferring to our beach hotel about 15 minutes drive away, visit a nearby lake and marsh where Madagascar Little Grebe, Black Heron, and Madagascar Jacana may be seen. Night at Zahamotel. Friday, August 19. Ankarafantsika Reserve Leave very early (4:30 a.m.) for a full day trip to Ankarafantsika Reserve. Here in the deciduous woodlands (and later by a marshy area and a lake) we'll be looking for yet more of Madagascar's seriously threatened birds. We hope to see Madagascar Fish-Eagle, Malagasy Kingfisher, Coquerel's Coua, White-breasted Mesite, Schlegel's Asity and Rufous and Van Dam's Vanga's. We should also see several new species of lemurs, including Brown Lemur, Coquerel's Sifaka and Avahi. Night at Zahamotel. Saturday, August 20. Flight to Tana, and drive to Perinet Forest. Today we take a return flight to Tana. At present the flight departs at 7:00 am and arrives in Tana at 8:30 am. Then drive about three hours east to Perinet Forest. We'll stop on the way at Pereiras Farm, an exquisite butterfly garden. Our accommodation at Perinet is in small bungalows right at the edge of this fabulous forest. An abundance of birds, and sometimes Indris Lemurs may be visible right from our rooms. Night at Hotel Feon'ny Ala. Sunday - Monday, August 21 - 22. Perinet, and back to Tana. Undoubtedly the highlight at Perinet will be the largest surviving lemur, the Indris. These beautiful creatures, with their bold black and white markings and pale green eyes, inhabit the taller forest and are particularly fond of ridge tops. By using the local guides we'll be able to make at least a couple of visits to look for these, and have every chance of seeing them well. We should also see several other forest lemurs, which we've seen before, and also the more solitary Grey Bamboo Lemur. Special birds at Perinet include, Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Rail, Kioloides Rail, Red-breasted Coua, Collared Nightjar, Madagascar Long-eared Owl, France's Sparrowhawk, Ward's Shrike-Flycatcher, Nuthatch Vanga, Long-billed Greenbul, Rand's Warbler, and White-throated Oxylabes. It's a wonderful place to conclude our tour and by staying at Feon'ny Ala, we have unlimited access to the forest throughout the day. Night at Hotel Feon'ny Ala on August 21. During the afternoon of the 22nd we make the return drive to Tana and stay at the Hilton Hotel. Tuesday - Wednesday, August 23 - 24. Tana and International Flights. We will have dayrooms at the Hilton until a farewell lunch followed by a transfer to the airport and our international departure to Johannesburg at 3:20 pm to connect with night flights home. Reservations: Please contact us for up-to-date space availability. To reserve a place, please mail a deposit of $500 ($150 nonrefundable, but applicable to another tour) to: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris For questions, comments or reservations, e-mail us at: info@Cheesemans.com or use our information form. Upon receiving your deposit and signed reservation form we will send extensive trip materials, including a travel guide, reading list, species lists, and maps. Deposits & Cancellations: A second deposit of $500 is due on November 1, 2004. The balance is due on May 3, 2005, 3 months before departure. Refunds given after the final payment are based on monies returned to Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris by the outfitters. Trip insurance applications are available from us. Included: All lodges as noted or similar on arrival in Madagascar, tours and transport, all meals from dinner on August 5 to lunch on August 23, a non-alcoholic bottled beverage at lunch and dinner, all guiding services, baggage handling for one medium sized soft case per person, and all gratuities. Not included: Any overnights or meals enroute to Madagascar. Air tickets for domestic flights (issued by our agents in Madagascar and paid for with the final payment. Cost: $500, quoted 5/2004), international flight tickets, room service, laundry and other personal expenses, also departure taxes. Suggested flight schedule:
Concerning Health:Please consult your physician about vaccinations, inoculations, malaria prophylactic, etc. Malaria preventative is recommended. Please bring any specific medicine that you require. The standard of lodging is quite good, the best available in each area. Several lodges are new in the last few years and all the lodges have well prepared meals. But we recommend drinking bottled or boiled water as a precaution or bring a water purifier. Climate: Temperatures vary, but the weather will be very comfortable in August, as this is the cool season and not too hot. Details will be available in our Travel Guide on what to bring. We encourage all our participants to support conservation efforts: You may be interested in joining an African conservation organization:
Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs and exchange rates and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. Baggage is at the owner's risk. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited.
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