Photo: Lynne Simpson Memorable Madagascar Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09865A Price: Deposit: $200 Capacity: 14 Leader: Lynne Simpson
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Lynne Simpson Anchored in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It is often called "the eighth continent" due to its plethora of endemic flora and fauna. Separated from Africa millennia ago, a variety of unique plants and animals developed here, including thousands of orchids and numerous species of lemurs. The terrain of the island ranges from tropical rainforests to spiny deserts. The Malagasy culture is a unique blend of Pacific, Arabian and African influences. Although diverse in ethnic origins and local folklore, the people are united by the Malagasy language. This language originated in the ancient Malay-Polynesian, and includes many words from Bantu, Swahili, English, and French. A hold-over from colonial days, French is commonly spoken in business transactions as well as in tourist facilities. Madagascar faces challenges both environmentally and
politically. It was chosen in 2005 to receive Millennium Challenge funding
from the U.S. government for
a four-year project aimed at additional investment in agriculture, expanded
property rights for citizens, and stabilization of financial programs. The
Sierra Club
has cooperated with USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
on funding a successful rural conservation program. Our first-hand experiences
will educate us about the environmental challenges currently faced on this
special island.
 Photo: Lynne Simpson Day 1: Arrive in the capital city of Antananarivo and transfer to our hotel in the city center. Day 2: This morning we will gather for a 'welcome' meeting and introduction to our tri-lingual guide. He is expert in explaining Malagasy customs and protocol to us; he also exemplifies the gentle manners typical of many Malagasy. Then we travel north to Ambohimanga and the summer palace of Queen Ranavalona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue to a farm that raises chameleons, then on to Andasibe and the Valkona Forest Lodge. Day 3: On a guided visit to the Analamazaotra and Mantadia National Park, the word "endemic" will be heard often as we search for wildlife. There is also the possibility of an early morning (before breakfast) walk in the park to observe birds active at that time of day. We will return to the Valkona Lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon visiting the lodge's private park, home to various species of lemurs.  Photo: Lynne Simpson Day 4: We will return to Antananarivo after breakfast today, with dinner at our hotel this evening. We will have the opportunity to exchange money or purchase any last-minute necessities before we begin our journey south. Day 5: Leaving Antananarivo, we will travel south to Antsirabe (about 100 miles) where we will explore the town and then stay in a colonial era hotel. One of our stops will include a small factory where recycled materials are used to create various artifacts. Day 6: We travel to Ranomafana National Park, where we may have the opportunity to meet with a lemur researcher. American primatologist Dr. Patricia Wright has been influential in having land set aside for this park. After nightfall, we will go on an additional walk to observe nocturnal wildlife. Day 7: A full day in Ranomafana National Park. Again, we may walk after dark to observe nocturnal wildlife. Day 8: Continuing south and west to Isalo (about 140 miles), we will visit a paper factory, and have time for photographing the countryside, now changing from a variety of green to the drier golds and mauves of a desert landscape. Our next two nights will be spent in the same hotel in Isalo. Days 9: In Isalo National Park, we will take a guided walk to see endemic plants, lemurs, and birds. Here, sandstone has been eroded into deep canyons and strange formations. One natural formation called "The Window" is renowned as a sunset viewing spot.  Photo: Lynne Simpson Day 10: From Isalo we will go to Tulear (about 150 miles), stopping to see Mahafaly tombs and one of the seven types of baobab tree. From Tulear, we will fly to Fort-Dauphin at the southernmost tip of Madagascar, site of the first European settlement on the island. Day 11: Exploring the Fort Dauphin area, we will visit the Nampoina reserve with its diverse array of endemic lemurs, turtles, crocodiles, and chameleons. Fort Dauphin is also famous for one of the most attractive beaches on the Indian Ocean. Day 12: Leaving early for our full day excursion, we will travel first to Lake Lanirano; from there we travel by boat to the fishing village of Evatra. We then walk to Lokaro Bay where we will picnic and swim before retracing our steps to Fort Dauphin. Day 13: From Fort Dauphin we will drive to the Berenty reserve. This drive will take us from coastal rainforest to spiny desert. We will stop along the way to see baobab trees and three-cornered palms as well as the funerary art of the Malagasy burial grounds. The Berenty reserve has flora and fauna characteristic of the spiny forest of Androy, and a lively collection of different lemur species, which live freely in the reserve's forest. Of these species, the "dancing" lemur is, perhaps, the most entertaining to watch as the animals "sidestep" down the trails.  Photo: Lynne Simpson Day 14: A full day to visit/explore Berenty reserve. Another early morning walk to observe birds is possible. Day 15: Traveling by four-wheel-drive vehicles, we will visit a remote village where the Sierra Club has cooperated with USAID on a program which focuses on environmentally sustainable programs. We may be able to visit the local school and talk with the staff. Returning to Ft. Dauphin, we will fly directly to Antananarivo. Day 16: On our final day, we will have time to visit the
artisan market or tour the city before our farewell Malagasy dinner. The
trip ends with transportation
to the airport for our just past midnight return flight.
This trip will appeal to anyone with an adventurous spirit who appreciates countries rich in cultural heritage and has the patience for the unexpected changes/delays that accompany a developing tourist infrastructure. Physically, participants need to be able to comfortably walk up to five miles on uneven trails at a leisurely pace, sometimes at night.
As a goodwill gesture, our group will consider following the example of other sensitive travelers in taking with us goods (such as used clothing, school supplies) that can be distributed as we travel. These supplies are sorely needed and greatly appreciated.
The April 2006 issue of Smithsonian features an article on Madagascar, and Sierramagazine has articles in the May/June and July/August, 2006 issues by Marilyn Snell, senior staff writer; the Sierra Club Population Report of winter 2003 (available on the web) includes an article on Population and Environment in Madagascar. Also: Peter Tyson's The Eighth Continent, Life, Death, and Discovery in the Lost World of Madagascar Jane Wilson, Lemurs of the Lost World: Exploring the Forests and Crocodile Caves of Madagascar Frans Lanting, Madagascar: A World Out of Time Conservation The practice of slash-and-burn agriculture that began with early settlers has
continued, destroying Madagascar's rainforests. Currently, less than 10 percent
of the original tree-cover remains. The government and many conservation groups
are working to stop this practice, to increase the number of national parks and
reserves, and to encourage tourism as a viable means of income for Malagasy citizens.
This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader. See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner. The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.
 E-mail: atthebeach175@hotmail.com General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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