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The Trip

Anchored in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world. Separated from Africa millennia ago, it is often called "the eighth continent" due to its plethora of endemic flora and fauna. 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 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) to fund a successful population, agriculture, and conservation program. Our firsthand experiences will educate us about the environmental challenges currently faced on this special island.

Itinerary

The following plans are tentative, but give a general idea of the travel planned for this outing.

Day 1: Arrive in the capital city of Antananarivo. We'll obtain our visas and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2: In the morning, we'll gather for a welcoming meeting, then depart for 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 Vakona Forest Lodge.

Day 3: Today we will enjoy a guided visit to the Analamazaotra and Mantadia National Park, where 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 that are active at that time of day. We will return to the Vakona Lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon visiting the lodge's private park, home to various species of lemurs.

Day 4: We'll have the morning free to explore the area around the lodge further. After lunch, we'll return to Antananarivo. This will be an opportunity to exchange money or purchase any last-minute necessities before we begin our journey south.

Day 5: In the morning, we'll catch a flight to Ft. Dauphin and transfer directly to Berenty Reserve. In the evening, we'll enjoy a nocturnal visit to the Spiny Forest.

Day 6: Today we will have a full day to visit Berenty Reserve with guided walks. This reserve has flora and fauna characteristic of the spiny forest of Androy and many types of lemurs, who live freely in the reserve. Early in the morning, we may come across tribes of 'dancing' sifaka lemurs side-stepping down the forest pathways. We may also have time for the informative Museum of Androy on the reserve grounds.

Day 7: We leave Berenty after breakfast, returning to Ft. Dauphin. On the way back, we'll visit a conservation program that focuses on population and the environment, or Andohahela park, a traditional area between dry and humid zones.

Day 8: Today we will fly to Tulear and visit the Antsokay arboretum.

Day 9: We will travel to Isalo, stopping at Zombitse Vohibasia National Park -- a transitional pocket forest in Sakaraha -- where we may be treated to sightings of rare birds, butterflies, and reptiles in a rich combination of dry and rainforest vegetation.

Day 10: In Isalo National Park, we will take guided walks to see endemic plants, palm trees, 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.

Day 11: We'll depart Isalo and travel north toward Ranomafana National Park, which lies in the heart of the eastern rainforest. We traverse the country of the Bara tribe, possibly stopping to visit a locally run winery and a paper factory. Joining the intersection leading east, we drive through green luxuriant vegetation into the heart of the park.

Day 12: As we explore Ranomafana National Park, 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 the park; we will visit Centre ValBio, which she helped establish. We'll also walk in the park, enjoying the diversity of flora and fauna, including orchids, timber, birds, and lemurs.

Day 13: In the morning we will depart for Antsirabe, traversing the country of the Betsileo, known for their rice cultivation skills.

Day 14: In the morning we will explore this Malagasy Vichy town founded by Norwegians and known for its small craft factories, one of which produces products from recycled aluminum. We will also see carefully embroidered products of Malagasy scenes. Later, we'll return to Antananarivo for a final celebratory dinner before we transfer to the airport for our 12:30 a.m. flight to Paris.

Getting There

This trip starts on September 16 in Antananarivo and ends in that city on September 30. Both Air France and Air Madagascar have flights from Paris to Antananarivo; British Air is currently not serving Madagascar, although they have in the past. In order to maximize your enjoyment of this trip, it is strongly suggested that you ‘time zone’ acclimate before the trip begins. For me, this means a couple of days in Paris on the way to Madagascar. Another alternative would be arriving a day or more ahead of the trip start in Antananarivo.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations will be simple, with two or three people to a room, most often with private bath. Meals will also be simple, showcasing the French-influenced cuisine of Madagascar. Breakfasts are continental (bread and condiments, juice, and a warm beverage), and our lunches will often be picnics. Please contact the leader before signing up for this trip if you have specific dietary needs. As we will be traveling in remote locations, special diets are not easily accommodated. I think you will be surprised at the food we are offered, and our friendly hosts will present their best available foods to us.

Trip Difficulty

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.

Equipment and Clothing

A complete packing list will be provided to participants. Insect bites are problematic in the rainforest areas; an effective repellent is a must. Malaria is a problem, and you will need to have your doctor prescribe the proper medication. Information about other immunizations will also be sent to trip participants.

As a goodwill gesture, our group will consider following the example of other sensitive travelers in taking with us goods (such as used clothing or school supplies) that can be distributed as we travel. These supplies are sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

References

There are many travel guide books on Madagascar; ones I have found particularly interesting are those by Lonely Planet and Hilary Bradt (Madagascar, the Bradt Travel Guide, eighth edition). The April 2006 issue of Smithsonian features an article on Madagascar, and Sierra magazine 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 good is Peter Tyson's The Eighth Continent, Life, Death, and Discovery in the Lost World of Madagascar.

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.

With the degradation of the forests, entire species of insects, birds, animals, and plants are eradicated and watersheds are destroyed. In the southern part of the country, where water is less available, we will see poverty and people living in more difficult conditions than in the north, where rain is plentiful.

Conservation organizations are working to protect the lemurs and Madagascar's other biological treasures. Madagascar and the islands off its coast are considered one of the world's 25 biodiversity "hotspots." Species new to science are still being found in little-known areas of this island nation.

Trip Price

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.

Staff

Lynne Simpson both leads and cooks on Sierra Club national outings. Her interest in Madagascar began with her work with the Sierra Club International Committee and the influence of the club's Population and the Environment program. She is also fascinated with lemurs! And was happy to see many different species on the 2007 Outing to Madagascar. Her college education included a year at the Sorbonne in Paris, developing skill with the French language. Other interests include print-making (she exhibits regularly), French poodles, cooking, and almost any activity out-of-doors.

E-mail: chezpoodle@gmail.com

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