MADAGASCAR IS A LAND LIKE NO OTHER. This island is an Eden-like garden of riches, filled with a diversity of life and scenery unequaled anywhere else on earth. Simply put, Madagascar Meet your leader is wild. Ecotourism is now in infancy, but whole- EXPEDITION TRAVEL heartedly embraced by the country as a means Dr. Thomas to support the local communities, as well as the C. Emmel is wildlife they cherish. the founding MADAGASCAR director of MANTADIA RESERVES, RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK & BEYOND the McGuire IF MADAGASCAR IS A PLACE YOU’VE ALWAYS Center for July 20 - August 5, 2015 DREAMT OF VISITING... Lepidoptera then the time to do so has never been better. and Ian Segebarth Karaca Photos by Pelin and This trip is designed to experience all that is Biodiversity, Madagascar. From the animals to the landscapes and professor emeritus of zoology found throughout the country, this expedition is and entomology at the University of a must-do for anyone with a love for wildlife and Florida. Authoring over 400 scientific a curiosity about the natural world. We will also publications and 35 books, it’s interact with local cultures and learn much about astounding that he has had time to travel their way of life. to over 45 countries on the hundreds of scientific and ecotourism expeditions that he has led throughout his career. WHAT MAKES OUR EXPEDITION EXTRA SPECIAL Well-known as an international expert is that we will be visiting national parks and on tropical ecology, population biology, reserves in several distinct parts of the country and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), during our trip. From the lush cloud forests he also has a strong passion for research, of Ranomafana to the spiny forests of Berenty teaching, and the merits of conservation and the deserts of Isalo, there is no more through ecotourism. comprehensive Madagascar trip out there! With environments as diverse as these, you can only imagine the variety of wildlife we’ll find! We expect to encounter dozens of species of lemurs, numerous chameleons, colorful frogs, orchids, and majestic Baobab trees. LED BY DR. THOMAS C. EMMEL Founding Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity ENROLL TODAY! holbrook.travel/expeditionmadagascar 800-451-7111 Expedition TRAVEL feet. The Berenty colony is the largest in southern Madagascar, 2015 Itinerary JUL. ANTSIRABE JUL. ISALO 28 varying seasonally. Next, learn about the history of the region 24 during a visit to the large, well-kept museum. After lunch have Itinerary may be subject to change. time at leisure to explore on your own. After dinner, settle in Spend a full day exploring scenery marked by towering Jurassic This morning after breakfast, transfer to the Ialatsara Private to rest for the very early departure back to Ft. Dauphin in the sandstone formations, golden grasslands, and palm savannas. Reserve, set on 6,177 acres of secondary forest. This reserve has morning. DEPART UNITED STATES JUL. 20 After breakfast, we’ll make the short drive to one of the best been taken care of by a couple of passionate people, Mr. and Overnight at Berenty Lodge. (BLD) trails in Isalo National Park and hike to a gorgeous desert Mrs. Rajaona, who dedicate much of their time to managing the fragmented highland forest ecosystem. During the visit hike along Depending on your airline selection, your departure from waterfall. Along the way, be prepared to encounter families the trails in search of the Milne Edward’s Sifaka, dwarf lemur, AUG. the States might change. The program is designed around Air of Ring-tailed and Brown Lemurs! We’ll have a box lunch to FT. DAUPHIN sportive lemur, and mouse lemur. After the hike enjoy a freshly 03 France flights. Please note that your arrival into Antananarivo make the most of our day in the most famous national park in prepared lunch at the facilities and then continue to Antsirabe for must be by 11pm on Tuesday, July 21st, and to transfer with Madagascar. dinner and overnight. After breakfast we will spend the day transferring back to Ft. the group to the hotel it would be best to arrive on Air France After sunset, you may choose to join your leaders on a night Dauphin. Dinner and overnight will be in Ft. Dauphin. #934 which is a code-share with Delta #8542. Overnight at Couleur Café. (BLD) hike around the lodge to look for geckos, unique insects, and Overnight at La Croix du Sud Hotel. (BLD) even tenrecs (related to hedgehogs). JUL. JUL. ANTANANARIVO Overnight at Relais de la Reine. (BLD) ANDASIBE 29 AUG. 21 DEPARTURE 04 This morning drive to Andasibe, with several stops en route Upon arrival to Antananarivo International Airport, you will RANOMAFANA JUL. including lunch. Arrive at the hotel late in the afternoon. This Following breakfast the morning will be at leisure to explore clear customs and immigration, meet the local guide and 25 evening take a nocturnal walk in Mitsinjo Reserve in search of the seaside town of Ft. Dauphin. After lunch, transfer to the transfer to your hotel. Air France arrives at approximately nocturnal wildlife. airport for the flight to Tana. A day room will be available for 11pm. No meals are included today. This morning after breakfast, we continue to our next use in Tana. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Flights back to the If you need additional time to adjust to the time change or destination, Ranomafana National Park. On our way, we’ll visit Overnight at Vakona Lodge. (BLD) United States. get rested before your program starts, we can make additional a paper-making workshop and be able to purchase beautiful Day room at Relais des Plateaux (BLD) arrangements for arriving earlier. artisanal paper and learn about this fascinating tradition. JUL. Please note that program meals include water only, and On the way to the hotel, stop by the beautiful waterfalls for ANDASIBE 30 beverages will be charged separately on-site and paid on an photos and then check in at the hotel. An optional evening ARRIVAL IN UNITED STATES AUG. individual basis. walk is available to search for the nocturnal mouse lemur. At dawn, the vocalization of the Indri, the world’s largest lemur, 05 Overnight at Relais des Plateaux. Overnight at Centrest Lodge. (BLD) will be heard like a fog horn call from the distance. After enjoying the morning chorus of the sounds of the forest, we’ll visit Mantadia National Park searching for this mystical animal as well as the More information JUL. Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur. We’ll likely encounter several TOLIARA 22 JUL. RANOMAFANA 26 species of chameleons, day geckos, and more than eight other LAND COST: species of lemur. After lunch, explore Lemur Island for up-close $6,995 This morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for the encounters with habituated lemurs. per person (7-13 paying, double occupancy) This morning after breakfast, hike in the 102,000 acre flight to Tulear, situated on the western coast near the Tropic Overnight at Vakona Lodge. (BLD) $1,200 single supplement of Capricorn along the Mozambique Channel. Check in at the Ranomafana National Park. The immensity of Ranomafana National Park is clear as you approach. Ranomafana is one of hotel. Includes: This afternoon visit the seaside for a short walk and an optional Madagascar’s best known and most important parks. Created Accommodations, in-country transportation, meals and activities ANTANANARIVO JUL. visit to a local market. This evening is at leisure to rest. in 1991 following the 1986 discovery of the Golden Bamboo 31 as listed in the itinerary. Lemur, Ranomafana has served as a model for subsequent parks Overnight at Victory Hotel. (BLD) and reserves in Madagascar and abroad. The rainforest is home Not included: to the critically endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur, Golden This morning depart to Tana. We will make a stop en route to visit the Analamazaotra Special Reserve to search for more species Items of a personal nature, gratuities, beverages. JUL. Bamboo Lemur, and 11 other species including the mouse ISALO 23 lemur, Gray Bamboo Lemur, and others. of lemurs, including the lively Diademed Sifaka, common to this area. After lunch continue to Antananarivo. This evening dinner ESTIMATED AIRFARE COST: This afternoon have lunch at Centre Valbio, a facility run by Dr. will be at a local restaurant. Patricia Wright that is now Madagascar’s leading field research $2,500 on Delta/Air France service via Paris. This morning after breakfast head east to visit the beautiful Overnight at Colbert Hotel. (BLD) Antsokay Arboretum, created in 1980 by amateur Swiss center. biologist Hermann Petignat. The 100 acre site is dedicated After lunch is an informative presentation on the flora, fauna, Rate is subject to change until ticketed. Other departure cities are to conservation of the country’s endemic fauna through and research efforts in Ranomafana. available. Contact [email protected] with flight inquiries. BERENTY AUG. environmental education programs and supporting Overnight at Centrest Lodge. (BLD) 01 If you are booking your international flights independently, please conservation and research projects. call us before making reservations to confirm that your chosen On the guided tour through the botanical trail, witness the This morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Ft. Dauphin. schedule will work with the internal flights. ingenuity of a diverse flora that has adapted, sometimes in JUL. Upon arrival, have lunch at Le Dauphin Hotel and then settle extraordinary ways, to the heat and drought of this region. The RANOMAFANA 27 in for the 4 to 5 hour drive to the world famous Berenty Private arboretum has a collection of over 900 plant species from the Reserve.