People ask is A&K the same company as Abercrombie and Kent? The answer is yes. Geoffrey Kent founded Abercrombie and Kent in Africa in 1962. The Kent family introduced luxury African Safari travel then over the years then expanded to all seven continents. A&K now offers luxury Expedition Cruising, Private Jet Travel Around the World, outstanding African expeditions to the last Continent of Antarctica. Pavlus Travel is a leader in providing the lowest prices for all A & K travel Worldwide travel be it a Tanzania Safari or any of their luxury European tours.
Day 1 - Antananarivo, Madagascar
Arrive in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, affectionately
known by locals as Tana, where you are met and transferred
to your hotel.
Day 2 - Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
This morning, journey overland to your local lodge
located in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a bastion of
biodiversity. After enjoying lunch at the lodge, set out on a
guided walk through lush rainforest habitat, keeping watch
for any of the island’s many endemic species of lemurs,
especially the Indri lemur with its teddy bear-like face,
twitchy tail and black and white markings. This largest of
lemurs is known for its haunting calls that echo through the forest. Other flora and fauna you may observe include a host
of distinctive birds, reptiles and insects. Tonight, back at
your lodge, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome
dinner.
Day 3 - Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Devote your morning to hiking the trails of Analamazaotra
with a local guide, taking in the verdant forest scapes and
looking for lemurs such as the Indri, diademed sifaka,
grey bamboo, red-bellied and white-ruffed varieties. This
afternoon, travel by boat to Lemur Island, a unique sanctuary
where visitors can experience close encounters with lemurs
in their natural habitat, for a private up-close visit. Listen
as local guides offer insight into the behavior, biology, and
conservation status of the lemurs, their importance to
Madagascar’s ecosystems and the threats they face from
habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade. Return
to your lodge for dinner before embarking on a nighttime
walk through the reserve in search of nocturnal wildlife. You
may encounter the Goodman’s mouse lemur, eastern woolly
lemur and greater dwarf lemur, along with chameleons,
frogs, geckos and myriad insect species that become active
when the sun goes down.
Day 4 - Antananarivo
Return to Antananarivo, driving through the countryside
with scenic stops along the way. Gaze out at misty mountains
and small rural villages, and pass by farmland where locals
cultivate crops like rice, cassava, and coffee. Turn to your
guide for cultural insights along the way, enjoying this
memorable experience of Madagascar’s diverse landscapes and way of life. Tonight in Antananarivo, savor a Chef’s
Table experience with dinner at the top restaurant in
Madagascar, which offers a unique blend of Malagasy and
European cuisine. Choose from a diverse menu featuring
classic French dishes infused with local ingredients and
flavors, providing a unique dining experience.
Day 5 - Isalo National Park
This morning, board a private charter flight to Isalo National
Park, where you are met and transferred to your hotel, situated amid deep canyons eroded into spectacular shapes that serve as
dwelling places for rare endemic plants, such as aloe and spine-bearing
palm trees. In addition to being home to sifaka, brown
and ring-tail lemurs, Isalo is sacred to the Indigenous Bara
tribe who, for hundreds of years, have used caves in the canyon
walls as burial sites. This afternoon, visit Giorgio’s Window for
a fantastic sunset photo opportunity.
Day 6 - Isalo National Park
Set out today on a guided walk to explore this diverse park,
observing the lush, diverse tropical vegetation to the east as well as vast rolling plains interspersed with stunning
rock formations. Choose from two trails, depending on your
interests and physical abilities. Wind through spectacular
landscapes, ranging from lush palm-lined canyons to rocky
plateaus dotted with endemic plants. View the natural rock
pool known as the Piscine Naturelle and keep your camera
at the ready for encounters with resident wildlife. You may
encounter the ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka, which
can often be spotted foraging among the trees and rocky
outcrops. Birdwatchers will delight in the chance to observe
the Benson’s rock thrush and the Madagascar kestrel soaring
overhead. Stop for an al fresco hot barbecue lunch experience
set amid the stunning natural scenery. Afterward, enjoy time at
leisure to explore the park before returning to the lodge. This
evening, tip back a refreshing Scenic Sundower while listening
to local musicians perform traditional Malagasy music and
absorbing breathtaking views of the setting sun as it paints the
magical Madagascar sky.
Day 7 - Ifotaka
Board a flight to Ifotaka, in the remote south of Madagascar.
Upon arrival at your permanent tented camp, settle in and
enjoy the majestic views over the Mandrare River. Later, take
a guided night walk in the prehistoric spiny forest, keeping
watch for diurnal lemur bedding down and nocturnal lemur
as they begin to awake. Back in camp, sleep under African
skies on your first of three nights in this unique ecosystem,
with its captivating blend of arid scrubland, lush oases, and
otherworldly baobab forests.
Day 8 - Ifotaka
This morning, cross the Mandrare River to reach the largely
deciduous gallery forest that provides critical habitat for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for inquisitive ring-tailed
lemur and the always-entertaining Verreaux’s sifaka. Return
to camp for lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the pool.
Later, head out for a walk through the sacred spiny forest
filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy tribe,
as well as an extraordinary array of flora and fauna unique
to spiny forest. Listen as your guide and a tracker from the
local community introduce you to Antandroy culture and
customs.
Day 9 - Ifotaka
Rise early to walk in the spiny forest as dawn’s sunlight
breaks through the octopus trees to observe the many
endemic birds such as crested coua, a variety of vanga and
the running coua. Return to camp for a sumptuous breakfast
followed by a visit to the local market or the local village
to meet the fascinating Antandroy tribe. Afterward, enjoy
lunch at your camp followed by an afternoon at leisure
watching life along the river from your tent’s terrace. Later
this afternoon, drive out to an imposing forest of more than
100 of Madagascar’s iconic baobab trees. Gaze out over the
baobabs as the sun sets over their distinctively rounded
trunks and crowns of branches. Tonight, celebrate your
last evening in Madagascar with a special farewell dinner,
sharing unforgettable moments with your fellow guests.
Day 10 - Antananarivo
After breakfast, fly by charter air back to the capital, where
you enjoy the use of a dayroom until transferring to the
airport for your departing flight.