North Eastern Tour
Marojejy National Park - Daraina Reserve
8 days & 7 nights
Highlights
Marojejy National Park: Observation of the Silky sifaka
Mountains and montane forest: Mountain landscapes, observation of the endangered Silky sifaka and Helmet vanga
Daraina Reserve: Observation of the Golden-crowned sifaka
When do go
Feasibility: January to December
Best season: April to December
Tour description
Day 1: Tana - Sambava - Marojejy National Park - Camp Mantella (B/L/D)
Breakfast and departure to Marojejy National Park (5h drive). Picnic lunch on the way. Arrival at the camp. The Marojejy massif mountains are extremely rich and diverse in fauna and flora. The park is home to 12 species of lemurs and the best place in Madagascar to see the Silky sifaka, which is endemic to this region, including the five rarest primates in the world. There are over 125 bird species, 150 species of reptiles and amphibians, 30 species of palm trees and over 300 species of ferns. It is also the place to find the Takhtajania perrieri - a tree which is believed to exist on earth for about 120 million years.
From the village of Manantenina we start the hike to Camp Mantella. We discover the primary rainforest. We may have the opportunity to see several species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as bird species such as the Hook-billed vanga, White-headed vanga, Helmet vanga and Red-breasted coua. Arrival at Camp Mantella (450m altitude) and lunch. In the afternoon we discover the surroundings of Camp Mantella and visit the Humbert waterfall. Dinner and night at Camp Mantella.
Day 2: Camp Mantella - Camp Simpona (B/L/D)
Breakfast and hiking up to Camp Simpona (about 6h). We have the opportunity to see the rare Silky sifaka which is endemic to this rainforest. We stop at Camp Marojejya for lunch. In the afternoon we continue our walk to Camp Simpona. Arrival at the camp at 1250m altitude. A night walk around the camp is possible. Dinner and night at Camp Simpona.
Day 3: Camp Simpona - Summit - Camp Marojejya (B/L/D)
Early breakfast and departure for the highest elevation and rising up to the peak of Marojejy’s summit at 2132m altitude. This will be a long and strenuous day of hiking. The trails in the park and up to the summit are very hard and steep, so one needs strong physical condition. The summit is often wet and cloudy. Marojejy mountain - an astoundingly isolated island of lush rainforest. From the summit we enjoy great views onto the beautiful forest with the mighty Indian Ocean at the horizon. Spend full morning hiking and then walk back to the camp for lunch. In the afternoon we walk down to Camp Marojejya. At sunset, possibility to go for a night walk around the camp. Dinner and night in a hut at Camp Marojejya.
Day 4: Camp Marojejya - Camp Mantella - Sambava (B/L/D)
Breakfast and thereafter a long hike off the mountain, though this time with gravity on our side! Along the way, we will have chances to continue savouring the unique and rarely seen birdlife of Marojejy. We continue to leave the primary forest towards the national park boundary. Steep slopes, mud and several small river crossings will make for a truly adventurous day 5h to walk. Picnic lunch on the road and drive back to Sambava (2h). Arrival at the hotel. Night in Sambava.
Day 5: Sambava - Vohemar - Daraina Reserve (B/L/D)
Breakfast and early departure from Sambava to Vohemar (3h). Lunch on the way in a local restaurant. To reach the remote paradise of Daraina Reserve from Vohemar is not easy; this is a tough drive on a very bad road including river crossings (4h of bumpy road). Arrival at the camp. At sunset, possibility to go for a night walk in search of the rare Aye-aye. Night in Daraina Reserve.
Day 6: Daraina Reserve (B/L/D)
Breakfast and thereafter we will spend a full morning exploring Daraina Reserve (1h drive). The local NGO FANAMBY manages this reserve, which is the last natural deciduous forest, home of the endemic Golden-crowned sifaka - one of the rarest lemurs and listed as one of the 25 most threatened primates in the world. Here you may find several bird species including Hook-billed vanga, Crested coua, Madagascar kestrel,... Picnic lunch in the forest and in the afternoon back to Daraina Reserve. Night in Daraina Reserve.
Day 7: Daraina Reserve - Sambava (B/L/D)
Although it is a day’s drive back to Sambava to reach the flight, we do have time for a short stop somewhere for photos. Night in the hotel in Sambava.
Day 8: Sambava - Tana (B)
Breakfast and then transfer to the airport for the flight from Sambava to Tana. End of services.
Contact
For more information about this tour please contact Pascal directly:
Email: expeditionmada@gmail.com / pascalelison@yahoo.com
Tel: +261 (0)32 57 940 24
Tel: +261 (0)34 89 704 24
Maroantsetra
Madagascar