madagascar: the eighth continent

8/9/2019 Madagascar: The Eighth Continent

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THE EIGHTH CONTINENT

MADAGASCAR


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Were thrilled to make our return to ascinating Madagascar, a country so biologically rich

that French botanist Philibert Commerson hailed it as the naturalists promised land.

Te combination o unusual botanicals, colorul birds, singular land animals, and genuine

Malagasy welcomes makes this one o our most avored destinations.

More than 160 million years ago, Madagascar separated rom the east coast o Arica

to become the worlds ourth-largest island. Over the subsequent millennia, its isolation

gave rise to striking biodiversityone unrivaled by any landmass o comparable size. Not

only diverse, the ora and auna o Madagascar are, in large part, unique to the island; 90

percent o all orest ora is endemic and includes more than 10,000 plant species. More

than hal o the 250-plus bird species are ound nowhere else, and Madagascar is also home

to more than hal o the worlds chameleon species.

Yet despite its size, array o species, and proximity to Arica, it remains one o the least-

traveled regions on earthits treasures are uncovered only by a ortunate ew, among

them Eco-Expeditions travelers. During nature walks and boat excursions, well search or

the myriad o exotic plants and animals that exist only herecarnivorous pitcher plants;

baobab trees; 1,000 kinds o orchids; multi-colored mantella rogs; chameleons, including

panther and pygmy stump-tailed, which, at just over an inch, is one o the smallest verte-

brates on the planet; and a number o sought-ater birdsground-rollers, Amber Mountain

rock thrushes, pratincoles, Madagascar malachite kingshers, and sickle-billed vangas.

Even among Madagascars varied and matchless wildlie, one animal bears iconic status

the engaging lemur. Tese arboreal acrobats, oldest o all surviving primates, are a special

highlight o our journey and supremely photogenic subjects. During our expedition wevisit such acclaimed reserves as Prinet, Berenty, Montagne dAmbre, and Nosy Mangabe

watching or representatives o the 49 species o lemurs. Dawn will nd us in the orest

awaiting the haunting call o indris, the largest lemur species. Nocturnal spotlighting

excursions may reveal brown mouse, greater dwar, or woolly lemurs. We also hope to view

ring-tailed; crowned; siakas, which can leap 30 eet or more rom branch to branch; dwar

microcebus, no bigger than a mouse; and, with luck, bat-eared aye-ayes, rarest o all lemurs.

From mountain highlands laced with stunning wateralls to the shores o the Indian

Ocean rom lush, primary rain orest to ghostly stands o baobab trees and the bizarrespiny desert and rom gently owing rivers to rice paddies and cofee and vanilla

plantations, well enjoy adventure in its truest orm. Troughout our journey we meet the

lovely Malagasy people whose warmth and riendliness make this remarkable experience

truly unorgettable. Madagascar is one o my avorite places on Earth and I look orward

to sharing this multi-aceted natural wonderland with you.

Warm regards,

Jonathan Rossouw

DEAR ADVENTURER


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DAY 1USA / JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICADepart the USA on your independentovernight ight to Johannesburg.

DAY 2JOHANNESBURGArrive Johannesburg International Airportand walk to the InterContinental Sun Hotel,located outside International Arrivals. Teaternoon is at leisure. Tis evening we gatherat our hotel or a welcome brieng ollowedby dinner and overnight.

DAY 3JOHANNESBURG / ANTANANARIVO

(TANA), MADAGASCARAter breakast at our hotel, return to theairport or the ight to ana. Upon arrival wetranser to the Hotel Colbertand overnight.

DAY 4TANA / MAROANTSETRATis morning we depart or our ight to thesleepy coastal town o Maroantsetra. We check

in at the Relais du Masoala, then boarda boat to explore a nearby river deltaand the private orest reserve o

Andriotra. Malagasy shermenpole their canoes past verdantrice paddies thronging with egretsand raiding ocks o Madagascarred odys. We may also encounter amale panther chameleonin his breedingcondition he is a sure contender or the titleo worlds gaudiest reptile! A spotlightingexcursion ater dinner will hopeully revealsome o Maroantsetras lesser known, but

no less spectacular, creatures such as bizarretomato rogs and lowland striped tenrecs,small hedgehog-type creatures. Overnightat our hotel.

DAY 5MAROANTSETRA / MASOALAPENINSULAoday we set out with our local guide on

a speedboat ride across the emerald-greenAntongil Bay to the Masoala Peninsulaor a ull days exploration. he peninsulaencompasses one o the inest tracts oprimary orest, rain orest, and coastal orestin the country as well as our protectedmarine areas. en species o lemurs areound here, including red-rufed and easternork-marked lemurs. We also have the

opportunity to spot tenrec and mongoose,as well as the rare serpent eagle andMadagascar red owl. Return across the bayor dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 6MAROANTSETRA / NOSY MANGABE /FARAKARAINA

We embark on another early boat ride across

Antongil Bay or a morning excursion to theisland o Nosy Mangabe. Past visits to thisarea have been sensational, with magnicentblack-and-white rufed lemurs visiting ourpicnic table. Be sure to bring your macro lensor some exciting photographic opportunitieso the peculiar lea-tailed geckos, tree rogs,or perhaps even a Madagascar ground boa.

We also hunt or the worlds smallestvertebratethe thumbnail-sized chameleon,Brookesia minimi. Following lunch we crossover to Farakaraina, which ofers us our bestchance to see the endangered aye-aye, the

worlds largest nocturnal primate. We returnto Maroantsetra or dinner and overnight atout hotel.

DAY 7

MAROANTSETRA / TANA /PRINET RESERVE

Ater breakast we explore the bustlingMaroantsetra market, with vanilla pods

18 DAYSMADAGASCAR

JonathanRossouw

Madagascar Mantella Frog

White-footed Lepilemur


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drying in the sun and a bewildering varietyo sh. Return to our hotel or lunch beoredeparting or the airport and our ight to

ana. From here we drive to Prinet Reserve,one o the wildest and densest rain orests

on the planet. We arrive at the Vakona ForestLodgeor dinner and overnight.

DAY 8PRINET RESERVEOur day begins at dawn as we await the

morning call o the indrithe largest o alllemurs. One o its Malagasy names is babakoto,reerring to the ancient being that rst separated

the ancestors o lemurs and men. Each animalsings in its own voice, so the echoes andre-echoes tell each group where every indri is

located on the hill. Both eerie and haunting,its call is never to be orgotten. Other primatespecies we may nd include common brown

lemur and small-toothed lepilemur. Reptilesare especially well represented and we hope to

nd short-horned chameleons stalking insects,or an iridescent Madagascar tree boa baskingin the sun. Birding is equally spectacularwith endemics such as Madagascar paradise-

ycatcher and the brilliant blue vanga. Dinner

and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 9MANTADIANATIONAL PARKoday we visit Mantadia

National Park, situated at aslightly higher altitude andendowed with lush, mossy orest.Home to lemurs rarely encoun-tered around Prinet, such as therare and spectacular diademedsiaka, the area also oersexcellent sighting opportunitieso the red-bellied lemur and

gray bamboo lemur. In the earlyevening we embark on a walk tolook or nocturnal wildlie. Withluck, our spotlight will catch theeyeshine o the diminutive brownmouse lemur, greater dwarlemur, or even the larger easternavahi (or woolly lemur). We

return to the Vakona Forest Lodgeor dinner and overnight.

DAY 10PRINET RESERVE /TANATis morning includes a visit toLemur Island on the grounds othe Vakona Forest Lodgebeore

departing on our return driveto ana. En route we stop at LaMandraka Nature Farm and

enjoy a picnic lunch beore continuingto our hotel or check-in. Dinner at a localrestaurant and overnight at Hotel Colbert.

DAY 11TANA / DIEGO SUAREZFollowing an early breakast, transer tothe airport or our ight to Diego Suarez.Upon arrival we set out to explore MontagnedAmbre National Park, a mountain paradisereplete with watera lls, pristine orests,endemic birds, and close encounters with

MADAGASCAR

Nosy Mangabe

Maroantsetra

Prinet Reserve /Mantadia National Park

Antananarivo (Tana)

Indian Ocean

to/fromJohann

esburg

Tropic of Capricorn

Moza

mbiq

ueCha

nnel

Fort DauphinBerentyReserve

Digo Suarez / Montagne dAmbre /Montagne dFrancais

Antongil Bay

Farakaraina

Ankarana

MasoalaPeninsula

JonathanRossouw

Madagascar Magpie-robin

MAP NOT TO SCALE


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lemurs. During our visit we hope to seeand photograph crowned lemurs, Sanordsbrown lemurs, ring-tailed mongoose, anda wealth o birds, including the highlylocalized amber mountain rock-thrush.

We return to Diego Suarez or dinner and

overnight at the Hotel La Note Bleue.

DAY 12DIEGO SUAREZ/ ANKARANA

We depart overland or the AnkaranaSpecial Reserve this morning, renownedor its dramatic landscapes: karst pinnacles,or tsingy; deep orest-lled canyons; a laby-rinthine cave system with the only known

cave-dwelling crocodiles on the planet;and a vast network o underground rivers.

Wildlie is prouse in this park and wehave excellent opportunities to encountermultiple lemur species such as crowned,Sanords brown, and northern sportivelemurs, as well as birds typical o dryorest such as the strange white-breastedmesite and the orotoroka scops-owl. Tereserve is also known or its rich diversityo reptiles including lea-tailed geckos.

We return to Diego Suarez or dinner andovernight at our hotel.

DAY 13DIEGO SUAREZ / TANA /FORT DAUPHINTis morning we visit Montagne dFrancais,

where we can see and photograph thered-barked Suarez baobab, perhaps therarest and most impressive o the six specieso baobabs endemic to Madagascar. We

are a lso on the lookout or gray-headed

lovebirds and the bizarre sickle-billed

vanga. Returning to the airport we y to

ana, connecting with our onward ight

to Fort Dauphin, an isolated paradise

squeezed between rolling green hills and

sparkling blue sea. ranser to the Croix

du Sudhotel or dinner and overnight.

DAYS 14 & 15FORT DAUPHIN / BERENTYRESERVE

We depart the hotel ater breakast or the

three-hour drive to Berenty. Along withPrinet, Berenty is another o Madagascars

most celebrated reserves and one o lies

great experiences in the natural world. For

photographers, Berenty is a visual east

ring-tailed lemurs show no ear and seem

to pose just or you, while the gibbon-like

Verreauxs siakas are just an arms length

away rom the camera lens. Birding is also

phenomenal, and past trips have recordedsuch specialties as Madagascar sandgrouse,

white-browed owl, and the stately giant

coua. Spend the next day exploring the

reserve including an evening walk. Dinners

and two overnights at the Berenty Lodge.

DAY 16BERENTY RESERVE / FORTDAUPHIN / TANA

Ater an early breakast we return to Fort

Dauphin in time or our ight to ana.

ranser to the Hotel Colbertor check-in

and lunch. In the aternoon we visitLac Alarobia, a private sanctuary which

protects large numbers o breeding herons

and egrets. Its central island, teeming with

Madagascar squacco herons and egretsin breeding plumage, provides a truly

memorable spectacle. During our visit we

are also on the lookout or such endemics

as Madagascars wagtail, white-eye, and

malachite kingsher. Our arewell dinner

and overnight is at our hotel.

DAY 17

TANA / JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA

Ater breakast we can relax or embark on

a shopping expedition to the local artisans

market. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant

beore transerring to the airport or your

ight to Johannesburg, and continuing

independent ights to the USA.

DAY 18USA

Arrive in the USA and connect with ights

homeward.

ShirleyMetz

Red-fronted Brown Lemur


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TERMS & CONDITIONS

Jonathan Rossouw

1. RESERVATIONS: 25% o the expedition are,along with a completed and signed Reservation Form,

will reserve a place or you on this Eco-Expeditions(ECO) program. Te balance o the expedition are isdue 120 days prior to departure. Air are is a lso dueat this time. A ll prices are quoted in U.S. dollars andmust be paid in U.S. dollars. Credit cards accepted ordeposit only.

2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:Notication o cancellation o this program and anyindependent travel arrangements must be received in

writing by ECO. At the time we receive your writtencancellation, the ollowing penalties will apply: 120 or more days prior to departure:

$300 per person 60 through 119 days prior to departure:

50% o expedition are 59 days prior to departure through day of departure:

100% o expedition areSome air are may be nonreundable. Once an expedi-tion has departed, there will be no reunds rom ECOor any unused portions o the trip. Te above policy alsoapplies to all extensions and independent travel arrange-ments made in conjunction with this program.

3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION

INSURANCE: We strongly advise that all travelerspurchase trip cancellation and interruption insuranceas protection against an emergency that may orceyou to cancel or leave rom an expedition while it is inprogress. A brochure describing coverage will be sent toyou upon receipt o your reservation.

4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECOprograms are based on double occupancy. I you aretraveling alone and wish to share accommodations, aroommate will be assigned to you whenever possible.

When pairing roommates, we will always pairparticipants o the same sex. All shared accommoda-tions are nonsmoking. I it is not possible to pair you

with a roommate, you will be required to pay a SingleSupplement. Please note that single accommodations arelimited and cannot be guaranteed throughout.

5. MEDICAL INFORMATION: Participation on anECO program requires that you be in generally goodhealth. It is essential that persons with any medicalproblems and related dietary restrictions make themknown to us well beore departure. We can counselyou on whether the expedition you have selected isappropriate or you.

Te tour leader has the right to disqualiy any partici-pant at any time during the tour i he/she eels theparticipant is physically incapable and/or i a partici-pants continued participation will jeopardize either theindividual involved or the group. Tere will be no reundgiven under these circumstances.

6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: Luggage size andweight limitations or both checked and carry-onluggage, imposed by the airlines or as an operationalrequirement due to type o aircrat, wi ll apply orights to/rom/within this program. Speciications

will be provided with pre-departure materials.

7. CURRENCY FLUCTUATION AND

FUEL COST INCREASES: In orderto keep rates as low as possible, wedo not build into the trip arean allowance to cover possibleincreases rom currency

uctuations or uel costs. Tereore, as currencies dofuctuate around the world and uel-cost increases may

occur, it may be necessary or us to initiate a minorrate surcharge at any time beore departure i there areexceptional cost increases beyond our control.

8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY:Itineraries are based on inormation available at thetime o printing and are subject to change. ECOreserves the right to change a programs dates, staf,itineraries, or accommodations as conditions warrant.I a trip must be delayed, or the itinerary changed dueto bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays,airline schedules, government intervention, sickness,or any other contingency or which ECO or its agentscannot make provision, the cost o delays or changes isnot included.

9. ITINERARY CANCELLATION: ECO reservesthe right to cancel an itinerary beore departure or anyreason whatsoever, including too ew participants orlogistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts o God,or any other circumstances that may make operation othe trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will bepromptly reunded, and this reund will be the limit oECOs liability. ECO is not responsible or any expensesincurred by trip members in preparing or the trip,

including nonreundable or penalty-carrying airlinetickets, special clothing, visa or passport ees, or othertrip-related expenses.

10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the rightto decline to accept any individual as an expeditionmember or any reason whatsoever.

11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Tis sectiondenes ECOs responsibility with respect to all o ourtrips, including extensions and independent arrange-ments. Please read it careul ly.

ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give noticethat they act only as the agent or the owners, contrac-tors, and suppliers providing means o transportationand/or all other related travel services and assume noresponsibility howsoever caused or injury, loss, ordamage to person or property in connection with anyservice resulting directly rom: acts o God, detention,annoyance, delays, expenses arising rom quarantine,strikes, thets, pilerage, orce majeure, ailure o anymeans o conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled,civil disturbances, terrorism, government restric-tions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in

transit or hotel services over which it has no control.Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made wheredeemed advisable or the comort and well-being o thepassengers.

As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject tochange.

As described in item 9 above, in the event that anexpedition must be cancelled, ECO is not responsibleor any personal expenses incurred by trip members inpreparing or the program.

On advancement o deposit to ECO, the depositoracknowledges that he/she hasread and understands the

above recited termsand conditions,

and agrees tobe bound bythem.

Radiated ortoise


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THE LEMURS OF MADAGASCAR

Perhaps no other animal is as closely identied with its natural habitat as lemurs are

with Madagascar. Tese arboreal primates are ound only on the island, with a ew

introduced species present in the neighboring Comoros, and are today the best-known

examples o Madagascars biodiversity.

Lemurs are prosimians, the most ancient o the worlds surviving primates, and the

story o their arrival and dispersal on Madagascar, as well as the extirpation o some

races and precarious survival o the rest, provides an excellent look at the processes o

island biogeography, speciation, and extinction.

Roughly 40 million years ago, orebears o lemurs crossed rom Arica to Madagascar.

Te means they used to accomplish this gave rise to a number o theories, includingthe existence o Lemuria, a now-sunken landmass thought to have once bridged Australia

and India with Arica. he more likely, and now accepted, method is that lemurs

rode across the strait aboard allen trees or branches. Larger mammalspredators

such as lions and dogs and competitors or vegetation such as girafes, elephants, and

apescould not avail themselves o the lemurs mode o transport. Tus, the lemurs

ourished on Madagascar while they vanished rom Arica.

Over the centuries the lemurs evolved into distinct species, today numbering 49, withdiferences in coloration and size. Tese species adopted diferent behavior and diet,

allowing them to claim diferent ecological niches and lessen competition or ood

and resources. Some, such as the greater dwar, are nocturnal, while other species are

diurnal. Some species eat ruits and insects, and some eed on leaves and owers. Most

live in small groups ranging rom our to twenty individuals; the brown mouse lemur,

however, is a solitary orager, gathering in loose-knit groups to sleep.

Te indri is the largest extant species, weighing about 15 pounds and standing abouttwo eet tall. Much larger lemurs used to roam Madagascar, though, including one

species that may have weighed over 200 pounds. While having no natural predators

and ew competitors, these giant lemurs ell easy prey to the people who settled the

island about 1,500 years ago.

Te arrival o humanity conronted lemurs with grievous threats to their existence

loss o habitat rom logging and clearing o land or agriculture, hunting, and capture.

At least 15 species have gone extinct, with ten species currently considered critically

endangered, seven endangered, and 19 vulnerable. Te government o Madagascar and

conservation groups are working to preserve the remaining lemurs, but a great and

concerted efort is required i these primates are not to join the ever-growing list o

vanished species.

Ring-tailed Lemurs


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Coverphotos:ring-tailedlemurs,

tawnyleaffrog,

baobab,

cresteddrongo

JonathanRossouw;OustaletschameleonEco-Expeditions

192 Nickerson Street #200 Seattle, WA 98109 USATel:206-285-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-628-8747Fax:206-285-5037 E-mail:[email protected] site:www.zeco.com

JONATHAN ROSSOUW

Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions Director

Jonathan Rossouw is a medical doctor

by proession; however, his lielong

passion or wildlie led him to trade in his

stethoscope or binoculars and take up a

ull-time career in the expedition travel

industry. Since 1997 he has guided wild-

lie expeditions throughout the globe, and

has gained experience with over 7,000 bird

species and 700 mammal species in the

process. Jonathan has co-authored birding

site guides to Southern Arica and Madagascar, and his guidebookWhere to Watch Birds

in Uganda is widely acclaimed as one o the nest site guides ever published. Jonathan is

equally enthusiastic about mammals and coral ree shes as he is with his specialties, birds

and reptiles; indeed, he has an inectious curiosity and passion or all aspects o natural

history. Tis serves him in good stead as he leads travelers on expeditions to all seven

continents and scouts new destinations or Eco-Expeditions.

MEET OUR LEADER

WHAT TO EXPECT

Madagascars climate varies noticeably rom north to south, east to west, and rom

coastal to highland regions. As we travel through the island, expect it to be warm, with

temperatures ranging rom the 70sF to low 80sF during the day and dipping into the

60sF in the early mornings and evenings. Slightly cooler temperatures are likely at higher

elevations, including Antananarivo. Berenty, in the southeast, is drier than the rest o the

island and can be very hot, with temperatures during the day reaching into the 90sF.

For most activities, a moderate level o exertion is required. Our itinerary includes

walks and nature hikes, sometimes over uneven terrain, including some hilly areas. Wewill mail a complete list o recommended clothing, essentials to bring, and a suggested

reading list to you approximately ve months prior to depar-

ture. Participants will enjoy the remarkable opportunities this

expedition ofers i they travel with exibility and a spirit o

adventure and discovery.

Crested Coua


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SEPTEMBER 21 OCTOBER 8, 2010

NAME #1(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

NAME #2(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY

PHONE(home) (ofce)

FAX E-MAIL

ACCOMMODATIONS:o Twin o Share(roommate to be assigned) o Single

I AM/WE ARE:o Nonsmokers o Smokers

DEPOSIT INFORMATION:

o Enclosed is a deposit check or $ (25% per person o the program are)

o Charge the 25% per person deposit to: o VISA oMasterCard o American Express

Card Number Expires

Authorized Cardholder Signature Date

(Note: Credit cards accepted or deposit s only)

I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and

agree to abide by them.

SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE DATE

Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your deposit to:

MADAGASCAR

EMAD1001

Sanfords Brown Lemur


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SEPTEMBER 21 OCTOBER 8, 2010 LEADER: LEX HES

MADAGASCAR: $9,280per person, double occupancy; $1,780 single supplement*

Limited to 16 expedition members.

INCLUDED: All accommodations and group meals; group transers; guided excursions

as stated in the itinerary; entrance ees or parks, reserves, etc.; all gratuities; domestic air

transportation within Madagascar as mentioned in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges;

airport arrival and departure taxes; transers or independent arrivals and departures;

passport and/or visa ees; travel insurance; items o a personal nature such as laundry, bar

charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/ax/telephone charges.

AIR FARE: A tentative ight schedule is available upon request. Eco-Expeditions will

contact you approximately 180 days prior to the departure o this program to fnalize

your ight plans. As o December 2008, the approximate economy air are as listed in theitinerary is $2,075 or New York/Johannesburg/Antananarivo/Johannesburg/New York.

All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Rates

and itineraries are subject to change.

*A limited number o single accommodations are available.

Lex Hes will be the expedition leader on the 2010 departure, see his biography below. A

past passenger once said about Lex: We could go on or pages talking about Lex, what

an incredible man! He turned a really great trip into a once in a lietime experi-ence. Hes a walking ountain o knowledge and possesses a antastic sense o humor.

LEX HES Lexa naturalist and wildlie photographer, wasborn and educated in Johannesburg and has been involved

in the world o wildlie or the past 25 years. Previously aguide at the world-amous Londolozi Game Reserve, Lex is

now a popular reelance nature guide who imparts his wealth

o knowledge o Aricas ecosystems in an easygoing and

riendly manner. He is an author and nature photographer

with fve books to his creditthe highly acclaimed Leopards o

Londolozi; a childrens book called Bushschool; Attracting Birds

to Your Garden in Southern Arica; Te Complete Book o Southern Arican Mammals; and

Wild South Arica, about the biomes o his native country. In addition to time spent inthe Mpumalanga Lowveld and guiding visitors around South Arica, Lex has led tours

to Kenya, Botswana, and Namibia. Lex will join our 2009 departure to Madagascar and

will lead the 2010 expedition.

DATES

RATES

2010 TERMS & CONDITIONS POLICY CHANGE

A $500per person penalty fee will apply for any cancellations received 120 or more

days prior to departure. Please note that our terms and conditions listed inside donot indicate this new policy, however it applies to all our expeditions operating in

2010. I you return this reservation orm to our ofce with your booking you may want

to make note o this policy change in the brochure.

LEADER

madagascar: the eighth continent

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