Madagascar Lemur Fever

Depart from the Madagascar capital, Antananarivo, and travel along the hillside twisty roads towards the Eastern part of the island. The first scheduled stop will be at the Pereyras reserve for the first glimpse of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity and fantastic Chameleon Sanctuary. Continue along to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, where you will start this discovery tour of the nocturnal animals and primates that inhabit this unique and distinctive National Park.

Begin the day with a hike through the rainforest to discover the natural Malagasy flora and fauna, as well as the famous Indri lemurs. The Indri lemur which is one of the largest in size and has a lovey thick black and white coat. The indri is well known for its loud, distinctive songs, this helps you locate them within the forest. Other lemurs which can be seen in this area are the red-bellied lemur, brown lemur, lesser bamboo lemur. The park is also place for the nocturnal lemurs - brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur, eastern woolly lemur, sportive lemur and if you are a lucky one, you might see the elusive nocturnal Aye Aye. Along the way, stop for some relaxation at a picturesque waterfall. This day tour is filled with beautiful landscapes and a variety of habitual wildlife.

Ranging in size from 30gm (1.1 oz) to 9 kg (20 lb), lemurs share many of the common primate traits, such as divergent digits on their hands and feet and nails instead of claws. However, their brain-to-body size ratio is smaller than that of anthropoid primates, and among many other traits they share with other primates, they have a "wet nose" (rhinarium). Lemurs are generally social and communicate more with scents and vocalizations than with visual signals. Many lemur adaptations are in response to Madagascar's highly seasonal environment.

Before leaving Andasibe, visit a colony of Nile-crocodiles and some more indigenous lemurs. After lunch, a private vehicle will take you back to Antananarivo.

Lemur research focused on taxonomy and specimen collection during the 18th and 19th centuries. Although field observations trickled in from early explorers, modern studies of lemur ecology and behavior did not begin in earnest until the 1950s and 1960s. Initially hindered by political instability and turmoil on Madagascar during the mid-1970s, field studies resumed in the 1980s and have greatly increased our understanding of these primates. Research facilities like the Duke Lemur Center have provided research opportunities under more controlled settings. Lemurs are important for research because their mix of primitive characteristics and traits shared with anthropoid primates can yield insights on primate and human evolution. However, many lemur species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and hunting. Although local traditions generally help protect lemurs and their forests, illegal logging, widespread poverty, and political instability hinder and undermine conservation efforts.

Enjoy a private vehicle transfer to/from the Antananarivo International Airport.