Catch a glimpse of the flora and fauna of Madagascar on this half-day, scenic tour that offers the best sites of the area.
Depart the pier for a scenic drive to the highest point of Miramar, to admire the views of the bay of Libanona. Continue along the coastal road with its beautiful views of the Indian Ocean to visit Flacourt Camp and Anosy Museum built under Flacourt (Governor of Madagascar from 1648 to 1655).
Arriving at the privately owned Nahampoana Reserve built in 1901, is ideal for lemur spotting. Every lemur species native to the south of Madagascar lives in this park, such as Verreaux's Sifaka, Ring-tailed Lemur or Brown Lemur, usually play in the trees and on the ground near the old colonial house. Other animals which can be observed include chameleons, tortoises, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds.
The reserves well maintained gardens, formerly named Garden of Acclimatization, cover an area of 50 hectares. Amongst the many exotic plants that can be found in the park are the Ravenala Palm, Pachypodium, Madagascar Pitcher Plant, Oil Palm, Canela Cinnamon, Lemon Eucalyptus, young Baobab Trees and the conifer Arokaria, as well as the Triangle Palm Tree which can be found only in Fort Dauphin and nowhere else in Madagascar.
Driving back to town, stop to look at local souvenirs and perhaps purchase some before returning to the pier.
Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking with steps to climb. The visit to the Nahampoana Reserve is a walking tour. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes, sun hats, sunglasses and bring your camera. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. You will encounter poverty, aggressive peddlers, and children begging for money. Guests must be aware that roads may be quite bumpy at times. Sighting of wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
The cost of providing a tour program in Madagascar is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring nations. Unfortunately this is reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Vehicles, equipment, and guides may not be up to Western standards but are the best available in this particular area.
