Our Team 
Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Charles moved to Isalo, where he began his training as a local park guide. After qualifying as an official independent guide, he focused on English speaking clients and since then, he has explored almost every region of Madagascar, leading several specialist groups for Steppes. As charming as he is knowledgeable, he always maintains the best groups are the ones that ask the most questions.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Endemic Wildlife and Limestone Landscapes with New Scientist
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/09/21 | 23/09/21 | 13 days | £6,595 ex. flights | £675 | Charles Randrianantenaina | 10 Max | LIMITED | Reserve place | 25/09/21 | 07/10/21 | 13 days | £6,595 ex. flights | £675 | Charles Randrianantenaina | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Explore this richly diverse country – remarkable for its unique plants and animals. Gain behind-the-scenes access to Durrell’s projects, explore forests packed with lemurs and discover the Ankarana Reserve – a limestone landscape like nowhere else.
Start in the highland forests of Andasibe-Mantadia, home to the remarkable indri, as well as a wealth of endemic plant and animal life. Continue to the dry forest of Kirindy, where fossas and giant jumping rats survive, protected by the invaluable work of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Visit their community projects for a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation underway.
Then fly north to the lush montane forest of Amber Mountain, hiding sacred waterfalls and inch-long chameleons. Finish with the dramatic tsingy of Ankarana – an eroded karst massif that is otherworldly in its appearance. Hike both sides of this dramatic landscape, crossing hanging bridges and exploring river caves.
Introducing your expert
Charles Randrianantenaina
Travel Partner
Steppes Travel is proud to work as one of New Scientist Discovery Tours key partners, creating exciting, educational and engaging small group tours to a number of destinations worldwide. New Scientist is an English-language magazine that covers all aspects of science and technology. In 2019, they launched New Scientist Discovery Tours.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1Call of the Indri
Listen to the call of the indri – the largest lemur – echoing through primary forest.
2Conservation
Visit Durrell’s community projects in Kirindy to see the conservation work underway.
3Lemurs and Chameleons
Spot tiny chameleons and endemic lemur species in the lush forests of Amber Mountain.
4Tsingy
Explore the lunar landscape of Ankarana, with its razor-sharp tsingy formations.
Day 1
Antananarivo
Day 2
Antananarivo - Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 3
Andasibe-Mantadia
Day 4
Andasibe-Mantadia - Antananarivo
Day 5
Antananarivo - Morondava - Kirindy
Day 6
Kirindy
Day 7
Kirindy - Morondava - Diego Suarez - Amber Mountain National Park
Day 8
Amber Mountain National Park
Day 9
Amber Mountain National Park - Ankarana Special Reserve
Days 10 and 11
Ankarana Special Reserve
Day 12
Ankarana Special Reserve - Nosy Be
Days 13
Nosy Be
Day 1
Antananarivo
Arrive into Antananarivo. Literally translated as ‘City of a Thousand’, in reference to the 1,000 Merina tribe warriors, used by the king as protection of his city. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2
Antananarivo - Andasibe-Mantadia
Depart for Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. This drive takes in spectacular mountain highlands and traditional merina villages, with rice paddies stretching away into the distance.
Day 3
Andasibe-Mantadia
Head out early for a tour of Mantadia National Park, dominated by towering primary forest – sadly increasingly scarce in Madagascar.
Day 4
Andasibe-Mantadia - Antananarivo
After a final walk in the morning, depart for Antananarivo. Depending on timings, stop en route for lunch or wait until you have arrived.
Day 5
Antananarivo - Morondava - Kirindy
Drive from Morondava to Kirindy. En route, stop at the iconic Avenue of Baobabs, where ancient baobabs line either side of the road.
Day 6
Kirindy
Visit Durrell’s community projects in Kirindy to see the conservation work underway.
Day 7
Kirindy - Morondava - Diego Suarez - Amber Mountain National Park
Leave Kirindy and travel to Morondava. On arrival in Diego Suarez, you are welcomed by your guide and then begin your journey to Joffreville, the main access town for Amber Mountain National Park.
Day 8
Amber Mountain National Park
Spot tiny chameleons and endemic lemur species in the lush forests of Amber Mountain.
Day 9
Amber Mountain National Park - Ankarana Special Reserve
Drive from Amber Mountain to Ankarana East. On the way, stop at the Tsingy Rouge, a unique geological formation that is rich in iron oxide, hence the colour. The setting itself is spectacular, overlooking a number of small but beautiful canyons.
Days 10 and 11
Ankarana Special Reserve
Explore the lunar landscape of Ankarana, with its razor-sharp tsingy formations.
Day 12
Ankarana Special Reserve - Nosy Be
The western side offers a very different perspective on this spectacular landscape, since you start below the tsingy.
Days 13
Nosy Be
Depart today and transfer to the airport for your onward travel destination.
Why travel with Steppes Travel and New Scientist to Madagascar?
Our expertise in Africa, and specifically insightful and ground-breaking Madagascar group tours dates to our inception in 1989. Ina addition, our team of travel experts are some of the best in the industry and have carefully created this tour with their own expertise and knowledge of this beautiful country, Whilst many people consider Madagascar a wildlife destination, he finds the culture and landscapes just as captivating.
What happens on a typical day?
Early starts are guaranteed, as wildlife is most active during the morning. Generally, you will then return to camp around mid-morning, then head out again in the early afternoon, as the temperature cools.
What wildlife might I see during this tour?
In Andasibe, you can expect to see the indri (the largest lemur) and plenty of other lemurs. In Kirindy, the brown lemur is most prolific but the big draw here is the cat-like fossa, Madagascar’s only large carnivore.
What will the weather in Madagascar be like in September?
September is the perfect time to go, as it is when the spring arrives after the rains have ended. This is also when the lemurs have their babies and the birds start nesting. Furthermore, the rising temperatures cause reptiles to become more active.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this tour?
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it. Whilst many of the walks are easy, the temperatures do warm up during the day. The west coast, in particular, is hotter than the rest of the country, so you need to be comfortable walking in slightly warmer temperatures. We avoid the hottest part of the day.
What is the standard of accommodation on this tour?
On this trip, the accommodation aims to get you in the best locations to allow you the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in nature and allow ample time to photograph the flora and fauna that surrounds you.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of our tour experts.
If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you do not have to pay for a single room.
If you would prefer the privacy of your own room and would like this guaranteed, then the single room price supplement will apply.
Can I extend my time in Madagascar?
This tour works perfectly with an extension in Madagascar or other African countries. Speak to one of our Africa specialists for more details of possible extensions.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Andasibe-Mantadia
Andasibe-Mantadia, where the rainforest is alive with lemurs, chameleons and birds. Led by an expert wildlife guide, explore this wet, green tranche of highland jungle, home to the largest of all lemurs, the indri. Listen as their eerie calls echo through the forest – sounding like whalesong.
After dark, discover the forest’s nocturnal inhabitants, which include tenrecs, mouse lemurs and frogs, as well as countless chameleons.
Kirindy and Durrell
Kirindy Reserve, on Madagascar’s western coast. This hot, dry, lowland forest is in stark contrast to the damp, cooler climes of Andasibe. Here, visit Durrell’s conservation projects and learn about the work they are doing.
With this change in climate and ecosystem comes a whole range of different species. These included the endangered giant jumping rat, which is unique to Kirindy; Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, the world’s smallest lemur; and the fossa, a carnivorous mammal only found in Madagascar.
Amber Mountain National Park
Amber Mountain National Park, rises within sight of the ocean but – thanks to its altitude – is very different from the coastal forests below. Hike along a network of trails that cut their way through this the rainforest, passing by sacred waterfalls and crater lakes that attract birdlife.
Spot Sanford’s lemurs and crowned lemurs on branches in the canopy and, below, rely on the sharp eyesight of your guide to spot dwarf chameleons. These inch-long creatures are invisible to the uninitiated and were, until recently, the smallest discovered species of chameleon.
Ankarana East
This vast eroded landscape of limestone pinnacles and chasms is encompassed by the Ankarana Reserve, which can be accessed from both east and west.
Begin in the east, where you stand at the same level as the tsingy pinnacles and follow trails that lead you out on to this alien landscape, even crossing one of the gorges on a narrow hanging bridge. The forest beside the tsingy is rich with wildlife; look out for lemurs, boas and even land crabs.
Ankarana West
This side offers a very different perspective on this spectacular landscape – one that is best appreciated as you hike up into the tsingy at sunrise, watching as a golden light washes over the pinnacles and the distant plains below.
Why a Steppes expert-led group tour
1.Experience Matters
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
2.Size Matters
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
4.It’s about who you know
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
3.Like-Minded People
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
5.Value for money
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
6.Peace of Mind
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
ActiveSingle Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Accommodation as detailed
- Accompanied by Charles Randrianantenaina throughout your time in Madagascar
- All excursions
- All park fees
- All transfers
- Internal charter flights
What is excluded
- Drinks
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
- International flights
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
Our future tour dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/09/21 | 23/09/21 | 13 days | £6,595 ex. flights | £675 | Charles Randrianantenaina | 10 Max | LIMITED | Reserve place | 25/09/21 | 07/10/21 | 13 days | £6,595 ex. flights | £675 | Charles Randrianantenaina | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
Send us a message and one of our travel experts
will get right back to you.
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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