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 13 days/12 nights in deluxe hotels and luxury safari camps. The best of South Africa and unique, exotic and seldom-visited Madagascar. You'll visit cosmopolitan Johannesburg, and visit highlights like Analamazaotra Reserve, Kruger and Mantadia National Parks, sacred Ifotaka community forests and the unique Forest of Zenavo.
Day 0 - Thursday, June 30, 2016
Depart Home on any regularly scheduled flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 1 - Friday, July 1, 2016
On arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport, You will be met by a representative and transferred by road to your hotel. The drive from OR Tambo International Airport to Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa takes about 30 minutes. Nestled in the prestigious Sandton suburb of Morningside Manor, on the magnificent Fairlawns Estate – you will find the jewel that is Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa.
Hotel: Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg, 5*
Room: Courtyard Suite
Day 2 - Saturday, July 2, 2016
 Please meet the representative in the reception area of the hotel for your transfer to O.R. Tambo International Airport for flight. The transfer time is approximately 30 minutes.
Fly from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. (Flights booked by you)
On arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, please collect your luggage and proceed through into the Arrivals Hall where an representative will meet and transfer you to Lukimbi Safari Lodge. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Lukimbi Safari Lodge is situated in the Kruger National Park, on the Lwakahle River. The Lukimbi Safari Lodge concession is the biggest in the southern section of the Kruger National Park, being 15,000 hectares in size.
Being in the Kruger National Park, the game viewing is excellent. The Lukimbi Safari Lodge is particularly lucky to be home to both white and black Rhino and the rest of The Big Five.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park, 5*
Room: Classic Suites
Day 3 - Sunday, July 3, 2016
 Enjoy game drive activities offered by the lodge. Game drives with informative Rangers, are done on private roads in open Landrovers. Alternatively, guests can take guided walks or relax in the magnificent lodge, it all happens on over 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) of exclusive use prime game and wilderness area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park, 5*
Room: Classic Suites
Day 4 - Monday, July 4, 2016
 Enjoy game drive activities offered by the lodge. Game Drives go out in the early morning and late afternoons in open Landrovers. Our Guides love to share their extensive knowledge, and work closely with our Shangaan trackers to get the best sightings. There is great communication between the two and our Trackers are encouraged to share their knowledge of local uses of herbs and trees, animals and birds.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park, 5*
Room: Classic Suites
Day 5 - Tuesday, July 5, 2016
 Please meet the representative in the reception area of the lodge for your transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Fly from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Johannesburg. (Flights booked by you)
On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, please clear customs and immigration and collect your luggage. Proceed through into the Arrivals Hall where n representative will meet you, and assist you to your Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Intercontinental O.R. Tambo International Airport , Johannesburg, 5*
Room: Deluxe Room
Day 6 - Wednesday, July 6, 2016
 Please meet you representative in the reception area of your hotel, who will assist you to the Airport for your flight to Madagascar.
Upon arrival at Antananarivo Ivato Airport, you will be met after clearing customs by your English speaking guide, then drive East to Perinet, at about 04 hours from the Capital Tana. The journey to Perinet offers first time visitors to Madagascar a gentle introduction to rural life, rice fields, red brick houses and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits line the route. Check into Vakona Forest Lodge. This is Andasibe's best tourist standard hotel, located just over 7 km from the park entrance.
Check into your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 7 - Thursday, July 7, 2016
 After breakfast, enjoy a visit of the Analamazaotra reserve with a local guide. The 810ha reserve protects the largest of all lemurs, the Indri Indri, with a barely visible tail, black-and –white markings and a surprised teddy –bear face, it is one of the most attractive lemurs, with its loud and eerily haunting calls. There are another 11 species of lemurs that live in this area and your guide will try to find some during the visit, you may find a troop of Grey Bamboo Lemurs, Common Brown Lemur, and Diademed Sifaka. It is a great place for bird watching and special ones to look out for are the Velvet Asity, Blue Coua and Nuthatch Vanga. It is also home to reptiles, invertebrates, and many orchids.
Afternoon visit of lemurs' island, where you will have the opportunity to see lemurs close to you and for unforgettable pictures.
Before dinner, set out with a local guide, who amazingly will spot for you night creatures such as lemurs, frogs, chameleons and birds.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 8 - Friday, July 8, 2016
 After breakfast, meet with your guides, then transfer on 4WD to Mantadia. This national park varies more in altitude (between 800 m and 1260 m), than the more popular reserve and consequently harbours different species, this section of Mantadia has some good trails with gorgeous views across the forest and super bird watching possibilities, including specials such as the Scaly Ground Roller, Pitta-Like Ground Roller and Red Breasted Coua. To do justice to Mantadia you need to spend a whole day in the park. This is a naturalist's goldmine with many seldom seen species of mammals, reptiles and birds.
Have picnic in the park, then in the afternoon, move to other trails for more experience.
Transfer back to Tana in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Pavillon de l'Emyrne Hotel, Antananarivo, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 9 - Saturday, July 9, 2016
 After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your Air Madagascar scheduled flight to Fort dauphin.
Upon arrival in Fort Dauphin, meet with our local English speaking guide then transfer by road to the camp. At arrival, settle into your tent and enjoy the majestic views over the river. After a barbeque lunch, of succulent grilled meats and salads, leave for a walk to the Sacred Ifotaka community forests. The forests are filled with the ancestral tombs of the local Antandroy Tribe, as well as a bewildering array of flora and fauna, unique to the spiny forest.
After a shower and freshen up, enjoy an evening aperitif on the river terrace, before a sumptuous 3-course dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Mandrare River Camp, Manafiafy
Day 10 - Sunday, July 10, 2016
 After breakfast we drive to the Sacred Gallery forests to the south of the camp, these forests are deciduous mainly tamarind, and full of wildlife, especially lemurs with large groups of Ring tailed Lemurs. In the afternoon we head up to enjoy sundowners at the Baobab, watching the sun set and moon rise with a view across the Baobabs to the mountains beyond, this is a magical experience. In the evening the local village may come to perform traditional dances, accompanied by singing and music.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Mandrare River Camp, Manafiafy
Day 11 - Monday, July 11, 2016
 After breakfast of freshly baked croissant and pain au chocolate, fresh fruits, cereals and breads, continue to one of the nearby markets to see the full rich tapestry of valley life as people who have travelled for hours or even days, buy and sell their local wares. With our expert guides to interpret all that you see, this is a rich fulfilling experience.
Returning to camp for lunch, in the mid-afternoon continue northwards to the Forest of Zenavo, this forest owned by an elderly gentleman, is excellent for night walks, we do a day into night walk first spotting Sifakas and sleeping White-foot Sportive lemurs, then once the sun has set we see two mouse lemur species, sleeping birds, chameleons, owls and sportive lemurs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Mandrare River Camp, Manafiafy
Day 12 - Tuesday, July 12, 2016
 Transfer to the airport for your Air Madagascar scheduled flight back to Tana, upon arrival MCC staff will welcome you, then transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Pavillon de l'Emyrne Hotel, Antananarivo, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 13 - Wednesday, July 13, 2016
A representative will meet you , then transfer to the airport and assistance for the check in of your outbound flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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• Accommodations for all nights as listed in the itinerary:
1 night at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg;
3 nights at Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park;
1 night at Intercontinental O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg;
2 nights at Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe;
2 nights at Pavillon de l'Emyrne Hotel, Antananarivo;
3 nights at Mandrare River Camp, Manafiafy
• Breakfast throughout; lunches & dinners as specified
• Porterage and entrance fees where applicable
• Private airport/hotel return transfers in an air conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver/guide
• Shared game drives with English speaking driver/ guide
• The services of an English speaking local guide in the reserves
• All excursions, park fees and community/environmental levies
• Domestic flight as shown in the itinerary
• All international flight costs and visa fees or assistance unless otherwise specified;
• Meals not specified in the itinerary;
• All premium drinks in the lodges and camps;
• Tips to driver/guides and rangers;
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature e.g. telephone calls, etc.;
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg
 Nestled in the prestigious Sandton suburb of Morningside Manor, on the magnificent Fairlawns Estate – you will find the jewel that is Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa.
Originally owned by the Openheimer family, the property was purchased in 1986 and remained the private residence of the current owners, John and Anna Thacker, until the establishment of Fairlawns as a Boutique Hotel in 1998.
Fairlawns consists of 40 individually-decorated suites. All have in-room refreshment bars, wireless connectivity, international adaptors and flat screen TVs – all to ensure comfort and global communication.
 Dining at the Fairlawns is designed to be elegantly smart-casual. The candlelit tables and soft music give an enchantingly intimate and romantic atmosphere to the Italian influenced décor of the terrace restaurant.
The Fairlawns Spa subscribes to a holistic approach to wellness. Only the finest products have been chosen, with the main ranges being Elemis, Dermalogica and Guinot, as well as a selection of traditional South East Asian treatments which use natural spices, clays and oils.
A 200 square metre gymnasium equipped with international class equipment, steam rooms and locker rooms is available for resident hotel guests free of charge.
Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park
 Lukimbi Safari Lodge is situated in the Kruger National Park, on the Lwakahle River. The Lukimbi Safari Lodge concession is the biggest in the southern section of the Kruger National Park, being 15,000 hectares in size.
The Lodge offers the comfort of 16 luxury suites, each with en-suite bathrooms, private lounges and decks. There are two ultra-luxurious suites with their own private swimming pools, dining areas and bathrooms.
 All 16 suites have front-row views of the riverbed. Telephones, laptop connections, hairdryers, mini-bars and tea and coffee facilities are available in every suite.
Being in the Kruger National Park, the game viewing is excellent. The Lukimbi Safari Lodge is particularly lucky to be home to both white and black Rhino and the rest of The Big Five.
Intercontinental O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
 Providing convenience, style and all the upscale facilities you'd expect from an award-winning hotel, the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel offers travellers a truly memorable Johannesburg airport hotel. Here you can enjoy a host of services and facilities, from conferencing to an indoor pool, spa and the Quills African restaurant. The sights of Gauteng's City of Gold are in easy reach should you wish to explore, with art galleries, museums, shops and game reserves nearby.
This deluxe hotel has drawn its inspiration from the African continent, capturing the culture and spirit of Africa through the use of simple shapes and symbolic artefacts.
 Accommodation features in each room include writing desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee machine, mini-bar, television with DSTV and DVD player, electronic safe, 24-room service, air-conditioning, en-suite facilities, porter service and wakeup facility.
Guests can expect traditional African cuisine from the hotel's Quills restaurant. Relaxation facilities include a massage room, steam baths and an indoor, heated swimming pool, which has a panoramic view across the Johannesburg skyline.
The 24-hour gym is equipped with the latest Techno Gym electronic bicycles, treadmills, stepper, free weights and bench-press. A steam room is located in the changing rooms. Situated on the top floor of the hotel, the gym overlooks the main airport runway.
Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe
 Escape to a tropical lush forest location in Andasibe, Madagascar, which offers visitors a wonderful encounter with nature. Located a few kilometres from the village and on the doorstep of the Andasibe National Park, Vakona Forest Lodge is a nature lover's paradise.
Surrounded by lush forests featuring bountiful vegetation and a spectacular array of wildlife species, the marvellous lodge exudes a delightful rustic charm that is perfectly in keeping with the environment. Each of the 24 charming bungalows nestles between luxuriant gardens and includes double rooms as well as family units. Enjoy soaking in the en-suite bathroom and thereafter crawl under the luxurious bed covers beautifully framed by translucent mosquito netting. Relax on the terrace / balcony whilst taking in the amazing peaceful setting, or spend time in the adorable little outside living area.
 Vakona Forest Lodge boasts a fantastic octagonal restaurant and bar with a splendid centrally positioned fireplace. Feast on the excellent variety of vegetarian and French / Malagasy / Chinese cuisine while taking in the astounding views of the forest through the full-length windows or chill on the outdoor terrace while watching the local birds around the lake. Play a game of squash, table tennis or billiards and have an invigorating swim in the fabulous sky-blue pool.
Pavillon de l'Emyrne Hotel, Antananarivo
 Located in the Isoraka area in Antananarivo, Le Pavillon de l'Emyrne is a restored colonial house with individually decorated rooms. The hotel offers a terrace and a garden.
The rooms combine modern amenities with historical charme and each comes with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, safety deposit box, and a minibar. The bathrooms are fitted with a shower.
The restaurant « La Verrière », nestled in the pretty green garden of the hotel Le Pavillon de l'Emyrne, suggests you its tasty Malagasy dish specialties.
Mandrare River Camp, Manafiafy
 Mandrare River Camp is nestled under the shade of tamarind trees on the banks of the Mandrare River which is the lifeblood of the region. Awake to the sound of the local Antandroy tribe singing as they fetch water from the river or the morning calls of the coucal and crested drongo.
In an area so richly diverse and removed from the western world culture, revel the opportunity to see first-hand the life and rich culture of the Antandroy. By protecting the Sacred Forests, where the Antandroy ancestors rest in their ornate tombs, the tribe have managed to preserve large pristine wildlife areas and through the traditions of Fady they not only protect but seem to genuinely live in harmony with their environment.
 Day and night walks will allow you to see both forests in detail and the wildlife that lives in them. In this area there are four species of lemur, the ring tailed, verreuxs sifaka, mouse and white foot sportive (both nocturnal). The birding is also exceptional with at least 15 resident species in camp and many more in the surrounding wooded areas, including scops owl, malachite kingfisher, verreaux's coua and many raptors.
The six large tents all with bathrooms to the rear of the tents, hot water is supplied on demand to fuel the bucket shower or wash basin.This is most definitely a luxury camp with grand four poster beds and delectable cuisine prepared on site from the finest of ingredients. A real treat are the fresh Parisian patisseries prepared at 4am every morning.
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