We invite you to explore the uniqueness of Madagascar, often called the “eighth continent,” and for good reason: the island nation, though technically belonging to Africa, defies categorization. Located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of the African continent, Madagascar is home to dancing lemurs, landscapes studded with mighty baobab trees, and unusual reptiles and insects.

For the past 88 million years, Madagascar has been left in almost complete evolutionary isolation, resulting in unparalleled biodiversity. Scientists estimate that 80 to 90 percent of the country’s flora and fauna are unique to the island. Birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts can seek out its many endemic species. More than a third of its recorded bird species are also endemic.

This amazing biological diversity is supported by landscapes and ecosystems that include rainforests, cloud forests, spiny forests, deserts, savannas, wetlands, karst limestone formations, beaches, and coral reefs. The rust-colored soils of the central highlands lend the country its other nickname, the “Great Red Island.” Though many areas are protected, the country’s habitats are under extreme pressure from deforestation and mining activities. Opportunities to study biodiversity, geology, sustainability and conservation are abundant.

We’ll also explore Madagascar’s human history, which is relatively recent; it’s believed humans first arrived to the island only 2,000 or so years ago. The country’s population has become a mix of the early Indonesian cultures that first settled here, as well as African, Arab, and French.

We’re also working on adding additional people-oriented, economy-based activities, and possibly staying at a hotel in Antsirabe that is rooted in local social projects. We’ll include multiple talks on developing tourism and ecological endeavors.

From the capital city of Antananarivo to the lush cloud forests of Ranomafana and the spiny forests of Berenty, we will explore the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage and learn more about this mystical and welcoming island.

Use the Register Now button above to join us, or see more details below.

The island is an adventurer’s and nature-lover’s dream. It’s not crowded with tourists and its isolation from the main continent means its biodiversity is unparalleled. Here are 4 more reasons to visit Madagascar now.

Lemurs!
They’re found only in Madagascar and they’re seriously adorable creatures. They’re also almost all now officially endangered, according to New Scientist.

Koba
This local cake, made of peanuts and rice flour, looks nothing like the Western desserts you’re used to.

Baobab Trees
Madagascar hosts six of the eight species of baobab trees, also known as the bottle tree and the mother of the forest. Walk among them to feel the force of nature.

The People and the Culture
The island’s inhabitants come from multiple origins and there are a variety of ethnic groups with their own sets of beliefs and ways of life.

This program was custom designed to introduce you to the unique flora, fauna, and culture of Madagascar.

This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. Included meals are listed as BLD.

Friday, Oct 6                                               Depart USA
Departures on individual bookings from your home town.

Saturday, Oct 7                                          Antananarivo    Relais Des Plateaux
Arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar, most likely on a late night flight. You’ll be met by a local guide for transfer to the hotel.  Room type – Classic

Sunday, Oct 8                                             Antananarivo    Relais Des Plateaux (BLD)
Morning free to recover at your own pace from a long couple of travel days. After lunch and an orientation, receive an overview Madagascar’s political, economic, and diverse environments as well as the cultural heart of its people. Group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday, Oct 9                                           Andasibe          Vakona Forest Lodge (BLD)
After breakfast, drive to Andasibe. Check in at the hotel and then set out to visit Lemur Island, established by Vakona Lodge to provide sanctuary for displaced lemurs that were former pets and not suited for reintroduction into the wild. The lemurs are isolated on the island and accustomed to human visitors, which offers guests the unique opportunity to interact and be photographed with them. Group dinner overlooking the Madagascan rainforest. Room type – Bungalow

Tuesday, Oct 10                                         Andasibe          Vakona Forest Lodge (BLD)
Rise early for breakfast and a full–day exploration of the Analamazaotra Reserve in Andasibe–Mantadia National Park. The primary forests of Andasibe–Mantadia contain a dense humid forest covered with lianas, moss, fern trees, and more than 100 orchids species. Other common plants growing here are Pandanus utilis, traveler’s tree, tambourissa, bamboos and some precious wood, like palisander and ebano. Conservation of the forest is a critical challenge in this region due to the graphite mines inside the park; we will discuss conservation initiatives as they relate to natural resources. Later today, take an evening walk in the Mitsinjo Analamazaotra Forest Station, a community–managed protected area, to look for nocturnal species of lemurs and tree frogs such as the locally endemic Goodman’s mouse lemur, furry–eared dwarf lemur, hairy–eared dwarf lemur, leaf–tailed geckos, as well as tree frogs Boophis viridis and Boophis pyrrhus.

Wednesday, Oct 11                                  Andasibe          Vakona Forest Lodge (BLD)
This morning, have breakfast while listening to the peculiar call of the endangered Indri Indri, the largest living lemurs (some reach up to three feet tall). Andasibe–Mantadia National Park is an ideal place to observe the Indri, as there are some Indri families there who have been habituated to humans. Considered a sacred animal in Madagascar, the Indri is the focus of several myths. In addition to the Indri, 13 lemur species can also be seen at Andasibe–Mantadia: woody lemur, grey bamboo lemur, diademed sifaka, brown lemur, red mouse lemur, red–bellied lemur, black–and–white ruffed lemur, and aye–aye. These forests are also home to 15 other mammal species, more than 100 types of birds, 50 species of reptiles, and 80 amphibian species.

Thursday, Oct 12                                       Antananarivo       Royal Palissandre (BLD)
This morning have breakfast, check out of the hotel, and then transfer back to Antananarivo. Group lunch at a local restaurant and group dinner at the hotel. Room type – Standard

Friday, Oct 13                                             Antsirabe       Guesthouse Madalief (BLD)
After breakfast begin the drive to Antsirabe. En route, visit the small town of Ambatolampy and its aluminum pot factory for a glimpse into this Madagascan industry. Though this factory is small–scale, one craftsman can still make as many as 20 of these robust pots per day. Visit the local market to hear about the seasonality of foods available and how commerce works here. Have lunch at the Rendezvous des pêcheurs in town and then continue to Antsirabe. After checking in, group dinner at the hotel. This evening we’ll hear from a Madalief Foundation representative on social work and projects. Room type – Standard

Saturday, Oct 14                                       Ranomofana National Park   Setam Lodge (BLD)
After breakfast, transfer to the mountainous Ranomafana National Park, situated on the edge of Madagascar’s High Plateau with elevations ranging from 1,640 to 4,921 feet. Ranomafana contains a variety of forest and is part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage Site. It has served as a model for subsequent parks and reserves in Madagascar and abroad. En route, stop in Ambositra to visit a local workshop and discuss local commerce in rural Madagascar. Check in at the lodge and have dinner. This evening take a walk along the road bordering the national park in search of nocturnal species like chameleons and mouse lemurs. Room type – Standard

Sunday, Oct 15                                           Ranomofana National Park   Setam Lodge (BLD)
After breakfast, hike in the 102,000–acre Ranomafana National Park. Please note that hikes are moderately difficult and uphill on the way in, and often include off–trail experiences. The pace will be based on the physical ability of the participants. Ranomafana’s rainforest is home to the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur, golden bamboo lemur, and 11 other lemur species, plus species of precious wood, palm trees, orchids, and carnivorous plants. Have lunch at Centre ValBio (CVB), a world–famous research station established in 2003 and managed by Stony Brook University. Run by Dr. Patricia Wright, the accomplished American primatologist and conservationist, the CVB focuses on biodiversity, community health, environmental arts, and reforestation. After lunch, receive a presentation on the flora, fauna, and research efforts at ValBio. Then, visit the local market in Ranomofana. Next, visit Tanala village, where we’ll spend time with the king of this tribe, as well as sing and dance with villagers. Group dinner at the hotel.

Monday, Oct 16                                         Isalo National Park    Le Relais de la Reine (BLD)
After breakfast, begin the journey to the Great South and Madagascar’s most–visited park: Isalo. The day’s drive is along some of the best roads in the country and the scenery is breathtaking. En route, stop at Anja Community Reserve, a 30–hectare forest managed by the local community, and a vital example of sustainable tourism in Madagascar. The reserve boasts a diverse variety of endemic species, including several families of orchids and saxicolous plants. The target here is the ring–tailed lemur. Group lunch in a nearby restaurant, then continue the journey to Isalo. After a long day of driving, check in to the hotel, have dinner, and rest in anticipation of Isalo and its beautiful landscapes of sandstone canyons, fauna and flora, natural swimming pools, and waterfalls. Room type – Standard

Tuesday, Oct 17                                         Isalo National Park    Le Relais de la Reine (BLD)
Spend the day exploring Isalo National Park, a continental sandstone plateau dating to Jurassic times. This trek is across varied landscapes with different forms of sandstones, dotted with the famous dwarf baobab. After an hour walk with short climbs, stop to rest in a spectacular valley with beautiful views. The overlook shows miles of azure sky, rocky desert, and winding greenery. Trek to a white–sand natural pool for a swim, then hike back to the starting point. Transfer back to the hotel for a sundowner, then dinner.

Wednesday, Oct 18                                  Ifaty                       Le Paradisier (BLD)
This morning, continue the final leg southward. Stop at Antsokay Arboretum, a 100–acre site created in 1980 by amateur Swiss biologist Hermann Petignat and dedicated to conservation of the country’s endemic flora. Continue to the seaside town of Toliara, situated near the Tropic of Capricorn. Room type – Bungalow

Thursday, Oct 19                                       Ifaty                       Le Paradisier (BLD)
Rise early for a special sunrise walk in Reniala Private Reserve, managed by a local environmental association working to develop ecotourism in the area. Hike some of the trails to explore the spiny forest, a unique ecosystem which only occurs in the southwest Madagascar. The reserve contains more than 2000 plant species, as well as impressively old baobabs – including one that is 41 feet in diameter. There are also 65 species of birds; rare endemics such as the Red–capped Coua and the Blue Vanga can easily be seen. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast, and explore the beach or hotel amenities. Group “farewell” dinner under the baobab trees.

Friday, Oct 20                                             Antananarivo    Relais Des Plateaux (BLD)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo. Group dinner at the hotel. Room type – Classic

Saturday, Oct 21                                       Depart        Relais Des Plateaux Day Room (BL)
Today explore the city during a drive to Ambohimanga Royal Hill, a hilltop fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the palace dwellings and heritage of Madagascar, then head to lunch at an open–air restaurant. The traditional meal will also be accompanied by the singing and dancing of a local dance troupe. Return to the hotel for dinner on your own and time to pack. This evening transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S.

Sunday, Oct 22                                           U.S. Arrival
Arrive back in the U.S. Welcome home!

Alumni & Family Travel Director Heidi Quiram connected with Sandy Schmidt, Specialty Travel Consultant at Holbrook Travel, for insights into Holbrook’s success, past, present, and future.

Please tell us a little about Holbrook Travel: your start, what kinds of programs you offer, your values.
Such a fabulous question and one I never tire of telling. Our founder Giovanna Holbrook began her company by taking an amazing group of intrepid travelers from her community in Gainesville, FL, to the Galapagos Islands in 1974, accompanied by leading scientists of Biology and Lepidoptera. It was not long before Holbrook had a presence in the eco-tourism business long before the term was coined, and brought people to various countries in Central and South America, as well as Western and Southern Africa. The offerings have widened over the years to some of the Asian and Pacific countries, as well as Iceland and both polar regions. And our new domestic travel options are amazing! Primarily, our company has been nature oriented, even drilling down to specific birding, photography, and garden tours that have been extremely well received over the years. As well, in 1985, Giovanna saved over 500 acres in the Sarapiqui Valley from being clear cut, and developed what is now one of the most famous eco-lodges in Costa Rica – Selva Verde Lodge. She is a legend in my eyes, and many, many others throughout the world.

Always and forever, Holbrook has been a company based on a true commitment to our mission statement, our love of the places we visit and for many of us consider our second home, and the integrity and family atmosphere of our company.

Have you been able to run group trips this year and if so, to what parts of the world?
Absolutely, our tours were running until early to mid-March, the last safely coming home from Colombia and the Galapagos Islands. But it was business as usual prior to that time, with tours from Antarctica to Mexico to Costa Rica. After that it came to a halt, of course, but we’ve been very busy speaking with travel planners, setting up future tours, and hearing from our individual travelers, whom we work with as well.

What do you hope the future of travel will look like? (I.e., how might the pandemic change travel for the better?)
I truly hope and trust that people have learned lessons from this crisis, will work together to tackle climate change for the sake of the planet like never before, and appreciate every opportunity they have to visit different indigenous cultures, soak in rich laden forests, and experience breathtaking landscapes that are all new to them, and need their love and support! This can be eye-opening at any age, and so needed in this time of social and environmental unrest.

What else would you like prospective St. Olaf travelers to know?
The Holbrook family atmosphere is something that is felt by our clients in many ways, and has proven over the years to elevate our welcome into numerous circles and opportunities internationally and locally. Please visit our website to learn more about us, watch our videos and webinars — especially valuable are the videos that Giovanna Holbrook is featured if you’d like to get to know our “soul” (keep in mind her lovely daughter Andrea is our President, so that “soul” part is very much in attendance!) — and feel free to make yourself known via email or phone, and especially via St. Olaf and Heidi Quiram, who have been fabulous partners on special departures in the past to Cuba and Costa Rica; we can’t wait to have folks continue to register for the upcoming Madagascar and Monarchs in Mexico tours! And of course, we look forward to the future with our offerings for St. Olaf. Stay tuned — excitement is in the air!

Expect an adventure! We’ll experience up-close observation of the behaviors and interactions of wildlife in their native habitats.

We’ll move between cities by air-conditioned private motor coach. The highway infrastructure can be inconsistent; some roads are quite good and others are more rustic. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot. Hotels will be tourist class (three-star or higher) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

UPDATED COVID INFORMATION

St. Olaf recommends you be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any recommended boosters for your age or health group, before departure. You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about recommended vaccinations for this destination. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

Masks may continue to be recommended or required in certain spaces, so you should be sure to pack a few quality masks like N95 or KN95.

The travel insurance included with your program fee covers illness overseas, including covid. You can read more, including the full FAQ and a Summary document, on our Travel Insurance page.

Inclusions and exclusions vary from program to program. Please read the following information carefully.

The program fee is $7,511 per person. Based on double occupancy, the fee will include a Full-time tour manager/national guide • Discussions led by naturalists • Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in itinerary  • Private vehicle transportation except airport transfers in your home town  • Non-alcoholic beverages with meals  •  Internal flights • All tips/gratuities • Bottled water on the bus • Carbon offset • Departure tax • some limited medical coverage while overseas. A supplement of $950 applies for single occupancy.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Madagascar is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: Airfare between your home town and Madagascar • Airport transfers in your home town • Required tourist entry visa • Any passport fees • Any recommended immunizations or vaccinations • Baggage insurance • Trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage • Non-alcoholic beverages at group meals Housekeeping tips • Porter tips, if you choose to engage them at hotels • Laundry • Dry cleaning • Phone charges • Room service or other items of a personal nature • Expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities • Meals not specifically included on program itinerary • Items not specifically listed above as included.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program.

Because of ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it is possible that a program could be postponed. In such a case, while we will strive to make full refunds when we can, there are certain expenses that may not be refunded to either St. Olaf or the participant.

Deposit due:                  $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:  $200 until January 14, 2023. If the deposit is made after January 14, 2023 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:   $4,000 by January 15, 2023
Refund if you cancel:    $2,000 until June 14, 2023

Final payment due:        June 15, 2023
Refund if you cancel:    None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

See the partial travel insurance included with your program fee.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport. A visa is required and may be purchased at the port of entry for stays of less than three months. Visas may be purchased with U.S. dollars, euros, or Malagasy ariary; credit cards are not accepted. Make sure you have a blank visa page and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. Department of State for instructions.

Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Mark the dates of October 6–22, 2023. Do NOT book your flights until we announce the program is a GO.

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