The day offers a full-day excursion to the remote Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. It is one of the oldest national parks in Madagascar and, like the rest of the country, a large part of the plant and animal species you will find here are endemic to the area.

The salt lake in the national park (which is on the WWF’s list of the 200 most important ecoregions in the world – the ‘Global 200’) attracts large flocks of flamingos (between May and October), the baobab trees are some of the oldest in the world, and you may also be lucky enough to see lemurs.

Look out for the ray turtle with its beautiful pattern on its shield, which is endemic to the area. So is the striped mongoose, which is called one of the least-studied carnivores in the world, one reason being that it only lives here and another being that it is a nocturnal animal, so you are hardly likely to see it. But it is still difficult not to be a little amazed and touched by having the opportunity to visit a national park with SUCH rare animals!

You will bring your packed lunch and spend most of the day in the national park. There are several different walks here, and together with your guide, you will find the one that suits you best.

Towards the end of the day, you will head back to the lodge.