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A ring-tailed lemur in a tree in a jungle in Madagascar

Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar 2024

Challenge level: 3 out of 5

When can I go?

25 October - 3 November 2024 On Sale
Duration 10 days

What does it cost?

Registration fee (payable today) Info £399
Remaining amount
Total commitment Info

Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar 2024

Get ready to go bananas on our immersive charity challenge in the jungles and mountains of Madagascar!

This special trek for animal charities gives us the chance to explore the Andringitra National Park World Heritage Site and summit Madagascar’s highest climbable mountain, the Pic Imarivolanitra.

We'll face challenging terrain trekking through tropical rainforests and rocky mountains, with chances to spot all sorts of wildlife. Lemurs, chameleons, mongooses and more live in these areas. We’ll also visit authentic villages and experience the unique culture of this jewel in the Indian Ocean.

The best part is you get to do this all in aid of the animal shelter, sanctuary or charity of your choice. Opt to fundraise the minimum sponsorship target or self-fund your charity trek and just fundraise as much as you can. (Of course, if you hold another cause closer to your heart, you are welcome to fundraise for another charity instead.)

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Your itinerary

Days 1 & 2
UK – Ivato - Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

We begin our adventure at the airport in London, where we catch our flight to the Ivato International Airport in Madagascar. Touching down in Madagascar on Day 2, we transfer to our accommodation in the wildlife-packed Ranomofana National Park. No doubt tired from our long flight, we settle down for a relaxing evening with our first group dinner and an exciting challenge briefing from our local Challenge Leader.

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 3
Rainforest and Lemur Trek, Ranomofana National Park

After breakfast at our accommodation we set off on stunning trails through the Ranomofana National Park. Before long, we enter the thick of the tropical rainforest, where we spend the day trekking on tricky terrain and looking out for wild lemurs.

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 4
Trek Wildlife Trail and thermal baths at Ranomafana

We're in for more wildlife-watching today. After breakfast, we trek further through the Ranomafana National Park on a trail known for its incredible animal-spotting opportunities. Later in the day, we venture to the nearby natural hot springs to soothe our aching muscles in a thermal bath.

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 5
Ranomafana - Anja Community Reserve

We head to the Anja Community Reserve for a stark change of scenery and more protected species to look out for. Dwarfed by the large cliff that watches over the reserve, we trek through the woods and explore the fallen rocks in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for Maki (ring-tailed lemurs)!

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 6
Anja Community Reserve - Andringitra National Park

Madagascar isn't known for its massifs, mountains and meadows, yet the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Andringitra National Park boasts all three. We get the awesome opportunity to experience the area in all its splendour, as we trek through the mountains and tackle steep ascents for awesome panoramas.

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 7
Trek Wildlife Trail and rainforest

Now it's time to listen and look out for more of Madagascar's captivating protected species as we follow a wildlife trail through Andringitra's rainforest. Along with fourteen species of lemur, we can also watch out for chameleons, non-venemous snakes and brightly coloured birds.

We'll reveal the full details and our exciting itinerary very soon.

Day 8
Summit Imarivolanitra, Andringitra National Park

We've made it to our final day of trekking — and it's our toughest yet! After a big breakfast at our accommodation, we set off to climb the magnificent Imarivolanitra (also known as Pic Boby) the highest climbable mountain in Madagascar!

Believed by the Malagasy to be sacred, Imarivolanitra means ‘close to the sky’, a very fitting name, considering it reaches a breathtaking 2,658m above sea level. It's a gruelling climb with rocky, uneven terrain, but with the thought of the finish line ahead, we push on to the peak. Just wait for the views! Standing this high on the planet, we can see for miles across Madagascar's mountains, towns and rainforests. After taking a film full of photos, we make our descent and revel in the mighty sense of achievement.

Tonight we make a toast to our epic accomplishment with a special Celebration Dinner. Then it's to bed to rest up before our long journey home. 

We'll reveal the full details and our expertly crafted itinerary very soon.

Days 9 & 10
Madagascar - UK

Days 9 and 10 see us transferring to the international airport and catching our overnight flight. Touching down in London on Day 10, we say our goodbyes and you make your own way home.

We'll reveal the full details and our expertly crafted itinerary very soon.

Book my place

Funding options

Sponsorship

Pay your registration fee (£399) and airport taxes/fuel surcharge (capped at £475), and fundraise £5,190 or more for your chosen charity or animal shelter/sanctuary.

£5,190

Minimum sponsorship target

  • Pay a non-refundable registration fee of £399, which is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.
  • Fundraise the minimum sponsorship target of £5,190 for a charity, animal shelter or sanctuary of your choice at least 12 weeks before your challenge.
  • Providing you have raised the funds, the charity you are supporting will pay the challenge costs of £2,595 on your behalf.
  • The challenge costs cover flights (excluding airport taxes and fuel surcharge, capped at £475), food, accommodation, transfers and luggage transportation, entry fees, guides, and medical support, including a UK-registered doctor with expedition medicine training.
  • Please also remember to budget for your visa and your airport taxes and fuel surcharge. These won't be covered in the challenge costs so you'll need to pay them separately (capped at £475).
  • Please note that not all charities are happy to commit to the minimum sponsorship option. If you choose this option, we contact the charity you want to support on your behalf. If they are not happy with the minimum sponsorship option, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Book my place

Self Funded

Pay the registration fee (£399) and challenge costs (£2,595) + airport taxes/fuel surcharge (capped at £475).

£2,595

Pay the balance

  • Pay a non-refundable registration fee of £399, which is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.
  • Pay the challenge costs of £2,595 yourself 12 weeks before your challenge starts.
  • The challenge costs cover flights (excluding airport taxes and fuel surcharge, capped at £475), food, accommodation, transfers and luggage transportation, entry fees, guides, and medical support, including a UK-registered doctor with expedition medicine training.
  • Please also remember to budget for your visa and your airport taxes and fuel surcharge. These won't be covered in the challenge costs so you'll need to pay them separately (capped at £475).
  • Choose to fundraise as much as you can for the charity, animal shelter or sanctuary of your choice or make a personal donation.
Book my place

FAQs
Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar 2024

Our charity trek in Madagascar is not about living in the gym. Loads of people who sign up for our non-competitive charity challenges have low levels of fitness when they register. The point is to train, do your best, and reach your fitness goal while making a big difference for the charity that means the most to you.

That said, we strongly recommend you train for Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar. We'll face long days trekking in humidity, encounter steep climbs and tackle a lot of uneven terrains. Please invest in a pair of quality hiking boots with ankle support to wear during your training and on your trek in Madagascar, as these are essential for walking on uneven terrain. We also recommend incorporating hills in your training walks.

Our supportive challenge guides and community spirit will help you conquer the trek of a lifetime. You're also likely to improve your mental health and well-being.

Once you register for Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar 2024, we'll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for Madagascar. You can also check out our top trekking tips here and our indoor training ideas for the days you don't feel like facing the weather!

Everyone who is 18 years old or over by the departure date is more than welcome to join this wildlife-packed overseas challenge. We'll have adults of all ages taking part to achieve something awesome for charity — one of the many things that make our charity challenges so special

If you would like someone under the age of 18 to join you on our trek, please contact us to discuss (01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own. Our challenges around the world are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made, as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for our wildlife trek in Madagascar. Please use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow trekkers on your training and fundraising.

You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your trekking challenge for charity and we will support you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you have registered, we will send you a Welcome Pack with everything you need to know about your challenge, including the itinerary, an example insurance policy, details about our challenge destination in Madagascar and the weather we can expect on our trek, the structure of an average trekking day, a full kit list, and a realistic training plan to help you get fit for the challenge. The training programme builds up gradually as the trek gets closer.

We'll also send you regular updates in the lead-up to the adventure, with more important details and seasonal fundraising ideas. During the trek, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group at all times, along with a team of outdoor remote first-aid trained challenge guides.

Your non-refundable registration fee of £399 per person is used to administer the challenge.

Your challenge costs of £2,595 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the Sponsorship option) cover:

  • Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, capped at £475).
  • Meals throughout the challenge in Madagascar.
  • Accommodation.
  • All transfers and luggage transportation in Madagascar.
  • A team of awesome, outdoor remote first aid trained guides and Dream Challenges staff.
  • Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your challenge.
  • Medical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.
  • Your Walk on the Wild Side Trek Madagascar 2024 medal.

You will need a pair of quality walking boots with ankle support — these are essential for trekking on uneven terrain. Please also bring a 2-litre water bottle.

We'll supply you with a full kit list for your overseas trekking challenge well before we leave for Madagascar.

In addition to paying your registration fee (£399) and either self-funding your challenge costs (£2,595) or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target (£5,190), you'll need to budget for your:

  • Tourist visa for Madagascar.
  • Your airport taxes and fuel surcharge (capped at £475).
  • Travel to and from the airport in the UK.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Gratuities.
  • Personal expenses.

Yes of course! If you would like to extend your stay in Madagascar, please let us know at least 17 weeks before our departure date and we can arrange this for you.

The easiest way to get in touch is by emailing us at bookings@dream-challenges.com or calling us on 01590 646410 (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday)

Our Dream Challenges are renowned for their camaraderie, but we find that the strongest bonds are formed in smaller groups. We'll travel in a group of around 20-30 people and you're likely to make friends for life! 

Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation. Please arrange your insurance as soon as you can after you sign up to ensure you have coverage for your booking as well as the challenge.

In your Welcome Pack, you will receive information about an insurance provider that specialises in our type of overseas challenges and also covers you for cancellation due to medically-diagnosed COVID-19.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in Madagascar. Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your challenge.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your charity trek.

Visa
You will need to arrange your tourist visa for Madagascar. We will send you details on how to apply as our overseas challenge gets closer.

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

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