Cox & Kings announces an exclusive group departure to Madagascar September 10-25, 2009 with special guest guide, Edward Tucker Brown, Managing Director of Madagascar Classic Camping (MCC), and Cox & Kings' Indian Ocean specialist and photographer, Megan Bryant.

Edward Tucker Brown, who will join the group September 10-17, has pioneered sophisticated accommodation and service in Madagascar's south after nearly a decade of working in the luxury safari circuit of East Africa. MCC's 6-tented Mandrare River Camp represents new life in an area long dominated by one very basic lodge. His meru style camp and glowing lanterns enliven an East African ambience. The service and cuisine--imagine freshly caught lobster--qualify as first class. His rapport with the local Ifotaka community will add a fresh, cultural encounter that few have had the opportunity to experience.

Megan Bryant's work with Cox & Kings has included travels throughout Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, from the remoteness of Namibia and Botswana to snorkeling the virgin waters of northern Madagascar. Her fine arts background in photography will bode well for focused photographic outings during the trip.

Madagascar is still not widely commercialized. Small villages and communities offer unique, uncontrived cultural encounters. As the fourth largest island nation in the world, Madagascar boasts a signature biodiversity in its 86 plus varieties of lemurs, its 365 endemic reptile species and its 51% of endemic birds. Geographic marvels, such as the rare spiny forest of the south and tsingy rock formations of the north, create an otherworldly allure.

Cox & Kings' journey will cover many ecosystems. The arid south offers an intimate encounter with the Antandroy people and the endemic plants and creatures of the spiny forest, such as octopus trees and endemic orchids and palms. The montane rainforests of the central highlands showcase the largest lemur species and world-class riding horses.

Moving north, the coastal town of Antsiranana, or Diego Suarez, gives way to the northern mountains and tsingy rock formations. The tropical islands of the northeast rival the world's best beach retreats while hosting nesting sea turtles, seasonal whale migrations and charming local life. The journey tops off at Anjajavy, the only Relais & Chateaux property in the country, set along the coast in a lush forest reserve.

For more information or to book this trip, please contact our Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisors at 1-888-308-8747.