You are here: Choose Your Destination > Africa>

Madagascar:

• Area: 594,180 sq km
• Capital: Antananarivo (Tana) (pop 588,000)
• Currency: Malagasy Franc
• Climate: hot with sub tropical weather. From November to March it's summer which is also known as hurricane season. From April to October it's winter, its dry and the temperature is mild.
• People: Eighteen major ethnic groups, including Malayo-Indonesian, African, Arab, French, Indian, Creole and Comoran
• Official Language: Malagasy, French
• Time: GMT plus three hours

Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa, the 4th largest island in the world. A unique beach and island safari destination, it is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species, 80 per cent of them unique to Madagascar. Most famous among those are the lemurs. Its teeming fertile forests and geographical isolation have served to preserve and propagate 'nature's design laboratory' in a mix found nowhere else on earth.

Best Time to travel: With Monsoon time from December through to March the best time to travel to Madagascar is in general February to December. Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April; and dry season with a cooler temperature from May to October. There is, however, great variation in climate owing to elevation and position relative to dominant winds.

                                     

Madagascar has much to offer its visitors from a cultural tour to a beach holiday and the many special interests like scuba diving, birding, kite surfing, surfing, fishing etc.

*Choose from one of these itineraries:

Madagascar East - 8 days at US$540 per person
Explore the beautiful east of Madagascar and get in touch with the Indri lemurs, the largest of the lemur species, as well as brown lemurs and bamboo lemurs. Also explore the wonderful island paradise, Sainte Marie. Contact us to join this tour.

Madagascar Masoala - 8 days at US$685 per person
Experience places with a beautiful riverine scenery where the scent of vanilla and cloves fills the air. During your walks through the forests you will see reptiles, birds, lemurs and orchids as well as rare and unique species such as the green lizard, the red owl, the tomato frog or the serpent eagle. Excellent opportunities for sea kayaking and snorkelling. Contact us to join this tour.

Madagascar North - 8 days at US$900 per person
Enjoy the remoteness and beauty of Madagascar's north and one of the most beautiful National Parks Madagascar has to offer - the Montagne d'Ambre National Park with its different kind of lemurs, chameleons, waterfalls and crater lakes. See breathtaking rock formations called the Tsingy in Ankarana National Park before relaxing on the beaches of Nosy Be. Contact us to join this tour.

Madagascar South and Morondava - 15 days at US$925 per person
Explore the real Madagascar, its people and its scenery while travelling by car along Madagascar's roads from the capital Antananarivo to the white sandy beaches along the south-western coastline. See lemurs, chameleons and birds while visiting national parks. Stop at colourful markets in the smaller towns along the road. Once you have reached the coast you will be spoilt by endless white beaches and crystal blue warm water. The coastal vibe will invite you to relax for the last 4 days of your trip! Contact us to join this tour.

                                      

Feature itinerary:

7-Day Island-hopping around Nosy Be.

 

Enjoy the island-hopping lifestyle in our own exclusive-use Dhow. Camp out on a peaceful island where you won't find another soul, snorkel with whale sharks, fish for game fish and relax on unspoilt beaches - this is the ultimate paradise.

Highlights: Nosy Be, Whale Sharks (in Season), Nosy Iranja, Russian Bay, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Komba

ITINERARY:

 

	Day 1 Arrive Nosy Be. You will be met by the Skipper, tour guide and captain of the dhow, and transferred to the Bed & Breakfast in the tiny fishing village of Ambatoloaka, set on a long beach with spectacular views, overlooking the sea. Restaurants and nightlife for you to explore at your own leisure and own expense.
	Day 2 Ankazoberevina and Camp at Russian Bay. An early start prepares us for the crossing to Russian Bay (also known as Ambavatory Bay). We leave the port of Hell-Ville stopping off for lunch on the island of Ankazoberevina. Snorkeling over the soft corals with their vivid colours, proves to be an awe-inspiring experience around this little island. With a bit of luck, we may be able to spot the ring-tailed Lemurs while stepping on to Terre Firma. Moving on to Russian Bay, a fine shelter for boats in the cyclone season, we set up camp on some vast and desolate beach. [BLD]
	Day 3-4 Nosy Iranja. Sail 14 miles to Nosy Iranja (Island of Turtles) which lies south west of Nosy Be consisting of two islands, the larger and inhabited Nosy Iranja Be and the smaller Nosy Iranja Kely. The islands are connected by a 1.5 km long sand bar, negotiable on foot at low tide. We set up camp and enjoy the last of dusk from pristine white sands for the next two evenings after 2 enjoyable days of sailing, snorkeling and fishing. [BLD, BLD]
	Day 5 After a healthy breakfast on board we head back north and sail to our destination of the day – Mahalina. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the beautiful surroundings, or kayaking up the mangrove swamps. The area is great for snorkelling, fishing and spear-fishing. [BLD]
	Day 6 Nosy Tanikely, Lokobe. We set sail to Nosy Tanikely (located only a few miles south of Nosy Be), a marine reserve teeming with underwater flora and fauna, allowing us the chance for some superb snorkeling in warm waters with great visibility. After lunch, we leisurely make our way to a deserted beach encompassed by the Lokobe reserve where we set camp for the next 2 nights. [BLD]
	Day 7 Hell-Ville and end of Dhow experience. Sail back to Hell-Ville port where our dhow adventure comes to an end Catch your return flight home or we suggest spending a few days leisure on the island. Hire a motorbike or bicycle and explore the intoxicating island of Nosy Be with its exotic spices, sunny cafes and quaint boutiques, before heading back home a few days later. [B] END OF SERVICES.
	Tour Cost: US$ 725 per person Group Size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10 Type of Safari: Participation camping safari

Includes:
Use of full camping equipment, all sea transport in a fully equipped motorized Dhow, transfer from airport to Bed & Breakfast in Ambatoloaka.
Meal Key B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Excludes:
All optional excursions mentioned in the program, all personal expenses, insurance for luggage, tips, drinks, and laundry. Snorkelling, diving and fishing equipment. Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.

Departure Dates:
Departs every Saturday from May to December.

Contact us to join this 7 day tour or for further information.

Tailor-Made Travel: We can tailor-make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget.