Almost everything is strangely different, on the Madagascar island, wildlife, the famous Madagascar hissing Cockroach, the trees, the fauna, the rock formations, everything you'll see and touch on your Madagascar holiday is seldom found anywhere else. The only place in the world where you can see lemurs dancing with their babies in the wild. The Madagascar island also has its share of beautiful beaches and magnificent untouched coral reefs enticing scuba divers and snorkelers into the warm tropical Indian Ocean waters. Madagascar island is a big country where you can return again & again and never see the same place twice. As soon as the road network is restored we intend to start self drive tours of Madagascar.

Built on the hillsides and ridges of 12 sacred hills and surrounded with rice paddy fields, Tana is an interesting place to spend a few days either at the beginning or end of your holiday. Since it is also the location of the country's major international airport, most visitors will find themselves at least passing through the city. There is a Lemur Park with a shop & restaurant just 30 minutes outside Tana which is an ideal park to visit if you are laid over for several hours awaiting your connecting flight. The Artisans Market is also worth a visit where you can 'Haggle' for bargains amongst the colourful local traders. Silk and leather goods abound but do beware of the coloured gems which are usually just coloured glass, or a afternoon City Tour covering the palace and other historical land marks.

The island has a colourful past as a Pirate's Haven (1680 to 1720) with secluded beaches, soft white sand, warm weather, swaying palms and lush vegetation. Sainte Marie has for three centuries remained the perfect example of a pristine lush green tropical island. The islands can be visited all year round except during February as this is Sainte Marie's cyclones season.

Scuba Diving: Safe from sharks, the lagoon of Sainte Marie island is endowed with significant coralline growth. Its underwater fauna is preserved as a natural heritage and first-class diving site in the Indian ocean. These and the many corals can be explored by both scuba divers and amateurs with little more than a mask, snorkel and a set of fins.

Whales: The channel between Sainte-Marie and Madagascar is a hot spot for whale watching. Between July through to September substantial groups of humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to this idyllic breeding place. These quiet giants find conditions here that are favourable for the growth of their young and well suited to their courtship and acrobatic games before the big return south towards the colder seas of Antarctica.

Scuba Diving: A popular attraction as there are many coral reef to explore with several scuba diving operation on the island. Nosy Sakatia 2km off the northwest coast of Nosy Be specialises in Scuba Diving.

A day excursion to Nosy Komba, the Lemur island, where lemurs and villagers live in harmony. Then on to nearby Nosy Tanikely where you can relax on a beautiful beach, take a small hike up to the light house or snorkel right off the beach. A tasty picnic lunch is served on the beach under the watchful eye of the friendly but curious lemur colony. Nosy Tanikely's beautiful coral has been declared a marine sanctuary. This tour is a must.

There’s also the Lokobe Reserve nature trail, on southeast Nosy Be. The islands can be visited all year except during February, as then the rains peak. Yacht Charter packages are also available.

Reminiscent of a 'wild west' movie set, Morondava is the centre of the Sakalava kingdom and their tombs. The Morondava basin is baobab country and is the gateway to many of the wonders of the western region including the Kirindy Forest, the Avenue of the Baobabs, the Tsingy de Bemaraha, Belo Sur Mer, and famous for its river rafting expeditions.

Morondava offers sandy streets and vast seashores rocked by the passage of schooners and pirogues with their sails filled by the wind. Fishing is the main activity of Morondava, pulsating with the ancient rhythms of the Vezo fishermen. Shrimp is called pink gold here, sustaining many families since the opening of a processing factory.

Tailor-made action-packed river expeditions for the adventurous, can range from one to several days to suit you. Canoeing down the meandering rivers of the region is the ideal avenue to reach natural unspoiled places, and makes for wonderfully civilized camping. How much closer can you get to nature?

Lokora: Excursions to Lokora beach is by fast motor boat travelling east through very scenic natural botanical gardens in a semi swamp land running parallel, but inland, to the coast line. A short hike over the hill with breath taking views leads you down to Lokora beach. En route view large elephant ear plants, insect eating plants, village culture, outstanding views. Lunch is served on a lovely beach next to a local fishing village. A great day of experiences.

Berenty: The 2 hour drive up from Fort Dauphin introduces you to the strange Spiny forest trees, and large Baobabs. Almost all trees in this area are heavily encrusted with spines & thorns to ensure their survival in the dry climate. The reserve borders the Mandare river and is the world’s largest Lemur reserve, and home to six different species of Lemurs. The famous dancing Lemurs, the Sifaka, are common in the park. You can choose to drive up from Fort Dauphin for the day, or, if you decide to spend the night you can also enjoy spotting the nocturnal Lemurs after dark. Binoculars and a torch are a recommended accessory.

Suggestion: Consider our Pangalanes Canal Tour - by road down to Perinet then boat trip up the canal (loads of culture, wildlife & scenery along the canal), then crossing to the Pirate island of Sainte Marie for that relaxation in the sun.

Red Tsingy, a more delicate and very unusual version on the Grey limestone Tsingy, found uniquely in several areas of Madagascar - the red Tsingy are made of sandstone and present beautiful forms.

Amber Mountain is a long-extinct volcano covered by primary tropical rainforest, including craters and waterfalls. A bewildering array of animals and plants have specially adapted to thrive in this moist 'island' of biological diversity. Lemurs, birds, chameleons, geckos, and truly immense rain forest trees, are among some of the natural wonders you will encounter.

Suggestion: consider the best of both - our Diego Suarez Tsingy Tour runs down through the Tsingy & forests to Nosy Be for some final beach relaxation.