A Madagascar vacation lends itself to more than just a beach holiday. As the world's fourth biggest island there is much to explore and be seen on this Mystical Island of Madagascar. To appreciate the full diversity of the Madagascar wildlife, culture, amazing plant life and unusual Tsingy rock formations you need to travel through the forests, through villages and across the countryside, finally enjoying 3 days of relaxation on the beaches of Nosy Be Island.

This adventure holiday tour takes us to the northernmost tip of Madagascar, Diego Suarez & then south west to Nosy Be Island. Diego is situated on the shores of the second largest natural bay in the world and a strategic safe deep water harbour to shipping with dry docks and other shipping services. Due to its logistical value it saw conflict in both the World Wars as can be witnessed from the artillery gun emplacements at the entrance to the bay, still visible today.

Flight from Johannesburg to Antananarivo, meet and greet on arrival and transfer to Relais des Plateaux. Afternoon at leisure.

Afternoon optional excursions could include:
- a city tour
- the Artisans Flea Market
- or the Lemur Park just south of Tana.

DIEGO SUAREZ

After an early morning breakfast transfer to the airport to board your flight to Diego Suarez.  On arrival in Diego Suarez you enjoy a guided tour of Montagna des Francais and the incredible Three Bays – vast, mostly deserted, palmed-lined bays, lapped by the Indian Ocean.  We pass Sugarloaf island in the bay before checking in at the Allamanda Hotel in the afternoon.

 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining your driver/guide.  Today you head to the Amber Mountain National Park, a long-extinct volcano covered by primary tropical rainforest, including craters and waterfalls. The park is home to a huge array of animals and plants that have specially adapted to thrive in this moist island of biological diversity. Lemurs, birds, chameleons, geckos and truly immense rainforest trees, are among some of the natural wonders you will encounter.  After a fascinating day exploring this park you’ll head to Joffreville to overnight at Nature Lodge.  Dinner & overnight.  Named after General Joffre of the First World War who spent some time in Diego Suarez

 

Today you travel south to the Ankarana Nature Reserve stopping en route to view the unusual and distinctive limestone pinnacle formations known as the Red Tsingy.  The Red Tsingy is a geologic oddity sculpted by time and erosion into a completely unique work of nature and unlike other better-known limestone Tsingy.  Afterwards you head to Ankarana Lodge for check in.

Today the guide takes you out into the forest exploring the Ankarana East Reserve rich in endemic fauna and flora, lemurs and birds. 

Visiting some of the caves you will see stalagmites, stalactites, immense rooms, underground rivers, and fantastic fauna and flora.  You also get the opportunity to see the Grey Tsingy in Ankarana as you further explore this mystical land.

After Breakfast continue on from Ankarana past plantations of vanilla, coffee & cacao to the village of Anikify, opposite Nosy Be Island.  You are transferred to the speed boat for the 30 minute crossing to the port of Nosy Be, passing the islands of Nosy Komba on the right and the marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely on the left.  On arrival at Nosy Be harbour you will be met and transferred to the Vanila Hotel.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and overnight at VanilaHotel

 

 

Transfer to Nosy Be Airport to meet your flight back to Johannesburg