Luxury Wildlife and Beaches - A 16 Day Safari - From £2,600 per person sharing
Day 1
Met upon arrival at Antananarivo airport and transfer to your hotel where you can relax and recuperate whilst looking out over the city of Tana.
Overnight: Hotel Pallisandre – a comfortable western style hotel with a good restaurant and terrace with views over the city.
Day 2
This morning you catch an internal flight (ETD 0800hrs) from Tana northwest to Anjajavy. This unique hotel cannot be accessed by road so you are flown directly to the private airstrip. Located approximately 120km north of Majunga and on the Mozambique Channel.
Overnight: Anjajavy - a luxury hotel consisting of 25 rosewood villas with a large terrace overlooking the sea, a living room area, breakfast area and bedroom. A small staircase also leads to the first floor which you can use as an office or guest room. The bathroom consists of separate lavatories and a large bath!
Days 3-5
The next couple of days are at your disposal to relax and explore this unique area. Optional excursions include: water skiing, snorkelling, wind surfing, catamarans, fishing, boat excursions, visits to the local villages and a variety of walks to admire the local fauna and flora (chameleons, Sifaka lemur (Verreaux's propithecus), the bird of paradise and Cuvier's oplure (a type of iguana) and the fish eagle). The hotel also has a fresh water pool, a boutique and benefits from some excellent cuisine which is a mix of both western and Malagasy flavours.
Overnight: Anjajavy
Day 6
A return flight to Tana and then transfer approximately 3hrs by road to the excellent Andasibe National Park. A chance to relax upon arrival or alternatively explore the park and surrounding area. In the evening you have the opportunity to go on a night walk to see what nocturnal lemurs, civets or chameleons you can spot…!
Overnight: Vakona Lodge the most luxurious lodge in the area with 24 quiet and comfortable bungalows and also a swimming pool. Delicious food with courteous service. Horse riding is an optional extra or alternatively visit the hotel's own little reserve where you can observe former "pet lemurs" living in relative freedom. You also have the option of spotting your own wildlife just by walking along the road near the lodge!
Day 7
A day to explore Andasibe/Perinet National Park or Mantadia with your local wildlife guide. A montane forest park offering the chance to spot a variety of lemurs, reptiles and birds. One of its most famous inhabitants is the Indri, Indri - the largest of lemurs with a black and white teddy bear like appearance. You hear the Indri before you see them and waking up to their songs of communication in the early hours of the morning with the mist still hugging the rainforest canopy is a highlight of your trip to the Red Island.
Overnight: Vakona Lodge
Day 8
Transferring by 4x4 and boat you make your way northwards to the Bushouse. A cosy lodge located on the Pangalanes canals where you have the chance to explore their private nature reserve and relax on the waters edge…
Overnight: Bushhouse Lodge – hidden in the tree-line with views over Lake Ampitabe. Each bungalow has simple handcrafted furnishings, ensuite bathrooms and mosquito nets.
Days 9-10
Two full days to explore the surrounding area. Activities include the Palmarium where you can expect to see several species of lemur, endemic plants and orchids, the pitcher plants at crocodile lake, a variety of walks, go swimming in the lake or alternatively just relax on the beach or in the hammocks at your bungalow!
Overnight: Bushhouse Lodge
Day 11
Today you transfer to Toamasina enroute to the fabulous Princesse Bora Lodge. This is a transfer day and we will try to cut it out of possible dependent on local flight times at the time of booking.
Overnight: Hotel Sharon – the best hotel in town!
Day 12
A final transfer to Ile Sainte Marie and the Princesse Bora Lodge. It is just a half hour flight to Sainte Marie where you will be met by the Princesse Bora Lodge for the short transfer to their hotel.
Overnight: Princesse Bora Lodge - located along a turquoise lagoon with only fifteen villas constructed of local Malagasy materials this is an idyllic luxury eco-retreat.
Days 13-15
Relax for the next few days in this idyllic setting. A variety of activities are possible including diving (PADI lessons are available), snorkelling, relaxing by the pool. A highlight of your stay here is the opportunity to go whale watching; during the months of June – September hundreds of humpback whales come to this are for breeding. Up to 15m in length this is a spectacular opportunity to experiences these mammals up close and personal as you visit them with the research team and help them to collect vital research data. Breeching whales is an experience not to be missed…!
Overnight: Princess Bora Lodge
Day 16
Today you depart Princesse Bora Lodge with a flight back to Tana in time to catch your international flight back home.
