• Tsara Komba Lodge, Madagascar

Itinerary Summary

Duration
14 Days
Price
£6290
When
Apr - Dec
Destination
Madagascar
Type
Tailor-Made
Duration Price When Destination Type
14 Days £6290 Apr - Dec Madagascar Tailor-Made
Request a detailed itinerary

Madagascar Island Hopping

Island hop your way round the unique island of Madagascar with baobabs, turtles, lemurs and beaches on this two week bespoke safari.

On your very first day in Madagascar you will be struck by this utterly unique island continent as you travel through a patchwork landscape of rice paddies, incongruously dotted with baobabs and peppered with pockets of montane forests. Hiking in the rainforest you hear the haunting whale-like call of the indri indri before seeing this tall teddy bear like creature with its curious face and green-blue eyes. It’s a wildlife encounter you are unlikely to forget. As are the myriad coloured chameleons, displaying dazzling jewel like colours by day, and by night ghostly white shapes picked up by torchlight on night walks. In the far northwest you journey from one island to another, each more beautiful than the last and each offering up a different aspect of this archipelago. Baobabs, lemurs, and for the lucky fairly regular sightings of aye aye while at the Eden Lodge eco beach camp, mischievous black lemurs and vanilla plantations on Nosy Komba, and the quintessential tropical island paradise of Tsarabanjina fringed with palm trees and perfect white sand.

 

What makes this trip extraordinary

  • Close encounters – come face to face with indri and aye aye.
  • Baobabs on the beach & barefoot luxury.
  • Swimming with turtles at Eden Lodge Eco beach-camp.
  • Myriad fish snorkelling in Tanikely Marine Reserve.

Embedded Video Overview

A 14-day tailor-made safari, getting you well off the beaten track in Madagascar 
from $7,359 per person sharing, excluding international flights

Day by day

Day by day

Day 1

Antananarivo

On arrival into Antananarivo Airport, you will be met and assisted with currency exchange and then transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Pavillon de L'Emyrne

Day 2

Antananarivo - Andasibe

Depart in your private vehicle with your professional English speaking guide and driver for the 4 hour road journey into the eastern rainforest reserves of Andasibe. The winding route takes you past a patchwork landscape of rice paddies and red earth hilltop villages. After a late lunch at your hotel, set off for your first walk in the Analamazaotra special reserve known for its rare orchids that bloom in the forest. Here you may catch your first sight of the Indri indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur. In the evening take a night walk in the Mitsinjo community run reserve to spot nocturnal lemurs, leaf tailed geckos and chameleons.

Overnight: Andasibe Hotel (B, D)

Day 3

Andasibe - Mantadia National Park

Today you will spend the day exploring Mantadia National Park. This is 20kms north of Andasibe and offers a much more rugged experience with steeper trails but exceptional rewards. In contrast to Andasibe it comprises of virtually untouched primary forests with just a few constructed trails. Here you’ll have good chances of spotting the golden coloured Diademed sifaka as well as some indri (who, for some reason are darker than their Andasibe relatives) and black and white ruffed lemurs. The park also has some excellent bird watching including chances of seeing the scaly ground-rollers, pitta like ground roller and the red-breasted coua.

Overnight: Andasibe Hotel (B, D)

Day 4

Andasibe - Antananarivo

Rise early this morning to the haunting calls of the indri for a final walk in Andasibe before starting the return journey to the capital with photo stops en-route. Arrive late afternoon at your hotel where you have the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Pavillon de L'Emyrne (B)

Day 5

Antananarivo - Nosy Be

You will be driven to the airport for your flight to the island of Nosy Be in the far north of the country. Nosy Be, meaning `Big Island`, is the gateway to this stunning archipelago. On arrival you will be met and driven to the departure point for the thirty minute journey by boat to Eden Lodge. Located on Baobab Beach on the mainland of northwest Madagascar, far away from the bustling busy island of Nosy Be, Eden Lodge is also Madagascar’s only certified Green Globe hotel. Settle into your comfortable tented eco beach camp and enjoy the day is at leisure to relax on set out on foot to explore the natural scenery.

Overnight: Eden Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6

Nosy Be

Explore the deciduous forests around the lodge looking for black lemurs, mouse lemurs and if you are lucky the curious looking aye aye. Twenty three spectacular baobabs are dotted around in the surrounding forest. Here you can see three different species of the 8 species of baobabs found in Madagascar. swim with turtles, make use of the complimentary hobbiecat, windsurfs and sea kayaks, or arrange a river cruise in a big dugout to shower and bath in a waterfall and natural pool.

Overnight: Eden Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 7

Nosy Be - Nosy Komba

Fond farewells to your eco beach-camp as you transfer 15 minutes by boat to the island of Nosy Komba and the luxurious Nosy Komba Lodge.

Overnight: Tsara Komba Lodge (B, D)

Day 8

Nosy Komba

Nosy Komba is also known as Ambariovato, which translates as the `island surrounded by rocks`. An island covered in thick jungle rainforest, it plays home to many maki`s (ring-tailed lemurs) and Macaco (black lemurs), which you can also see at the Ampangorina Lemur Reserve. The island offers a truly rustic experience with no cars on the island, some superbly quaint and tranquil unspoilt villages like Anjiabe and a smattering of beaches and coves that remain beautifully untouched. Optional activities include: hiking through the forests, snorkelling, fishing, diving and excursions to the neighbouring islands in the archipelago.

Overnight: Tsara Komba Lodge (B, D)

Day 9

Nosy Komba - Tsarabanjina

After a leisure breakfast in the tropical gardens with ocean views, transfer by boat to Nosy be and rendezvous with the boat transfer to Tsarabanjina Island. Tsarabanjina Island is one of Madagascar's best kept secrets. Set amidst the Mitsio archipelago this is a mountainous island surrounded by beautiful white beaches, a real barefoot luxury island retreat.

Overnight: Tsarabanjina Lodge (B, D)

Days 10-11

Tsarabanjina

Enjoy two full days to enjoy Tsarabanjina. Tsarabanjina Lodge is a private island hotel with 25 uniquely constructed bungalows looking out on turquoise ocean views. A sand-floored mezzanine bar and restaurant provide a perfect evening's relaxation whilst sipping champagne. During the day, the resident diving school provides just one of the island's many activities. Other optional activities include: walks to the top of the mountain for spectacular views, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, diving, water skiing and excursions to the neighbouring islands in the archipelago.

Overnight: Tsarabanjina Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12

Tsarabanjina - Nosy Be

Depart your tropical paradise for the one hour boat transfer back to Nosy Be. Located on the northwest coast, just 8 kilometres off the mainland, the history of the ‘Perfumed Island’ of Nosy Be dates back to the 15th Century when the first Indian and Swahili settlers were thought to have arrived. Nosy Be is known for its vanilla, pepper and ylang-ylang infused air and brilliantly colourful sunsets. You will be taken on a guided excursion to Lokobe Integral Reserve to spot lemurs and the spectacular panther chameleon and then to your beach lodge for the final night of you Madagascar island hopping holiday. Manga Sao Lodge is set on a rocky hillside overlooking a large expanse of ocean far away from the busy tourist beaches of Nosy Be.

Overnight: Manga Soa Lodge (B, D)

Day 13

Nosy Be - Antananarivo

Final morning to enjoy the hotel facilities before transferring by road to Nosy Be airport for the flight to Antananarivo. On arrival, time permitting you will be taken to Andravoahangy to discover the truly unique offerings at this artisans market.

Overnight: Pavillon de L'Emyrne (B)

Day 14

Depart Antananarivo

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.

Trip Details

Trip Information

This two week luxury Madagascar island-hopping holiday combines one of the islands best known rainforest reserves with a spectacular exploration of the northern island archipelago around Nosy Be and Mitsio. Perfect for couples who love both wildlife exploration and beach relaxation in undoubtedly one of the world’s most exotic and sought after destinations.

About tailor-made safaris

A tailor-made safari is one designed according to your specific requirements, including budget, dates, personal interests, the number of people travelling, and more. This itinerary is just an example and can be refined and altered to make it perfect for you.

Find out more about this itinerary

For a detailed copy of this itinerary, please fill out the form below

By submitting this form, you confirm that you agree to our privacy policy. Please note our safaris are for a minimum of five days; we do not offer day tours.