Madagascar The Wild East and Sainte Marie

Day 1: Antananarivo

Arrival at Ivato Airport and you will be met by our representative and driven to the booked hotel.

Accommodation at Tamboho Hotel or Relais des Plateaux or similar
Bed and breakfast

Day 2: Antananarivo – Andasibe Perinet Reserve

After breakfast, hit the road destination Andasibe Perinet Reserve. Nicknamed “Perinet” this is the best park for the indri (the largest lemur). The reserve is a 155 square kilometres of protected area populated by the Grey Bamboo Lemurs, the Indri Indri, the Fulvus Lemur and the Rubriventer Lemur. Here you can also see Orchids such as Eulophella, Roempleriana, Grammangi and Ellisi. Lunch at your leisure during the visit and return to accommodation in the afternoon.

Accommodation at Eulophiella Lodge or Vakona Lodge or Andasibe Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 3: Andasibe

Breakfast at the hotel. Today will be dedicated to the visit of the Pereyras-Marovezo and Analamazoatra park and to the visit of the private park of Vakona Lodge. Accommodation at the lodge.

Accommodation at Eulophiella Lodge or Vakona Lodge or Andasibe Lodge or similar
Half Board

Day 4: Andasibe – Ankanin’ny Nofy

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the 100km road that will take you to Manambato. A beautiful journey through the eastern tropical forests, banana, cocoa and coffee plantations, beautiful mountainous landscapes and typical villages of the Betsimisaraka. Arrival at Manambato, on the south-western side of Lake Rasoabe and navigate for an hour until you get to the lodge. Accommodation and dinner. Known as the ‘nest of dreams’, this peaceful and relaxing haven is home to white sand beaches, forests, scattered orchids, strings of lakes and mangroves. Located on a peninsula of about 35 hectares on the shores of Lake Ampitabe (separated from the Indian Ocean by a mere line of very thin coastal dunes, that sometimes are a few meters width only), this protected area is home to nearly 100 000 palm trees endemic to Madagascar. Ten species of lemurs live in freedom in the reserve, as well as reptiles, amphibians and crocodiles. Visitors can watch Indri Indri, sifakas, mouse and crowned lemurs and even the shy and extraordinary endangered Aye Aye. To visit this reserve you will need a local guide that will accompany you during two hours walk. Akanin’ny Nofy has few hotels with very simple bungalows built with traditional materials.

Accommodation at Palmarium Hotel or similar
Half Board

Day 5: Ankanin’ny Nofy – Tamatave

After breakfast you will navigate along the Canal des Pangalanes towards Tamatave, (Toamasina in malagas language). It is a 60 km journey. The canal was constructed under the governance of General Joseph Gallieni during the early French colonial years of 1896-1904. It was designed to facilitate transportation of goods to the main trading port of Tamatave, because shipping on the Indian Ocean was too dangerous. Along the oriental coast of Madagascar you will enjoy a beautiful chain of lagoons and lakes connected by small navigable streams. This area takes the name of Canal des Pangalanes and it is possible to navigate it for 430km from Tamatave port to Mananjary (south Manambato). During the journey you will pass by small villages, water plants and you will see the locals navigating on their dugout canoes. The canal still rules daily life in this region as it provides the main source of trade, transport and travel. Cruising by boat on the calm waters of Pangalanes is a fascinating journey through time and history as you can meet traditional Betsimisaraka villages along the banks, as well as pirogues (traditional dugout canoes), local fishermen, over-crowded ferries and rafts with straw huts carrying timber en-route to Tamatave. Villagers wave and shout at the passing boats! Arrival at the Tamatave river port in the afternoon and hotel transfer for accommodation and dinner at your leisure.

Accommodation at Neptune Hotel or similar
Half Board

6° Giorno: Tamatave – Sainte Marie

After breakfast you will have a 3 hours transfer by car to Soanierana Port, the guide will leave you and will return to Antananarivo; later you will be boarding your boat to Sainte Marie (one hour transfer). Accommodation at the hotel for four nights. Saint Marie, officially as Nosy Boraha, is a sleepy little island just 8 km off the coast of Madagascar. It is 60 kilometres long and a mere 5 kilometres wide, but its natural beauty is never ending, offering the visitor a true sense of peace and tranquillity. The island is quite easy to visit by bike and boasts one stunning beach after another where one can relax in the sun or enjoy some snorkelling in the waters.
Finally, don’t forget to a day trip to the tiny ‘Ile aux Nattes’ where you will find unspoiled tropical beaches with fine white sand, coconut and other palm trees scattered along the shore, and a turquoise lagoon protected by coral reefs and inhabited by a variety of exotic marine life. There are no motor vehicles on the small island; in fact, it is accessible only by lakana (traditional wooden canoes also known as pirogue) from Sainte Marie.

Half board or Full Board

7°- 9° Day: Sainte Marie

You will be spending those days relaxing and visiting the beautiful island. During your stay, it is possible to participate to whale watching excursions, together with experts that can answer to every question you have about this specie.
The channel between Nosy Boraha and Madagascar is a hot spot for whale watching.
In fact, from July to October, is the best period to spot the humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to this idyllic breeding place. The conditions for these beautiful species here are favorable for the grow of their young and, before leaving for the deep blue, there’s always time for some acrobatic games.

Half board or Full Board

Day 10: Sainte Marie – Antananarivo

Breakfast and airport transfer, board the Air Madagascar flight direct to Antananarivo.
Arrival and board next flight to your home destination.

Our preferred lodges in Sainte Marie

HIGH END
Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa
Lodge of charm, allying luxury and wild nature in a typically tropical environment, Princesse Bora Lodge and Spa is a warm and human sized hotel. It takes place on Sainte Marie Island, East of Madagascar, a heaven of peace, far from mass tourism. The Lodge and Spa has willpower to develop the ecotourism. The 20 villas, are integrated into a green setting and built in natural materials : cut stone, rosewood, traditional roof top with dried leaves. Each has its own private deck with chairs, hammock and footbath. In addition, the luxury villas which are closer to the sea, are larger and have a mezzanine area with twin beds, ideal for families. Activities include snorkeling, kayak or bicycle, available for free. The lodge also organize excursions to visit the island and discover the wild landscapes and small villages and boat trip to admire the humpback whales and to visit the close by Ile Aux Nattes.
The Lodge offers a very good restaurant and a wine cellar with a selection of South African, Malagasy, French or South American bottles.
The lodge Spa is built as an impluvium round house, its circular central roof collect rainwater to use its benefits in our treatments.

MID RANGE
Riake Resort
The Riake Resort and Villa combines nature and comfort in harmony with the local environment.
At the Riake Resort you will be able to enjoy the most pleasant climate on the island, a constant slight breeze maintains pleasant temperature all year long. The lodge offer different types of chalets (8 in total plus 3 villas) , all beach front. The staff will help you to organize your stay in the island, activities offered include pirogue trip to Ampanihy Bay, daily boat trip to Ile aux Nattes, daily trip to the ‘Piscines Naturelles’ (natural swimming pools), quad biking. The restaurant offers local Malagasy cuisine combined with French and Italian flavors, you will also be able to enjoy Malagasy dishes and the famous Sainte-Marie’s sauce. We also serve seafood dishes that are cooked in varied European and local Malagasy style: lobster, bonito, tuna, crabs, squid, octopus… depending on the catch of the day.