Varied trip packed with lemurs, chameleons, boats and beach
Madagascar is a wonderful destination for young and old alike. This tour to eastern Madagascar and the island of Île Sainte Marie has everything for adult travelers, but with a few minor adjustments, the trip is extra fun for young travelers. The travel distances are shorter on this route, there are extra opportunities for swimming or boating, and you will get to places where all kinds of lemurs get really close.
The call of the Indri in the rainforest
It is exciting to walk through the rainforest in search of the largest of all lemurs, the indri. It's even more exciting when those suddenly make very loud noises. It looks like a fireman's siren. From the forest comes response from other groups of indri. Then suddenly it is quiet again, time to continue looking for other lemurs, chameleons, and geckos that are almost invisible because of their perfect camouflage.
Lemurs around the hotel
By boat you will reach the Palmarium Nature Reserve, where all kinds of lemurs roam freely in the adjacent forest but also among the chalets where you will stay. The ultimate chance to see them up close, while the animals look just as curiously at you. Magical is the evening excursion by boat to an island where aye-aye live. The chances of seeing this shy and rare nocturnal animal are nowhere else.
Tropical enjoyment on Île Sainte Marie
Enjoy the last few days of sun, sea and beach on beautiful island of Nosy Boraha, better known as Île Sainte Marie. Beautiful sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms, the sea invites swimming and snorkeling. Wash the sand off your skin in a lodge where a pleasant sea breeze cools through the open windows, and enjoy tropical drinks and local specialties with fresh sea food. Where the world can't find you...
Tips and Tops Family Trip East Madagascar:
- In Andasibe, you will go into the Analamazaotra Special Reserve during the day in search of the indri and the beautiful diadem sifaka. On an evening walk, it is exciting to catch nightmares in the beam of your flashlight, and look for frogs and sleeping chameleons
- Visit the Vakona Domain near Andasibe where various species of lemurs are congregated on islands. The animals are so tame that they sometimes jump on your head or shoulder. It is also possible to take a short canoe trip between the islands, and a walk around a lake where crocodiles live. The lake is deep, the crocodiles cannot reach the path
- By shared boat, sail through the complex of stream channels and lagoons of the Pangalanes Channel to the Palmarium Reserve
- Your Palmarium Resort accommodation is located in the Palmarium Reserve, and features a sandy beach. You can swim here, and you can roam freely in the adjacent forest
- By shared boat you will sail to Tamatave, where a 4WD awaits you to drive on to Mahambo
- The crossing from Mahambo to Île Sainte Marie is by ferry boat. Another option is to fly to Île Sainte Marie from Tamatave by private charter. There are no regular domestic flights from Tamatave to the island
- For your beach stay on Île Sainte Marie, choose the luxurious and stylish Princesse Bora Lodge or the cozy Villas de Vohilava
- There is an extremely relaxed atmosphere on Île Sainte Marie, and there are no big cities. There are many ways to explore the island: by 4WD, by bike or by pousse-pousse - a kind of rickshaw
- Whales can be seen around Île Sainte Marie between early July and late September. Whale sharks come next, from October to mid-December
