This trip to Madagascar include these highlights, Six day tour of Madagascar where you stroll through the white sand beaches of Mauritius, In Zanzibar, wander through a labyrinth of serpentine alleyways in Stone Town (a world heritage site), Witness 32 species of reptiles; and over 100 species of birds, Enjoy superb snorkeling at Nosy Hara, a World Wildlife Fund coral marine ecoregion
Day One: Arrival in Zanzibar
On your arrival, you will be picked up by the guide and transfer you to the hotel for the overnight. Dinner and overnight at Sea Cliff Resort. If you arrive early, you can go for the a tour of Jozani Natural Forest Reserve for nature walks to search for the red colobus monkey, Skye’s monkey, duikers, and more than 40 species of birds.
Day Two: Zanzibar
Today, you will tour Zanzibar’s many spice plantations, famous for their production of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, and cloves. Continue to Stone Town to walk the labyrinthine alleyways lined with fascinating Moorish, Arab, Indian, and European architecture. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and return the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Sea Cliff Resort
Day Three: Zanzibar
The guide will introduce the extraordinary natural history of this region. Be on deck to watch for the dolphins often seen cruising these waters.
Day Four: Moroni
After breakfast, you will visit one of the oldest settlements on the island, and take a short drive to view the ruins of an 18th-century palace. Continue through scenic countryside to a plantation to learn about the cultivation of ylang ylang and exotic spices. Then vgo to Moroni with a visit to the small museum, the medina, and the colorful market with a wide array of fruit, spices, and handicrafts. Or hike the trails of Karthala Volcano to search for island endemics like the Comoros blue-pigeon and bulbul.
Day Five: Mayotte
On this day, you will go to Mayotte which is part of the Comoros. You will go along the scenic southern coast to the museum that with the secrets of ylang ylang and vanilla. Or board a local ferry to Petite Terre to explore the bustling market and charming colonial architecture of Dzaoudzi. Givem enough time, you may go snorkeling in a large lagoon protected by a unique double barrier reef.
Day Six: Nosy Komba
This morning, you will go at Nosy Komba, a peaceful fishing village that is close to a small reserve for dimorphic black lemurs. Here you can observe the engaging, semi-tame lemurs up-close for excellent photographic opportunities. With luck, you may spot a Parson’s chameleon, one of the world’s largest. Spend the afternoon snorkeling at nearby Nosy Tanikely, a marine island reserve frequented by turtles, reef sharks, and large schools of colorful fish.
Day Seven: Archipelago
You will visit the archipelago of Nosy Hara which consists 12 limestone islands with white-sand beaches, karst rock cliffs, and pristine coral reefs. Board Zodiacs to explore the fascinating geology of this area and go for nature walks. Spend the afternoon snorkeling.
Day Eight: Montagne d’Ambre National Park
After breakfast, drive to Montagne d’Ambre National Park. Search for rare, localized crowned lemurs, as well as Sanford’s brown lemurs, striped mongoose, and many species of birds, including endemic Madagascar crested ibis and Amber Mountain rock-thrushes. Then later, visit Diego Suarez, the capital of the French colony in the late 1800s, with wide streets and colonial architecture.
Day Nine: Ankarana National Park
This morning, head for Ankarana National Park which is known for its dramatic landscapes: karst pinnacles, or tsingy, deep forest-filled canyons, a labyrinthine cave system, and a vast network of underground rivers. Look out for several lemur species, as well as birds typical of dry forest such as the white-breasted mesite and the Torotoroka scops-owl.
Day Ten:
The whole of this day will be spent attending sea lectures and joining naturalists on deck to search for sea birds and marine mammals.
Day Eleven: Nosy Mangabe
Go for Nosy Mangabe which is a haven for a variety of wildlife. Check out for black and white ruffed and brown mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, tree frogs, the thumbnail-sized dwarf chameleon. Return to the ship for lunch then disembark in Maroantsetra to explore the bustling market, filled with vanilla pods, cloves, and other exotic spices as well as finely woven raffia hats and bags.
Day Twelve: Masoala
After breakfast, go for Masoala national park, the biggest park on the island. Go for the hike and look out for red-ruffed and white-headed lemurs, greater hedgehog tenrecs, and ring-tailed mongoose, mantella frogs, chameleons of all sizes, and many endemic bird species including the endangered Madagascar red-owl and Madagascar serpent eagle.
Day Thirteen:
Its another exciting day, you will go for the natural history and drive through lush vegetation, then board traditional dugout canoes for a cruise through a maze of mangroves, and enjoy a refreshing swim from a lovely white-sand beach. Then, if time permits. Go for the cultural tour that visits the Pirate Cemetery, the residence of the French colonial governor, the oldest Catholic church in Madagascar, built in 1837, and the main town Ambodifotatra.
Day Fourteen: Lectures
You will relax on deck and attend lectures that highlight our intriguing final ports of call.
Day Fifteen: Reunion
Today, you will explore St. Denis, a small colonial town whose pervasive French and Creole ambiance is reflected in picturesque town squares. A breathtaking drive into the island’s dramatic mountains brings you to a volcanic crater for magnificent views. Enjoy a traditional Creole lunch, then continue on to a vanilla plantation to discover the history and the culture of this precious orchid. Birders hope to find the endemic Réunion paradise flycatcher, Réunion stonechat, and Réunion harrier.
Day Sixteen:
The final day of the trip, after breakfast, set out on a tour of the island’s scenic highlights. A drive inland takes you up to, and around, the rim of an extinct volcanic crater and the Grand Bassin sacred lake. After lunch visit a magnificent waterfall which cascades over the geologically unique “seven-colored earths of Chamarel.” Birders search the indigenous forest for the endemic pink pigeon, echo parakeet, and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board your independent homeward flight.
Trip Includes
All gratuities;
Accommodations in our hotel and on board Island Sky as outlined in the itinerary;
All onboard meals and group meals ashore
Arrival and departure transfers
Services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows;
All activities and excursions; landing and port fees