Budget Madagascar Beach and Lemur Lodge Tour

January 2, 2017January 2, 2017admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

An affordable Madagascar Lodge Tour combining the idyllic beaches of Nosy Be with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing lemurs and endemic species of flora and fauna in the rainforests of Madagascar.

Kickback and relax on the sandy tropical beaches of Nosy Be and the surrounding small islands, off the coast of Madagascar. Swim, snorkel and scuba dive in the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and explore the scenic islands, enjoying an array of exciting optional activities.

Then explore the lush rainforests of Andasibe National Park, spotting the famous lemurs of Madagascar and a rich diversity of rare and endemic creatures and plants.

Itinerary for this Tour

DAY 1: Nosy Be – Madagascar

Arriving in Nosy Be, a small island off the north-western tip of Madagascar, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel on the west coast.

The beach-side hotel is set in lush tropical gardens overlooking a sandy beach on the Indian Ocean. Nosy Be is the largest of Madagascar’s offshore islands, its name meaning ‘big island’ in Malagasy. This is one of Madagascar’s most popular beach holiday destinations, featuring picturesque beaches and fragrant plants that give it the nickname – Nosy Manitra (the scented island). Aromatic ylang ylang, frangipani, vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon and sugar cane are grown on the island, which also has a Ylang Ylang distillery that can be visited.

Accommodation: Hotel (garden room with en-suite bathroom) or similar

DAY 2 to 4: Nosy Be – Madagascar

There are no set plans for days two to four on Nosy Be, leaving you free to relax and explore as you choose, at your own pace.

Between the volcanic peaks, crater lakes, idyllic beaches, surrounding islands, spice plantations and local markets there are plenty of things to do on Nosy Be. You can do a spice tour and visit the daily market in Hell-Ville. Have sundowners at a rustic bar on Mount Passot, taking in the spectacular views of the sacred volcanic crater lakes and surrounds.

You can take trips to the smaller islands nearby, including Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba. Go to Nosy Tanikely for excellent snorkelling and Nosy Sakatia for scuba diving, or visit Nosy Komba to look for semi-habituated Black Lemurs. Other optional activities include fishing trips and catamaran sailing excursions, as well as scuba diving trips.

Activities are optional and for your own account so the choice is yours, with many others to choose from.

Accommodation: Hotel (garden room with en-suite bathroom) or similar
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Nosy Be to Antananarivo to Andasibe Reserve – Madagascar

Ease into day five, enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the beach hotel. Then we set off for the airport to catch a flight (own account) to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar – the fifth largest island in the world.

The driver meets you at the airport and transfers from the city to Andasibe. We drive from the Central Highlands of Madagascar through the lush vegetation of the humid eastern region, passing rugged mountains dotted with Merina villages.

In this verdant part of the country we encounter primary-growth rainforests, waterfalls and lakes, interspersed with rice fields and a few forestry stations. After settling in at the hotel we embark on a night walk, if time allows (alternatively we do the night walk on day six). Our night walk takes us into the forests of the Andasibe area to spot nocturnal lemurs and other strange and rare creatures. About 90% of Madagascar’s plant, animal and reptile species are only found on the island and nowhere else on earth!

After our exhilarating night walk we return to the hotel for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Accommodation: Lodge (bungalows in the forest, with en-suite bathrooms & veranda) or similar
Included meals: Breakfast
Excludes: Domestic flight from Nosy Be to Antananarivo

DAY 6: Natural Reserve of Andasibe – Madagascar

On day six we have breakfast before heading into the Special Reserve of Andasibe – the southern section of the larger Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

We explore Andasibe in search of forest dwellers, especially the famous lemurs of Madagascar, along with the other unusual creatures and plants found here. Andasibe is the best place to see the largest lemurs found in Madagascar – the Indri Indri, known as Babakoto in Malagasy. The Andasibe National Park is also home to 11 other lemur species, including the endangered diademed sifaka and black-and-white ruffed lemurs.

This small reserve hosts an incredible diversity of species – including several rare, endemic and endangered plant and animal species. We may come across canopy dwellers and endemic animals such as chameleons, tenrecs and exotic birds. We also visit the Orchid Garden to see some of the over 100 orchid species found in Andasibe, many of them endemic.

After lunch at the hotel we visit the little Lemur Island in Andasibe, where we get to see numerous of lemurs up close. Many of the lemurs are tame enough to feed by hand, enabling visitors to get right up to the resident species – bamboo lemur, black & white ruffed lemur, brown lemur and diademed sifaka. After our trip to Lemur Island you are free to relax and enjoy optional activities in the area. Options include horse rides and excursions to the Private Park of Vakona (extra cost) or you can simply lounge by the pool and rest at the forest lodge.

Accommodation: Lodge (bungalows in the forest, with en-suite bathrooms & veranda) or similar
Included meals: Breakfast

DAY 7: Andasibe to Antananarivo – Madagascar

Today we have breakfast before returning to Antananarivo, stopping for lunch (own expense) at the Reptile & Butterfly Farm en route. Tonight we stay at a hotel near the airport, in Antananarivo, celebrating our journey to the sandy beaches and rare lemurs of Madagascar.

Accommodation: Hotel (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning & TV) or similar
Included meals: Breakfast