The East main spot and Whale Safari to Sainte Marie Island in 11 days
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Duration
11 days / 10 nights -
Travel style
Discovery and wildlife -
Location
Sainte Marie
Tour Details
Availability: All year round but for very interesting from July to September for the WHALE SAFARI
Operated by: Madagascar Tourism Expeditions.
Ideal for observing lemurs and many other animals, The Madagascar Eastern part is very specific with its evergreen tropical forests along the escarpments. Under this immense forested canopy, a countless number of species had found an ideal habitat.
The magnificent beach is also a major tourist attraction for the region, especially during the famous “Whale safari” season which takes every year from July to September. During this period, The Humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to this idyllic breeding place: The channel between Sainte Marie Island and Madagascar.
What to expect
Highlights: The rainforests of Andasibe - Palmarium Reserve – Sailing along Pangalane channel – Sainte Marie Island
Activities: Birdwatching – Wildlife expeditions into National Park – Hiking – Indri Safari – Aye Aye – Whale Safari – Beach stays.
Difficulty: Medium
Holiday Type: Tailor-made
You will visit: The Eastern Part of Madagascar
Trip style: Wildlife Enthusiast - Groups – Photographers – Family – Couple - Honeymooners
Comfort level: Standard to high
Transportation: 4*4 - Minibus (depending on group size)
Physical demand: May include activities like walks and hikes
Tour Plan
Day 1 Arrival in Antananarivo
Arrival at the international airport of Antananarivo.
After immigration and customs formalities, meet and greet with your English speaking driver/guide. Proceed to money exchange then transfer to the hotel which is situated in the city centre.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Antananarivo – Andasibe
After breakfast, drive to the eastern part of Madagascar, to reach Andasibe or Perinet. After about 4 hours drive on the national road with stop on the way, arrive at destination by lunch time. Afternoon visit of the private park of Vakona where you will start the wildlife expeditions: spot lemurs, birds, crocodiles etc…followed by an evening walk to spot night active wildlife.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Andasibe – Expeditions into Mantadia National Park
After breakfast, begin a day expedition to the Mantadia side of the national park with pic nic lunch.
Here you will have the chance to see species such as the Diademed Sifaka, Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemur and the Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Mantadia national park is also a home to some of the ground welling birds such as the Pitta-like Ground Roller, Short Legged Ground Roller, Blue Coua, Paradise Fly Catcher and some Asities.
Then walk to a nearby natural pool, spotting more animals along the way. After this day expedition, you will drive back to the hotel for a short break then go on for another evening walk. You may see animals such as the Brookesia; Leaf tailed Gecko and Parson’s Chameleon during this visit.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Andasibe – Expedition into Analamazaotra National Park – Ankanin’Ny Nofy
This morning after breakfast, enjoy another expedition in the forest in the Analamazaotra National Park. This park is the home of the Indri, the largest living lemur, famous for its haunting call. Others species of lemur also share the forest with the Indri such as the Common Brown Lemur, Diademed Sifaka and the Eastern Wolly Lemur.
After visit, leave Perinet and continue the drive on the national road 2 to the east to reach the small village of Manambato. Enjoy an incredible landscape of the east region with main stop for lunch on the way.
Then at arrival at the village of Manambato, transfer by motor boat to reach Akanin' ny Nofy (literally means "Nest of Dreams“).
After the transfer in the hotel, go for a nocturnal visit, looking for Aye Aye.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Ankanin’ny Nofy
Today, you will have a morning visit at Palmarium reserve. This protected area is home of palm trees specific to the eastern part of the island, lemurs species living in captivity in the reserve, as well as reptiles, amphibians, and crocodiles.
After visit, back to the hotel for lunch.
Enjoy you afternoon for leisure or opt for an interesting visit of the nearby village.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Ankanin’ny Nofy – Tamatave
Today after breakfast, enjoy a boat transfer to Tamatave (around 2h30) along “Pangalane Chanel” which is very interesting. Upon arrival in Tamatave, check in at the hotel and have lunch.
In the afternoon, go on for a city tour by rickshaw.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Tamatave – Sainte Marie
Today, depending on your flight schedule, Transfer to the airport and fly to Sainte Marie Island, then drive to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Sainte Marie or Nosy Boraha is a narrow granitic island in the east coast of Madagascar. It is composed of a main island and several small islets, with its kilometrical sandy beaches shaded by coconut palms, its bays and coves protected by coral reefs which turned this tropical dream island in is one of the most popular beach pots Madagascar has to offer.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Day 9 Sainte Marie
Days at leisure.
Many activities can be organized directly with the hotel:
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Excursions to discover history and cultural sites of Sainte Marie Island through legendary places such as The Museum of Queen Betty or the first Roman Catholic Church of Madagascar,
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Possibility of water activities: snorkeling and diving,
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Or day excursion for whale watching if season to see the humpback whale during their migration (between July – September).
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Or boat excursion to the nearby islands etc…
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Sainte Marie - Antananarivo
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport and fly back to Antananarivo.
At arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight Stay.
Meals: Dinner
Day 11 Antananarivo - Departure
Today following your flight schedule, transfer to the airport to take flight back home.