:: Sample Holidays - suggestions to whet your appetite

A ROUTE LESS TRAVELLED with a private guide in totally contrasting areas of northern Madagascar before a few days on a beautiful castaway island

	Fly overnight from London via Paris to Antananarivo. By road to the centre of Tana. Overnight at Royal Pallisandre Hotel. Fly to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). By road to Le Domaine de Fontenay for 2 nights. By road to Ankarana. Chez Robert for 2 nights. By road and boat to Nosy Be. Overnight at Vanilla Hotel. By speedboat to Tsarabanjina for 3 nights. By boat to Nosy Be and onward by air to Tana. Overnight flight to London via Paris. From £3,225 per person sharing for 11 nights
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You will arrive at the capital ANTANANARIVO, known as Tana where a night at the Royal Palissandre Hotel, situated on a hillside near the centre, will allow you the chance to catch a flavour of the city.

Fly north the next day to Antsiranana, more commonly known as Diego Suarez after two Portuguese explorers. It is worth a detour to see around this historical city before the hour’s drive to Joffreville and Le Domaine De Fontenay, an amazing restored colonial villa. Enjoy Marie-Jose’s delicious cooking and stay in a beautifully furnished room either in the main house or in one of the converted out-buildings within the flowering gardens.

That afternoon you can test your skill at spotting chameleons and geckos and maybe even a lemur or two as you wander in the adjacent ‘Nature Park’. The whole of the following day is spent with a private guide in the beautiful MONTAGNE D’AMBRE NATIONAL PARK, renowned for its montane rainforest - of particular note are bird’s nest ferns, tree ferns and orchids and the extremely rare and localised 'Rainforest' baobab. Good walking trails, crater lakes and waterfalls, a variety of lemurs and other wildlife and many species of bird make this a very rewarding area.

Just three hours down the road, entering ANKARANA SPECIAL RESERVE is like walking into another world… Rising out from the surrounding grassy plains, first impressions of the limestone plateau are of a desolate landscape but, in fact, the towering pinnacles (tsingy), extensive system of caves and underground rivers and dry deciduous forest support a wealth of wildlife including at least seven species of lemur.

Accommodation at Chez Robert is simple but it is well worth forgoing first world comforts for the opportunity of exploring this fascinating and bizarre part of the country.

Spend the next night at Vanilla Hotel on the west coast of Nosy Be before an early start to a remote island.

Small and mountainous, fringed by white sand beaches and encircled by coral reefs, NOSY TSARABANJINA is a naturally beautiful setting for the lodge of the same name.

Tsarabanjina is the epitome of “barefoot luxury”, a wonderful place in which to relax and be pampered. There are also plenty of activities on offer – windsurfing, hobie cat sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. Instructors are on hand should you need some tuition and a fully equipped PADI dive centre. There is even a tennis court in the centre of the island.

and what about?
	Spend more time in Tana, either at the beginning or end of your itinerary, and appreciate the rich and fascinating history and culture of the Merina people who ruled for 300 years before the French conquest in 1895. There is much to seen in the city and interesting excursions within a short drive. Longer at both Le Domaine de Fontenay and on Tsarabanjina would also be no hardship!

:: Sample Holidays

A Taste of Intriguing Madagascar

Discovering some of the fascinating wildlife, cultures and colours of a multi-faceted country...read more

Journey Through Madagascar

Travelling first by road with your private guide, exploring some of Madagascar's best National Parks in search of wildlife and visiting culturally interesting sites along the way, before flying to an enchanting lodge for relaxation by the sea...read more