Nature and Beach Tour Madagascar - 16 nights

Antananarivo - The Unknown North - dream island Tsara Banjina (near Nosy Be)

1st Day: Germany - Milan - Antananarivo (Tana)
Connecting flight from all German Alitalia departure airports (e.g. Munich) to Milan. Around 6:55 pm non-stop to Madagascar with the modern Boeing 767-300 of Air Madagascar.

2nd Day: Arrival in Tana
Around 5:50 am you will arrive in the capital of Madagascar where you will be welcomed by your driver who will take you to the Hotel Colbert in the city centre.

3rd Day: City sightseeing tour and visit in the zoo

4th Day: The Unknown North - Flight to Diego Suarez
The northern part of Madagascar is the home of the Antakarana people. It is characterised by its variety in landscapes, climatic zones, vegetation and fauna and very rewarding for botanists or other naturalists, as well as holiday makers.
You will make a city sightseeing tour to get an impression of Diego Suarez, the capital of the north, which was a famous pirate area as well as the base for the French legionaries. In the afternoon: short hiking tour on the Montagne des Français with caverns and a spectacular view of the whole bay, including Sugar Loaf Island and Cap d'Ambre. Accommodation in a hotel of your choice.

5th Day: National Park Montagne d'Ambre
It is a short car trip passing Joffreville, a deserted recreation park of the French Army, to the nature reserve. This forested mountain of volcanic origin offers several botanical trails leading to crater lakes and great cascades at an altitude of about 1.400 m. The unique fauna and flora provide home for wildlife such as rare reptiles, lemurs and over 70 species of birds. Overnight stay at a hotel of your choice.

6st Day: Ankarana Mountains
A 3-hour car drive to this impressive chalk stone massif with bizarre karst formations and underground mazes of caves and passages that lead into narrow canyons and secluded forests. In the afternoon you will discover the nearby caverns with underground brooks and the dry forest with a large variety of birds, lemurs and rare carnivores. The night you spend in a camp including full board.

7st Day: Ambanja
Before midday, hiking in the Ankarana Mountains. Lunch will be served at the camp. A 3-hour car drive to Ankify passing Ambilobe and the market of Ambanja. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Baobab.

8th Day: Nosy Be Island
A short boat transfer takes you to the island of Nosy Be, where innumerable excursions to the surrounding islands are available. Overnight stay at a hotel of your choice.

Highlights in fauna and flora
Lemurs: Brown Lemur, Sanford's Lemur, Red Mouse Lemur and Crowned Lemur.
Birds: White-Winged Ibis, Paradise-Flycatcher, Black and White Magpie-Robin and Pitta-like Ground-Roller.
Reptiles: Chameleons, lizards and geckos.
Flora: Ravensara, orchids, Kalanchoe, Baobab and euphorbias.

9th Day: Boat transfer to Hotel Tsara Banjina

10th to 17th Day: Hotel Tsara Banjina

The island of Tsara Banjina is a member of the Mitsio Archipelago and offers excellent diving and snorkelling conditions. The island is located 60 km north of Nosy Be.
Rooms/Accommodation: This wonderful hotel is nestled in the middle of a tropical rainforest under various coconut palms directly on two fantastic white powder sand beaches. The resort features a lobby, a restaurant and a boutique. Occasionally there is evening entertainment.
The 18 wooden Bungalows (40 qm): are cosily furnished with thatched roofs featuring bathroom/shower, toilet, hairdryer (on request), ceiling fan, spacious terrace with hammock and a spectacular ocean view.
Activities: Included are windsurfing, water skiing, catamaran sailing, snorkelling (fantastic coral reefs), canoes, volleyball, darts and one tennis court with floodlight.
At extra charges: Deep-sea fishing, diving school (PADI) and excursions.

18th Day: Boat transfer back to Nosy Be, Flight to Tana
Around 11 pm flight via Milan (arrival at 8 am) back to Germany.

19th Day: Arrival in Germany (e.g. Munich) around noon.