Madagascar Island Hopping

Day 1 - 3: Antananarivo to Sakatia Island (via Nosy Be)             
Arriving to Nosy Be airport, you will be met and transferred by taxi to Chanty beach and then by speedboat to Sakatia Lodge, which is situated on a small private beach. The next three days may be spent snorkelling, exploring the beach and the stunning tropical garden, as well as walking on the island and generally relaxing whilst soaking up the sand, sea and sun. Additional activities (with costs) include guided walks, sea-kayaking, hobie cats or pirogue trips, scuba diving and deep sea fishing trips.
A guided walk of Sakatia island is included on day 2, and on day 3 a guided tour of the island’s coastline on a traditonal pirogue is included, along with a beach lunch. [B, BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Sakatia Lodge – Ocean Bungalow (Small lodge situated on a private beach amidst a tropical garden with the waves lapping the lodge. Restaurant, bar, fans in rooms, mosquito nets, private terrace)

Day 4: Sakatia Island to Nosy Be
After 3 nights at Sakatia Lodge, you will transfer the short hop over the ocean to Nosy Be, where you will be dropped in front of the Vanila hotel on the beach.
Check into your hotel before enjoying lunch at the Vanila Hotel (included).
The rest of the day is at leisure, but we suggest you take a visit to the Excursions office to pre-book any activites you may be interested in doing for your leisure day on day 7.  Options include quad biking, mountain biking, deep-sea fishing, day trips to near-by islands (Nosy Iranja is recommended) and guided tours of Nosy Be, taking in the local markets and shops. These optional excursions are for your own expense. [BLD]

Accommodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms with en-suite bathrooms & mosquito nets, restaurant, bars, swimming pools, Spa and excursions desk)

Day 5: Day Trip to Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba
After breakfast we embark on a day excursion with a boat lunch to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve – famed for its world class snorkelling and diving. Nosy Komba is the second largest island after Nosy Be, and our trip here includes a visit of the small reserve where you can meet a variety of resident habituated lemurs, happy to jump onto your shoulder.  In addition we visit the crafts market on Nosy Komba where you can purchase from a selection of lace tablecloths made by the skilled women of Komba island itself.
In the late morning we depart for the island of Tanikely – a crystal clear natural aquarium where you will snorkel with the colourful fish, explore the underwater world of anenomes and coral, and hopefully swim with a turtle or two!
Take some time to explore the island itself, walk to the lighthouse and see the fruitbats and lemurs amongst the endemic flora.  Lunch will be served on-board the boat. (Snorkelling equipment is included in this excursion)[BLD]

Accommodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms)

Day 6: Day Trip to Lokobe Nature Reserve
After breakfast at your hotel, we depart for the Lokobe Nature Reserve – the last primary forest of Nosy Be, and rich in many varieties of medicinal plants endemic to Madagascar. Departing from the fishing village of Ambatozavavy (south of the island), you will board a traditional canoe, rowing along the mangroves to the foot of the reserve.
Your guide (a specialist in wildlife and local flora) will assist you in discovering the living treasures of this reserve and will explain its secrets and legends.
The dense rainforest is a protected site, where you may discover diurnal lemurs (Lepilemur and Macaco), reptiles, chameleons, insects and tropical birds.  A picnic lunch is included. [BLD]

Accommodation:  Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms)

Day 7: Day at leisure – Nosy Be
Spend your entire day at leisure, enjoying the swimming pools at the hotel, the beautiful spa and massage centre, or taking part in one of the many optional actiites offered by the hotels excursions desk.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the hotel. [BLD]

Accommodation:  Vanila Hotel (Ocean View rooms)

Day 8: Nosy Be - Antananarivo
After your last breakfast on this tropical island, you will proceed to the airport where you will fly back to the capital city Antananarivo, and catch your flight home.
Please note – lunch is not included in day 8 of your tour.  Should your flights have you departing in the afternoon or evening, please make direct arrangements with the hotel for meals.  These will be at an additional cost. [B]