When to go	Flight Time	Time Difference
April - Nov	10hrs 50mins from Paris	GMT +2-3

Madagascar Honeymoon

Flying due south ensures that there is hardly any time difference between the UK and Madagascar. This coupled with a direct overnight flight, ensures that you arrive ready to enjoy this wonderfully unusual honeymoon destination! Lying 350kms off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar owes its incredible quantities of flora and fauna to its early separation from the mainland some 165 million years ago. The world's fourth largest island enjoys a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, although with variations in the size and relief of the island, certain places will be at their best at different times of year. The only Afro-Asiatic island in the world, most of Madagascar's plants and animals are unique, while the island boasts 5,000km of coastline, white sand beaches and spectacular deep-sea diving. This coupled with the simple comforts of some wonderful jungle lodges will ensure an unforgettable honeymoon on this spectacular island.



Madagascar Itinerary

Day 1
Depart Charles de Gaulle on the Air Madagascar flight to Antanarivo (Tana), flying overnight.

Day 2
Arrive and transfer to Andasibe and Vakona Forest Lodge.

Days 3 - 4
Visit La Réserve Spéciale d'Indri to see the Indri Indri Lemur on Lemur Island and enjoy further species and fascinating flora.

Day 5
Return to Tana via Ambohimanga site to Hotel Palissandre on its hillside location on the edge of the city.

Day 6
Fly to Nosy Be and transfer by speedboat to Tsarabanjina. A private island; the pace is relaxed, the island quite beautiful and your bungalow will offer you all the simple comforts you will need to enjoy this corner of paradise.

Days 7 - 8
The hotel and the surrounding waters offer fantastic diving and snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, sailing, boat trips and water skiing. The island is best known as Joanna Lumley's castaway island in the BBC series of the same name.

Day 9
Return to Nosy Be and transfer by boat to Tsara Komba, the Lemur Island. Here six lodges stand side-by-side on a steep hillside, nestling in a tropical garden between forest and beach.

Days 10 - 11
Brightly coloured flowers vie for attention, the birds flutter discreetly and the foliage thrives at the mercy of the sea breeze. The restaurant specialises in local cuisine while activities include diving, canoeing, sailing, walking and fishing.

Day 12
Transfer by speedboat and flight to Tana and a further night at Le Palissandre.

Day 13
Today's flight will take you to Ile Sainte Marie. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Princess Bora.

Days 14 - 15
Relax in comfort and enjoy whale safaris with local scientists who study visiting whales during the season.

Day 16
Depart for Tana and on to Charles de Gaulle. Arrive the following day.

The cost of the above is from £3495.00 per person based on international and domestic flights, accommodation, some meals and park and entrance fees at Vakona.

Please click here to download a full detailed itinerary.

Tsarabanjina
A tiny, exclusive island basking in luxurious simplicity and its closeness to nature, this private island domain prides itself with its "no news no shoes" policy and is a place where one pampers oneself by resting and relaxing with gentle activities, massages and a healthy seafood diet.

Situated on two separate beaches the twenty-one thatched bungalows look out on the sea. Each bungalow is unique, bearing the name of a flower, a tree or a fish and consists of a main en suite bedroom simply furnished and equipped with fans, and a private terrace with deck chairs and coffee table.

Most activities are included in the cost of the stay and incorporate snorkelling, water-skiing, sailing, volley ball, petanque, tennis, fishing (payable) and island excursions. In addition, those who wish to explore beneath the waves will have plenty of opportunity to discover the famous Mitsio coral reefs.

Anjajavy
Set along a sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters on the remote northwest coast of Madagascar, the hotel is encircled by a stunning forest reserve, a rich wilderness waiting for you to discover. There is no road to the hotel and all guests arrive by the private airline Air Hotel which links Anjajavy with Antananarivo and Nosy Be.

Each of the twenty-five spacious rosewood thatched cabins is simply but beautifully decorated with a wooden veranda and soft furnishings in browns and creams reflecting the forest behind.

Dine on fine French food, influenced by the flavours of Madagascar and seasoned with exotic spices, on a magical beachfront setting or relax and unwind by the stunning beachside pool.

Days can be spent exploring secret bays, subterranean caverns and unspoilt villages. Complementary activities include water-skiing, catamaran sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and nature and bird walks. Excursions to Moromba Bay, sunset cruises, big game, popper and fly-fishing are available at extra cost.

Princesse Bora Lodge
Nestled within a vast palm grove, fronting a white sand beach and lagoon, this ecological hotel is a wonderful Robinson Crusoe style paradise where you can imagine pirates still lurk!

Situated on Sainte Marie Island and lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the Lodge and its villas are built in the Sainte-Marienne tradition with wood, stone and roofs of traveller-tree leaves.

The meals here have the reputation of being the best on the island and are a fusion of Creole, French and Malagasy cuisine based largely around the fresh catch of the day and accompanied by fine French and South African wines.

The diving in the area is spectacular and the local dive centre will be happy to teach novices and take out experienced divers to discover the exuberant marine life and tropical fish which crowd the nearby wrecks.

The international association of whale protection is installed on the Lodge site. The whale season lasts from June to September and lodge guests can take the opportunity to take part in scientific whale observation - a unique chance to discover and experience the life and behaviour of these shy mammals.

Masoala Forest Lodge
The rugged coastline and dense rainforest of the wild north-east coast of Madagascar is home to the country's newest and largest national park with its three marine reserves. It is here that you will find Masoala Forest Lodge which provides luxury tented accommodation for you to use as a base to explore this rich island paradise.

All creature comforts are offered in a simple and minimalist style. The five double African Safari style tents have thatched wooden decks, privately positioned between the hardwood trees, with the sea on the doorstep. Bathroom facilities are equipped to a modern European standard and are to be found discretely located in Malagasy forest huts.

The dining area is a traditional Malagasy structure of wood and palm thatch also overlooking the sea and here the catering offers wholesome "Swiss-Malagasy rainforest cuisine" using fresh local produce and seafood.

From the lodge you can enjoy guided forest walks (although numerous birds, reptiles and mammals are found in the camp itself), sea-kayaking, snorkelling, whale watching and fishing. Excursions by boat, on foot, or by kayak to other special places on the peninsula are also available. Alternatively, you can lie back on a gentle swaying hammock and listen to the sounds of the forest in this blissful wilderness retreat.

Mandrare River Camp
A 3 hour drive North West of Fort Dauphin, in Southern Madagascar, takes you to Mandrare River Camp. Nestled in the shade of Tamarind Trees and set in the grounds of an old colonial sisal plantation house, the camp is just 3km from the village of Ifotaka and opposite the sacred ancestral forests of the Antandroy Tribe.

A stay in this area will give you the opportunity to experience the rich culture of the Antandroy and the pristine areas of wildlife, home to the Catta (ring-tailed), Mouse and Sifaka (dancing) Lemurs that they have preserved. Additional wildlife is abundant in the area with Verreaux's Sifaka, Ring Tailed Maki, Mouse Lemur and White Foot Sportive Lemurs as well as exceptional birding.

Three night camping programmes here include visits to; to the Sisal plantations to see the 70ft sand-dunes of Lac Anony and the neighbouring lake (home to flamingos in September to October), the Sacred Antandroy Forest to see lemur and many bird species as well as the tombs of the Antandroy ancestors. Also, experience a traditional ring competition in a local village (where local Antandroy men show their physical strength), visit Gallery Forest with its excellent Sifaka and Ring Tailed Lemur populations, picnic by a waterfall, sample local markets and still have time to relax!