Nineteen Days Indian Ocean Islands Vacation

The highlights of this vacation includes seeing almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar including butterflies, lizards, snakes, bats and other interesting animals, Visit the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Visit with the native people make famous embroideries, typical wine, Enjoy Mayotte’s beautiful flora of 18 hectares of tropical garden, as well see huge baobab trees by the beach, Visit copra sheds, a giant land tortoise pen and an old colonial house, Optional extention to visit to island on the East African coast, visiting Zanzibar Island in Tanzania.

Day One: Arrive Antananarivo (Madagascar)

Upon your arrival at the airport in Antananarivo, the capital of the large island of Madagascar, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at Palissandre Hotel.

Day Two: Antananarivo, Andasibe and Mantadia National Park

After breakfast. Go for the city tour of Antananarivo, the capital, driving to the upper town to see the Queen’s palace. In the Malagasy “Rova” is the symbol of the Merina Kingdom. Sitting on the top of the tallest hill of Antananarivo, it offers a spectacular view of the administrative quarter and its surroundings. We then drive down to the Independence Avenue and the Anosy Lake. Here we get a good picture of the diverse ethnic communities, before we take a scenic drive to Marozevo. We visit the famous exotic farming centre of Mr.Pereyras where we see almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar including butterflies, lizards, snakes, bats and other interesting animals. Then we proceed to Mantadia National Park, part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Vakôna forest Lodge.

Day Three: Andasibe and Matadia National Park

This morning, we will visit the two areas of the National Park. These relict forests are critically important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s geological history. Having completed its separation from all other land masses more than 60 million years ago, Madagascar’s plant and animal life evolved in isolation. We look out for the Indri, the biggest lemur species in the world, which communicates though calls that can be heard as far away as 4 kms. Later we drive back to Antananarivo. Dinner and overnight at Palissandre Hotel.

Day Four: Antananarivo to Nosy Be – Madagascar by Flight

For this day, you will take a short flight from Antananarivo and we arrive in Nosy Be in the northern tip of Madagascar. Upon arrival at this small airport we are met and transferred to our hotel. You can spend your free time by enjoying Madagascar’s most popular beach. Dinner and overnight at Nosy Be Hotel.

Day Five: Nosy Be

For today, you will go out on the day excursion of Lokobe, a typical fishing village situated in the middle of an Ylang-Ylang Plantation in the south east part of the town. From here, we take a short boat trip by a Pirogue crossing to the Beach of Lokobe (only reachable by boat). Here we take an easy-guided walking tour in the tropical forest to discover the fascinating fauna and flora, while searching for lemurs, chameleons, boas and much more. A nearby fishing village gives us an opportunity to meet the local people.

Day Six: Nosy Be to Plaisance (Mauritius)

Today, our next island destination is the well-known island of Mauritius. The flight from Nosy Be will take us first to Antananarivo to connect with the international flight to Plaisance International Airport in the island of Mauritius. On arrival, the guide will pick you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Preskil Beach.

Day Seven: Mauritius

We will explore the island and learn about the history of Mauritius, the variety of people and their origins, their mixed culture and languages, visiting the buildings of Aapravasi Ghat in the district of Port Louis, among the earliest explicit manifestations of what was to become a global economic system and one of the greatest migrations in history starting in 1834. We also explore the Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a rugged mountain that juts into the Indian Ocean in the southwest of Mauritius. Protected by the isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs, escaped slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne.

Day Eight: Fly to Rodrigues Island

You will take a short flight to Rodrigues Island where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure of explore the area on your own.  You can join the locals for a dinner. Dinner and overnight at Cotton Bayhotel, Rodrigues.

Day Nine: Rodrigues Island

This morning, we will tour the island and discover the unique lifestyle of the island, a charming combination of simplicity, friendliness and hospitality. Rodrigues is home to several species of endemic tropical flora and fauna.

Day Ten: Rodrigues to Victoria, Mahe’ Island, Seychelles

Take a flight from Rodrigues via Mauritus to Mahe Island, in the Seychelles. Upon arrival at Mahe Island, you will be welcomed and then transferred to your hotel. Restof the day is free. Dinner and overnight at Savoy Hotel

Day Eleven: Fly from Mahe Island to Praslin

Take an early morning flights to Praslin. On arrival, you will be welcomed and then take a tour of Praslin, a very popular island. We visit the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, which has the vestiges of a natural palm forest preserved in almost its original state. The famous coco de mer, from a palm-tree once believed to grow in the depths of the sea, is the largest seed in the plant kingdom. After the tour we are transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at Indian Ocean Lodge.

Day Twelve: La Digue to Praslin

Today, we will board a traditional schooner for a brief journey to La Digue Island. The fourth largest island features spectacular formations of granite boulders. An ox-cart ride on La Digue takes us to L’Union Estate to visit copra sheds, a giant land tortoise pen and an old colonial house. Marvel at the sight of the most beautiful beach of Seychelles, Anse Source d’Argent, over a typical Creole lunch and enjoy some time to spend sunbathing or swimming before our return to Praslin.

Day Thirteen: Praslin to Mahe Island and Reunion Island

After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Reunion Island via Mahe Island. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel. Rest os the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Boucan Cabot Hotel.

Day Fourteen: Reunion Island

Today, we will explore the Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island, the core of La Réunion National Park. Dominated by two towering volcanic peaks, massive walls and three cliff-rimmed cirques, the property includes a great variety of rugged terrain and impressive escarpments, forested gorges and basins creating a visually striking landscape. It is the natural habitat for a wide diversity of plants, presenting a high level of endemism. We start off with a day excursion to Cilaos, a well-known mountain resort featuring a hot spring spa. We drive via a picturesque road awed by impressive landscapes. A short walk to La Roche Merveilleuse takes us to a lookout point where we see the whole valley. We also visit with the native people make famous embroideries, typical wine, and grow lentils. In the afternoon we return to Saint Gilles les bains, Reunion Island’s little “Saint Tropez” then head back to our hotel.

Day Fifteen: Reunion Island to Mayotte

After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Dzaoudzi Mayotte. Upon arrival, you will be welcome and then transferred to your hotel, situated in the south of the island, right on beautiful N’Gouja Beach. Here we can enjoy Mayotte’s beautiful flora as well see huge baobab trees by the beach. We can also swim amongst the turtles, play with the green monkeys and take time to enjoy the serene sea. Dinner and overnight at Jardin Maore Hotel.

Day Sixteen: Mayotte

For this day, we will explore Mayotte by visiting the Plage Musical to see the largest Baobab tree on the Island. We will also discover the dense tropical forest in the heart of the Island, visit an Ylang-Ylang Plantation and the “Jardin Maore”, where we can watch a friendly colony of lemurs living in the garden of the hotel and get another opportunity to swim with turtles.

Day Seventeen: Mayotte to Moroni – Comoros

On this day, you will take a short flight to Moroni on Grand Comoro Island, the guide will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Retaj Moroni Hotel

Day Eighteen: Moroni

We will tour the Grand Comoro Island. The local culture reflects the ethnic diversity, history, politics, music, dance, food, drink, arts, sports and international influences in the region. The Grand Comore island is the largest island in the Comoros nation having a population of 316,000 with an area as large as or as small as 1,148 Sq Kms. The island reflects a laid back Arab town.

Day Nineteen: Depart Moroni

After breakfast, depending on the time of your flight, the guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Or you can extend your trip to Zanzibar

Trip Includes

Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes

All Meals as mentioned

All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation

Services of local English speaking guides and drivers

Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary