Madagascar Honeymoon Package

Welcome to the kingdom of wildlife, Madagascar! When you land in Antananarivo (aka Tana), our driver guide will pick you up at Ivato International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. After check-in at the hotel, enjoy the free time and get familiar with this capital city if time permits. Stroll to find an optimal position to photograph a panorama of colorful buildings scattered on the hills and go around the streets and markets - passing piles of garbage and barefoot begging children - to feel for life of this impoverished country with two thirds of people earning only USD 70 - 80 / MGA 320,000 - 370,000 a month. For those mothers, you can give them some little toiletries like soaps from your hotel room. Say hello to locals if you can speak French and find out how friendly and welcoming they are. Don’t forget to have your passport on you if you are going to restaurants or bars.

► Attention:
Madagascar’s domestic flights are rare, so in order not to let it have any impact on the following itinerary, we recommend that you book your international flight arriving in Tana on Monday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. If your holiday does not meet these arrival dates, please contact us in advance and we will tailor the itinerary that suits your time arrangement.

► Best Visit Time:
The best time to visit Madagascar is during the dry season (April to October), when the climate is relatively mild and there is little rain, making it ideal for outdoor sightseeing. If you are here primarily for whale watching, choose a time between July and September, when more than 7,000 humpback whales will migrate from the Antarctic to the waters around Madagascar. From September to November, baby lemurs are born, and birds, chameleons, fossae and other animals are at their most active, so this time is perfect to observe endemic land wildlife. As rainstorms and hurricanes are frequent from November to March, so it is not recommended to visit Madagascar during this time. Whenever you plan to visit, we will work with you to tailor a tour to suit your interests best.

Accommodation: Asia & Africa Hotel - Ivato Airport, Antananarivo (4 stars) or similar

Today, our driver guide will escort you to the airport for the flight to our next destination, Sainte Marie. Upon your arrival, the driver waiting there will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is all for you to have fun.

► Things to Know:
Normally, flights from Antananarivo to Sainte Marie are available every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but may be delayed or cancelled at short notice during low season or in terrible weather conditions. Don’t worry too much, as we will inform you in time and make reasonable and optimal adjustments to your itinerary promptly.

► Recommended Free-time Activities in Sainte Marie:
If it’s early in the afternoon, ask the hotel staff for help to rent a scooter to tour around the north of Sainte Marie. Visit Pirate Cemetery to check out headstones carved with skulls and crossbones and pirate ship wreckages, which will take you back to the pirate era of the 17th and 18th centuries. By the way, it is the only pirate cemetery in the world! After that, go back to the hotel for your dinner to top today off.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

If today falls on a day between July and September, we will take you for an exciting whale watching tour! From a harbor, you will jump in a sightseeing boat and the seasoned captain will steer to find humpback whales on the calm waters off Sainte Marie, the best location for whale-watching throughout the Indian Ocean. Every year in their breeding season, the whales would be seen off Sainte Marie chasing, flipping and jumping in and out of the sea, and they would make huge waves and squirt ten meters high water - all of these thrilling moments you might have dreamed of witnessing! Once a pod is spotted, the captain will follow them and make sure we observe these giants from a safe distance. During the trip, our knowledgeable guide will also share interesting stories about humpback whales. After that, you will be shipped back to the harbor and return to the hotel.

► Note:
1. If you are prone to seasickness, please swallow sea sickness medicine before we head out.
2. Wear waterproof and windproof clothing with a hood to prevent waves and possible drizzles from wetting you and making you catch a cold. Don’t wear separate hat for the strong sea wind may blow it away.
3. It is highly recommended to pack binoculars to trace and zoom in on whales. If possible, bring a camera with a professional lens to record the wonderful whale activities.

► Recommended Free-time Activities:
During the visit of those whales, people on Sainte Marie also celebrates it with a Whale Festival, which features various activities such as parades, pirogue races, concerts and beach parties. The festival usually takes place in mid-July and lasts for about a week, and if you are interested, go immerse yourself in this Malagasy carnival!  

If your visit here is not during the whale watching season, then today is your free day. Perhaps rent an enduro bike to go deeper around this tropical paradise. First head to the Sahasifotra village on the east coast, a hidden gem with the most beautiful beach and crystalline water on Sainte Marie, where you can spend two to three hours exploring it. And then continue to the northernmost for Ambodiatafana village, which is famous for its natural swimming pools surrounded by a barrier of black rocks. It should be noted that alcohol, pork and such stuffs are forbidden to bring in by the villagers who seem to be Muslims. Shoes are also not allowed, either. Of course, we can also tailor today’s tour for you based on your own interests if you need it.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

No activities are arranged for today. Perhaps take a leisurely walk on the sandy beach to enjoy the charming scenery or experience some water activities.

► Recommended Free-time Activities:
Madagascar is one of the world’s largest producers of vanilla, known for its high quality and unique aroma. Why not walk a few steps north from the hotel to the very famous Linda Plantation de Vanille on the island for a free visit? Linda and Lionel, owners of the plantation, will take you up close to freshly green vanilla leaves, and share with you the cultivation process of quality vanilla pods and the vanilla history of Madagascar. 

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons, Ile aux Nattes, just south of Sainte Marie, is a popular destination for divers. The unspoiled magnificent underwater world is filled with colorful mushroom-like corals and abundant sea creatures from small spiny porcupine fish to large manta rays that looks like a giant flat fan. It is really like a giant aquarium where you can fully experience the fun of diving and snorkeling. Ask the hotel staff for recommendations of the diving clubs to seek professional equipment and guidance for these activities if you want to give it a try.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aurora Lodge, Sainte Marie (3 stars) or similar

Check out after breakfast and transfer to Ambodifotatra Port, where we will take a 3.5-hour boat to Mahambo. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel to have a good rest. The hotel for tonight is on a palm-fringed white sandy beach with thatched sunshades, where you can take a leisure stroll or just relax on a lounge chair under sunshade. If you come across fishermen selling their catches, probably go up, check out the trading scene, and strike up some conversations. The hotel also owns a private beach and provides kayak for free, and if you are interested, go for it. In the evening, try zebu steak, the hotel’s specialty, and then have a sweet dream in its indigenous-style room.

► Note: Direct boat transfers from Sainte Marie to Mahambo are available only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. In case your transfer date falls outside of these days, we will arrange a boat trip to Soanierana Ivongo followed by a 2.5-hour private car journey to Mahambo.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel La Pirogue, Mahambo (3 stars) or similar

Today, we will leave from Mahambo to Akanin’ny Nofy. Our driver guide will transfer you to the port in Tamatave at first, and then we will take a boat to travel through the beautiful Pangalane Canal and arrive in Akanin’ny. Once there, head to the hotel for rest. 

► Take a Breath in the Hotel amid Nature:
Palmarium Hotel Ankanin’Nofy is located in the lush greenery, offering rustic yet comfortable wooden cabins. Lemurs, such as the crowned lemurs, can be found everywhere in its garden, and if you laze in a lounge chair or hammock on the outdoor patio of your room, maybe one will jump in and eat your leftover banana peels. Please do not leave unsealed food in your room, as it may invite mice.

► Things to Know:
1. In Madagascar, lodges in wild regions may switch off electricity at nights and for few hours in daytime (same for hotels but less often). So if you are on a breathing machine or something that needs to use electricity overnight, be sure to let us know before you go, so that we and the hotels can work out solutions. Mind to charge your mobile devices like phones as soon as you go into your room. If it is a self-powered hotel, you may find no plug in your room, so charging will have to be done at the reception hall. Prepare a power bank and a flashlight in advance to cope with power cut-offs.
2. It is also a common phenomenon in wild hotels that there is almost no Wi-Fi and sometimes no signal of your SIM card even if it is a local card, so you may be disconnected from others and unable to handle your work for some time. If you have to take care of some urgent business during this trip, you might do it at the hotel in Antananarivo in advance.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Palmarium Hotel Ankanin'Nofy or similar

This morning, accompanied by a local park guide to explore Palmarium Reserve, a private reserve owned by the hotel, where you can find tens of thousands of Madagascar’s endemic palm trees, 7 species of lemurs, as well as reptiles and amphibians. This is where to spot the black lemurs and if the guide point one out to you, you can tell its gender right away because females have brown hair while males have black. Interestingly, the black lemurs love to eat nectar and pollen, which makes them the “bees” of the primates. Afterwards, go back to the hotel and have a rest. In the afternoon, take a boat tour to a local fishing village and enjoy scenery along Pangalane Canal.

► Friendly Reminder:
It is recommended that you wear long sleeves in green or khaki when exploring natural reserves to both blend in nature and prevent mosquito bites (mosquitoes do plague Madagascar!). To cope with long walks and muddy trails in the rainforest, it’s better to wear sturdy waterproof hiking shoes. Remember to carry mosquito repellent - we recommend the eco-friendly type - and a rain poncho with you in case of need. One more important thing is to learn about the symptoms of malaria and pack some medicine against it before your travel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Palmarium Hotel Ankanin'Nofy or similar

After breakfast, our driver guide will escort you to Andasibe, taking about 3 hours. Madagascar has few well-paved roads, and nearly two thirds of them are potholed dirt roads, making for a bumpy ride inevitably. For this, we have prepared high-performance off-road 4WD to make you feel more comfortable on the journey. Ask the driver for dusk masks if you think it’s necessary. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. After settling in, perhaps go to the hotel’s octagonal restaurant built on an artificial lake to enjoy Malagasy or French cuisines. Then, amid pure fresh air and cheerful sounds of various wild animals, lie back on a recliner on its terrace with a drink while overlooking fish swimming in the lake.

► Recommended Nighttime Activities:
After nightfall, go on a night safari by yourself in the nearby forest if you are full of guts. Mouse lemurs, the smallest lemurs in Madagascar that usually weighs little more than an egg, are here awaiting you. They have a strange habit - as soon as the “leader” of a large group makes the first cry, which is like a human laugh, other mouse lemurs tend to respond en masse, forming a chorus that would sound even a bit woeful.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe (3 stars) or similar

This morning, the driver guide will take you to Analamazaotra National Park, which is famous for indri indri, the largest lemur species. There are several dedicated routes for a big chance to spot indri indri, and the local park guide will lead you on one of them with wide paved paths. Interestingly, indri indris have not only the largest bodies, but also the loudest cries that can be heard up to two kilometers. They are also the greatest leaper! Also set your sights on other Madagascar’s rare species, including birds and frogs here. Next, take a canoe ride to Vakona Reserve (Lemurs Island), a small river-surrounded island for rescued lemurs. Here, lemurs or tenrecs may cross your path from time to time, and even stop in front of you without any fear - at which point you can feed them and take some photoshoots of their facial details. With your local guide, you can also discover some plant curiosities such as epiphyte orchids and dalbergia. The following activity is to visit Andasibe Village and Andasibe Marketplace, where Malagasy daily life can be roughly understood. You might be surprised to find cattle working in the fields with humps on their backs, a breed unique to Madagascar, known locally as zebu. Afterwards, let’s go back to the hotel for rest.

► Recommended Restaurant in Andasibe:
Known for its authentic Malagasy food, fair prices, hygienic environment and quick services, the restaurant Vane Resto in the National Park attracts a lot of visitors ready to leave the Park for the national road. As we will not arrive in Antananarivo until late afternoon, we recommend you try this restaurant for a quick lunch. Although the signature here is Zebu Kebabs, Pork with Orange Sauce is also worth a try. Apart from Malagasy dishes, some Chinese and Indian food can also be found on the menu, and if you are interested, ask waiters for more recommendations. Rest assured that the food prices here are as affordable as elsewhere in this country.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, follow a local park guide to walk into the Voimma Forest. If you miss the lemurs you’re interested in before, this will be your last chance to spot them! Here, you will find the most vibrantly-colored Diademed sifakas, whose orange limbs make them the most beautiful among its kind. Their sideway jumps are also very unique, earning them the nickname of “dance master”. Crowned lemurs and bamboo lemurs are also highlights in this park. Afterwards, continue the trip to Antananarivo. On the way, give Reserve Peyreiras Madagascar Exotic a short visit. There is no other place to get colorful chameleons, butterflies, boas and geckos that are endemic to this country closer to your lens than here, and hope you can record as many species as possible with your spot guide. Once in Antananarivo, check in at the hotel.

► Recommended Free-time Activities in Antananarivo:
If time permits, embrace your last chance to explore local bazaars again and experience real local life. Discover surprisingly cheap tropical fruits you’ve never seen, taste local snacks on a sanitary stall, or pick up some handmade trinkets on craft stands as souvenirs. It is also nice to get your fill of locally-flavored coffee and chocolate cake at a fancy French cafe. By the way, cocoa bean used to make chocolate is also one of Madagascar’s specialties.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Centre (4 stars)

In the morning, let’s visit the home of Imerina King Andrianampoinimerina (ruled from 1788 to 1810) - Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, which is one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Madagascar. Follow our guide through zebu sacrificial square to reach wooden palaces and the cemeteries behind, and listen to the histories of Madagascar and interesting customs of the royal family.

Your Madagascar honeymoon package comes to an end by now, and our driver guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight according to your flight schedule. Be certain to check in at the airport to three hours in advance. If a porter asks to help you with your luggage, consider refusing them politely, as they will charge you for their services and may not be pleased with small change. Have a pleasant journey!

Meals: Breakfast

► A More In-depth Tour through Madagascar is on Offer!
Would you like to witness more charms of Madagascar, like the world-famous soaring baobabs and the spectacular karst stone forest landforms? Madagascar’s other top attractions such as Avenue of the Baobabs and Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park are also well worth your visit. If you want to enrich your experience of Madagascar, feel free to contact us to tailor-make or simply extend your journey!