Luxury Madagascar Tour for Honeymoon

Get ready to embark on your luxury Madagascar honeymoon! Our driver guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel, about 20 minutes’ drive away. To make good use of your free rest of the day, you can start your first Madagascar experience here in the capital of Antananarivo (Tana for short). Maybe have your hair twisted into dreadlocks at a barber stand to mingle in local culture, to prepare for your instagrammable cool photos on your later trips. Can’t wait to taste some local cuisine? Perhaps choose a fine eatery or French-style restaurant rather than a street stall, if you don’t want a fly in your meal, which is commonly-seen for the stalls are less hygienic. Of course, our friendly driver guide can also give you recommendations if you need. One important thing you need to know is that your passport will be checked in restaurants and bars, so please remember to take it with you when you go out.

★ Tip on Internet Access:
When you plan a trip to Madagascar, you will need to be prepared for unstable network, which can be completely unavailable in wild regions. There are three main telecom operators in Madagascar, namely Orange, Airtel and Telma, which can also be found at the airport. All the three price a SIM card at about 2,000 – 3,000 MGA (USD 1 ≈ MGA 4435) with per GB around 6,000 MGA, so it’s okay you choose any one of them and have it handled directly at the airport. If you have any problem of selecting an operator, you can ask our driver guide for recommendation. It is highly recommended to buy a flat rate if you are inclined to use your own device to access to the Internet, as the tariff per second is really expensive. As for Wi-Fi, it can be found in most hotels and restaurants, but it’s often congested and only basic for sending and receiving messages. Incidentally, SMS sending from or to Madagascar sometimes cannot be realized for some reason.

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

Today, our driver will send you to Antananarivo’s airport to catch the flight to Antsiranana in the north. Upon arrival, our local driver guide will take you to savor the stunning landscapes around the famous Three Bays. Three Bays actually refers to Sakalava Bay, Pigeon Bay and Dune Bay. Take some time with the guide to stroll on the pristine white beaches amid intoxicating consistent breeze, observe sea birds and turtles, and climb dunes to view the best seascape of Indian Ocean. Later, transfer to a local hotel to have a good rest. As our handpicked hotel is right by the sea, you can sit on the terrace outside your own room or relax in the pool with a cocktail to watch the sun set over the sea - the view looks like a dynamic oil painting.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Allamanda Hotel, Antsiranana (3 stars) or similar

Let’s drive to Joffre Ville. After checking in at the hotel, meet the local spot guide who will accompany you to explore the Amber Mountain National Park, one of the rainiest rainforests in Madagascar with more than 1,000 species of rainforest plants, plenty of beautiful waterfalls and crater lakes. With diverse ecosystems, it is home to numerous kinds of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and, above all, as many as 7 species of lemurs. Cherish your first chance to witness lemurs, the national animal of Madagascar! Perhaps the scene of King Julien - a ring-tailed lemur- dancing in the famous cartoon movie Madagascar will recreate in front of you. You will also have an opportunity to spot Nosy Hara leaf chameleon here, the world’s smallest chameleon, measuring just about 3 cm (1.2 inches) long! By the way, December to April is the best time to see reptiles and amphibians, while the other months are better for bird watching. We will send you back to the hotel after the visit.

► Packing Tips and Note for Your Rainforest Safari:
Given that today you will be hiking for a long time in the rainforest, it is recommended that you opt for light, breathable long sleeves, slacks and comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to wear. Meanwhile, you may encounter a lot of mosquitoes and quite strong sunlight here, so you will want to apply adequate mosquito repellent and suncream in advance to prevent bites and sunburn and carry them with you all the time. 

For wildlife viewing, as wild animals have their own habits, so please do not try to feed, touch or lure them, or it may not only endanger your own safety, but also cause harm to animals.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nature Lodge, Antsiranana or similar

Today, we will drive for 2.5 hours to see Tsingy Rouge (Red Tsingy), a stretch of land in ochres, from which thickets of pinnacles of eroded laterite soils rise. We will traverse unpaved dirt roads to get here - we have prepared for you an off-road 4WD to ensure you a less bumpy trip. And in order not to let the dust along the way annoy you, we also have dust masks for you in our vehicles. Although the roads can be sickly rough, you will see it worth it all as you finally arrive before this sculptural wonder. This landscape is singular on earth like an “alien gift” spread across, which can easily remind you of desolate Mars, except it’s actually a sad beauty born of deforestation. Afterwards, continue to drive for about 5 hours to Ankarana and check in the hotel.

► Note on Power Issue in Madagascar:
Power cut often occurs at night or sometimes even in daytime in some hotels (especially in lodges) in Madagascar’s remote areas, so it’s better to charge you devices right away after checking in. Some hotels powered by own generators may not have electricity plugs in rooms, in which case you will need to go to the reception for help. And if you need to power you special equipment such as breathing machine all the time, just let us know in advance so that we can inform the hotel and try to come up with a solution. Pack backup power sources such as power banks before you come to Madagascar. You can also prepare a flashlight for both power-off time and night walk.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ankarana Lodge, Antsiranana (standard bungalow) or similar

Today, the local guide will show you around the Ankarana National Park, which has a rugged limestone forest interspersed with dry forests below. The 18,000-hectare national park features caves, underground rivers and lush forested canyons. We will spend the whole day hiking in park, during which you will see some of 11 species of lemurs, 92 species of birds, and nearly half of the bats of Madagascar. See if you can bump into the scary scene of a Sanford's brown lemur tearing millipede and then smearing the secreted liquid on its body against mosquitoes, and come across a fur ball-like Ankarana sportive lemur, a small species with alert, round eyes that would send your cute responses spiraling. Perhaps spot a 30-year-old baby baobab, only the size of a palm with a few thorns. In the end, drive back to the hotel for a good rest. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ankarana Lodge, Antsiranana (standard bungalow) or similar

Nosy Be awaits! Start this morning by driving for 2.5 hours to Ankify Harbor, where we will take a shared speed boat to Nosy Be Island. You will witness the most loved beach destination in Madagascar that includes all you’d expect and not expect: seafood, wonderful beaches, underwater or land safari opportunities, local culture… And scented ylang-ylang blooms, whose fragrance can spread far and is why it’s also called Perfumed Island. Check into the hotel on arrival. Spend the rest time of the day as you like. 

► Free-Time Recommended Activities:
It is recommended to rent a scooter for a tour around the island to get your first impressions of Nosy Be. Along the way, you may come across children running barefoot by the road, farmers driving cattle to toil under the hot sun, and roadside vendors waving to try to sell his goods to you… Stop by stalls to discover local fruits, such as bitter kola nuts, from which the original Coca-Cola is made. Finally, perfect your day with a relaxing sunset watching at the beach. For a delicious dinner, it is suggested that you go to the China Restaurant, which is widely acclaimed for its special traditional Chinese food, such as dumplings and steamed buns (baozi), and all are reasonably priced. If you are more interested in seafood, you must try their crabs, with a serving costing about USD 6.5 / MGA 30,000. The restaurant has a yellow name board, red lanterns and climbing plants decorating its facade, so it is easy to spot. It is just a 7-minute drive from your hotel and to locate it, ask your guide or hotel staff for help.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: L'heure Bleue, Nosy Be - standard bungalow (4 stars) or similar

Today is your first leisure day. Enjoy your time on your own pace off the country’s northwest coast! You can spend the whole day enjoying beach time. Nosy Be is the No.1 attraction for snorkeling and diving, and if you are passionate about these activities, you can ask the hotel staff how to participate. Perhaps picnic on the most fascinating Andilana Beach. And then have a lazy drink at one of the various Italian or French bars. The nearby island Nosy Iranja is also highly recommended. The sea water there is dreamy like the cocktail of Blue Margaret, while the white sand bank being revealed from time to time connecting Big and Small Iranja is salt at the rim of the cup. Some people even say that there is no other beach in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia can match it, so go and see for yourself how amazing it is.

★ Seasonal Option: Watch Whales from July to September!
If you visit Nosy Be between July and September when the humpback whales migrate to nearby waters to breed, you can book a day tour for whale watching. Take a cruise off the coast and deep into the calm waters to see these magnificent creatures as they breach, spyhop, and glide along your boat. The haunting songs of the male humpback whales can travel for miles underwater and accompany you for a few wonderful hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: L'heure Bleue, Nosy Be - standard bungalow (4 stars) or simila

Seize the chance to relax and enjoy another free day. Why not choose to spot more Madagascar’s unique wildlife today? You might run into some you haven’t seen before. Nosy Be, with colorful chameleons everywhere, is the most ideal site to observe those creatures in Madagascar and even in Africa. Lokobe Strict Reserve on this small island also provides a rare opportunity to spy the endemic black lemurs and boa constrictors. If you like perfume, go visit the world’s largest and oldest ylang-ylang essential oil processing plant, which is also the designated supplier of core ingredients for J'Adore Dior.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: L'heure Bleue, Nosy Be - standard bungalow (4stars) or similar

Today, our driver will escort you to the airport for a flight back to Antananarivo. Upon your arrival at the Ivato International Airport, our driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. The rest time is up to you.

► Free-Time Recommended Activities:
If you arrive in Antananarivo early and are still full of energy, visit the Croc Farm near the airport to pass time. Here you can observe not only countless crocodiles swimming or sunbathing up close, but also some lemurs, birds, chameleons and turtles you might’ve missed previously. Even though the animals here are kept in captivity, it’s not hard to see that they are well cared for. 

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

This morning, the driver guide will drive you along the RN2 national road and reach Andasibe in about 4 hours. En route, pay a short visit to the Reserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic, a private wildlife shelter amidst a dense forest. Feed your eyes on over 20 species of chameleons and find golden-tailed geckos and sifaka lemurs and common brown lemurs, which the reserve is particularly famous for. What sets sifakas apart are their funny movement - they jump sideways, earning themselves the nickname “dancing lemurs”. There will be no more stop until we arrive at the hotel in Andasibe.

► Recommended Nighttime Activities:
After dark, maybe try your luck to discover some nocturnal species near the hotel on your own. One beastie likely to be encountered is the woolly lemur, which mostly hides in tree holes and hollowed trunks during day time, while at night it will make sounds like whistles or chirps to announce its presence to neighbors.

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

Today we will spend the whole morning exploring the Analamazaotra National Park. If you haven’t met Indri Indri before, it’s very possible to greet them here. They are the largest existing lemur known for their eerie wails. Critically endangered, they can survive to this day maybe because they are considered ancestors of mankind in local legends. After lunch, head over to Vakona Reserve (Lemurs Island). Privately owned by the Vakona Forest Lodge we are staying these days, the reserves offers a 100% chance to spot lemurs within a close range. You may behold some new and rare lemurs, such as the black-white ruffled lemur, whose coat color would remind you of giant pandas. Before going back to the hotel for relaxation, let’s drive 15 minutes to Andasibe Village and Andasibe Marketplace, where you can get a basic idea of what the Malagasy daily life is like. Apart from vast green fields and stalls selling everyday needs such as food and clothes, you will also witness shabby houses simply made of planks and rustic villagers wearing plastic slippers, some even barefoot, which is a stark reminder that many Madagascans live on a mere USD 70 to 80 or MGA 320,000 to 370,000 per month.

► Recommended Restaurant for Lunch:
You are advised to have a meal before driving onto the road leaving for Vakona Reserve. Maybe explore the well-rated Feon’ny Ala Hotel Restaurant in the park for some delicacies, and your guide will be willing to show you the way. Whether your desire is to taste authentic local food or common western dishes, or even Chinese cuisine, the restaurant can satisfy you. Kebabs, seafood, vegetable soup or noodles, you can find them all in this rustic wooden environment. Apart from tasty food, expect decent service and dine on the covered open terrace to enjoy stunning surrounding nature. The prices are reasonable, with a main dish for about USD 5 / MGA 23,000.

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

In the morning, a local guide will lead you to visit the Voimma Forest, a small untouched paradise to enjoy more endemic animals and plants. In Malagasy, Voimma means “local people love the forest”, which indicates locals’ great dedication to the ecological protection of the land. Keep a keen eye out for endangered Golden Mantella frogs, long-eared owls and grey bamboo lemurs along streams and in quiet forests. Also, snap some captivating photos of orchids and endemic species found nowhere else. After the visit, we will drive back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Take a hot bath to dispel the fatigue of the day and have a good rest.

► Free-Time Recommended Activity:
If time permits, hang around downtown Antananarivo to experience bazaars scattered everywhere and browse some souvenir stalls for “possue-possue (a rickshaw-like local vehicle)” refrigerator stickers, carvings of baobabs, lemurs, chameleons, etc. Imagine the “wow” from your friends or family when you show them the gifts back home! Back in hotel when you are packing for leaving tomorrow, please note that wooden objects such as woodcarving souvenirs should be put into your checked luggage rather than hand bags, or they will be withheld at the security checkpoint.

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

After breakfast at the hotel, we will set out to visit the King’s Palace on Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, which is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Madagascar. It is the birthplace of the Imerina Kingdom and consists of royal palace, cemetery and a group of sacrificial buildings. Here the guide will take you back to the past royal life by viewing those unadorned mud walls and wooden houses, with details like humble ceramic dishes and weapons to appreciate. Intriguingly, you can also find Royal Hill of Ambohimanga on the front of the 500 MGA note.

Your 13-day luxury Madagascar tour comes to an end today. Our driver will send you to the airport based on your flight time. Be sure to let your driver drop you off at the airport three hours early. Porters are all over the airport but some may not be happy when they think you’re undertipping for their services, so the easiest way to avoid the displeasure is to refuse their services. Looking forward to seeing you next time!

Meals: Breakfast

► Privilege of Our Guest: Have Your Tour Customized!
The brand of Madagascar includes not only the lovely lemurs and stunning beaches, but also towering Baobabs. Nothing can be more romantic than strolling with your beloved one under the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava, where you can appreciate the beautiful silhouettes of Baobabs at dusk. So if you have any holidays left, why don’t you check it out for yourself? If you are interested, please let us know and we will tailor a private tour for you based on your ideas.