The tours mentioned in this section are only samples of what we can arrange. They are just tasters - this is the reason we have not put price tags on them. Madagascar should be explored in your own way - whatever way that is. We believe we understand more than one "way" to travel and hope we can produce an itinerary that will fit your expectations of this bio diverse Island Continent.

NEW! Rain Forest and Island Hopping Tours:
We are still putting together pictures for these tour options, but if you would like a sneak preview, you can download our Pdf documents to learn more.
We have NOT as yet visited Masoala nor the Masoala Forest Lodge but are scheduled to go in June 2010.

However, we are fairly confident of the standard of this lodge and even more aware of the importance of tourism in this delicate area.

Therefore, in the interest of conservation we are marketing this itinerary below.

Masoala is truly one of the last bits of primary rainforest Madagascar has to offer and the loggers are destroying it at an alarming rate. This could be a last chance to see this remarkable piece of our earth.

The Masoala Peninsula (Rain forest) Island Hopping in Nosy Be

Guided Kayaking Holidays:
Île St Marie and/or Nosy Be. Exclusive to MadagasCat.Explore the mostly shallow and tranquil waters of eastern reef or islands around Nosy Be via catamaran. Read more

Fully Crewed Yacht Charters of the Nosy Be Waters:
See Charters Pages.

Scuba Diving: Sakatia Lodge offers dives for beginners and the more advanced divers. All equipment, years of experience and knowledge are on offer here. Night dives and nitrox dives are also offered. Dive charters can be arranged with one of our charter boats in conjunction with the Sakatia Dive Centre.

Places not mentioned: The tours described here are what we, personally, have experienced. We have the contacts and ability to arrange anything - but must stress that we would be doing it "blind" and therefore we cannot assure you of anything! However our Ground Controller, Michèle has travelled Madagascar extensively and we would use her advice if we were in any doubt.

Day One: Upon arrival at Diego airport you will transfer by taxi and boat to Babaomby Eco Lodge on the shores of the Emerald Sea. An ideal kite and windsurfing location it also has an incredible view over the lagoon and is a great place to relax and acclimatise to the heat of the north.
Overnight at Babaomby Eco Lodge

Day Two: Explore the lagoon with its deserted islands and beaches. Do a bit of snorkelling and walking.
Overnight at Babaomby Eco Lodge

Day Three: Transfer back to Diego by mid morning and you are ready to do some exercise. You will be met at Ramena Village by your guide and driver. First up is a visit to Windsor Castle. This monolith is steep-sided and flat-topped making for a perfect view (and lookout during times of war). Take plenty of water and wear a hat!
On your return to the vehicle you will take a half hour ride to Courier's Bay for a swim at the beautiful beach before returning to Diego.
Overnight at Allamanda Hotel

Day Four:Drive out of Diego to Joffreville and after leaving your bags at Le Domaine de Fontenay, head off to the Montagne d'Ambre Reserve for an afternoon walk. This 18 500 ha park was created in 1958 and is a wonderful example of montane rainforest. The massif ranges in altitude from 850m to 1 475 m and has its own micro-climate. It is one of the most visitor friendly of Madagascar's protected areas, with broad trails and fascinating flora and fauna.
Overnight at Le Domaine d'Fontenay

Day Five: More of Day Four! If you are staying at Le Domaine you will also have the privilege of enjoying their private park - take note of the hotel details on the hotel page for the advantages of a stay here.

Day Six: Leave your hotel early with your driver and guide and head off to see the Red Tsingy. This is an amazing area of eroded laterite which makes for exciting photography with the many varieties of colour.

Set off south-west towards Ankarana where you will stop at Le Relais de Ankarana to drop your bags, have a quick lunch and move on to the Ankarana National Park. Put your walking shoes on again and set off for a three hour walk through dry, deciduous forest to the amazing "lake" of Tsingy. The word "tsingy" is Malagasy for tip-toe. Simply because it is impossible to walk normally on these limestone karst pinnacles. You will also visit and explore the bat caves with no less than four types of bat residing there. Your fitness levels need to be fairly good for these hikes. Although I did it, and you will see from the album on our About MadagasCaT page, I am NOT remotely fit!
Overnight at Le Relais de Ankarana

Day Seven: Assuming you are enjoying all of this you will spend another day exploring the remarkable park. More Tsingy, suspension bridges and the Lac Vert (green lake) are among several highlights - and I have not mentioned the good variety of lemur species, including crowned and Sanford's brown lemurs. Birds, reptiles and insects are in good supply too.
Overnight at Le Relais de Ankarana

Day Eight: Your last day takes you through wondrous scenery, cocoa plantations, rice fields and finally by boat to the island of Nosy Be. This is the final point of the tour to the north (which can be done in reverse) and should be completed (or started) with at least three to four nights enjoying the warm ocean and beaches of Nosy Be or more ideally a six night yacht charter with crew to wait on you hand a foot.

Map North