Coast Of Vanilla

Nosy Be

Arrive at Nosy Be airport, meeting with our assistant, and transfer to the hotel.

Home la Residence – villa with private infinity pool/villa with private infinity pool HB.

Nosy Be-Sakatia

Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide, and transfer to Sakatia. Followed by a visit to Orchid Island.
This island is still well preserved on the west coast of Nosy Be, this hidden gem is very popular with scientists, botanists, and ornithologists.
Old “flamboyant” trees, coffee trees, peppers, vanilla, traveler trees, pineapples, cashews, mangoes, guavas, eucalyptus, raffia, orchids, medicinal plants, etc. … everything is there.
The culture and traditional activities of the inhabitants of the island (rites, customs, beliefs, and legends), fishermen and artisans, invite you to share their daily lives at the rhythm of a generous and obsequious nature. For your greatest pleasure, you will end your day on a private beach. A true paradise of beauty and calm. Lunch is offered “feet in the water” in the shade of the many coconut trees and the possibility of snorkeling. A few kayaks and beach games are available, as well as a massage and relaxation area.
3 possible formulas are offered: a fishing formula, excursion formula, and massage and well-being formula (You choose).
Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Home la Residence – villa with private infinity pool. L – HB

Ankify – Antsaravibé

Breakfast, followed by a meeting with our assistant. An early morning transfer by car to the port of Nosy Be, then a boat transfer to Ankify. There will be a departure towards the north through constantly changing landscapes, from coffee plantations to cocoa passing by bananas – to the forests of Ravinala. We will then pass through the town of Ambilobe, and continue to the village of Isesy, where we will head west on the track to Antsaravibé. 125 km of paved road (sometimes rough) – 15 km of track. 

The Iharana tent camp is the starting point for various routes to discover the endemic beauty of the park. A day dedicated to hiking in the vast territory of the Western Ankarana massif, through villages, admiring unique landscapes, and offers contact with the local inhabitants. On the shores of Lake “Mahatsabory”, it will be possible to spot rare birds such as the Drongo, the hummingbird, the kingfisher, and various birds of prey. You will have the opportunity to observe the life of the villagers engaged in their daily activities, growing vegetables, cotton, corn, and rice, they still follow traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including some species of lemurs, and various endemic plant species. There is a possibility of visiting the “Cameleon” caves, the Tsingy massif by canoe, and the Tsingy point of view, depending on the time available and the physical capacities of the participants. These activities being in certain areas that are difficult to access and very steep.
Lunch is then offered at the Camp restaurant. Along the Tsingy massif in front of the Lodge, we will embark on board the traditional canoes built out of local wood. You will be rocked by the current of the Mahavavy river while admiring a landscape rich in flora and fauna: different species of birds, including kingfishers or dragons, considered here as the kings of birds as well as colorful butterflies. This is the ideal place for photographers and wild nature enthusiasts. From the lake, you will appreciate the magnificence of the colors at sunset in a tranquil environment.

Iharana Bush Camp-Bungalow Lake view FB

Antsaravibé – Vohemar

Trasferimento Antsaravibé – Daraina 140km of dirt road.

Early morning departure from the Hotel.

Breakfast and departure along the track that leads to Daraina where many small traditional villages are found one after another.
Along the way we will also observe Baobab trees endemic to Madagascar, pachypodium (The name of the genus derives from the Greek pachys, grosso, and podos, foot, in reference to the thick and stocky shape of the trunk of these plants), rivers and pastures of zebu. Picnic Lunch is offered. Arrive in Daraina and transfer to the Hotel.

Camp Tattersalli-Chambre L-HB. Breakfast + Half board

Vohemar

Excursion “The Daraina Reserve”.

52km from Vohemar, 2h30 by dirt road.

Breakfast at the hotel, departure for a visit to the Betaraoka forest in Daraina.
The reserve belongs to the protected area of Loky-Manambato, a still preserved forest inhabited by endemic species of lemurs (Propithecus tattersalli), which is a large lemur with a white and golden mantle. Whole families will meet there, and along the river, you will be able to observe local gold diggers in the river inside the forest. The walking circuit involves about 2 hours of walking. Lunch is offered at a local restaurant.
Transfer to hotel in Vohemar.

La Baie d’Iharana-Sea view room on the floor L-HB.

Vohemar – Sambava

Visit to Lake Andranotsara (green lake) and its thousand hills.

7km from Vohemar.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Sambava. Along the way visit the lake Andranotsara surrounded by its marvelous green hills and sand dunes. There is a legend, that a village once stood in Andranotsara; one night a terrible seven-headed monster came that curled up to rest, with its weight plunged the village underground. Seven days of rain followed, which filled the basin that had formed with water, giving rise to the lake. The inhabitants of the area believe that the crocodiles of the lake are the reincarnations of their ancestors and still today there are several fady (taboo) in this regard. Lunch is offered in a local restaurant.

Visit of the Soavanio plantation.

5km from Sambava.
After breakfast, visit the largest vanilla factory in Madagascar which will allow you to understand the various stages of vanilla processing until the finished product is reached. You will then visit the Soavoanio coconut plantation which covers an area of 4846 hectares, learning the multiple uses of this precious tree from which multiple substances are obtained by processing the trunk, roots, leaves, and of course the fruit.

Excursion to “The town of Sambava”

The town of Sambava has an economy is based on the vanilla trade – of which Madagascar is the first country in the world for export volumes, as well as coconuts and coffee. Vanilla is obtained from a plant belonging to the orchid family, originally from Mexico and introduced at the end of the nineteenth century by planters from the Réunion islands, who discovered the warm and humid climate ideal for cultivation on the east coast. Vanilla has yellow flowers and pods that can reach 20 cm in length; these are collected still green, immersed in hot water, left to dry in the sun, and wrapped in blankets to make them transpire and ferment. The uses of vanilla are many: aromas for ice cream, pastry, perfumery, insect repellent, cooking, etc.
Transfer to the hotel in Sambava.

Hôtel Carrefour-Superior room L-HB

Sambava – Antalaha

35km to Antalaha. 45 km from Sambava.
After breakfast, you will be departing for the Domaine d’Ambohimanitra: a hill with breath-taking scenery over the Indian Ocean. You can visit the reserve that extends over an area of 40 hectares, to admire the plantations of the precious black gold of Madagascar, cloves, cinnamon, pink pepper, etc.
You will stop at a small local restaurant located on a panoramic terrace for a lunch where there will be dishes cooked and flavored with vanilla. Followed by a transfer to the hotel in Antalaha.

Hôtel Océan Momo-Bungalow air-conditioned L-DBB.

Antalaha – Sambava

Macolline Excursion: Discovering the Botany of the Sava Region (3km from Antalaha).

Departure from the hotel early in the morning.
Macolline is a natural reserve for the protection of the primary forest with an area of 10 hectares. A visit to this reserve allows you to discover the origin of many precious and semi-precious kinds of wood such as rosewood, ebony, and rosewood. The reserve is also the granary of the seeds of the surrounding crops. Tropical fruit trees participate in the decor of this magnificent hill.
Two panoramic viewpoints offer breathtaking views towards the river and the ocean. Picnic will be offered or local restaurant lunch.

Pirogue Excursion on the Ankavanana River:
With its delta on the outskirts of Antalaha, the Ankavanana River offers the opportunity for a true immersion in the rural heart of the region that maintains its traditions and unspoiled natural wealth.
This circuit will show you the charm of the river and the life that flows slowly along its coasts, through the observation of the daily activities of the local population.
Eventually, we will reach the estuary where the Ankavanana and Ankavia rivers meet, finally arriving at a brick-making workshop.
Followed by a transfer to the hotel in Sambava

Hôtel Carrefour-Superior room L-HB.

Sambava – Visit Andapa

110km from Sambava, 3h by road.

A day dedicated to visiting the Andapa basin, the rice reserve of the entire North / East region of Madagascar. This wonderful corner of the world is home to a simple and serene population, people here are still amazed by the visit of “foreigners”, Andapa is a large agricultural village full of plantations and private reserves, an astonishing oasis of peace and a great way to discover the ancient way of life of the people who live there. Lunch will be offered in a local restaurant.
You will then be heading back to the hotel.

Hôtel Carrefour-Superior room L-HB.

Sambava / Antananarivo

Sambava / Antananarivo
Meeting at the hotel with the assistant and transfer to Sambava Airport. Flight to Antananarivo.
Meeting the assistant at the airport in Antananarivo and transfer to the hotel.

LOKANGA BOUTIQUE HOTEL- HB.

Antananarivo

Breakfast at the hotel.

End of services.