SUMMARY
Mayotte, the beginning of the adventure. The Mahorais closed lagoon is one of the largest in the world. You can discuss its conservation with an expert. It’s an opportunity to admire the underwater fauna, including turtles, dolphins and manta rays, which swim around magnificent coral formations. You’ll also have the time to admire the beauty of the sea on a boat ride or from the stunning banks of white sand. Eco-volunteers will help you to explore the wonders of this lush natural environment, including the giant baobabs and bamboos where lemurs play. As night falls, another magical sight awaits : sea turtles laying their eggs.
In the blink of an eye, you’ll be in Madagascar after leaving Mayotte. You’ll be stunned by this large island and its amazingly rare biodiversity. It’s renowned for its native species. The landscapes are extremely varied : the opulent forests to the east contrast with the arid landscape of the west.
21
DAYS
18
NIGHTS
From
€2280
including taxes and charges*
per person
(Based on 6 people sharing)
| Getting in touch with nature | 5/5 |
|
| Meeting the locals | 4/5 |
|
| Eco-responsibility | 4/5 |
|
| Comfort | 3/5 |
|
| Accessibility | 4/5 |
A ECOTOURISTIC CIRCUIT CHARACTERIZED BY
Learning about biodiversity and the importance of protecting it
Environmentallly friendly ecolodge
Hiking and outdoor activities
Interactions with local people and associations
Cultural and historical visits
COMBINED ITINERARY
The tours, meetings and transfers mentioned may vary depending on the availability of the service providers and local constraints.
Day 1 : Paris – Dzaouzdi
Fly from Paris to Dzaoudzi
Day 2 : N’ Gouja
You’ll stay in the Jardin Maoré ecolodge bungalows. After lunch, you’ll visit N’Gouja’s beach and see turtles, giant baobabs and lemurs. A delicious dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3 : Boat trip
The ecolodge will give you breakfast. You’ll then enjoy free time until departing for a boat trip in the afternoon. A specialist marine biologist guide will help you to explore the underwater environment and will explain the challenges of marine conservation. You’ll spend the night at the ecolodge.
Day 4 : Saziley
After a delicious breakfast, go hiking and enjoy a picnic on the Saziley peninsula with a local guide or an eco-volunteer from a local association. Dinner awaits you upon your return to the ecolodge.
Day 5 : N’Gouja
After breakfast at the N’Gouja ecolodge, you’ll have a free day. You could enjoy a kayak tour or relax by the sea. Dinner and night at the ecolodge.
Day 6 : Mont Choungi
Start the day with a tasty breakfast before climbing Mont Choungui with a local guide. Lunch at your own expense, dinner and night at the Jardin Maoré.
Day 7 : Sada / Coconi / Bandrele trip
Breakfast, dinner and night at the ecolodge. During the day, take a trip to the Sada Crafts House and the Coconi Botanical Garden. Discover the sensational scent of the ylang ylang in Combani, visit the Bandrele salt eco-museum (depending on the season) and learn about the island’s cultures.
Day 8 : N’Gouja
Free day after breakfast. Back to the ecolodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9 : Dzaouzdi / Antananarivo
Enjoy the morning before your transfer from the Jardin Maoré to the airport where you’ll fly to Madagascar. On arrival, you’ll spend the night in a hotel.
Day 10 : Antananarivo / Antsirabe
After breakfast, you’ll set off for Antsirabe, with a stop at Ambatolampy where you’ll visit a foundry and a miniature rickshaw workshop. You’ll be amazed by the careful embroidery of the craftswomen and the delicate work with zebu horns. You’ll visit a gemstone gallery. You’ll have lunch on the way, before spending the evening in Antsirabe.
Day 11 : Antsirabe
After breakfast, set off for a day of trekking in Betafo, 20km west of Antsirabe. You’ll admire the typical landscape of this volcanic region with its fertile rice paddies. You’ll be able to meet the villagers. Night at the hotel.
Day 12 : ANSTSIRABE / RANOMAFANA
After a delicious bowl of fresh milk, learn about the history of Antsirabe on a rickshaw tour. You’ll reach Ranomafana after a stop at Ambositra, the Malagasy capital of wood sculpture.
Day 13 : Ranomafana
Start the day with a visit to one of the most famous national parks in Madagascar. Recharge your batteries in the hot springs of Ranomafana. You’ll also see the park’s nocturnal animals. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 14 : Ranomafana / Ranohira
You’ll continue your journey to Andringitra, with a stopover at Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao where you’ll see the famous antemoro paper-making techniques for yourself. Admire the beauty of the Anja nature reserve in Ranohira and the Ihorombe plateau, a vast semi-desert grassy savannah. In the evening, enjoy a good night’s sleep at the hotel.
Day 15 : Ranohira
After a hearty breakfast, enjoy a picnic in the splendid surroundings of Isalo National Park. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 16 : Ranohira / Ifaty
Leave for Toliara in the morning. On arrival, visit the arboretum, the shellfish market and the magnificent fishing village of Ifaty. You’ll eat dinner at the Mangily solidarity hotel.
Day 17 : Ifaty
You’ll have a whole day to explore the village before returning to the hotel for the evening.
Day 18 : Ifaty
After breakfast, learn about the NGO Bel Avenir and its educational projects in the village. Back to the Mangily solidarity hotel for dinner.
Day 19 : Ifaty / Antanarivo
You’ll have a free morning to enjoy the emerald waters of Ifaty before going the airport.
Day 20 : Antanarivo / Paris
Spend the night in Antananarivo; on the following day, explore the sacred hill of Ambohimanga and the wonders of the capital before returning to Paris.
EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
MAYOTTE
• Learn about the Mahoran flora and fauna. Learn about wildlife protection in N’Gouja
• Mont Choungui hike with breathtaking views, then Saziley with the Escale eco-volunteer association
• Stay at the environmentally friendly Jardin Maoré ecolodge
MADAGASCAR
• 4th largest island in the world, with 18 ethnic groups and ten species of native lemurs.
• 2 national parks and 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Authentic nature, culture and crafts
• The third largest coral reef in the world
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Meals and drinks
Meals in both countries : As per the programme (drinks extra)
Tips
Mayotte and Madagascar : Tipping is at the customer’s discretion
Bank cards
Mayotte and Madagascar : All bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are accepted at ATMs in big cities and medium-sized towns.
Time difference (from UK)
Mayotte and Madagascar
• UTC +3 (BST +2) in summer
• UTC +3 (GMT +3) in winter
Accommodation
Mayotte : Half-board accommodation at the Jardin Maoré ecolodge
Madagascar : Half-board accommodation in boutique hotels/guest houses : solidarity hotel
Trip management
Mayotte : Guide, depending on the programme and activities
Madagascar : Specialist ecotourism guide throughout your stay
Flights
• Paris – Dzaoudzi
• Dzaoudzi – Antananarivo
• Sainte Marie – La Réunion
• La Réunion – Paris
Insurance
Mayotte : Optional insurance can be provided at an additional cost
Madagascar : Don’t forget travel/health insurance which includes repatriation and medical care.
Useful information
Documentation
Mayotte : For European Union nationals : identity card or passport. Passport for Swiss citizens but no visa for European or Swiss citizens.
Madagascar : French nationals travelling to Madagascar must have a passport or identity card (valid for at least 6 months after their return date). An entry visa is required and is issued on arrival at the airport. For a stay of less than 30 days, it costs €35 and is payable on arrival.
Don’t forget to pack
Mayotte : Suitable footwear, sunscreen and mosquito repellent, wind and rainproof jacket
Madagascar : Walking shoes ; headwear ; sunscreen and mosquito repellent ; waterproof jacket for the rainforest, warm clothing ; lightweight clothing for the arid south.
Transports
Mayotte
• Transfer by car then two hours by boat from the airport to Jardin Maoré
• Saziley : one hour by car to M’Samoudou.
• Mont Choungui : 30 minutes by car from the ecolodge to the foot of Choungui.
• Minibus transfer (2 hours) from the ecolodge to Dzaoudzi Airport
Madagascar
• 4×4 or minibus
• Tamatave – Mahambo : two hours’ drive
• Mahambo – Sainte-Marie : three-hour sea crossing
Health
Mayotte : Since Mayotte is part of France, European tourists will be aware of the rescue and assistance services available. It has constantly evolving health infrastructure, similar to that in mainland France.
No vaccinations are required. Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, whooping cough and measles for children are recommended.
Madagascar : No vaccinations are required but vaccinations against hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever are recommended.
TARIF
Price per person
€2280*
(airfare not included)
Airfares, which are indicative and subject to change
• CDG-DZA return trip : from €750
• DZA-TAN one-way trip : from €260
• Tana-RUN one-way trip : from €330
This price includes
• Half-board accommodation, based on two sharing
• The meals stated (excluding drinks)
• The guided tours and excursions stated
• Airport transfers to and from hotels
• Tourist taxes
This price does not include
• Insurance (can be provided for an additional charge)
• International flights from Paris and inter-island flights
• Drinks
• Personal spending
• Bank charges
• Any other expenses not stated in this programme
This price includes
• Half-board accommodation, based on two sharing
• The meals stated (excluding drinks)
• The guided tours and excursions stated
• Airport transfers to and from hotels
• Accompanying guide
• Entry to and visits of the sites stated
• Local guide on tours and excursions
• Tourist taxes
This price does not include
• International and domestic flights
• Personal insurance
• Lunches and drinks
• Personal spending
*Single room supplement for Madagascar.
No single room supplement at the Jardin Maoré (Mayotte)
CONTACT
MAYOTTE
Name : COMPAGNIE DES ILES VANILLE
Tel : +262 (0) 262 38 93 89
Email : contact@compagniedesilesvanille.com
MADAGASCAR
Name : JACARANDA
Tel : 00 261 20 22 245 34 / 00 261 20 33 11 025 25
Email : jacarand@moov.mg
THE VANILLA ISLANDS
info@vanilla-islands.org
www.vanilla-islands.org
