Site icon The Vanilla Islands of the Indian Ocean

From the Mayotte lagoon to the Tsingy of Ankarana

SUMMARY

Mayotte, the beginning of adventure. The Mayotte closed lagoon is one of the world’s largest. You can discuss its conservation with an expert. It’s an opportunity to admire the underwater fauna: especially turtles, dolphins and manta rays, which swim around magnificent coral formations. You will also have the opportunity to admire the surface of the open sea or the magnificent white sand banks. 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 show awaits you: 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. The landscapes are extremely varied: the opulent forests to the east contrast with the arid landscape of the west.

18
DAYS

15
NIGHTS

From
€2,531
inc. tax*
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 3/5

A ECOTOURISTIC CIRCUIT CHARACTERIZED BY

Learn about biodiversity and the importance of protecting it

Environmentally friendly ecolodges

Hiking and other activities in the countryside

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 participants and local restrictions.
Day 1 : Paris / Dzaoudzi

From Paris to Dzaoudzi : dining on the plane


Day 2 : N’Gouja

You’ll stay in the Jardin Maoré ecolodge bungalows. After lunch, you’ll visit the N’Gouja beach and see turtles, giant baobabs and lemurs. A delicious dinner will be served at the hotel.


Day 3 : Sea outing

The Ecolodge will give you breakfast. You’ll then enjoy free time until departing for a boat trip in the afternoon. A specialist guide in marine biology will help you discover the seabed while explaining the challenges of marine protection.


Day 4 : Saziley

After a delicious breakfast, go hiking and picnicking on the Saziley peninsula with a local guide or a co-volunteer from a local association. Dinner awaits you upon your return.


Day 5 : N’Gouja

After breakfast at the N’Gouja ecolodge, you’ll have a free day. Guests can enjoy a kayak and snorkelling tour. Dinner and stay 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 expense, dinner and stay at the Jardin Maoré.


Day 7 : Sada / Coconi / Bandrele trip

Breakfast, dinner and stay 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 rest.


Day 9 : Dzaoudzi / Majunga

Breakfast at the ecolodge ; then you will have the day to buy souvenirs until you leave for Madagascar. Once you arrive at Mahajanga, our team will be delighted to welcome you for the journey to the Antsanitia ecolodge. For one day and night, the Sakalava await you.


Day 10 to 11 : Antsanitia

A day of canoeing and catamaran amusement to discover an undeniably unique site combining waters of the river and of the Indian Ocean. Lunch, dinner and stay at the Ecolodge.


Day 12 : Majunga / Ankarafantsika

After breakfast, you will reach Ankarafantsika National Park where you will discover rare types of lemurs and giant baobabs. Dinner and stay at the ecolodge.


Day 13 : Ankarafantsika / Antsohihy

After breakfast, head north to the city of Antsohihy. You’ll share a warm evening with the locals.


Day 14 : Antsohy / Ankarana

After breakfast, head towards the National Park of Ankarana with its geological peculiarities : its ‘Tsingy’ or relics of limestone attacked by erosion, resulting in arc shapes and forming extremely developed corridors and labyrinths. A breathtaking sight. Dinner and night at the Ankarana lodge.

Day 15 : Ankarana / Amber mountain

After breakfast, you will visit Amber Mountain National Park with its dense humid forest which has an incredible number of native species, including thousands of tree species.


Day 16 : Amber mountain – Ankify – Nosy Be

After the trip to the Amber Mountain National Park, head for Nosy Be, the island of perfume. This little “must-see” is a major tourist destination in Madagascar. After visiting Hell-Ville, you will become familiar with the ylang-ylang plant before finishing the day at the Alviavy Hotel.


Day 17 : Nosy Be / Dzaoudzi / Paris

After breakfast at the hotel, head for Nosy Be Airport. A final stop in Mayotte will allow you to relax before reaching Paris.

EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MAYOTTE

Learn about Mayotte’s flora and fauna. Learn about wildlife protection in N’Gouja
Mount Choungi 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
National parks and sites, together with native lemurs, classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites
Authentic nature, culture and crafts
The third largest coral reef in the world

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Trip management

Mayotte : Guide as per the programme and activities
Madagascar : Specialist guide

Insurance

Mayotte : Optional insurance can be provided for an additional charge

Time difference (from UK)

Mayotte and Madagascar :
UTC +3 (BST +2) in summer
UTC +3 (GMT +3) in winter

Tips

Mayotte and Madagascar : Tipping is at the customer’s discretion

Accommodation

Mayotte : Half-board accommodation at the Jardin Maoré ecolodge
Madagascar : Accommodation in ecolodges and camping

Meals and drinks

Mayotte : Lunch as per program (drinks extra)
Meals in both countries : As per programme (drinks extra)

Flights

Paris – Dzaoudzi
Dzaoudzi – Majunga
Nosy be – Mayotte
Mayotte – Paris

Bank cards

Mayotte and Madagascar : All cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) are accepted at ATMs in large cities and medium-sized towns

Practical information
Documentation

Mayotte : National identity card or valid passport for European Union citizens. Passport for Swiss citizens. No visa for European or Swiss citizens.

Madagascar : French nationals visiting Madagascar must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. An entry visa is required to arrive 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, sun cream and mosquito repellent, windproof jacket
Madagascar : Walking shoes, sun cream and mosquito repellent.

Health

Mayotte : Since Mayotte is part of France, European tourists will be aware of the rescue and assistance services available. It has a constantly evolving health infrastructure, similar to that in mainland France.

No vaccinations are required : Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, 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.

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 the mountain.
Minibus transfer (2 hour trip) from Dzaoudzi airport

Madagascar : 4×4 or minibus, speedboat for Nosy-Be

TARIF

Price per person
€2606*
(airfare not included)

Air fares, which are indicative only, and subject to change :

CDG-DZA return trip : €750
DZA-Mahajanga, one way : €220
Nosy be-DZA one-way : €220

This price includes

Half-board accommodation, based on two sharing
Meals (excluding drinks) included in this program
Guided tours and excursions included in this program
Airport-hotel transfers
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 expenses
Bank charges
Any other expenses not stated in this programme

This price includes

Half-board accommodation in double rooms
Meals (excluding drinks) included in this program
Guided tours and excursions
Airport-hotel transfers
Accompanying guide
Entry to and visits of the sites stated
Tourist taxes

This price does not include

International and inter-island flights
Personal insurance
Lunches and drinks
Personal expenses

*Single room supplement for Madagascar
No single room supplement at the Jardin Maoré.

CONTACT

MAYOTTE

Name : COMPAGNIE DES ILES VANILLE
Tel : +262 (0) 262 38 93 89
Email : contact@compagniedesilesvanille.com

MADAGASCAR

Name : Ramartour
Tel: +261 20 22 487 23
Email : sales@ramartour.com

THE VANILLA ISLANDS

info@vanilla-islands.org
www.vanilla-islands.org

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