Madagascar Beach & Nature: Nosy Be & Perinet Reserve
This itinerary is one of the best choices for first time visitors as it is possible to visit almost all year (except February).

Nosy Be is the most well known of all Madagascar’s islands offering a wide choice of accommodation from budget to exclusive private island resorts. With plenty to offer in terms of excursions, the most popular of these is Nosy Tanikely, a marine reserve with reefs offering astounding snorkelling and diving opportunities. Then there is Nosy Komba, an unofficial ‘sanctuary’ for a thriving population of the threatened Black Lemur.

Combining beach and nature means that one gets the opportunity to visit Perinet Reserve (Analamazaotra / Andasibe), which is one of Madagascar’s well-known wildlife sites. A scenic 3½ hour drive east of Tana finds you in this spectacular rainforest reserve. It is home to a large variety of rainforest wildlife, notably the baboon-sized Indri, largest of the Lemurs as well as rainforest-dwelling birds, reptiles and other animal oddities. The trails are well mapped and the local forest guides will introduce you to many animal
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Itinerary: 7 nights (This itinerary is dependant on flight connections and may run in reverse).

DAY 1: Fly to Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the Central Highlands. On arrival proceed through customs and immigration and make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Nosy Be Island. You will be met on arrival by a representative of the hotel. Transfer to the hotel of your choice (see choices and links to the hotels at the end of this page).
DAY 2: Day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice.
DAY 3: Day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice.
DAY 4: Day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice.
DAY 5: Transfer to the airport and fly back to Antananarivo. Transfer to Perinet reserve (3 1/2 hours by road). If going in spring or summer (late August - March), pack a torch as you can go on a short night stroll to see nocturnal animal life. Explore the rainforest of Perinet. Overnight stay at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
DAY 6: Whole day to explore Perinet's rainforest. To see the most wildlife (especially Indris and birds) be in the rainforest as close to daybreak as possible as this is when the wildlife is most active. The trails are not difficult to manage and almost all of the forest guides speak English. You should also encounter the likes of Grey Bamboo Lemur, Red-fronted Brown Lemur; birds like the lovely Blue Coua; Velvet Asity and Nuthatch Vanga, as well as impressive reptiles like Malagasy Tree Boa and Parson's Chameleon. Orchids and other epiphytes festoon the trees. Overnight at the Vakona Lodge (upmarket) or Hotel Feon'ny Ala (midrange) (B&B).
DAY 7: Transfer to Antananarivo and check in to the Hotel Royal Palissandre for the last night (B&B).
DAY 8: Transfer to the airport for return flight to Johannesburg.
** For descriptions of hotels scroll down to Important links
** For an accurate online quote see links to online quoting below

Prices include:
International and internal Malagasy flights (ex Johannesburg), all accommodation and meals as indicated, all excursions with car and driver, guides in the reserves, entry permits and all airport-hotel transfers

Not included:
Meals not indicated drinks, tips and personal expenses, travel insurance, internet access, airport taxes and visa fee.
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Below is an approximate price per person sharing

upmarket option with Vakona Lodge in Perinet and below on Nosy Be Archipelago:

Amarina dinner, bed and breakfast (superior room) US$ 1759 Euro 2026
Corail Noir bed and breakfast (airconditioned, standard room) US$ 950 Euro 1609
Tsarbanjina Private Island full Board US$ 2841 Euro 2423
Vanila Hotel bed and breakfast (air-conditioned, standard room) US$ 1930 Euro 1592
Ventaclub Andilana fully inclusive US$ 2057 Euro 1697

midrange option with Feon'ny Ala in Perinet and on Nosy Be Archipelago:

L'Heure Bleue bed and breakfast US$ 1524 Euro 1300
Chanty Beach bed and breakfast US$ 1728 Euro 1425