or call us on 0800 781 4893
Off the shores of southeast Africa, discover the island of Madagascar, a curious wonderland home to wildlife described by Sir David Attenborough as 'strange, rare and utterly unique'. During your adventure marvel at the enigmatic Baobab Trees, meet tribal Antakarana people and explore the limestone fantasyland of Ankarana National Park. You may also encounter fauna in the form of inquisitive lemur families, sea turtles patrolling colourful reefs and vibrant chameleons amongst striking forest flora.
Depart London on your overnight flight to Mauritius.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where the rest of your day is at leisure.
In the late morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to the Madagascan capital of Antananarivo. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Spend this morning on a sightseeing tour of the city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure to wander through the city's bustling markets, admire the old town's colonial architecture or undertake an optional excursion.
This morning fly to Diego and transfer to the National Park of Amber Mountain for a leisurely wander along the park's scenic trails. In the afternoon continue to Antsiranana for an evening at leisure.
In the morning, transfer to the fishing village of Ramena and cruise upon the Emerald Sea towards a sheltered bay overlooking the Indian Ocean's inviting waters. Unwind upon the golden shores of this paradise or snorkel in search of reefs, before savouring freshly caught fish cooked before your eyes.
Following an early breakfast, drive to the Ankarana National Park, where a breath-taking layered formation of limestone pinnacles cultivate the forestfilled canyons and subterranean rivers below. Stop off en route at local villages to experience the unique tribal traditions of the Antakarana people.
Following breakfast, enjoy a full day exploring Ankarana National Park. Spot the mighty Boabab trees, traverse walkways with dramatic backdrops, peer into the bat's grotto and take centre stage within the naturally carved rock amphitheatre.
After breakfast depart for the Millot Plantation in Ambanja, for a fascinating insight into a century of devotion to the world's finest cocoa. Observe the production process each plant undergoes by hand, taste organic cocoa beans, and tour the village that is supported by the plantation. Finally, take a boat trip to the exotic island of Nosy Be and arrive at your hotel.
A day of island hopping awaits, commencing in the tropical retreat of Nosy Komba with a visit to the island's Lemur Park. Peruse the market of Ampangorina which presents a vibrant selection of local crafts before continuing to Nosy Tanikely, a protected marine reserve revered for its colourful corals, tropical fish and green sea turtles.
Embark on a traditional rowing boat through the mangrove swamp, before arriving at the Lokobe Special Reserve. Your guided tour of the forest gives you the best chance to observe famed Madagascan wildlife including striking chameleons, red owls, and black lemurs nestled amongst vanilla orchids. After lunch return to your hotel on Nosy Be for the remainder of today at leisure.
Today is at leisure to unwind upon the island's idyllic beaches or continue with an optional excursion.
This morning catch a flight back to the Madagascan capital for a day at your own pace. Later this evening, enjoy a farewell meal in a local restaurant.
This morning, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight back to the UK, via Mauritius.
For stays of 30 days or less a Visa will be required and is purchased upon arrival. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight to Antananarivo Airport is with Air Mauritius (MK), departing from London Heathrow, Terminal 4. Each passenger is entitled to 30kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalised on final documents. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and hills, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 5, and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 5 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable
This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
The currency in Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary, however it is advisable to take Euros and change small amounts of money at a time into Ariary, as it can be difficult to change money back. We strongly recommend exchanging money at the BFV/Societe Generale Bank, when in Madagascar. Do be aware that it is illegal to exchange money at the markets. Credit Cards are not widely accepted in Madagascar.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £300 person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Tipping is at your discretion, however we would recommend approximately £2 per person per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.
Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | Book Now |
---|---|---|---|
2022 Dates | |||
2023 Dates | |||
21 Apr 2023 | 04 May 2023 | £3549.00 | Book Now |
05 May 2023 | 18 May 2023 | £3589.00 | Book Now |
02 Jun 2023 | 15 Jun 2023 | £3619.00 | Book Now |
01 Sep 2023 | 14 Sep 2023 | £3679.00 | Book Now |
06 Oct 2023 | 19 Oct 2023 | £3659.00 | Book Now |
24 Nov 2023 | 07 Dec 2023 | £3659.00 | Book Now |
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times or sailing conditions. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions.
21 °C / 30 °C
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Hotels were wonderful all of them
All hotels clean comfortable with courteous staff providing excellent customer service.
all the hotels were good and i found that the food was good. the staff at all the hotels were helpful and friendly, bed were comfortable rooms were clean and tidy
Following your expedition in Madagascar, unwind for an additional 7 nights upon this paradise island of Mauritius - home to world renowned beaches, a kaleidoscope of cultural influences within its bustling capital and luscious rain forests that open up for nature trails.
View Tour + ExtensionKnown as a luscious haven for endangered and rare species, immerse yourself in the beauty of Andasibe National Park on this fascinating 3-night mini tour, keeping a close eye out for the park's famous and enchanting lemur residents.
View Tour + Extension