To be or Nosy Be, that is the question! | Nosy Be Archipelago, Madagascar

Welcome to Paradise!

Nosy Be, meaning "big island" in the Malagasy language, is a beachy paradise located 8 km off the northwestern coast of Madagascar. Visitors will find a volcanic island with a warm tropical climate, pristine white-sand beaches, eleven crater lakes, and habitats which are home to numerous endemic plant and animal species.

The French colonized Nosy Be from 1840, founding an outpost named Hell-Ville which became an important trade harbor in the Mozambique Channel. Now the capital, the city offers French colonial buildings and a glimpse of day-to-day local life at its lively markets and craft centers.

At 320 square kilometers, Nosy Be is the largest island of an archipelago, and its several smaller neighbors nearby make it the ideal place for island hopping and sampling an array of picture-postcard beaches. One of the main attractions of the archipelago is its marine life, and waters surrounding many of the islets are excellent spots for scuba diving and snorkelling. With overnight stays on the tiny, remote isles of Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Iranja, we’ll take in the best of what the land and sea has to offer, and have our very own “castaway” moment!

In the southeast of Nosy Be is its most famous attraction: Lokobe National Park, a 740-hectare sanctuary known for its rare panther chameleon population, black lemurs, geckos, frogs and much more. One of Madagascar's five Strict Nature Reserves, Lokobe encompasses an old-growth forest with ancient endemic tree species – the last remaining primary rainforest on the island. A wildlife-spotting trek through this lush coastal haven brimming with ylang-ylang, orchids, palm trees and ferns is an experience to remember.

As if you needed another reason to visit, September is prime time for whale watching, when massive, magnificent humpback whales make their way through the archipelago’s waters. Add to that the chance to swim with another migratory giant, the whale shark, as we set a sail in deep sea search of spotting these elusive creatures, a sight you won’t soon forget!!

Ready to explore the islands of your dreams?

Let’s go!

DAY 1 // Arrival in Nosy Be

Meet at airport for a flight via Addis. Arrival, immigration procedure and one-hour drive to our beach-side hotel, where we’ll be based for the duration of the trip. We’ll settle in, indulge in the beautiful surroundings and first african sunset.

DAY 2: Lokobe National Park

Early departure this morning as we embark on our first adventure in Lokobe National Park. We’ll hit the road towards the southeast of the island, passing by the capital of Hell-Ville. After about an hour we’ll reach the village of Ambatozavavy, where we’ll pile into local fishing boats and make our way through dense mangrove forests to reach the park.

Our 2-3 hour, ranger-led hike will take us through dense forest and lush greenery, where we’ll keep our eyes peeled to spot endemic wildlife and plants, including lemurs and rare chameleons. When we’ve had our fill of exploring, we’ll head back to our lodgings, stopping for lunch along the way. Afternoon at leisure for swimming and relaxing on the beach.

DAY 3: Nosy Sakatia

Today we discover the area’s underwater treasures. A short boat ride off the west coast of Nosy Be is Nosy Sakatia, a road-free island with picture-perfect beaches, rare birds and endemic flora. What it’s most known for, however, is its coral reef teeming with ocean life. With its marine ecosystem located inside a protected area, the island’s waters offer an unforgettable snorkelling or diving experience.
We’ll enjoy this slice of paradise as we swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun – and maybe spot some of the giant green turtles that call this island home! Return to the hotel late afternoon and evening at leisure.

DAY 4: Nosy Antsoha & Nosy Iranja

Today we have another magical island excursion, taking in two of Nosy Be’s neighbors. First we’ll make a stop at tiny Nosy Antsoha, where a nature walk will bring us face-to-face with the three different species of lemurs which call the island home. We’ll continue on to Nosy Iranja, a beautiful white sand haven whose inviting, shallow waters appear in every shade of blue.
We’ll tuck into a picnic lunch on a dreamy beach and enjoy our little piece of heaven. Return to our lodgings in the afternoon and evening at leisure.

DAY 5: Nosy Be & Mont Passot

We’ll enjoy a relaxing morning, with a trip to the local crafts market for those who are interested in purchasing a souvenir. After lunch we’ll drive about an hour to reach the highest viewpoint in Nosy Be – the dormant volcano Mount Passot. From more than 300m up, we’ll have a magnificent panoramic view of Nosy Be’s volcanic lakes, the surrounding islands, and the sparkling, multi-hued coastal waters. We’ll settle in and enjoy a beautiful sunset before returning to the hotel.

DAY 6: Departure

We say goodbye to paradise and transfer back to the airport
for our flight home.

Grade: easy and relaxing tropical holidays.

Activities: island hopping, trekking, sightseeing, beach strolling, boating, seasonal whales encounter. Optional diving.

Accommodation: Beach side hotel and spa, shared rooms. Single room at extra cost, subject of availability at the time of booking.

Meals: Lunches and dinners excluded.

Cost: 4,900 AED excl. flights. Cost valid until AUG 8th. Past this date cost will change if we still have availability.

Flights: flydubai + Ethiopian at 3800 AED.

Visas: Any passport can obtain visa on arrival valid for 90 days. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

Whales encounter can not be guaranteed.

See yah in Nosy x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050484823
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