Wildlife, Rainforest and Beaches in Northern Madagascar

DAY 1 Arrive in Antananarivo

Your flight will land in Johannesburg in the early morning and you then transfer across to the connecting three-hour flight to Antananarivo. On arrival in the Malagasay capital you'll be met and transferred privately to your hotel, around an hour and a half from the airport. A chic property in the business area of the city, the hotel offers massage and beauty therapies, a welcome treat after your journey. Head up to the terrace of the SkyBar for pre-dinner drinks and a great view over the city before enjoying a delicious meal and a good night's sleep.

DAY 2 To Ankarana National Park

This morning, you'll leave Nature Lodge by car after breakfast to head to the Ankarana National Park, some three hours' drive away. Depending on road conditions, there may be an opportunity to make a small detour en route to take in the spectacular red tsingy, an area of deep, rust-red earth through which hundreds of spiky pinnacles of sandstone, marl and laterite have formed due to fierce erosion. Keen photographers, stand by for a treat. Travelling onwards, you'll arrive at Relais de l'Ankarana, Ankarana Lodge where you'll stay for the next three nights. It's very simple but comfortable accommodation, and perfectly located, just minutes from the entrance to the superb Ankarana National Park.

After a welcome lunch, stretch your legs with a guided walk in to get your bearings and discover some of the natural delights of this very special place.

DAY 3 Onwards to Nosy Komba Island

Today, it's time to leave Ankarana on a three-hour road transfer followed by a half hour boat trip to the dreamy island resort of Tsara Komba. Nestled discreetly amid the coconut palms on perhaps the most picturesque (which is saying something) of several islands making up the archipelago of Nosy Be, this idyllic property is designed to fill every moment of your stay with pure joy. With just eight individual timber lodges, complete with a spacious private veranda overlooking the shimmering turquoise bay, it's a heavenly retreat where you can truly unwind.

Boasting impressive eco-credentials as well as serving supremely high quality, organic cuisine (and delectable cocktails), the resort's warm and friendly staff will do everything they can to ensure your stay is as relaxed and personalised as possible.

Spend the afternoon as you please, with a stroll along the dazzling white beach, through the botanical gardens or just taking in the view as the local fishermen pull up the day's catch on their tiny wooden boats. Other activities we can arrange include snorkelling, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, botanical garden walks, visits to nearby islands, deep sea fishing, trekking, diving (including PADI certification) and massages and beauty treatments.

DAY 4 Homeward Bound

After wonderful breakfast, you'll be transferred first by boat to the island of Nosy Be (a 40-minute journey) and then on by car to the international airport some 30 minutes away.

Your flight to Antananarivo takes around one-and-a-half-hours before you connect on to Johannesburg (a three-and-a-half-hour flight) in time for your overnight flight of around 11 hours back to London.