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NOSY MANGABE
Nosy Mangabe is an island nature reserve with dark-green thickly forested hills rising dramatically out of the sea. A short boat voyage from Maroantsetra takes one to beach on the island which provides the base for exploring the forest on the network of walking trails.
The island is home to White-fronted brown lemurs and Black-and-white ruffed lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, several species of chameleons, frogs and snakes, including the tree boa, some of which can usually be easily spotted on the forest trails in a day visit. There is also Aye-Aye, which in the past there was a chance of seeing if one stayed overnight on the island. However, the Aye-Aye on Nosy Mangabe are now more elusive than they were before and as night walks are also no longer permitted on the island, the chance of encountering one there has become greatly reduced. There are traditional Malagasy tombs in a cave and a beach called “Plage des Hollandais” with rocks bearing the scratched names of some 17th-century Dutch sailors.
Day One
From Antananarivo to Nosy Mangabe
Your fly-in package starts in Antananarivo. You are welcomed by your pilot at the charter company’s reception. With no check-in and wasted time, this is a tranquil and hassle-free start to your adventure. After an approximately 1,5 hour flight with magnificent views of the rugged hills and rainforests of eastern Madagascar, you descend over Antongil Bay and land at the airport of Maroantsetra.
You are met by our staff on arrival and transferred to our private boat for the short ride to the island of Nosy Mangabe.
Once ashore, explore the densely forested island with your guide on a network of trails providing a chance to spot Black and White-ruffed lemurs, White-fronted Brown lemurs, and leaf-tailed geckos.
After a picnic lunch on the beach, you embark on a second boat trip across Antongil Bay to the Masoala Forest Lodge. During this approximately two hour journey, enjoy the dramatic rainforest backdrop along with the possibilities of dolphin sightings and, seasonally, whale sightings (July-October).
MASOALA FOREST LODGE
7 en-suite tree house tents
2 communal areas (Beach House; Sea Deck)
80 hectare private rainforest reserve
2km of golden beaches in private coves
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Solar power (24-hour charging and lighting)
No plastic water bottles permitted
Drinking water comes from a pristine well (passed through 3-stage filter and bottled)
Slow wifi in main area
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Private guides & activities
Torches provided for night walks; dry bags for forest walks and boating
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Accessible on package basis only: 3 nights; 4 nights; 7 nights; 10 nights; 11 nights
ACTIVITIES​
Marine:​
2km of safe beaches and swimming
Shore-entry snorkelling
Kayaking
Sailing cruises
Whale watching (in season)
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Terrestrial:​
Primary forest walks in adjacent national park
Coastal forest walks in private reserve
Night walks in private reserve
Freshwater river canoeing
Tampolo Cascades
Cultural village visits
Massages & yoga
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SEASONALITY
We operate mid-April to early-January
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Over this period:
day time highs range from 25 - 30°C (78 - 86°F)
Night time lows range from (17 - 22°C (63 - 71°C)
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We close from early January to mid-April. This is the main rainy season when the rainforest is replenished.
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For the remainder of the year it can rain on any given day but the amount and frequency of rainfall is far less, with rain showers often simply passing overhead in a matter of minutes.
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Once you have settled comfortably into your bungalow, meet the other guests for sundowners around a fire on the beach.After dinner, your guide meets you to discuss possible excursions for day 2.
Day Two
... Nosy Mangabe
Awaken early for coffee and breakfast on the sea deck before setting off on the day’s adventure.
Today, take a quick boat ride up the coast to the primary rainforest in search of the Red-ruffed lemurs, Dwarf chameleons, Helmet Vangas, and other wildlife endemic to the forest.
After some hours in the dense forest with the giant hardwoods and majestic tree ferns, return to camp by boat for a well-earned lunch and rest.
Your afternoon activities could range from snorkelling on the nearby, highly diverse coral reefs to a sunset paddle out to a scenic outlook (and the chance of a close encounter with Green Turtles) to relaxing in a hammock underneath our beach-front palm trees.
After dinner, a guided night walk provides the only opportunity to spot some of the secretive nocturnal wildlife, such as Dwarf and Mouse lemurs, Leaf-tailed geckos, or even the elusive Aye-Aye.
Day Three
... Nosy Mangabe