Escape to a sun-drenched paradise of blindingly white sands, sapphire waters, and the unique, untouched ecological wonders of Madagascar, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
Over 90% of the wildlife on this eccentric and wondrous safari destination is found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar’s lemurs, baobab avenues, and many more are out of this world and will astound you on your safari holiday.
This archipelago consists of granite islands, lush tropical forests, and sandy beaches. Seychelles is an exclusive retreat where you can discover colorful coral reefs and walk with the ancient giant tortoises of the islands.
Mauritius is a sophisticated and culturally diverse island with beautiful beaches, historic plantation houses, stunning volcanic scenery, and endemic forests for trekking. It is a world-class, seamless destination for a tropical finale to a mainland African safari.
Antananarivo – Capital City
The capital of Madagascar is a busy, colorful city of character. Located on a cluster of hills, Antananarivo is a mix of old streets, markets, colonial architecture, and daily life of the Malagasy people. There is always something happening in the markets, whether it’s the variety of produce for sale, the crafts on offer, or the many different types of food. Take some time to stroll around the many historic streets and soak up the atmosphere of the city. It’s not polished, but it is full of life and has lots of soul. It can be a little chaotic at times, but is well worth a visit.
Andasibe Nature Reserve
This is where Madagascar’s unique wildlife starts to reveal itself. The forest is as far removed as you can get from the rest of the island and, as you wander the paths, you never quite know what you will see next. Keep your eyes in the trees above and you could see the different species of lemur swinging from the branches, the very colorful chameleons hidden in the vegetation, or all sorts of other strange and wonderful creatures that seem to have been created by the most imaginative of minds. The indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, can be heard calling in the forest—a very haunting sound. A walk in the forest is best done with a guide and, preferably, first thing in the morning when the forest and its creatures are just starting to wake up. Just remember to look up… and look down… and look everywhere in between!
Baobab Alley
There are landscapes, then there are landscapes. Baobab Alley is so beautiful that you will have to stop the vehicle to look at it. There are hundreds of ancient baobab trees on each side of the road, and they look so unusual that you will want to take loads of photos. This is the place to be at sunset when the trees look even more unusual as they are silhouetted against the sky. This is a place where you can just sit and watch the light change and enjoy the moment. The only problem is that you will find it hard to leave, especially after you have found the perfect shot!
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is a great place to switch off and to relax and let the Indian Ocean take care of you. The palm trees are on the beaches, the water is warm and is of a beautiful turquoise color. There are colorful fishing boats on the water and there are many opportunities to go on the water, for example to go snorkeling or diving or to visit some of the other islands nearby. During the day you can go and explore some of the other islands, or you can just sit on the beach and do nothing. After a few busy days in Madagascar, this is a great way to unwind. The island has a very relaxed atmosphere, and the food is great. There is lots of fresh seafood and lots of local flavors. At night, you can sit by the water with a cold drink and watch the sun go down. It is very beautiful.
Victoria – Capital City
It is a tiny capital city, but it oozes character. We enjoyed strolling along the colorful streets of the small capital and browsing the markets, all influenced by the rich mix of Creole, African, Indian, and European cultures found in the Seychelles. Walking around Victoria is best, and most of the interesting sights can be reached on foot. We usually take our time, and before we know it a quick look around town has turned into half a day of exploration.
Beau Vallon Beach
We’ve spent many happy days swimming, snorkeling, walking along the beach, and watching the sun set on the sea with a cold drink in hand. In between all of that, we’ve enjoyed eating local food and soaking up the atmosphere of this great beach. Eventually, even the most dedicated beach bum has to eat!
La Digue Island
Life on La Digue seems to be stuck in slow motion. We hired bicycles for our stay on the island and explored the narrow, little lanes with coconut palms and lush green vegetation growing everywhere. We even stopped several times to take photos of the huge granite boulders that we encountered on our way to the beach. The scenery was absolutely stunning and looked just as good as in the postcards. We loved the freedom to explore the island at our own pace, but be warned: the hills are steep and appear when you least expect them!
Curieuse Island
Curieuse Island is a small, wild island, perfect for the adventure-loving traveler. The island is mainly known for its giant tortoises, which you can see while wandering through the island’s trails and mangroves as well as on the beaches. We had a great time exploring the island’s wild scenery and its rich flora and fauna. And even though the tortoises are slow, you still feel rushed while being in their presence.
Port Louis – Capital
The capital of Mauritius is busy, colorful, and full of character. It’s a great place to start your journey around the island and to experience the real Mauritius. We loved strolling through the markets and smelling the delicious food from the street stalls. Port Louis is a great mix of cultures, languages, food, and history. Come with an empty stomach because there is so much delicious street food on offer. It’s hard to resist trying something new as you walk by.
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth
One of the most unusual sights in Mauritius is the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth, rolling dunes of red, yellow, purple, and orange earth that change color as the light moves. We tried to decide which of the colors was our favorite, but after five minutes or so we changed our minds. The setting is also very unusual, surrounded by tropical vegetation and waterfalls. It is one of those places that you will never forget.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is a lovely place to stroll through the huge tropical trees, the giant water lilies, and the many different types of palms. We had no fixed plan of what to do and where to go, and we just strolled along, stopping to look at things that took our fancy. It is a very peaceful place, and you can forget that you are on an island surrounded by beaches. Take your time to look at things in detail, and you will be surprised at how much there is to see that you might have missed if you had been rushing about.
Trou aux Biches Beach
Trou aux Biches Beach is another picture-perfect beach scene. White sandy shores, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees make this beach a must-visit for any traveler to Mauritius. We loved swimming, snorkeling, and just walking along the shores of this beautiful beach. The water was so inviting that on more than one occasion we found ourselves getting in the water only to find that we couldn’t get out again!
Grand Baie
Grand Baie is very different from the rest of the island; there are many shops, restaurants, and cafés. During the day we explored the town, and in the evening we found the perfect place to sit and have dinner and watch the world go by. It’s also a great place to go out on the water—you can go on a boat trip, go snorkeling, or even take a boat out for the day and cruise around the coast.
Le Morne Brabant – Hike
Le Morne Brabant is where you get to earn your views. The hike is quite strenuous, but the Indian Ocean views you get as you ascend more than make up for the effort. We have many occasions on our hikes when we ask ourselves, “Whose idea was this?” but the views are always worth the effort, and we often end up saying, “Wow!” when we reach the top. Take your time, bring plenty of water, and enjoy the views as you ascend the mountain. The views from the top of Le Morne are some of the best on the island and will make you forget the uphill slog of the hike.
Rhumerie de Chamarel
Rhumerie de Chamarel – Mauritius Rum Distillery. If you love rum or just want to get to know more about the island and how things are made, then this is a great place to visit. The Rhumerie de Chamarel is set in the lush and beautiful landscape of Chamarel. Here you can find out about the sugar cane that is grown on the island and how rum is made. There are even a few opportunities to sample the finished product too. We found that learning about the local food and drink is a great way to get to know a place and its people, and we had to make sure that someone tested out the rum for us!
