A fun island hopping tour from Nosy Be to Nosy Verona
through Ambatiloka, Nosy Komba and Lokobie Reserve.
Exciting speed boat transfers from island to island add
adventure to this holiday.
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
Our unique relationship with our tour operators ensures only people who have participated in a trip after making an enquiry for it at The Africa Guide can leave a review.
The email we send you when you make an enquiry has full instructions for registering a booking and leaving a review - both are free services.
Feel free to read through the reviews for any trip you like the look of.
Trips with no reviews are usually new to the The Africa Guide but are normally operated by a tour operator who is established here. Most tour operators listing here will usually have gained reviews about other trips they have listed here.
Thanks for visiting, happy travels and don't forget to send us your reviews...
They did a great job setting up our safari - which had very specific time guidelines as I had to fit it into school holidays.
The operator made sure we were picked up at every airport and at every lodge to be taken to the next event. We had the most marvelous time at Camp Dizhana (about 1 1/2 hours north of Maun), where we were given the most comfortable tent and the most individual and professional attention.
I must have exchanged about 30 e-mails with my contact (Tanya) prior to the trip, where she answered my questions, suggested specific activities and lodges or camps, and ultimately came up with an internerary tailored to my needs.
Everything worked our perfectly! I have no problem highly recommending their service.
We took the 14 day Botswana mobile safari (camping only) from J'burg to Victoria Falls. Our guide, Blessed, was very personable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, as was the driver we had for most of the trip, Sage. He basically doubled as another guide. Also, both were very environmentally-conscious, showing a great appreciation for the animals and landscape, and ensuring that we left "only footprints".
In Africa, you have to take what it gives you. For us, the rainy season basically went a month longer than usual, which made it impossible to get to two of our destinations. We missed Kubu Island, but the operator compensated for this by putting us up in a very nice lodge in Maun (the Thamalakane River Lodge). Also, because the roads were flooded and impassable, we were not able to get to the mokoro rides in the Okavongo Delta, but again they compensated with a cruise on the Zambesi that included all food and beverages (including alcohol). That was very generous of them.
The camping and campsites were excellent, as was the food. The lodge we stayed at in Victoria Falls (the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) exceeded my expectations - very nice. The group of 8 was the right size, and the vehicles were great for the roads and for game viewing. We saw all of the big 5 and just about every other animal we could think of. My favorite Park was Chobe, which is extremely dense with animals. The Chobe River is beautiful and also had a very nice cruise.
After this trip we took another 6 day safari in Kruger with a different outfit, and this one was clearly the better of the two.
this was a terific trip for cost. The guide (Garland) was excetional, the accomodations were good to great, the front office of the agency was always courteous and professional, the itineray was rich, the activites all doable, the group (whild divided) ended up with great cohesion.
it has opend my thinking to a new way to travel-overland journeys. compiments to the operator.
The Safari I experienced through Botswana, Namibia and into SA was very enjoyable indeed.
The lodges I stayed were very comfortable, the people that ran the smaller lodges were very welcoming and kind. the food was plentiful with lots of choices.
I travelled in a group of 8 which was a perfect amount for our size of vehicle as well it was a good size for organizing and group decisions.
And for myself the high light would be all the big animals we were able to observe and photograph. Overall the trip was a wonderful experience with lots of memories and new friends to have for a long time.
I am pleased to say that my safari/holiday was wonderful.
I delt with Nadia for everything except my hotel reservations. She was quite helpful and took care of all my needs. We communicated through emails and I called her once I had arrived in South Africa. The service was second to none.
She booked me with a 5 day walking safari. The safari group consisted of myself and 7 others with 2 guides. I was apprehensive at first traveling alone, but I could not have emagined that I would meet such wonderful people. Also the guides were very knowledgable and went the extra mile to insure that we all had a memerable experience.
The camp was more that i expected and I could not have been more comfortable. Although I have never been on a safari before this trip and have nothing to compare it too I give it a 10 out of 10. I would recomend this package to anyone, weither they are traveling alone or as a family. The 5 to 6 hour hikes in the morning were pleasant and gave me the opportunity to see the small details of the bush, and the afternoon and evening drives were amazing as we were able to get close to lots of game.
Unfortunately we did not see and of the big cats but a 30 minute encounter with a male elephant at less than 20 meters made up for anything I didn't see.
My daughter and I recently completed a 21 day trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience that exceeded all of our expectations and cannot be easily described. Our 8 travel companions were fantastic, there was not one day when we did not laugh and truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already making plans for future travel with these newly made friends.
Everything was extremely well organized and things went as planned along our long route, with great selection of campsites and lodges and delicious meals that one could not have imagined could be prepared by a campfire.
Of course, having a great guide is what made a difference. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and has a love for the area that is contagious.
Thumbs up for keeping their groups small, for a well-planned route, for carefully selected sites, and for all the people who work there. Working with them was a pleasure, they were extremely helpful from the minute we started planning our trip, with all our questions, getting birthdays organized and all their extraordinary efforts in helping us with visas, logistics, etc. We would highly recommend them
The tour I have recently taken part in was absolutely stunning:rich in emotions, colours and sounds which are still in my heart.
A special thank to Amina, who saved my life by promptly warning me the carrier I booked the flight with (by my own), went bankrupt in the meatime, and to Chantel, whose superb "lasagne" I will never forget...
I recently returned from the 14 day Upgraded Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Safari.
We were a great group of 10 - 2 Irish, 5 Americans and 3 Australians and were fortunate to have the services of driver/ guide Mike Miles.
He really made our trip special, sharing his extensive knowledge of the wildlife, customs, history and politics of the countries we visited during the drives and around the campfires as we ate the delicious meals he prepared. He left no stone unturned to maximise our enjoyment of the safari. In the main our lodges were good. The itinerary was well thought out and we saw lots of animals but alas no cheetah, leopard or rhino. A pleasant surprise for me was the amazing variety of birdlife we encountered. The mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta was magical.
123Next
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3: Antananarivo to Sakatia Island (via Nosy Be) Arriving to Nosy Be airport, you will be met and transferred by taxi to Chanty beach and then by speedboat to Sakatia Lodge, which is situated on a small private beach. The next three days may be spent snorkelling, exploring the beach and the stunning tropical garden, as well as walking on the island and generally relaxing whilst soaking up the sand, sea and sun. Additional activities (with costs) include guided walks, sea-kayaking, hobie cats or pirogue trips, scuba diving and deep sea fishing trips. A guided walk of Sakatia island is included on day 2, and on day 3 a guided tour of the islands coastline on a traditonal pirogue is included, along with a beach lunch. [D,BLD]
Accommodation: Sakatia Lodge Ocean Bungalow (Small lodge situated on a private beach amidst a tropical garden with the waves lapping the lodge. Restaurant, bar, fans in rooms, mosquito nets, private terrace)
Day 4: Sakatia Island to Nosy Be After 3 nights at Sakatia Lodge, you will transfer the short hop over the ocean to Nosy Be, where you will be dropped in front of the Vanila hotel on the beach. Check into your hotel before enjoying lunch at the Vanila Hotel (included). The rest of the day is at leisure, but we suggest you take a visit to the Excursions office to pre-book any activites you may be interested in doing for your leisure day on day 7. Options include quad biking, mountain biking, deep-sea fishing, day trips to near-by islands (Nosy Iranja is recommended) and guided tours of Nosy Be, taking in the local markets and shops. These optional excursions are for your own expense. [BLD]
Accommodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms with en-suite bathrooms & mosquito nets, restaurant, bars, swimming pools, Spa and excursions desk)
Day 5: Day Trip to Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba After breakfast we embark on a day excursion with a boat lunch to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve famed for its world class snorkelling and diving. Nosy Komba is the second largest island after Nosy Be, and our trip here includes a visit of the small reserve where you can meet a variety of resident habituated lemurs, happy to jump onto your shoulder. In addition we visit the crafts market on Nosy Komba where you can purchase from a selection of lace tablecloths made by the skilled women of Komba island itself. In the late morning we depart for the island of Tanikely a crystal clear natural aquarium where you will snorkel with the colourful fish, explore the underwater world of anenomes and coral, and hopefully swim with a turtle or two! Take some time to explore the island itself, walk to the lighthouse and see the fruitbats and lemurs amongst the endemic flora. Lunch will be served on-board the boat. (Snorkelling equipment is included in this excursion) [BLD]
Accommodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms)
Day 6: Day Trip to Lokobe Nature Reserve After breakfast at your hotel, we depart for the Lokobe Nature Reserve the last primary forest of Nosy Be, and rich in many varieties of medicinal plants endemic to Madagascar. Departing from the fishing village of Ambatozavavy (south of the island), you will board a traditional canoe, rowing along the mangroves to the foot of the reserve. Your guide (a specialist in wildlife and local flora) will assist you in discovering the living treasures of this reserve and will explain its secrets and legends. The dense rainforest is a protected site, where you may discover diurnal lemurs (Lepilemur and Macaco), reptiles, chameleons, insects and tropical birds. A picnic lunch is included. [B]
Accomodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms)
Day 7: Day at leisure Nosy Be Spend your entire day at leisure, enjoying the swimming pools at the hotel, the beautiful spa and massage centre, or taking part in one of the many optional actiites offered by the hotels excursions desk. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the hotel. [B]
Accomodation: Vanila Hotel (Ocean View Rooms)
Day 8: Nosy Be - Antananarivo After your last breakfast on this tropical island, you will proceed to the airport where you will fly back to the capital city Antananarivo, and catch your flight home. Please note lunch is not included in day 8 of your tour. Should your flights have you departing in the afternoon or evening, please make direct arrangements with the hotel for meals. These will be at an additional cost.
Days 9 - 10: (Optional) Nosy Be It is possible to extend your stay as desired, at any of the above accommodations, or indeed elsewhere on the island.
Please note any additional nights will be at an additional cost. Please enquire for the price including optional days
Highlights: Sakatia Island (including island walk and pirogue trip), Nosy Be, day excursion to Nosy Tanikely Marine reserve and Nosy Komba, day excursion to Lokobe Reserve. Sea kayaking*, Scuba diving*, Quad biking* (*optional tours at extra cost)
Included in the price: Accommodation and excursions as listed in the itinerary; all meals and transfers as mentioned in itinerary.
Not included in the price: Optional tours and activities (e.g. scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, quad biking, sea kayaking), travel insurance, International/domestic flights and taxes, visas, pre and post tour accommodation, all drinks, tips and curios.
Price per person 2012*:
Low season (1 21 Dec 2011, 1 28 Feb 2012, 1 30 Jun 2012, 7 30 Sep 2012) USD 1485 Single supplement: USD 465 Per single traveller: USD 2180
Mid Season (1 30 Nov 2011, 1 31 Jan 2012, 1 Mar 31 May 2012, 1 10 Jul 2012, 1 31 Oct 2012) USD 1520 Single supplement: USD 485 Per single traveller: USD 2240
High Season (22 Dec 2011 10 Jan 2012, 11 Jul 6 Sep 2012) USD 1675 Single supplement: USD 565 Per single traveller: USD 2499
* Valid from 1 Nov 2011 31 Oct 2012 * Sakatia Lodge is closed for the month of February
