Wonders of Madagascar & the Seychelles Cruise

Arrive to Mauritius and transfer to the MS Island Sky moored in Port Louis. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner on board as we sail this evening.

Arrive at breakfast in Reunion where we have a choice of excursions. On a full day tour we will visit the central highlands, where spectacularly rugged peaks of volcanoes cradle huge amphitheatres known as cirques, where mountains tower to over 10,000 feet and magnificent waterfalls plummet hundreds of feet. The rich soil and mellow climate create a verdant landscape, dotted with villages and towns with a distinct French atmosphere. Fields of sugar cane and plantations of tropical fruits, vanilla and all manner of spices perfume the air. Enjoy panoramic views from the Nez des Boeuf and visit the crater of Piton de la Fournaise. After a Creole lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit La Cite du Volcan museum. Alternatively, take a morning tour to a vanilla plantation in Saint Andre to learn about the history and cultural importance of the crop, an integral part of Reunion’s heritage. Continue to Salazie, a verdant landscape and home to many waterfalls including the ‘Voile de la Mariee’ before spending some free time in Saint Denis on the way back to the ship for an afternoon at leisure.

Spend a relaxing day at sea as we sail towards Madagascar. Perhaps attend a lecture or simply relax on deck and enjoy the passing seascapes.

Spend two days exploring from our anchorage in Antongil Bay. Discover Nosy Mangabe, a 520-hectare island reserve and one of Madagascar’s most diverse areas of virgin rainforest. The island has served as an important research centre since the mid-1960s when several aye-ayes and other lemurs were released into the forest. Using our Zodiacs we will land on a beach next to the forest and enjoy guided nature walks looking at the varied trees, plants and ferns and we hope to spot chameleon, lizards and black and white ruffed lemur. For the birders, we will keep an eye out for Madagascar buzzard, kingfisher and paradise flycatchers. We will also explore Madagascar’s largest protected National Park, the Masoala Peninsula, which comprises of coastal rainforest, flooded forests, marsh and mangroves. With luck, we may encounter the endemic red-ruffed lemur. The park is also home to various species of brightly coloured Mantella frogs, all manner of extraordinary chameleons and is a refuge for the endangered Madagascar red owl, Madagascar serpent eagle and many endemic bird species. A range of walks for all levels will be on offer, as well as a visit to the local village.

After a morning at sea, arrive over lunch at the port of Vohemar. This afternoon, there is a choice of tours. Set out to explore Daraina Forest, a protected area in Loky Manambato. The undulating hills covered with deciduous and semi ever green forest are home to one of the world’s rarest primates, the golden crowned sifaka, as well as Daraina sportive lemur and Sanford’s brown lemur. The forest is one of the richest and most ecologically sensitive areas in the north of the island. Its isolation and lack of tourist infrastructure ensure an unspoilt and tranquil experience. Alternatively, for those that would like to experience a bit of local life there will be a tour of Vohemar. From the port, set out on a walking tour through the city taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Visit the Catholic church and continue along the seaside promenade where pirogues line the beach, and fishermen untangle their nets. There will also be an opportunity to sample the local rice cake, mokary vary, one of the most popular street foods in Madagascar. Continue by tuk tuk to a nearby vanilla plantation, where we will learn about the process of cultivation, harvest and transformation of vanilla for export. Vanilla is the region’s main economic resource. Return to the port by tuk tuk, with the opportunity to visit the local market for those who wish.

This morning we will enter the dramatic harbour of Diego Suarez, also known as Antsiranana. The town has a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants, including Creoles, Indians, Chinese, Comorans and Arabs. Take a city tour including the Commonwealth Cemetery, the faded colonial grandeur of Place Joffre, and a baobab viewpoint at French Mountain; or alternatively, drive up to the Amber Mountain National Park at an elevation of 3,200 feet, where we will divide into short and long walking parties to explore the pristine rainforest. Amid the towering vegetation, we may encounter Sanford’s brown and crowned lemurs, as well as chameleons, stunningly well camouflaged leaf-tailed geckos, and an array of endemic birds. We will depart this afternoon, continuing our voyage towards the Seychelles.

Arriving in the Outer Seychelles we have two and a half days to enjoy the remarkable Aldabra group of islands. Our itinerary will be in the hands of our Expedition Leader and Captain, who will monitor the local conditions to ensure we maximise our time here. Whilst our itinerary is flexible, we hope to call at the island of Assumption which was ruthlessly plundered for its vast deposits of guano in the early 20th century. Happily, peace has returned, and the wildlife of rare birds and green turtles are once again in abundance. Our time here will be spent beachcombing, on nature walks or snorkelling. We will also plan time on Aldabra, the island referred to by Sir Julian Huxley as “One of nature’s treasures and should belong to the whole world”. Aldabra is truly unique, and every time we call at what is believed to be the world’s largest atoll we find something new of interest. Sightings have included the extremely rare white throated rail, while the atoll is also home to the world’s second largest colony of frigate birds and the largest crab, the coconut crab. Whilst exploring by Zodiac it is difficult to know in which direction to look first. The clear blue seas abound with life, the skies are alive with varied birdlife and ashore giant land tortoises forage as they have done for millions of years. We hope to explore Picard Island with a short walk to see some of the numerous tortoises and robber crabs or swim in the lagoon, a vast 17 mile stretch of shallow clear water. From our Zodiacs we can watch the ever-changing undersea world and snorkel in colourful coral waters. Meanwhile, at Cosmoledo a huge ring of twelve islands circles a lagoon. Many of the atolls are still to be surveyed and we will explore some of them by Zodiac. This is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area with all three species of booby found in the Seychelles including the last breeding site for the brown booby. We also hope to spot sooty terns and great frigate birds ashore and encounter turtles as we swim and snorkel in the lagoon.

Spend a leisurely day on board as we continue our journey across the Indian Ocean.

This morning we arrive at the 28 islands in the Amirante Group which were discovered by Vasco de Gama in 1501 and are considered to be some of the most pristine and untouched islands in the world. If conditions permit we will visit Poivre Atoll which is made up of three islands. In the past the islands were used for vanilla, nuts, maize, cattle and pig farming but in recent years, the atolls’ landscapes have become a popular nesting ground for bird species like Chinese and blue heron, whimbrels, fodies, noddies and greater frigate birds. The sandy shores are also important nesting grounds for hawksbill and green turtles.

Early this morning we arrive at the Inner Seychelles and hope to anchor off Aride, one of the finest and most important seabird islands in the Indian Ocean. Over one million seabirds breed on the island including tropical shearwater, lesser noddy, frigatebirds and roseate tern and also five species unique to the Seychelles such as the Seychelles warbler and Seychelles magpie robin. The island is largely covered in native woodland including the endemic Wright’s gardenia, a shrub with beautifully scented flowers found nowhere else in the world. We will spend our final afternoon on the island of a rugged island that was once home to a leper colony and now houses an eco-museum and visitor centre. The island is an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles and boasts endemic vines and mangroves which we will explore during our island walk.

Disembark this morning.

Itineraries are subject to change.