11 Day South Luangwa Madagascar Tour

Day 1-5:An island sanctuary | 5 Nights

The tour opens in Diego Suarez on the far northern tip of Madagascar and a helicopter transfer to Nosy Ankao, which lies off the north-eastern coast. Part of a 15 000-hectare protected marine area, the island is home to Miavana Island Sanctuary, your private home for the next five nights. Your generously proportioned villa lies just a few steps away from the beach and comes complete with its own pool and kitchenette, although of course all meals are provided as well as most drinks. Also included are various shared activities – cultural tours, boat cruises, snorkelling trips, bicycle usage and forest walks – and you have the opportunity to go lemur watching on the mainland, care of a helicopter safari. There is limited Wi-Fi and phone coverage at the resort, meaning you can truly switch off and have a ‘digital detox’ in this stimulating part of the world.

A trip back to the mainland via helicopter is highly recommended as you may be able to visit the remarkable Montagne d’ Ambre National Park. Named ‘Amber Mountain’ because of the red laterite soil and limestone pinnacles, it has incredible small game watching that includes the world’s second smallest chameleon, seven species of lemur and 77 recorded species of birds. If you are very lucky, you might see the ring-tailed mongoose and the fosa, Madagascar’s only known predator.

The nearby town of Ambanja is known for its spice and chocolate plantations, and the air is permeated with the scents of vanilla, coffee, cloves, ylang-ylang and cacao.

Day 6-10:The Luangwa wilderness | 3 Nights

A helicopter transfer back to the Madagascan mainland and a flight to Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka start your day. On landing in Zambia, you are met and assisted onto the next flight – this time to the South Luangwa National Park where you check in at Chinzombo Camp for three nights. Set just outside the park, Chinzombo offers very luxurious accommodation in elegant villas with their own plunge pools and stunning views of the Luangwa River.

Done in neutral tones with copper and leather accessories, your suite has Wi-Fi, a large egg-shaped tub overlooking the lawn where antelope graze, double vanities, a sizable shower and extensive outdoor decking. After a day of travelling, you may appreciate a massage or pedicure on the privacy of your deck, listening to the cries of African fish eagles and the song of Lillian’s lovebirds coming from the surrounding bush.

You enjoy day and night drives as well as walking safaris and boat cruises if water levels on the Luangwa River are high enough. Look out for puku – a type of semi-shaggy antelope – as well as zebra, giraffe and elephants.

Then it is onto Mchenja Camp, taking its name from the ebony trees under which it shelters. A beautiful camp in a dramatic setting on the river, Mchenja lies in game-rich country and has a great reputation for spectacular big cat sightings, especially lion and leopard. You have solar-powered lighting in your sumptuous suite along with a chance to recharge batteries at main camp.

Day 11:Time to return home

After breakfast at Mchenja, you transfer by road – a final game drive of sorts - to Mfuwe where you board a flight back to Lusaka for your onward travel or accommodation arrangements and the end of this tour.