Mozambique and Madagascar: Africas Treasures

Day 1 Maputo, Mozambique

Arrive in Maputo, Mozambique’s attractive capital. Transfer to the port to board Corinthian II. Overnight aboard docked in port.

Day 2 Maputo

Built on the shores of a spacious bay, and with its architecture reminiscent of Mediterranean ports, Maputo is one of Africa’s most appealing cities. Inhabited by the local Ronga people since ancient times, Maputo was known until 1976 as Lourenço Marques, the name of the Portuguese navigator who “discovered” the area in 1545. In the morning, explore the city, with its wide leafy avenues, graceful buildings dating from the Portuguese colonial period, and bustling markets. Also visit the National Art Museum, which exhibits paintings and sculpture by the country’s leading artists. Over lunch aboard, sail into the Bay of Maputo and along the coast of Mozambique.

Day 3 Inhambane

Inhambane, accessed through a deep waterway, was an important trading post for Arab merchants and sailors as early as the 11th century. The Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century, and in the 18th century they were joined by Indian traders. The mixture of African, Arab, European, and Indian influences are still present today. Explore this charming town whose friendly inhabitants impressed the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama when he arrived in the 15th century, calling it “the land of the good people.”

Day 4 Bazaruto Archipelago

Spend the day exploring the spectacular Bazaruto Archipelago, a tropical paradise of five main islands that are protected as a national park under the auspices of WWF (World Wildlife Fund). These pristine islands feature tranquil beaches, translucent turquoise waterways, a varied population of birds, and a rich marine life. Dolphins and over 2,000 types of fish are found in the placid waters. Visit the two most impressive islands in the group, Benguerra and Bazaruto.

Day 5 At Sea

Day 6 Morondava / Kirindy Reserve / Avenue of the Baobabs

The center of the old Sakalava kingdom, the pleasant town of Morondava is built by a river. Lovely beaches line the coast. Drive to the Kirindy Reserve, which was initially founded as a project in sustainable logging. The reserve’s abundant wildlife includes the giant jumping rat, numerous chameleons, six species of lemur, the narrow-striped mongoose, the fossa (Madagascar’s largest predator), and many species of birds. On the return to the ship, stop at the Avenue of the Baobabs, which line both sides of the road.

Day 7 At Sea

Day 8 Mahajanga / Ankarafantsika National Park

Arrive in Mahajanga, located on Madagascar’s northeast coast. Mahajanga flourished in the 18th century, benefiting from trading activities with East Africa, India, and Arabia. Drive to the Ankarafantsika National Park, a dry, deciduous forest with abundant wildlife. You may see mongoose lemurs, western wooly lemurs, the rare golden-brown mouse lemurs, and Coquerel’s sifakas. About 130 species of birds inhabit the park, including Madagascar fish eagles, white-breasted mesites, and Van Dam’s vangas.

Day 9 Anjajavy

Arrive in Anjajavy, a small village surrounded by a dry deciduous forest that is a protected area. Anjajavy is one of Madagascar’s most attractive areas and wildlife viewing is superb. Many of the species are endemic. Several species of lemurs inhabit the forest as well as Madagascar crested ibises, vasa parrots, crested couas, grey-headed lovebirds, and other birds. The forest contains numerous species of deciduous trees, including the characteristic baobab. Pristine beaches line the coast and you will have the opportunity to enjoy them as well.

Day 10 Nosy Tanikely / Nosy Komba

In the morning call at the tiny island of Nosy Tanikely, a marine reserve that harbors a large variety of marine life – coral, anemones, starfish, and an abundance of colorful fish. Swim and snorkel in this marine wonderland, and over lunch aboard, sail to nearby Nosy Komba, known for its black lemurs.

Day 11 Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) / Montagne D'Ambre National Park

Arrive in Antsiranana, built around its superb harbor, which is encircled by green hills. Spend the day exploring the Montagne D’Ambre (Amber Mountain National Park), a superb rain forest featuring a rich variety of animals and plants. Huge ferns grow on trees and unique Pandanus as well as the endemic cycad are also found here. In addition to several species of lemurs, the park is also home to ring-tailed mongoose, chameleons, colorful butterflies, and numerous birds, including the Madagascar flycatcher and the endemic Amber Mountain rock thrush.

Day 12 At Sea

Day 13 Masoala National Park

Spend the day exploring Masoala National Park, which houses much of Madagascar’s unique fauna and flora. Occupying a huge peninsula between the Indian Ocean and the D’Antongil Bay, Masoala is Madagascar’s largest virgin rain forest. Beautiful golden-sand beaches line the shores of the peninsula. Of the ten lemur species found in the park, this is the only habitat of the red ruffed lemur. Numerous species of birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, many of which are endemic, are also resident. Masoala is equally famous for its exuberant vegetation, which includes a variety of orchids, palm, primary, rain, and coastal forests.

Day 14 Nosy Mangabe

Rising impressively from the sea, the small thickly wooded island of Nosy Mangabe is a nature reserve housing an abundance of wildlife, including the elusive aye-aye. In addition, the island is home to white-fronted brown lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, several species of chameleons, and frogs. Cruising in the D’Antongil Bay in the afternoon, look for humpback whales.

Day 15 Toamasina / Disembark

Arrive in the morning in Toamasina, a vibrant port town on Madagascar’s east coast. Disembark and fly to Antananarivo to connect to your return flights home.