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Madagascar & its Islands
D3124102611
Dates
10/26/24 - 11/06/24
Ship
SH Diana
Duration
11 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 11,013
Per Person
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Trip Details
Your five-star expedition cruise sets off from the Kenyan capital, Mombasa. Sail along Western Madagascar and Mozambique coasts, exploring idyllic sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and jungles. Encounter incredible marine life, such as dolphins and whales, and watch out for impressive wildlife on land, including turtles, rainbow chameleons, and brightly colored pink flamingos. Visit Aldabra, home to over 100,000 giant tortoises. Head to Nosy Be, with its fascinating French colonial buildings and nature reserve. Discover Toliara’s mangroves, offshore coral reefs, and Arboretum d’Antsokay, which has more than 900 plant species. Your one-off journey finishes in Maputo, the intriguing capital of Mozambique, known for its historic district and vibrant street scene.
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Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Mombasa Day 1

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa draws you in with its rich history and beguiling blend of cultures. For centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians and British settlers have lived side by side in the enchanting old town, whose buildings meld African, European and African styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger and cardamom.

Day at sea Day 2

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Assumption Island Day 3

A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast of Assumption Island. Part of the Aldabra Group, the kidney-shaped island lies more than 1,000 km southwest of Mahé and is known for its colourful butterfly species, including the belenois aldabrensis. You may bump into sauntering giant tortoises or catch a flash of green as an Assumption day gecko scampers past. Keep an eye out for evidence of nesting sea turtles near the shoreline.

Aldabra Atoll Day 3-4

Comprising 13 islands around a lagoon, this massive raised coral atoll is home to the world’s largest tortoise colony. More than 100,000 lumbering giant tortoises inch their way around the isolated archipelago’s protected landscape, which features hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. You might be lucky enough to spot swooping Aldabra drongos - endemic to the islands - or wading pink flamingos. Look out too for scavenging white-throated rails, the only flightless bird remaining in the Indian Ocean.

Expedition Activities
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Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Included
  • Drift snorkel with your expedition team, from one end of the channel to the other end
  • Slowly drift over Aldabra's pristine marine world
Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Included
  • Go ashore at this remote research station and learn about the scientific work being conducted
  • Learn about the Giant Tortoise and the endemic Aldabra Drongo, and try to spot some.
Zodiac Cruise with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Included
  • Zodiac cruise the magnificent coral limestone formations nearby sandy beaches
  • Explore the coastal world of this magic atoll
Assumption Island Day 5

A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast of Assumption Island. Part of the Aldabra Group, the kidney-shaped island lies more than 1,000 km southwest of Mahé and is known for its colourful butterfly species, including the belenois aldabrensis. You may bump into sauntering giant tortoises or catch a flash of green as an Assumption day gecko scampers past. Keep an eye out for evidence of nesting sea turtles near the shoreline.

Expedition Activities
view
Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Included
  • Watch out for marine turtles that nest on the nearby beaches
  • Discover the underwater world of this incredible island
Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Included
  • Beachcomb and walk on this low-lying island with your onboard expedition team
  • Learn about the endemic species and history
  • Watch out for geckoes, tortoises and butterflies
Nosy Be Day 6

Sandy swimming beaches, biodiverse jungle and vividly blue crater lakes are among the highlights of this verdant island off Madagascar’s northern coast. After exploring the French colonial buildings in the port of Hell-Ville, head to nearby Lokobe Reserve, accessed via guided pirogue canoe. Black lemurs clamber up the park’s centuries-old trees, and you might also catch a glimpse of a vibrantly hued panther chameleon, which typically grow to around a foot and a half long.

Shore Excursion
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Nosy Komba
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the Black Lemur Sanctuary and rejoice in the antics of the lemurs as they frolic in their habitat
  • Relish free time to walk on the beach
  • Walking through the Sakalava fisherman’s village
Lokobe National Park
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Try to spot the Eulemur Macaco, the flagship species of the park
  • Enjoy the ride on a small boat to the heavily wooded Lokobe Natural Reserve
  • See colorful birds and endemic species such as black lemurs
Island Tour Half Day Expedition With Mont Passot ”
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Pay a visit to the Hell-Ville marketplace brimming with vegetables, fruits and spices
  • Enjoy the views from Mont Passot, overlooking crater lakes and plantations
  • Enjoy a panoramic dive looking at the island vegetation
Mahajanga Day 7

The lively northern port of Mahajanga (Majunga) is known for its charming French colonial and Arabian architecture as well as a broad seafront promenade lined with coconut palms. Be sure to look for the gigantic landmark baobab tree towering near the water. Long sandy beaches stretch north towards Cirque Rouge, a remarkable natural amphitheatre whose crumbling rocks are a blend of red, ochre and pale pink. The colours are at their most dramatic at sunset.

Shore Excursion
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Mahajanga City Tour
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Feel the atmosphere of the city market place
  • Don't miss the symbol of the city the Huge Baobab, which is over 1000 years old
  • Enjoy stunning views of the town
Day at sea Day 8

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Morondava Day 9

The relaxed west coast town of Morondava is the gateway to the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs. Lining a bumpy track, this striking grove of centuries-old giants - often nicknamed upside-down trees - is especially popular at sunset, when the trunks cast long shadows on the ground, creating spectacular photo effects. To the south, Kirindy Mitea National Park is a protected coastal reserve home to several species of lemur along with the rare fossa, a close relation of the mongoose.

Shore Excursion
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Morondava And The Baobab Avenue
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Discovery of the Baobab Avenue, and take the postcard picture
  • Enjoy tasting local snacks and drinks
  • Stroll around the local Market
Toliara Day 10

Mangroves, beaches and an offshore coral reef surround Toliara (Tuléar), near the mouth of the Onilahy River. Just southeast of the city, you can explore the Arboretum d’Antsokay, created by a Swiss botanist in 1980 amid a swathe of spiny forest. Garden guides lead you past more than 900 mostly endemic plant species, and you might spy flitting butterflies or lemurs tucked into branches. Within the port, there’s also a fascinating small museum dedicated to local marine life.

Shore Excursion
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Visite of Arboretum Antsokay
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Discover the Arboretum of Antsokay, created around 1980
  • Admire over 920 plant species, lemurs, radiated tortoises, snakes and chameleons
  • Enjoy a folkloric show before getting back to the port
4x4 Reniala Spiny Forest Discovery
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Discover one of the oddest and most unique habitats on the planet, the spiny forest
  • Walk in the bird sanctuary looking out for mammals including the grey mouse lemurs and several birds
  • Enjoy the folkloric show before getting back to the pier
Day at sea Day 11

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

Maputo Day 12

Mozambique’s capital city has an intriguing mix of Portuguese colonial and Soviet-style buildings on broad boulevards lined with jacaranda and palm trees. Architectural standouts include the early-20th-century domed railway station, painted in green and white, and the Smiling Lion, a distinctive post-modernist apartment block designed by Pancho Guedes. Exploring Maputo is also simply about wandering the historic district of Baixa and taking in the vibrant street scene of bustling pavement cafes, live music and busy markets.

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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group transfer from the airport to the vessel on embarkation days and from the vessel to the airport on disembarkation day
One night prior cruise sailing
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Selected expedition activities led by our expedition team (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Junior Suite
35 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Junior Suite features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area, walk-in closet, luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Our Suites feature a Super King Size bed and separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a 6 sq. m. private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
47 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK