SAVA Region Tour
9 days in vanilla country: the UNESCO-listed Marojejy rainforest, rare lemurs, vanilla and cocoa plantations and the sacred lake of Vohémar — with a local guide from start to finish.
Location
Duration
Physical effort
Minimum age
Your SAVA Region tour
This SAVA Region tour is designed for travellers who want to discover north-east Madagascar, the land of vanilla. It starts in Sambava among the plantations, spends four days in the Marojejy forest, then heads north to Vohémar and Daraina before finishing in Ankify, opposite Nosy Be.
The pace is demanding — long walks in the rainforest, nights camping in the park, dirt roads — but every stage leaves time to meet the planters, guides and local communities.
Highlights
Marojejy Park
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest, with four days of immersion.
Rare lemurs
The silky sifaka in Marojejy and the golden-crowned sifaka in Daraina.
The vanilla route
Vanilla, cocoa and banana plantations with the people who grow them.
Sacred Lake of Vohémar
Traditions, legends and fady around a major spiritual site.
What’s included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation as per the programme
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Professional English- and French-speaking guide
- Transport within the region
- Park and reserve entrance fees
- Boat trip on the Bemarivo River
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Drinks (unless stated otherwise)
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days · 8 nights · arrival in Sambava, departure from Ankify
Arrival in Sambava & vanilla
Welcome at Sambava Airport (SVB) and check-in at your hotel. Discover the town, the heart of the vanilla industry, and visit a plantation to learn how the spice is grown and cured. Welcome dinner with SAVA flavours.
Town Vanilla
Marojejy National Park
Enter the park for your first walks in the rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the park guide, you search for the silky sifaka and endemic birds and reptiles.
Hiking Lemurs Camping in the park
Marojejy, deep in the forest
Two more days of immersion to enjoy the biodiversity and scenery of the massif, then back to Sambava. Accommodation in the park can be adapted to your preferences.
Hiking Wildlife Camping in the park
Bemarivo River & plantations
A boat trip on the Bemarivo River, then a visit to vanilla, banana and cocoa plantations to understand their place in the life of the region. Back to Sambava for the night.
Boat Plantations Night in Sambava
Sacred Lake of Vohémar
Drive to Vohémar and visit the sacred lake, an important cultural and spiritual site. A chance to learn about the traditions and legends linked to the lake.
Culture Encounter Night in Vohémar
Daraina Special Reserve
Guided walks in the reserve, known for the golden-crowned sifaka, and perhaps the elusive aye-aye. Then on to Ambilobe.
Lemurs Wildlife Night in Ambilobe
Cocoa in Ambanja & departure from Ankify
Visit a cocoa plantation in Ambanja and learn how cocoa is produced, then drive to Ankify, the gateway to Nosy Be. Transfer onward, by boat to Nosy Be or elsewhere.
Cocoa Transfer
On the map
Sambava · Marojejy · Bemarivo River · Vohémar · Daraina · Ambilobe · Ambanja · Ankify
A SAVA Region tour tailored to you
Every stage can be shortened, extended or swapped. Add one or more options and we will adjust the programme and the quote:
Bobangira Reserve Extended stay in Marojejy Vanilla-themed tour Birdwatching outing Cultural workshop