Nosy Be, a family fun island.
I have always wanted to see lemurs, and I finally had the chance last December with a visit to Nosy Be in Madagascar. Nosy Be is a beautiful island: tropical, relaxed, wildlife-rich, and less hectic than some other Indian Ocean islands.
Airlink flies direct to Nosy Be, with a 2.5-hour flight from Johannesburg. A quick heads-up: the airport and arrival procedures can feel hectic, especially with multiple international flights landing around the same time. In December it was hot, and the airport does not have air-conditioning. It is not a modern airport, and you may find locals eager to assist passengers through passport control.
If you are traveling as a family, I can recommend the island. We stayed six nights at Andilana Beach Resort and Spa, one of the best family-friendly options. Andilana Beach has calm water and is one of the best beaches on the island. The pool is large, family-friendly, and includes a lazy river. The hotel attracts many Italian and Polish travelers, with fewer South Africans. As an all-inclusive resort, it offers kids’ activities, and the menu is extensive with something for most tastes. The pizzas are a standout and kept many an Italian happy.
The staff are friendly, although language can be a challenge as most speak French, with a basic command of English. The island itself feels safe and laid-back. Families can enjoy short boat trips, fantastic wildlife experiences, and warm seas with shallow lagoons that are ideal for swimming. Overall, the resorts are well set up for hosting families.
A short boat trip of approximately 45 minutes then transferred us to Constance Tsarabanjina, located on Nosy Mitsi. This small five-star property has only 27 rooms set on a powder-white beach. It is also all-inclusive, with all meals and local drinks included. The ocean is calm and turquoise, and it reminded me of the Maldives, which remains a firm favorite of mine. This hotel is best suited to honeymooners, couples, mature travelers, and families with teenagers.
The island is also well known for ylang-ylang. It smells incredible, and locals are quick to point out that ylang-ylang is a key ingredient in Chanel No. 5.
For nature lovers and animal viewing, consider Lokobe Reserve for lemurs, chameleons, and rainforest walks. Nosy Komba is also worth a visit, where lemurs roam freely, and Nosy Tanikely is excellent for snorkeling with turtles and tropical fish.
The lemur interactions are wonderful. They reminded me of monkeys. Our guide enticed a troop with bananas, and we had a friendly encounter with one particularly lively character.
Our 11-day trip to Madagascar, including flights, transfers, an all-inclusive stay, and a few activities, averaged approximately R100,000 per adult.
Andilana Beach Resort and Spa