Deckplan
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
Discover the wildlife & wonders of Madagascar aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
The term ‘unique’ is an often overused description in the travel world but certainly applies to the island of Madagascar. The animals, plants, landscapes and people that make up this thousand mile long island are unlike anywhere else in the world. This extraordinary country long remained obscure as a destination and is still relatively unknown amongst even the most serious of travellers. There is minimal infrastructure in many parts of the island and for those wishing to explore in some depth, doing so by small ship, especially one as well-suited as the MS Hebridean Sky is far preferable to exploring by any other means.
Our unique ten night voyage focuses on the wonders of the island of Madagascar with opportunities to explore rainforests full of wildlife including lemurs, chameleons and indigenous birdlife as well as witnessing the underwater world and village life. Our days will be spent exploring ashore, often traversing over rugged terrain and walking through spectacular rainforests and each evening we will have the benefit of returning to our comfortable ship to relax and look forward to the next adventure. With the vessel’s fleet of Zodiacs for forays ashore, allowing access to some wonderful places denied to larger ships, you can enjoy encounters with fabulous endemic wildlife in this immensely rich and timeless corner of the Indian Ocean. Our onboard experts will greatly enrich your experience and ensure that we make the most of our time on the world’s “eighth continent”.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Arrive today and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure before we meet for drinks and dinner.
Return to the airport this morning to join our specially chartered flight to Tulear. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky for embarkation. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
After a morning cruising we arrive during lunch at our anchorage off the town of Morondava. We will use the Zodiacs to land on the local beach from where we will visit the Avenue des Baobabs. Of the eight baobab species in the world, six are endemic to Madagascar and here we will see the Adansonia grandidieri species with a row of 20 to 25 trees which border the gravel road. We will learn about the trees and their spiritual significance before returning to Morondava and exploring the local market.
Spend a leisurely day on board as we continue our journey around the Madagascan Coast.
Mahajanga is a major port in northwest Madagascar situated on the Betsiboka River and is our base for a full day in the surrounding area. We will commence with a visit to a local school and enjoy a performance by the students before we make our way to Lake Mangatsa. Learn from our guides the stories of the lake and why it is sacred to many locals and be on the look out for the resident wildlife, as we explore the area. Lunch will be served at the Antsanitia Resort and there will be the opportunity to swim or enjoy a walk along the beach and see the local fishing boats and visit the village, before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky.
We arrive mid-morning at the Nosy Tanikely Island Marine Reserve, an uninhabited island which offers snorkelling opportunities and wonderful beaches. We will take the opportunity to either swim in the clear waters or snorkel over the corals keeping an eye out for reef fish, turtles and morays. Alternatively our naturalists will lead guided walks on the island where we may see the resident lemurs, fruit bats and hermit crabs and enjoy fantastic views from the lighthouse on the island’s highest point.
This morning we will enter dramatic Diego Suarez, a stunning natural harbour with a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants including Creoles, Indians, Chinese, Comorans and Arabs. This morning choose from a city tour visiting the Commonwealth Cemetery and Place Joffre or a visit to the Malagasy rainforest at the Mount Amber National Park. Dividing into short and long walk parties we will go in search of lemurs and chameleons as we explore the rainforest. In the towering vegetation, we may spot several species of lemurs and chameleons as well as endemic birds, including parrots. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon cruising.
We will spend a day and a half exploring from our anchorage in Antongil Bay. We discover Nosy Mangabe, a 520-hectare island reserve and one of the most diverse areas of virgin rainforest in Madagascar which has also been an important research centre since the mid-1960s when several aye-ayes and lemurs were released into the forest. We will use our Zodiacs to land on the beach next to the forest and organise a series of nature walks looking at the varied trees, plants and ferns and we hope to spot chameleon, lizards and black and white ruffed lemur. For the birders, we will keep an eye out for Madagascar buzzard, kingfisher and paradise flycatchers. We will also explore Madagascar’s largest protected area, the Masoala National Park, which comprises of coastal rainforest, flooded forests, marsh and mangroves. Mammal species encountered include the red-ruffed lemur, the red-fronted brown lemur and the ring-tailed mongoose. The park is also home to various species of brightly coloured Mantella frogs, all manner of extraordinary chameleons and is a refuge of the endangered Madagascar red-owl, Madagascar serpent eagle and many endemic bird species. A series of walks for all levels will operate whilst there will also be the option to swim off the beach or perhaps visit the local village.
Enjoy the day at sea to relax and reflect on our Madagascan adventure as we sail to Reunion.
We arrive at breakfast in Reunion where we have a choice of excursions. On a full day tour we will visit the central highlands where spectacularly rugged peaks of dormant or extinct volcanoes cradle huge amphitheatres known as cirques, where mountains tower to over 10,000 feet and beautiful waterfalls plummet hundreds of feet. The rich soil and mellow climate produce a lush and verdant landscape which is dotted with villages and towns with a uniquely French atmosphere. Fields of sugar cane and plantations of tropical fruits, vanilla and all manner of spices perfume the air. We will enjoy views from the Nez de Boeuf and see the Piton de la Fournaise crater. After enjoying a creole lunch in a local restaurant we will visit the ‘Cite du Volcan’ museum. Alternatively enjoy a morning tour to a vanilla plantation in St Andre where we learn about the history and culture of this integral part of Reunion’s heritage. Continue to Salazie, a verdant landscape and home to many waterfalls including the ‘Voile de la Mariee’ before spending some free time in St Denis on the way back to the ship. This afternoon is at leisure before we set sail this evening.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Arrive this morning.
21 November to 4 December 2024 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £8995 | £8495 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £9295 | £8795 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £9495 | £8995 |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £9895 | £9395 |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £10495 | £9995 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £10795 | £10295 |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £11495 | £10995 |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £9295 | £8795 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS211124
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel from London to Johannesburg & from Mauritius to London • Specially chartered flight from Johannesburg to Tulear • Overnight accommodation in Johannesburg with breakfast and dinner • 10 nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from the ship’s log from previous expeditions which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Nosy Tanikely: Instead of using the Zodiacs this morning, local boats ferried us to the shore of Nosy Tanikely, a small island rising steeply from the beautiful palm fringed beach on which we arrived. One highlight was being able to snorkel among the coral reef that was close to shore. The fish diversity of the relatively small reef was impressive; there were colourful butterfly fish, clownfish in the anemones, pipe fish near the surface, even a friendly Hawksbill turtle swam by. The island was equally impressive. Walking up the concrete summit path was well worth it, and we were treated to an acrobatic display by a group of brown lemurs. The panoramic view from the lighthouse was stunning and only bettered by the white-tailed tropicbirds flying close by. Those that walked around the island were treated to seeing rufus and Madagascar flying fox flying but also sleeping in the shade. Hiking certainly worked up an appetite, which was just as well, as lunch was a plethora of local food; crab, zebu kebab, fresh fish, and, fruit. There was just a little time for one more dip, before we hastily departed on the Zodiacs as we were heading out to sea once again.
Masoala National Park & Nosy Mangabe: This morning we were anchored off the Masoala Peninsula and our destination, Nosy Mangabe, is a small island in the national park. We disembarked on a beautiful golden beach backed by primary rainforest and once ashore we split into our various groups and headed off into the forest in search of wildlife. The lemurs appeared, racing through the treetops and there were frogs everywhere. There were the green-backed mantellas, quite brash in their black and green colours, tiny nondescript frogs laying their single egg in the stumps of bamboo. There were a number of leaf-tailed geckos which were so well camouflaged that they were almost impossible to see even at close range. Near the landing site, the lemurs came down to check us out and allowed for some great close up photographs. On walks inland we saw some huge boulders of 3.2 billion year old granodiorite that formed akin to how tors formed in the UK. This afternoon we had the opportunity to land here again for an afternoon exploratory walk or to enjoy a long Zodiac cruise along the peninsula.
A voyage from Mauritius exploring Madagascar, the Seychelles & Tanzania aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
A voyage from Mauritius exploring Madagascar, Aldabra & Tanzania aboard the MS Island Sky
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000