Aboard the Clipper Odyssey

February 19 – March 8, 2012

Madagascar is irreplaceable. Split from the African continent more than 160 million years ago, this island country developed its own distinct ecosystems and extraordinary wildlife. Approximately 92 percent of Madagascar’s reptiles, 68 percent of its plant life and 98 percent of its land mammals, including lemurs, exist naturally nowhere else on Earth.

• Explore Coastal East Africa and Madagascar, two of WWF's priority places for protection.
• See unique flora and fauna of Madagascar, including lemurs, 32 species of reptiles and more than 100 species of birds.
• Snorkel or dive over some of East Africa’s healthiest reefs, teeming with colorful fish.
• Travel with a team of expert naturalists, including conservation biologists, an ecologist, African wildlife experts and even a professional birder.

Note: This voyage can be combined with our Mozamibique Odyssey expedition.

Trip Itinerary

Sunday – Tuesday, February 19 – 21, 2012: USA / Mauritius
Depart Sunday on your independent flight to Mauritius, arriving on Tuesday. Spend the afternoon at leisure at the hotel before gathering for a welcome dinner and briefing. (D)

Wednesday, February 22: Mauritius / Embark
After breakfast embark on a tour of Mauritius. A drive inland takes you up to, and around, the rim of an extinct volcanic crater, for magnificent views of the entire island. Continue through lush landscapes to Black River Gorges National Park, where an indigenous forest provides habitat for the endemic pink pigeon, echo parakeet and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, discover the magnificent Chamarel waterfall, which cascades over the “seven-colored earths of Chamarel.” On return, take in the spectacular scenery of the west coast and its quaint fishing villages. Alternately, you could choose to hike through Ferney Valley, a natural reserve inside one of the last indigenous forests in Mauritius. The forest shelters a variety of endemic and native species, including the rare Mauritius kestrel. Enjoy a typical Creole lunch and stroll along the historic waterfront of the coastal village of Mahebourg. Board the Clipper Odyssey, your home for the next 14 nights, in the afternoon. (B,L,D)

Thursday, February 23: St. Denis, Réunion
Lush, volcanic Réunion is an overseas territory of France. Explore St. Denis, a small colonial town whose pervasive French and Creole ambiance is reflected in picturesque town squares. A breathtaking drive into the island’s dramatic mountains brings us to a volcanic crater with solidified lava. Enjoy a traditional Creole lunch, then continue to a vanilla plantation to discover the history and the culture of the precious orchid. (B,L,D)

Friday, February 24: At Sea
Lecturers introduce the extraordinary natural history of Madagascar. Be on deck to watch for the dolphins that are often seen cruising through the ocean, parts of which are marine protected areas. (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 25: Nosy St. Marie (Nosy Boraha), Madagascar
Two tour options are available today. Those with an interest in natural history begin with a drive aboard 4x4 vehicles through lush vegetation, then board traditional dugout canoes for a leisurely cruise through a maze of mangroves. Enjoy a refreshing swim in a calm lagoon or relax on the lovely beach. Or choose a cultural tour that visits the Pirate Cemetery, the residence of the French colonial governor, the oldest Catholic church in Madagascar and the main town Ambodifotatra. Continue on to a seaside coconut plantation where giant granite boulders loom over the water, and swim from the white-sand beach. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 26: Masoala National Park
One of Madagascar’s most biodiverse regions, Masoala is the largest national park on the island – and one that World Wildlife Fund works to protect from illegal logging. On hikes through  pristine forests, search for such mammals as red-ruffed lemurs, red-fronted brown lemurs, large Madagascar hedgehogs, ring-tailed mongooses and endemic, cat-like fossas. The park is also home to various species of brightly colored mantella frogs, a variety of  extraordinary chameleons of all sizes and many endemic birds including vulnerable Madagascar redowls and endangered Madagascar serpent eagles. (B,L,D)

Monday, February 27: Maroantsetra / Nosy Mangabe
Disembark in Maroantsetra and explore its bustling market. After lunch on board, explore Nosy Mangabe, a natural reserve and sanctuary where WWF researchers study and protect the world’s rarest lemur, the nocturnal aye-aye. Bring your camera for some exciting opportunities to photograph black and white ruffed and brown mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, tree frogs and perhaps even a Madagascar ground boa. Keep an eye out for the world’s smallest vertebrate, the thumbnail-sized dwarf chameleon. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 28: At Sea
The lecture series continues, recapping Madagascar and highlighting the wonders that lie ahead. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, February 29: Diego Suarez
Diego Suarez is the largest city in northern Madagascar. Situated on an impressive bay, it served as capital of the French colony in the late 1800s and is graced with wide streets and colonial architecture. Board 4x4 vehicles for a scenic drive to Montagne d’Ambre National Park. Often shrouded in ethereal mist, this mountain paradise is another focus of WWF’s work in Madagascar and boasts forests with huge, green tree ferns, crystal-clear crater lakes, waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife. Look for a variety of lemurs – localized crowned, Sanford’s brown lemurs and northern sportive lemurs among them – and a wealth of birds, including the Madagascar crested ibis, Amber Mountain rock-thrush and cuckoo-roller. (B,L,D)

Thursday, March 1: Nosy Hara
An archipelago of 12 limestone islands with white-sand beaches, karst rock cliffs and pristine coral reefs, Nosy Hara is Madagascar’s best snorkeling site. The offshore waters are particularly known for their variety of coral, including plate, brain and staghorn, thus making the archipelago a WWF-designated coral marine ecoregion. Nosy Hara’s sandy islands are nesting sites for green and hawksbill turtles, and WWF is currently working to establish the archipelago as a marine protected area, to preserve the turtles and other marine life. Board Zodiacs to explore the fascinating geology of this region and step ashore on secluded beaches for nature walks. Discover the amazing diversity below the waves during snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat excursions. (B,L,D)

Friday, March 2: Nosy Komba / Nosy Be
Go ashore at Nosy Komba, a peaceful fishing village that is close to a small reserve for dimorphic black lemurs. Observe the engaging, docile lemurs up-close for excellent photographic opportunities. A short hike inland may reveal a variety of birdlife, including bee-eaters, Malagasy kingfishers and Madagascar foddies. With luck, a Parson’s chameleon, one of the world’s largest chameleons, may be spotted. During lunch on board, the ship repositions to nearby Nosy Be. Visit a ylang-ylang plantation to learn how these waxy yellow flowers are distilled into highly perfumed essential oil. In Hellville, peruse colorful displays of fresh produce and exotic spices at the market. Then snorkel or dive at nearby Nosy Tanikely, a marine island reserve whose healthy reefs are frequented by turtles, reef sharks and large schools of colorful fish. (B,L,D)

Saturday, March 3: Mayotte, Union of the Comoros
Mayotte is an overseas territory of France, yet geographically it remains part of the Comoros group. Culturally diverse Mamoudzou is the largest town on Mayotte. French-colonial architecture and First World technology and infrastructure contrast with African and Muslim dress and customs such as face painting. This afternoon, take a tour of the capital and the nearby botanical gardens. Or drive to the Dziani Crater at the heart of the island for nature walks. (B,L,D)

Sunday, March 4: Moroni, Grande Comore
Ruggedly beautiful, Grande Comore’s landscape is dominated by the world’s largest active volcano, Mount Karthala. Disembark in Iconi, one of the oldest settlements on the island, and take a short drive to view the ruins of an 18th-century palace. Continue through scenic countryside to a plantation to learn about the cultivation of ylang-ylang and exotic spices. Following a visit to Moroni’s small museum, medina and colorful market, go snorkeling or diving. (B,L,D)

Monday, March 5: At Sea
Relax on deck and attend lectures that enlighten the intriguing final port of call, Zanzibar. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, March 6: Zanzibar, Tanzania
This morning explore the nature trails of Jozani Natural Forest Reserve to search for the red colobus monkey, an extremely rare species endemic to the island. Keep a lookout for Skye’s monkey, duikers and more than 40 species of birds, including the African paradise flycatcher, mangrove kingfisher and the endemic Fischer’s turaco. In the afternoon, tour one of the many spice plantations, famous for production of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and cloves. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, March 7: Zanzibar / Disembark
Disembark to explore the labyrinthine alleyways of old Stone Town, with fascinating forts, souks, cathedrals, mosques and sultans’ palaces. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then head to the airport for your independent return flight. (B,L)

Thursday, March 8: Arrive USA
Connect with your homeward flight.