Nosy Be - Madagascar - page 602

Take a hike up the hill for spectacular views of the whole area (the peak, at 630m, is
higher than any point on Nosy Be), but start early before it gets too hot. A guide costs
15,000Ar and the round trip should take four to five hours.
ThecheapestwaytogethereisbypiroguefromPortAmbariovato(eastofthemainport
in Hell-Ville). Most pirogues leave at around 11.00 each day. Motor boat crossings from
either Hell-Ville or Ankify cost about 5,000Ar one way. Yachties approaching from Nosy
Be should wait until Nosy Vorona then bear 020º; there's good anchorage in 3-7m over
sand and mud. Note that drinks etc are much more expensive on Nosy Komba than Nosy
Be because of the carriage costs.
Where to stay
Tsara Komba Lodge (8 bungalows) m 032 07 440 40; e [e-mail] ;
www.tsarakomba.com . Exclusive, beautiful lodges with solar-heated water overlooking a
tiny beach. Diving, trekking & canoeing offered. The high price is justified by the owners
by the profits they put back into the village, renovating the houses & school, building a
dispensary & working to provide safe water & solar power.
Jardin Vanille (8 bungalows & 1 suite) m 032 07 127 97; e [e-mail] .
Delightful mangrove-wood bungalows on stilts set into the hillside above the beach (62
steps up!) on the south side of the island away from the hordes of day-trippers. En-suite
bungalows with minibar & balcony; the suite is right on the sea. Wild black lemurs often
pass through in the evenings but are not habituated.
Floralies (8 bungalows) m 032 02 200 38; e [e-mail] ;
www.bungalows-floralies.com . Dbl bungalows, beautifully situated at the end of a quiet
beach opposite Lokobe, with en-suite cold-water shower & toilet. Bar & restaurant. B/fast
inc. Hiking, diving & fishing can be arranged. €€€€€-