Sea Kayaking - The Masoala Peninsula Tour

From R9 800 per person

EXPEDITION ROUTE:

Kayak from Tampolo, approximately half way down the Masoala Peninsula, to Cap Masoala, the end point of the peninsula. Along the way exploring rivers and mangroves by kayak and pristine forest on foot, snorkelling on coral reefs and camping on deserted beaches and islands.

EXPEDITION PROGRAMME:

Day 1: blankMet on arrival at the Maroantsetra airport for the transfer to the Hotel Coco Beach. Evening walk into town to make last purchases of hats, lambas (khikois), grass mats etc. Night in Hotel Coco Beach in Maroantsetra.

Day 2: blankAfter an early breakfast, board the wooden support boat for the crossing of the Bay d’Antongil from Maroantsetra to the camp site at the Masoala Forest Lodge at Tampolo, a distance of 40 kilometres taking around 3 hours. After a swim or snorkel on the nearby reefs, lunch and siesta, prepare the kayaks and set off down the forested shoreline for an evening kayak to the primary rainforest. Overnight in the Masoala Forest Lodge camp. (8 km kayaked, 2 hours)

Day 3: blankExplore the primary rainforest of the Masoala National Park with an official guide before lunch. Afternoon of rest in the shady hammocks, with the options of snorkelling and swimming and short sunset kayak.  Overnight in the Masoala Forest Lodge camp.

Day 4: blankAfter an early breakfast, kayak down the coast through the Tampolo marine reserve, stopping on the sacred island for a swim and exploring some forest rivers and mangroves, as far as the camp at the Sahaleno river. After lunch, a refreshing swim in the crystal clear pools and cascades of the Antalavia river, snorkelling on the reefs and relaxing on the beach. Overnight in the Sahaleno camp. (14 km kayaked, 4 hours)

Day 5: blankAfter a relaxed morning, the option of some kayak exploration of the coast and some of the nearby forest rivers, or a swim and kloofing exploration of the Antalavia river and then lunch and afternoon exploring the traditional farm of a local family. Overnight in the Sahaleno camp.  (6 km kayaked, 2 hours) 

Day 6: blankAfter an early breakfast, continue kayaking down the coast, stopping for a rest on the beach at Ankazafotsy and then around the rocky point of Famolambe to the camp on the beach at the Savaronana river. Explore the river estuary by kayak and snorkelling and explore the wild, deserted coastline on foot. Overnight in the Savaronana camp.  (16 km kayaked, 5 hours)

Day 7: blankA long kayak down the coast to the village of Masoala for a rest on the beach and then out to the island camp on Nosy Behento. After setting up camp, lunch and a rest, explore the island on foot and by snorkelling. Overnight on Nosy Behento. (18 km kayaked, 6 hours)

Day 8: blankKayak along the shoreline of the vast turquoise lagoon of the Cap Masoala Marine Reserve and then around Cap Masoala itself, stopping for lunch on a white sand beach at the very end of the Masoala Peninsula. Kayak back to Nosy Behento camp. Overnight on Nosy Behento. (24 km kayaked, 6 hours)

 Day 9: blankDay of rest and exploration, sunset kayak around the island. Overnight on Nosy Behento. (4 km kayaked, 1 hour)

Day 10: blankAfter an early breakfast, load and board the support boat for the 40 km return trip to Tampolo for a last night in paradise at the Masoala Forest Lodge camp. Afternoon pirogue trip on the shady Tampolo river and a last evening kayak to the secret cove on Tampolo point. Overnight in the Masoala Forest Lodge camp. (4 km kayaked, 1 hour)

Day 11:blankAfter breakfast, board the boat for the 40 km trip across the Bay d’Antongil to Maroantsetra, perhaps a night in the Hotel Coco Beach or direct flight out if the flights schedule permits.

 NOTE:

This expedition program is subject to changes due to weather or other logistical reasons to be decided by the guides at the time.

 INCLUDED:

  • Wooden support boat to carry gear and provisions during the kayak expedition. (Client participation is expected in loading and unloading the boat and setting up camp )
  • Boat transfers between Maroantsetra and the Masoala Forest Lodge before and after the expedition
  • Official guide for the Masoala National Park
  • Permits for the Masoala National Park
  • Experienced sea kayak guides
  • Kayaking equipment (sit-on-top “C-Kayaks” with back rests, paddles, small dry bags
  • Camping equipment (“MSR” tents, “thermarest” sleeping pads)
  • Shelters for kitchen and dining areas
  • Catering supplies and equipment (all meals, tea, coffee, drinking water, powdered juices)
  • Cook (some client participation in cooking is expected)
  • Airport – hotel – Airport transfers

 EXCLUDED:

  • Flights to/from Maroantsetra
  • Hotel in Maroantsetra
  • Personal first aid equipment
  • Snacks to eat while kayaking (bring your own nuts, biltong, power bars etc)
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Fishing gear
  • WC and shower facilities (wilderness camping techniques to be used)
  • Alcoholic and bottled soft drinks (a limited amount may be purchased in Maroantsetra and taken along, but will not necessarily be cold. Bring a bottle or two of your favorite grog from duty free)

Flights and additional accommodation

You will require return flights from Johannesburg* to Maroansetra and two nights at Coco Lodge (if no same day connections). You will most likely also need two nights in Tana on the way in and out. You can budget on an amount of ± R7 800 per person sharing for the above which includes 2 x dinner and breakfast at the Irianja Guest House in Tana, 2 x bed and breakfast at Coco Lodge and your airport transfers in Tana.