May 11, 2025 – May 11, 2025
Lying off the northern coast of Madagascar, Nosy Be (which means “Big Island” in Malagasy) contains seven volcanic lakes and is blanketed with fragrant flora such as ylang-ylang, frangipani, and vanilla. Unusual wildlife flourishes here, as witnessed in Lokobe Nature Reserve, home to maki lemurs, chameleons, and paradise flycatchers.
Discover exotic crops and trees that thrive in Nosy Be’s fertile soil by visiting an open-air market, walking through a plantation’s fields, and relaxing under the Sacred Tree. Begin a leisurely drive across Hell-Ville, one of Madagascar’s most developed areas and the island’s colonial capital. You’ll stop at one of the city’s busy open-air markets and experience an authentic slice of daily life, watching locals shopping for spices, tamarind, mangoes, and other fresh produce. At a nearby plantation, breathe in the heady fragrance of the ylang-ylang tree’s flowers, whose essential oils are used to produce perfumes and lotions. Learn that while coffee and peppers also flourish here, the Sacred Tree is Nosy Be’s most iconic plant. You’ll sit in its shade and hear why the Malagasy people revere this over-200-year-old ficus tree, which covers an area of more than 5,000 square feet. Wander through the tree’s maze of aerial roots or sit back and enjoy a folkloric performance by a live band while sipping a refreshing beverage.
