Nosy Sainte Marie Travel Answers

Hi Congratulations, and excellent choice: Madagascar is truly a wonderful place. We didn't go to La Petite Traversee on honeymoon, but we did go there on a family holiday last year, and I can highly recommend it! I would say that it is fairly private: however, you should be aware that La Petite Traversee is directly across the channel from Ile St Marie, so people crossing on pirogue (the only way to get to the island) do land close to the hotel. Having said that, it's not as though there is major traffic involved. The hotel is very laid back, and meals tended to be served at one big table when we were there. I am sure that if you asked Ockie (the owner), he would arrange a separate table if you wanted the extra privacy (there is sufficient space and furniture). The accommodation is in separate huts which include private bathrooms and are clean and comfortable. Each hut has a little verandah where you can sit (as well as hang out towels and swimming costumes to dry) and this lends some extra privacy. One of the nice things about the hotel is that they have preserved the vegetation between the huts, so this makes it feel a little more secluded. You can see the neighbouring huts, but they are far enough apart that you can't see in or hear noise from adjacent huts. Personally I think that it would be a gorgeous place to spend a honeymoon, as well as being well priced! However, obviously only you know what will suit you and your fiance(e), so perhaps have a look at my Ile St Marie page for more information on the hotel (and what you can do on Ile St Marie and Ile aux Nattes) as well as the my other Madagascar pages for more general info. If I might add some unsolicited advice, I would also consider adding on a couple of days so that you can explore Antananarivo (an unexpectedly interesting place), and perhaps even an overnight trip to Andasibe where you can see loads of lemurs (including the critically endangered indri - the largest lemur, which has virtually no tail, looks like a teddybear and whose cries pervade the forest like whalesong): you won't be disappointed! If this sounds interesting, then I am sure that Madxperience (the company that operates La Petite Traversee) would be able to assist. Let me know if you need any further information. Regards Cathy

First, - consratulations are in order....d:o) I will echo the above sentiments. The La Petite Traversse is a relatively perfect place for a honeymoon. it is an amazing place and the destinatin is unique and utterly pleasing to all the senses. Been to Madagascar several times as a tour director, and have never been disappointed. A couple of thesr tours were designed by me and the tour members were relying on me to take them somewhere special. Not an unsatisfied person in the bunch! madxperience.com/mad-xperien... You should check our Madagascar Travel Guides, for more information, many of the tips are written by Catherine (above). Have fun and have a happy life together.......d:o) Madagascar Travel Guide

Hi One more thing I forgot to mention: although we went there on a family holiday, Ockie says that he gets few families with children and that the vast majority of his clientele are adults. Not that I have anything against kids (hell, I like them so much I even have two of my own!), but if you're on your honeymoon, you probably don't want hoards of other people's offspring under your feet! Regards Cathy

Thank you so much for the advice. Really appreciate it! We're so looking forward to our honeymoon and will definately try and get to see the endangered lemurs! Think this might be the perfect place, thanks again :-)

You are welcome! Have a great time.......d:o)

Hi Just so that you're not disappointed, just be clear there are relatively few lemurs on Ile St Marie itself, although there are a few habituated black and whites around the Les Lemuriens hotel (take a pirogue ride there and do the short but enjoyable hike up to the pocket sized lighthouse before treating yourself to lunch at their highly rated restaurant). If you do decide to go and see the indri (highly recommended), then it might be useful - if confusing - to know that Perinet and Andasibe are the same place! Madagascar has 'indigenised' many of its placenames (much like India), and as both sets of names are used (with the 'colonial' names probably still being in more common usage), it's easy to get confused. So the old Tananarive is Antananarivo (everyone calls it Tana anywhere, so little chance of confusion), Tamatave is now Taomasina, Tulear is now Toliara and Fort Dauphin is now Taolagnaro! But being confused is all part of that unique Malagasy experience, and it's still one of the most spellbinding places in the world to visit. Enjoy the wedding, but remember that it's only a day after all and then it's the much more important and enjoyable bit: the honeymoon, which sets the tone for your future life together! Regards Cathy