With the relentless pace of daily life, nothing beats a good breath of fresh air to clear your mind and recharge your batteries. Madagascar is one of the ideal tourist destinations to get closer to Mother Nature. This large island is abundant with many paradisiacal islands featuring breathtaking landscapes.
Between Sainte-Marie, Nosy Iranja, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Sakatia or Nosy Fanihy, the island of lemurs or Nosy Komba continues to captivate many people. With its magnificent beaches, diverse marine fauna and flora, crystal-clear waters, lush forests, and especially its vibrant local culture, it never fails to impress you. To learn more about this treasure of Madagascar, this article summarizes the important information about it.
Where does the name of the island of lemurs or Nosy Komba come from?
If you have visited Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, don’t forget to make a stop at Nosy Komba. Also known as the island of lemurs, this piece of land has so much to offer. As its name clearly suggests, this small mountainous island stands out due to the strong presence of lemurs, which is the origin of its name.
More and more species of makis can be distinguished, but the maki macaco is what makes the island famous. Female macacos differ from males by their reddish-brown fur. As for their companions, they are characterized by their black fur.
Nosy Komba is located not far from Nosy Be, 7 km from Hell-Ville. To reach the island, you just need to take a 15-minute boat ride. Covering an area of 25 km², this volcanic island is composed of countless rocks, including slate and granite. Originally, it was called Nosy Ambariovato. This Malagasy term refers to an island surrounded by rocks. These evoke a volcanic past, and its large mountain strangely resembles a turtle shell.
Covered with tropical vegetation, the famous Mount Antaninaomby, which is the highest point of Nosy Komba, delights hiking enthusiasts. At its summit, they can enjoy an incredible 360° view. It is also magnificent to admire the sunset.
Besides that, beautiful beaches with emerald-colored waters make the island of lemurs a true gem of the country, increasingly adored.
What is the best season of the year to visit Nosy Komba?
Before answering this question, it is important to remind you that the climate of Nosy Komba, like Nosy Be, is both tropical, hot, and humid. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
To fully enjoy your stay, it is advisable to travel between April and November. This is the hot and dry season, allowing you to enjoy sunny days. Temperatures are also pleasant, ranging around 23 °C and 30 °C.
With these conditions, do not hesitate to go diving, visit the beach, and discover the treasures of the island of lemurs. Since the waters are clear and calm, take the opportunity to observe sea turtles and tropical fish.
If you wish to avoid mass tourism, please plan your trip during the rainy season between November and March. Despite sudden showers, know that the downpours are often short-lived and beautiful days appear.
During this season, temperatures range between 26 °C and 32 °C. It is the ideal time to explore the island while avoiding the crowds and enjoying advantageous rates. Consider visiting the ylang-ylang plantations, local markets, and historical sites.
How to reach Nosy Komba from the capital of Madagascar?
Once you arrive in Antananarivo, know that there is a distance of 654 km between this major city and the island of lemurs. There are different ways to get there. If you are looking for speed and quickness, you can take a plane, which takes 2 hours and 11 minutes.
This trip helps you save a lot of time to fully explore Nosy Komba and its treasures. Many organized excursions around the island allow you to visit charming coastal villages, historical sites, and local markets.
Alternatively, join a hike in the mountains or forest to discover the very diverse wildlife and flora. Scuba diving is also among the activities that attract many tourists. Nosy Komba offers them the best spots perfect for this practice. For those on a limited budget who want to save money during their stay, they can reach this destination by road. From Antananarivo, they rent a 4×4 off-road vehicle or simply take a bush taxi to go to Majunga or Diégo-Suarez. Once they arrive in Ambanja, they then take a taxi to go to Ankify. Then, they are transferred by boat or pirogue from Ankify to the island of lemurs or Nosy Be.
What are the best outdoor activities in Nosy Komba?
Whether you travel with friends, family, as a couple, or even alone, know that there are always activities for all tastes and all ages. When choosing the island of lemurs as a holiday destination, you are undoubtedly charmed by the beauty of nature. If you want to observe wild animals and discover the exceptional flora of Nosy Komba, participating in a nice hike is an excellent idea.
This small island does not lack beautiful sites to amaze you. Visitors particularly enjoy walking in the forest to admire the exotic flora and meet the local fauna. Although this piece of land is home to a number of birds and rodents such as fruit bats or shrews, it is especially the lemurs that make its reputation. Among the different species, the maki catta, the crowned lemur, and the black lemur especially attract tourists’ interest.
During your walk, enjoy observing the most famous tropical plants of Nosy Komba. The traveler’s trees known as Ravinala of Madagascar are praised by visitors for their natural beauty. Likewise, bamboos, coconut trees, flamboyants, palms, eucalyptus, tamarinds, and of course ylang-ylangs increase the popularity of the island of lemurs.
More and more families also prefer to visit Mount Passot and the sacred trees. It should be noted that the latter are still revered by the local population. For adventure lovers, they do not hesitate to hike to the top of the island’s extinct volcano. The place offers them a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas. Whatever the itinerary, don’t forget to discover the local villages which help you learn about the local way of life.
What are the must-do water activities in Nosy Komba?
Lemur Island is not only prized for its makis or its lush vegetation. It also offers you its calm and turquoise sea as well as its beautiful fine sandy beaches. Nosy Komba is also a delight for water sports enthusiasts, especially scuba diving and snorkeling.
This piece of land offers many perfect spots for these activities. The dives take place around the island and at other sites near Nosy Be, namely Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Tanikely. It is pleasant to observe the coral reefs as well as a variety of fish in the calm sea.
With clear and shallow waters, you will have the chance to encounter green turtles, barracudas, jacks, and groupers. For beginners, it is advisable to go through diving clubs that teach them to explore the underwater wonders of the Indian Ocean.
Besides snorkeling and diving, other water activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, and canoeing attract many tourists. For those traveling with family, most cannot do without boat excursions. They allow them to contemplate the sea all around Nosy Komba and admire magnificent marine landscapes.
How to explore the lemurs in Nosy Komba?
Given its name as lemur island, it is no surprise that this species mainly makes the reputation of this tourist destination. As soon as tourists arrive at Nosy Be, no one misses going to Nosy Komba to see these adorable primates. To achieve this, there are many different guided tours offered by hotels and travel agencies.
To fully enjoy your lemur exploration, it is more convenient to stay in one of the hotels in Nosy Komba. This gives you the opportunity to observe the beautiful landscapes, the white sandy beaches, and especially the peaceful and quiet setting. During the walk on the wooded trails, you will be accompanied by expert guides. They provide you with all the necessary information about the lemurs inhabiting the island.
These animals live in the trees. Thanks to their agility, they are capable of jumping even very far from branch to branch. Moreover, they can climb higher. Vegetarian, these species mainly feed on fruits, leaves, and seeds. They especially love bananas. And during mango season, they make them their delight.
If you want to get closer to them, you can feed them without worry, for example with bananas. This gives you the opportunity to observe the animal and contribute to interactive activities with it. In any case, it is essential to always respect the rules in the presence of the guide or the park manager.
What are the different types of accommodation in Nosy Komba?
Unlike Nosy Be, the hotels in Nosy Komba may be few. Nevertheless, they offer you a setting that is both soothing and beautiful with professional quality services.
Whether you are looking for luxury hotels, holiday cottages, bed and breakfasts, or even rental accommodations, the island of lemurs can meet every need. Many establishments are located by the sea and amidst lush vegetation, allowing you to rest and catch your breath.
To make the right choice, it is essential to define your budgets and expectations. Please also determine the length of your stay at the hotel. This wonderful island offers accommodation solutions suited to all tastes and ages.
Among the most popular, Maki Lodge, Eco Lodge Cristal Nosy Komba, Antoremba lodge and Coco Komba lodge attract most visitors. If you are looking for guesthouses, the villa Komba’Wa, the domain of Tahina and Hazotsara promise you great comfort.
For large families, renting an entire villa is a good idea. Many former clients recommend the villa Nautilus. With a fully equipped kitchen, luxurious rooms, an elegant living room, a large veranda, and an outdoor pool, it has everything to please everyone.
What traditional dishes should you try during your stay in Nosy Komba?
After a long walk in the forest or a mountain hike, you have a strong desire to enjoy a good meal. The island of lemurs does not lack the best restaurants to dazzle you with their unparalleled gastronomic specialties. No matter the establishment chosen, they can impress you with typically Malagasy cuisines. They are inspired by African, European, and Asian culinary traditions.
Among the best known, the famous Romazava is the most emblematic recipe of the big island. It is a stew of zebu meat with edible green leaves. This dish is usually served with rice. Its texture and flavor vary depending on the type of brède used.
Ravitoto is also a local dish of Nosy Komba that is part of Malagasy identity. It is a puree of cassava leaves cooked with zebu or pork meat. Like Romazava, it is most often served with rice.
Finally, tourists love to savor fish with coconut. Since the island of lemurs has access to a variety of seafood and fish, the locals take advantage to create an original and extremely delicious dish.
To prepare it, you cook fresh fish in a sauce made from spices, tomatoes, and especially coconut milk. You will get an exotic dish that is particularly exquisite with a pleasant and incomparable flavor.
To taste these different traditional dishes, Nosy Komba is full of the best restaurants such as Tamarin Komba, Chez Yolande, La Terrasse, La Cabane and Chez Ursula. They are among the most recommended establishments by former visitors of the big island.
