Time + Tide Miavana

Top Honeymoon Destination: Madagascar

“Madagascar is truly the naturalist’s promised land. Here nature seems to have withdrawn into a private sanctuary in order to work on designs which are different from those she has created elsewhere. At every step, you are met by the most bizarre and wonderful forms.”  – Joseph Philibert Commerson, 1771

One of the most amazing places we have been and one of our biggest highlights of 2018 was visiting Time + Tide Miavana in Madagascar. I’ve dreamt of visiting Madagascar since I was a young animal-loving girl and visiting this remote island that has beautifully married luxury, adventure and conservation was a dream come true.

Located off the Northern tip of Madagascar on the remote island of Nosy Ankao, Time + Tide Miavana has created an eco-friendly oasis called Miavana. With 14 private villas dotting the white sands and turquoise waters, Miavana is most certainly a private island which makes it ideal for honeymooners.

One can only arrive via helicopter, which takes you on a breathtaking 30-minute ride, where we spotted humpback whales and landscapes untouched by the signs of man.

Arriving on Miavana, we were greeted with floral leis and chilled champagne before we were swept off to our villa to refresh after the long journey.

The villa was truly a home, complete with a full kitchen, swimming pool, yard, and beach. I can certainly envision couples unwinding here and enjoying the space and quiet after the busyness of planning a wedding.

The grounds are exquisite and the service is exceptional. Each meal was tailored to our needs (which have been known to be complex) and the on-site sommelier was certainly a treat – our past experiences have taught us that great wine can be hard to come by in Africa.

One of our favorite experiences was trekking to view the newly relocated Crowned Lemurs, who have been translocated, with the support of the <ahref=”https: timeandtidefoundation.org=”” “=”” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Time + Tide Foundation, from mainland Madagascar, as their populations have suffered from deforestation and poaching. In November of last year, the Time and Tide Foundation worked with leading scientists to bring 5 lemurs to their protected island of Nosy Ankao with hopes of growing a protected colony. It’s a brave step to protect and preserve this important species, one of 101 endemic lemur species in Madagascar.</ahref=”https:>

All throughout the island, there was a hint of adventure. Yes, luxury was everywhere but it was so effortlessly met with ease and this feeling that anything was possible. Lunch on top of a mountain after a helicopter ride, sure. Kitesurfing with a team of powerboats escorting you, why not? Trail running through rural Madagascar to be met with Champagne and sunsets – of course.

Having visited many locations on our travels, nothing has quite left us as breathless as this small, remote oasis. We know they have only begun and we can’t wait to return and to explore their sister properties in Zambia. Until then…

If you’re interested in experiencing this paradise first-hand, you can find more info on the Time + Tide Miavana website.
I know they would be thrilled to have you.

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Over 80% of Madagascan wildlife species are found nowhere else on earth.