Northern Madagascar

Northern Madagascar

Northern Madagascar offers a surprisingly well-rounded holiday: tropical forests, limestone pinnacles, lemurs, spice plantations, unspoilt bays and a sea of vivid colours.

This is the region we recommend for those who wish to combine nature, culture and beach holidays without having to travel the length and breadth of the island. The itinerary can start in Nosy Be, head to the mainland via Ankify and continue on to Ambanja, Ankarana, Diego Suarez, the Montagne d’Ambre and the Tsingy Rouge.

The trip can end back at Nosy Be, adding a few days by the sea and excursions to the islands of the archipelago.

Why choose northern Madagascar

The north boasts an extraordinary variety of environments concentrated within a relatively small region.

During the trip, you can explore:

• Ankarana National Park;
• the tropical forest of the Montagne d’Ambre;
• the Tsingy Rouge formations;
• Diego Suarez and the bays of the northern coast;
• the Emerald Sea;
• cocoa, vanilla, coffee and spice plantations;
• villages and rural landscapes;
• Nosy Be and the neighbouring islands.

Although the distances are shorter than those on the major routes in the south and west, the condition of the roads requires suitable vehicles and realistic journey times.

From Nosy Be to the mainland

Nosy Be is one of the main gateways to the north. From the island, you reach the port of Hell-Ville and cross the stretch of sea leading to Ankify.

The journey continues towards Ambanja, a fertile region known for its cocoa, vanilla, pepper, coffee and ylang-ylang plantations. It is a useful stopover to gain an insight into daily life and Malagasy culture before entering the major protected areas.

Along the way, it is possible to include visits to the plantations, river excursions and encounters with local communities, always subject to conditions and the time available.

Ankarana National Park

Ankarana National Park is one of the most distinctive environments in northern Madagascar.

The landscape is dominated by the Tsingy: limestone pinnacles shaped over time by water and erosion. Amongst these formations lie dry tropical forests, caves, canyons and underground watercourses.

The park is home to lemurs, chameleons, reptiles, bats and numerous species of birds. Sightings depend on the season, the time of day and the behaviour of the animals.

There are trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. Some include suspension bridges, caves or uneven terrain; for this reason, we choose the route based on the travellers’ fitness levels and preferences.

Diego Suarez and the northern bays

Antsiranana, still known as Diego Suarez, is situated within one of the world’s largest natural bays.

The town serves as a base for exploring the coast and the surrounding protected areas. Nearby are Ramena, Sakalava Bay, Pigeon Bay and Dune Bay.

The Three Bays excursion offers the chance to see beaches, dunes, headlands and coastal landscapes that remain largely undeveloped. Depending on the itinerary, some sections may be covered on foot or by 4x4.

The area is often windy, and water-based activities must be confirmed subject to current conditions.

The Emerald Sea

The Emerald Sea is a large lagoon situated near Diego Suarez, characterised by shallow waters and shades ranging from turquoise to green.

The excursion is usually undertaken by local boat, departing from the Ramena area. The day may include a boat trip, a visit to the beach, snorkelling and lunch on the island.

The trip is subject to wind and sea conditions. In the event of unfavourable weather, the programme may be amended to ensure the safety of participants.

Montagne d’Ambre National Park

The Montagne d’Ambre offers a landscape completely different from that of Ankarana.

It is a rainforest covering an ancient volcanic massif. The trails wind through ferns, trees, volcanic lakes and waterfalls, offering the chance to spot lemurs, chameleons, geckos and other endemic species.

Temperatures can be cooler than on the coast, and rain is possible even during the generally drier season. Suitable footwear, a light raincoat and layered clothing are therefore recommended.

The Tsingy Rouge

The Tsingy Rouge are formations of laterite and sandstone shaped by erosion. Their red colour and jagged shapes create a landscape very different from the limestone Tsingy of Ankarana.

The visit is usually included along the route between Diego Suarez and the southern part of the circuit.

The site is relatively small, but it offers one of the most characteristic views of northern Madagascar.

Rounding off the trip in Nosy Be

After the mainland tour, you can return to Nosy Be and spend a few days by the sea.

As well as a beach holiday, you can plan excursions to Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Komba, Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Iranja. Activities are scheduled according to the season, the tides and sea conditions.

During your beach holiday, there is no permanent tour guide. The timetables for transfers and excursions are communicated locally, usually via WhatsApp, whilst the excursions included in the programme are conducted with assistance in Italian.

Discover our beach extension to Nosy Be.

Which itinerary to choose

For a first-time experience in the North, we offer different durations:

• 6-day mini-tour of the North, to be combined with Nosy Be;
• 8-day tour of the North;
• 12-day Northern Italy tour;
• 15-day Northern Madagascar and Nosy Be tour.

Small-group tours with an Italian-speaking guide are also available on selected dates only.

When to visit Northern Madagascar

The generally best time to visit is from May to October. August and September are particularly popular due to the drier conditions and the opportunity to combine visits to national parks with time at the beach.

From November onwards, heat, humidity and rainfall increase. Between January and March, the risk of heavy rain and cyclones can affect roads, shipping and the operation of services.

The best time to visit should be assessed by considering both the mainland itinerary and the marine activities planned for Nosy Be.

How many days are needed

We recommend at least 8 days for the essential itinerary and 12 to 15 days for a more comprehensive trip including a beach holiday.

A programme that is too short risks involving numerous consecutive transfers. For this reason, we prefer to tailor the itinerary to suit flight times, road conditions and your preferred pace.

A comprehensive trip with an Italian-speaking guide

We organise complete packages only; we do not arrange individual bookings for hotels, transfers or excursions.

The trip may include accommodation, a vehicle with a driver, an Italian-speaking guide, park entry fees, nature guides, boat transfers, excursions and a beach holiday.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, quotations exclude international flights. Any necessary domestic flights are included and quoted as part of the package.

Discover our page dedicated to trips to Madagascar or request a personalised itinerary in the north of the country.

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