Stay : Northwest Beaches and Reserves
A sumptuous combination of natural parks and fine sandy beaches less than two hours flight from Tananarive. Bay of Diego-Suarez, Ankarana reserve, Nosy Be archipelago... Hiking and idleness, mountains and sea, the two faces of Malagasy tourism have met in the North-West for your greatest pleasure.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
13 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Northwest Beaches and Reserves - 13 days
Day 1: Tananarive
Steps: Tana - Antananarivo
Arrival in Tananarive. Stroll on the cobblestones of the upper town from the Independence Square to the Queen's Palace to see the surrounding sacred hills, the Voyron fort, the zoological and botanical park of Tsimbazaza, the Mahamasina stadium or the Anosy and Mandroseza lakes. Night in Tananarive.
Day 2: Diego-Suarez
Steps: Diego-Suarez - Antsiranana
Flight to Diego-Suarez at the northern tip of the Big Island. A visit to this port full of history, coiled in the second largest bay in the world after Rio de Janeiro, is a must. From the old colonial mansions of the city center to the boats stranded in the harbor, there is no lack of sights to see, while enjoying the sea breeze. Night in Diego-Suarez.
Day 3: Amber Mountain
Steps: Parc National De La Montagne D'Ambre
Transfer by road to the village of Ambohitra, about thirty kilometers from Diego-Suarez. It is from there that start the guided walks for the park of the Amber Mountain, a tropical rainforest perched on a volcanic massif at more than 1,000 m altitude. The flora is luxuriant and teems with lemurs, birds, butterflies and amphibians.
Day 4: Emerald Sea
Steps: Diego-Suarez - Antsiranana, Ramena
Walk in the Emerald Sea, one hour by boat from the beach of Ramena, in the bay of Diego-Suarez. A "sea in the sea" that extends into a large lagoon protected from the Indian Ocean by corals. Transparent water, bright atmosphere, it is a tropical paradise for snorkeling as well as a good spot for swimming.
LA MER D'ÉMERAUDE
Day 5: A walk through the 3 bays
Steps: Baie De Sakalava, Ramena
Another great classic in Diego-Suarez is the "three bays" walk along the waterfront road. On foot or by car, from the fishing village of Ramena to the bay of Sakalava via the lighthouse of Cape Miné, the harbour offers a magnificent landscape with sugar loaf, mangroves, baobabs and... ancient fortifications.
Day 6: Red Tsingy
Steps: Tsingy Rouges
It's time to leave Diego-Suarez and head south. After about fifty kilometres, we come across an exceptional geological formation composed of several hundred multicoloured arrows: the red Tsingy. An even more striking spectacle in the afternoon light. We then take the road again to arrive before nightfall at the gates of the Ankarana reserve.
Day 7: Ankarana
After a night at the entrance of the park, discovery of the Ankarana massif and the ten caves open to the public including those called "Bats" and "Chameleon". There are many others, but they are sacred. Playful tour through the limestone needles of the Tsingy. At the end of the afternoon, a pirogue ride on the Green Lake and a new night on the spot.
Day 8: Nosy Be
Steps: Hell-Ville - Andoany, Andilana, Ankify
On the way to the pier ofAnkify by taking again the RN6 in direction of the south during 2 hours. It is from there that we release the moorings for the island of Nosy Be for one to two hours of crossing according to the type of boat. Once arrived on the mainland in Hell-Ville, we go directly to Ambatokala or Andilana to put our suitcase and enjoy the most beautiful beaches of the island.
Day 9: Nosy Be
In Nosy Be there are beaches, of course, but it is also possible to have a good time by visiting a ylang-ylang distillery (a tree of the Annonaceae family, whose distilled flower is used in perfumery) or by walking in the Lokobe nature reserve, in the south-east of the island, to meet lemurs, chameleons and big reptiles.
Day 10: Nosy Komba
Day trip to Nosy Komba Island, the closest neighbour of Nosy Be. No roads or cars here, but a thick forest and a village of fishermen and embroidery sellers. There is also a magnificent observation area for makis, a black lemur whose ringed tail is as big as its head. Possibility to sleep on site.
Day 11: Nosy Tanikely
Steps: Nosy Tanikely
An hour by boat from Nosy Komba and Nosy Be is the island of Nosy Tanikely, a sort of giant aquarium for snorkeling or diving. The coral reef is populated with turtles, clown fish, groupers, barracudas and other moray eels frolicking in the bright water. The beaches are an invitation to swim. No lodging on site.
Day 12: Tananarive
Steps: Tana - Antananarivo
Transfer to Nosy Be airport and direct flight to Tananarive (1h30). Once back in the Malagasy capital, visit of the Andravoahangy market, north-east of the city center, and of theAnalakely covered market in the lower town to stock up on souvenirs before returning. Last night in Tananarive.
ANALAKELY
Day 13: Tananarive
Steps: Tana - Antananarivo
Return flight, possibly taking advantage of the artisanal market of La Digue on the way to the airport.
ROUTE DE LA DIGUE
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Madagascar
-
Find a hotel
-
Car Rental
-
-5% on travel insurance-15% off travel insurance
-
Find a local agency
