WONDERS OF SEA AND NATURE IN THE NORTH OF MADAGASCAR
The north of Madagascar is like a jewel box. This region will seduce you since it has all the assets for that. Exceptional fauna and flora, fantastic landscapes, lush green rainforests, bays with turquoise water, spectacular geographical formations, ending with the perfect Sea, Sand and Sun on the archipelago of Nosy Be, considered one of the most beautiful islands of the world.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF
More than 250 kilometers
More than 8 species of lemurs
Two big National Parks
Spectacular geographical formations
3 different Malagasy ethnic groups
3 different islands from the main island
The second largest bay in the world
Exceptional white sand beaches and coral reef
A protected marine reserve
Whales (July, Augut, September)
- Antananarivo: capital city
- Diego Suarez, the legendary capital of the north
- Amber Mountain National Park: lemurs, birds, gorgeous vegetation
- Tsingy rouge: rare exceptional geologic formation
- Ankarana “Tsingy” National Park: a spectacular chain of sharp-edged limestone rocks fortress
- Nosy Be: the most famous resort destination offering apart from seaside and nautical activities, nature and wildlife
- Nosy Komba: the island of lemurs
- Nosy Tanikely: protected marine reserve, a “natural aquarium”
When to visit:
from March to December
Climate
Tropical humid
Seaside
Nosy Be, Diego Suarez
DETAILED ITINERARY & PROGRAM
DAY 1
ivato airport - city center
Arrival to Antananarivo
Antananarivo, first step of your journey, is the capital of Madagascar
Welcome at the airport by a representative of Jacaranda. Transfer by car to your hotel, located downtown.
Antananarivo, first step of your journey, is the capital of Madagascar and is worth discovering for its cultural, historic and environmental heritage. This will be your primary introduction to the daily life of the highlands inhabitants.
Dinner and Overnight |
DAY 2
DOMESTIC FLIGHT
Antananarivo – Diego Suarez – DOMESTIC FLIGHT
Domestic flight from Antananarivo to Diego Suarez in the North. Guided tour of the city.
Breakfast in hotel
Transfer to the airport for flight to Diego Suarez.
Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Guided tour of the city and its surroundings. Situated in one of the largest bays in the world, Diego Suarez is an ancient port and it’s a particular pleasure to walk around as the various views over the bay, the old colonial architecture, the vibrant market, and the lively crafts shops make the city atmospheric and enjoyable.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 3
14 km
Diego Suarez – the three bays
A whole day excursion to discover the famous bay of Diego Suarez and the three bays.
Breakfast in hotel.
A whole day excursion to discover the famous bay of Diego Suarez and the three bays. Through the beautiful beach of Ramena, charming sceneries and typical villages, you get to the three bays. It is a succession of 3 bays on the East coast: The Pigeons Bay, the Dunes Bay and the Sakalava Bay. Very nice long white sand beach offers delicious opportunity for swimming. The winds and big waves of the Indian Ocean make these sites one of the best surfing spots in Madagascar.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 4
18 km + 1 hr sailing
Diego Suarez – Emerald sea
A whole day excursion to discover the Emerald sea, a natural aquarium-like lagoon at the entrance of the bay of Diego Suarez.
Breakfast in hotel.
Excursion to Emerald sea. Drive to the village of Ramena. Notice the Sugar Loaf Islet, the Baobabs and the massif of the French Mountain. Then get on board and sail to Emerald sea. The emerald sea is a natural aquarium-like lagoon at the entrance of the bay of Diego Suarez. The shallow turquoise water is a delight for swimming and snorkeling.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Suarez
DAY 5
38 km
Diego Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre
Visit of the lush green rainforests of Montagne d’Ambre National Park.
Breakfast in hotel.
Visit of Montagne d’Ambre National park. A forty kilometers south of Diego Suarez, the Amber Mountain is a rainforest covering a volcanic massif. The vegetation is lush, but the dense forest. You can see seven species of lemurs, 1,000 species of plants, five crater lakes and waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 6
98 km
Montagne d’Ambre – Ankarana
Visit of the spectacular geograhical formations of the Red Tsingy. Continuation to Ankarana. Visit of the famous geographical wonder of the "Tsingy" in Ankarana National Park, offering pretty amazing sight of hundreds of needles and limestone peaks drawn up towards the sky.
Breakfast in hotel.
Drive to Ankarana. On the way, visit of the Red Tsingy. Made of sandstone, marl and limestone, red Tsingy are very different from current Tsingy of Ankarana, not only in terms of color but also in terms of formation.
Continuation to Ankarana. Visit of the Tsingy in Ankarana National Park. The massif of Ankarana is the second place in Madagascar after Bemaraha reserve where you can see the Tsingy, karst forms offering pretty amazing sight of hundreds of needles and limestone peaks drawn up towards the sky. Itinerary for visit is chosen according to interest and physical abilities of the participants. Curiosities: Tsingy, caves, canyons, lemurs, birds,
Dinner and overnight
DAY 7
144 km + 45 min. boat transfer
Ankarana – Ankify – Nosy Be
Drive to Ankify through plantations of cocoa, coffee and Ylang-ylang flowers and crossing the mangroves. Transfer by boat to the magnificent island ofNosy Be.
Breakfast in hotel.
Drive to Ankify. Ankify is a small harbor on a peninsula located in the district of Ambanja, 20 KM away from it. After a drive through plantations of cocoa, coffee and Ylang-ylang flowers, you cross the mangroves and you arrive to the port where you board to Nosy Be.
Transfer by boat to Nosy Be.
Nosy Be is the largest island of the archipelago of the same name, located off the northwest coast of Madagascar. The archipelago is considered to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The exotic island is the location of a lot of luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, nightclubs and shops. For many years now the world famous celebrities Nosy Be have chosen for the rest. Despite the rapid development of travel and entertainment infrastructure, the exotic island has maintained the most important – the natural harmony and the quiet atmosphere. The rare black lemurs and the chameleon live on its territory. A pleasant surprise awaits the divers on Nosy Be Island. In addition to hundreds of exotic sea-dwellers, one can see the ruined old ships in coastal waters.
Meet at the port and transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 8
35 km
Nosy Be – tour of the island
A day trip to see several sights of the perfumed island, ending with the sunset Mount Passot, the highest point of the island, with its panoramic view of several crater lakes.
Breakfast in hotel.
Excursion: Tour of the island. A day trip to see several sights of the perfumed island, namely the distillery of Ylang-Ylang, the market of Hell Ville, the sacred tree, the small waterfall, ending with the sunset at Mount Passot, the highest point of the island, with its panoramic view of several crater lakes.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 9
boat trip
Nosy Be – Nosy Komba&Nosy Tanikely
Boat excursion to the islands of Nosy Komba (island of lemurs) and Nosy Tanikely (protected marine reserve).
Breakfast in hotel.
Excursion: discovery of Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely.
A one-day boat trip to discover two small islands: morning discovery of Nosy Komba Island or lemurs. Picnic lunch. Free afternoon at Nosy Tanikely. Pretty little island ideal for snorkeling or diving (on request), a natural aquarium.
Return by boat to Nosy Be
Dinner and overnight
DAY 10
0 km
Nosy Be
Leisure day on the beach - a variety of optional programs to choose upon your preferences.
Breakfast in hotel.
Leisure day. A variety of optional programs to choose upon your preferences. Here are some examples: visit of the surrounding islands (e.g Nosy Iranja, one of the world’s most beautiful islands), make a discovery round tour of the island including the ylang-ylang distillery and the capital city, go to whale watching tour in the season, deep-diving or scuba diving by the coral reef, visit the Lokobe National Park and the private reserve of Lemuria Landor, or try all kind of watersport activities available on spot.
Dinner and overnight
DAY 11
airport transfer
Nosy Be – Antananarivo – DOMESTIC FLIGHT
Transfer to the airport. Flight back to Antananarivo. Afternoon program depending of the flight schedule.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport. Flight back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, meet at the airport and transfer to city.
Vehicle at disposal (Not exceed 100 km – from 07.00 am to 07.00 pm)
Dinner and overnight
DAY 11
45 km
Antananarivo – long haul flight back
Visit of Lemur's Park. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to the Lemur’s Park, a private reserve of lemurs located 25km from Antananarivo. It is a must if you are into lemurs! The purpose is based on the nature conservation and the park is home to nine species of diurnal and nocturnal lemurs live in a 5-hectare wooded environment of more than 70 plant species of which 40 species are endemic to Madagascar. Most of the lemurs are free-ranging and well habituated, so you’ll see them up close – however, it is strictly forbidden to feed or touch them.
Transfer to the airport.
faq
Frequently asked questions
What does our price includes?
Our prices usually include:
- The lodging on half board basis (breakfast and dinner).
- All transfers.
- The excursions and visits mentioned into the program.
- The services of the local guide into the national park.
- The car including the fuel.
- The driver.
- Until 4 pax: English (or other language on request) speaking driver-guide (full board basis /internal flight not included)
- From 5 pax: English (or other language on request) speaking guide (full board basis /internal flight included)
what is not included in the price?
Usually, the below mentioned are not included in our prices:
- **All flights** (Long Haul – Internal and Private flights)
- Drinks and extra.
- Tips
- Lunches
- Visa (can be obtained upon arrival at the airport, visa fee is approx. 35 euros)
which languages our guides speak?
For the standard price, we can offer English/French/Spanish-speaking guides. For a supplement, we can offer Russian/German/etc. speaking guides.
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS?
In Madagascar, domestic flights are operated by the Tsaradia Airlines, a subsidiary of Air Madagascar. You can book the tickets via us or directly on their site: https://tsaradia.com/.
how is the payment procedure & cancellation policy?
You can find all details in our General conditions of sales. If you have any question, please contact us, we will be happy to answer.
where can i find practical information for travelling to madagascar?
We put together a list of the most frequently asked practical information concerning travelling to Madagascar. We suggest you to visit our Practical information page. If you have any remaining questions, contact us for further information.
CAN I CHANGE THIS ITINERARY UPON MY PREFERENCES?
Of course. We are always happy to tailor-made the tour for you. There exist an endless number of possibilities how to create a tour, feel free to share us your ideas and preferences!