Best of Northern Madagascar and Andasibe
Tour Introduction
With an impressive variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes, this is a perfect introduction to the Big Red Island’s eastern rainforests and diverse northern region. Wildlife highlights include the largest lemur, the indri, the beauifully coloured diademed sifaka, numerous chameleons, fascinating leaf-tailed geckos, endemic frogs and an assortment of other bizarre fauna and flora.
A highlight will be the visit to the tsingy karst of Ankarana with its other wordly limestone pinnacles and at the end of the holiday there will be time for seaside relaxation and snorkelling at a lovely, small beachfront lodge facing the Mozambique Channel. An ideal trip for those wishing to travel in a good degree of comfort at a gentle pace without too much flying or driving.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Antananarivo, met and transfer (10 minutes) to your hotel.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes No Meals.
Today depart after breakfast for the 5 hour transfer to Andasibe and the Analamazaotra Reserves.
In the late afternoon take a guided excursion in the community run VOIMMA rainforest reserve which can later become an evening night walk.
The reserve is fantastic for close sightings of the largest lemur species, the indri, along with common brown and Eastern grey bamboo lemurs. It is also home to the bizarre giraffe-necked weevil gint millipedes and a whole assortment of fascinating endemic inverbtrates and plants.
Once dark, look for the cute Goodman’s mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur and Eastern woolly lemur, all nocturnal species. If lucky you might also encounter a leaf-tailed gecko, sleeping chameleons and some endemic frogs.
Staying at Vakona Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today rise early to drive 1 hour 30 minutes north on a bumpy track to Mantadia National Park. Here you can enjoy spending the morning exploring the wonderful primary rainforest of this vast protected area with its special wildlife.
The old growth rainforest of Mantadia is a good location to spot the elusive acrobatic black-and-white ruffed lemur. Colourful frogs such as the Baron’s mantella may be encountered in addition to plenty of birds, insects and reptiles.
In the evening take another night walk in the nearby Orchidee Park, a good spot for nocturnal wildlife.
Staying at Vakona Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning visit to the Perinet Reserve where you can enjoy more close sightings of the magnificent indri. The forest here is also a great location to spot the beauiful diademed sifaka as well as the common brown and eastern grey bamboo lemurs.
Chameleons, green day geckosand various endemic birds can also be encountered. Later in the morning, transfer back to Antananarivo and to hotel in the afternoon.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes Breakfast.
Today transfer to the Antananarivo airport to take a domestic flight north to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez).
You will be met on arrival and transferred (50 minutes) to your accommodation in Joffreville.
After lunch, transfer (10 minutes) up the road to the fantastic Montagne d’Ambre National Park to enjoy an afternoon guided walk.
The park, the oldest in Madagascar is an isolated mount of rainforest in an otherwise semi-arid landscape and supports many exciting species including some tiny leaf chameleons (Brookesia tuberculate and Brookesia ambreensis), panther chameleons, tree boas and giant leaf-tailed geckos.
Lemurs are quite shy here but include Sanford’s brown and crowned and the picnic site is a good spot to see the inquistive ring-tailed vontsira.
In the evening take a night walk on the entrance track to the park to look for nocturnal wildlife.
Staying at Litchi Tree. Includes All Meals.
Another day to explore this special rainforest enjoying its scenic beauty, waterfalls and forest trails. Several highly localised species have evolved in isolation in this park and reptile diversity is particulary high here.
Staying at Litchi Tree. Includes All Meals.
Today set off for the longest drive of the journey (6-7 hours() through ever changing scenery to Ankarana National Park via the Tsingy Rouge. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch or enjoy lunch at the Tsingy Rouge.
In the late afternoon take your first walk in the wonderful Ankarana Special Reserve, a unique landscape of dramatic and jagged limestone pinnacles and hidden forests.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today enjoy morning and afternoon or a full day's exploration of Ankarana Special Reserve, visiting its tsingy escarpments, lakes and caves. The reserve protects a spectacular area of limestone pinnacles and sunken tropical dry deciduous forest, containing one of the highest densities of lemurs. As well as many lemurs, the area is good for seeing the ring-tailed vontsira and many chameleons, giant hog-nosed snakes, boas and birdlife such as the Madagascar harrier hawk and nightjar.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today, transfer (4.5 hours) to Ankify port on the coast, perhaps stopping at a vanilla plantation on the way. Continue from Ankify by boat to remote Anjanojano, a little way down the coast. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the stunning beaches and tranquillity of Eden Lodge.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. OPTIONAL excursions available such as snorkelling at Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, or excursions to other islands.
The warm waters in front of the lodge are clear and offer good opportunities for snorkelling with green and hawksbill turtles.
The forest to the rear of the lodge is home to a number of lemur species including a habituated family of black lemurs and nocturnal pariente's fork-marked lemur and northern giant mouse lemurs which can often be seen in the trees behind the restaurant. Tenrecs, chameleons, geckos and a range of birdlife can also be found.
Guided walks can be taken into the forest and also to the small Malagasy village nearby and the lodge also has a water sports centre on site.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. OPTIONAL excursions available.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. OPTIONAL excursions available.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Time to relax during the morning. In the afternoon transfer to the airport on Nosy Be and take your flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Au Bois Vert
Overview
Located a short drive from the airport and set in three hectares of peaceful and attractive gardens, accommodation is in rooms constructed using natural materials dominated by chunky wood and granite. All rooms have private bathrooms, satellite TV and safe. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.
The hotel is only 20 minutes from the airport so is an ideal location for a stopover.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, TV, room safe, restaurant, swimming pool, Wi-Fi available in the lobby
Optional Activities
City tours can be arranged. Activities including mountain and quad biking, village tours and walking trips can be arranged offsite.
Eden Lodge
Overview
Located on the mainland opposite the island of NOSY BE on a stretch referred to as Baobab Beach and accessed only by boat, the well run lodge offers a secluded and exclusive beachfront location.
The lodge offers wonderful accommodation in luxury safari style tented rooms, each positioned under a traditional thatched roof. Each spacious tent opens up into a large solid built bathroom section, which includes a hot water shower area, flushing toilet and washstand with basin. The bathrooms open to a private terrace with a massage table. To the front, each has its own deck with seating where one can relax and enjoy the view. Each tent is fully equipped with a king bed, mosquito nets, mini-bar and safe.
Just down the beach from the main lodge is the luxury villa, boasting a small private pool, large kitchen, living room, bar, three en-suite bedrooms with air-conditioning, verandah and ocean views. Perfect for small groups and families.
There is a large open sided thatched restaurant and bar, which also has a relaxing lounge area overlooking the beach. The menu is set with 3 choices for starter, main, desert and accompaniments. The food is freshly cooked with produce from the organic garden.
There is a small water-sports centre, which can provide snorkelling equipment as well as sea kayaks, hobbiecats, pedalos and windsurfing boards free of charge.
The waters in front of the lodge are clear and offer good opportunities for snorkelling. Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen in the mornings often just a few steps from the beach.
The forest to the rear of the lodge is home to a number of lemur species including black lemurs and these can often be seen in the trees behind the rooms and restaurant in the late afternoons and early evenings. Guided walks can be taken into the forest behind the lodge, where lemurs can be seen, and also to the small Malagasy village nearby.
Further away, boat excursions to Nosy Tanikely for snorkelling and Lokobe Wildlife Reserve on Nosy Be are possible.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, mini bar, safety deposit box, private massage room, mosquito nets and a water sports activity centre onsite. The separate luxury beachfront villa has three en-suite bedrooms, living room, bar, kitchen, small private pool.
Local Wildlife
Black lemurs are particularly common in the lodge grounds during the day. At night Pariente's fork-marked lemur, northern giant mouse lemurs and occasionally even aye ayes enter the lodge grounds along with hedgehog tenrecs. A wide range of reptiles including colourful day geckos, panther chameleons and snakes also inhabit the forest around the lodge and green and hawksbill turtles feed on the seagrass just off the beach in the mornings. Birdlife includes Madagascar starlings, white-headed and hook-billed vangas and Madagascar hoopoes and excursions to the nearby Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve offer a wealth of tropical reef fish, more turtles and Madagascar flying foxes.
Optional Activities
Excursions to Nosy Tankely Marine Reserve and Nosy Be, snorkelling and scuba diving, village visits, kayaking, windsurfing.
Ankarana Lodge
Overview
The recently renovated Ankarana Lodge is located approximately 1 km from Ankarana National Park with superb views over the local savannah.
The lodge has simple yet comfortable air-conditioned bungalows and more simple rooms, the more basic terraced rooms have air- conditioning and all have private bathrooms. There is 24-hour power for lighting and charging of equipment.
There is a large swimming pool with deck chairs and a drinks service, and there are plans to build a bar. The spacious bungalows overlook the pool and have private verandas. Although without air- conditioning the rooms have fans and two doors to improve the airflow.
There is a restaurant towards the back of the pool serving traditional Malagasy cuisine.
The main reason for a stay here is to visit Ankarana National Park, a spectacular tsingy area of eroded limestone pinnacles and sunken dry deciduous forest containing one of the highest densities of primates in the world – it has to be one of Madagascar’s most exciting reserves. Highlights include the various chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos and the northern ring-tailed mongoose.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, restaurant, drinks service, swimming pool, terrace, 24-hour electricity.
Local Wildlife
There are 11 species of lemur in the park, including crowned, Sandford’s brown, northern sportive and greater dwarf lemur. Other wildlife includes ring-tailed mongoose, various chameleons and leaf-tailed geckos and the colourful Madagascar giant day geckos. The Madagascar crested ibis is also frequently seen here.
Optional Activities
Excursions in the Ankarana National Park could include visits to the impressive limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy, sunken caves, underground rivers and more.
Nature Lodge
Overview
A small, friendly and comfortable lodge situated just 15 minutes’ drive from Montagne d’Ambre National Park with lovely views down to the plains of Diego. Accommodation is in one of twelve simple wooden bungalows, each with a private bathroom. The garden with its pathways, tropical plants and sweet-smelling shrubs, are a delight too.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Facilities include an attractive restaurant furnished with rosewood and other local Malagasy woods offering authentic and refined cooking, including both French and local Malagasy cuisine, plus a bar and terrace for relaxing. There is also Wi-Fi available in the reception and the friendly staff are sure to make your stay an enjoyable one.
Local Wildlife
Look for the localised Montagne d’ Ambre fork-marked lemur, Montagne d’ Ambre mouse lemur and the only recently described Montagne d’ Ambre dwarf lemur alongside many species of endemic frogs, giant and mossy leaf-tailed geckos, snakes, stick insects and other wildlife
The reserve contains at least 11 species of chameleon, including one of the tiniest of them all the Brookesia tuberculate and the beautiful panther and elephant ears chameleons.
Optional Activities
Explore the Montagne D’ambre National Park. The park, an isolated mount of rainforest in an otherwise semi-arid landscape, contains many lemurs, as well as birds such as Madagascar crested ibis and pygmy kingfishers. Walk the trails in search of lemurs including the beautiful crowned lemur, Sanford’s brown lemur as well as many reptiles and birds such as Madagascar crested ibis and the local subspecies of forest rock thrush.
Vakona Forest Lodge
Overview
Vakona Forest Lodge is conveniently located between the entrances of Analamazaotra (Perinet) and Mantadia rainforest reserves, just north of Andasibe Village and around four hours’ drive from Antananarivo. It is one of the most comfortable hotels in the Andasibe area with a peaceful and attractive location.
Bungalows are built surrounding a lake with a eucalyptus forest backdrop. All the bungalows are en-suite with mosquito nets over the beds, hot water showers and heaters for the cool winter evenings. Family bungalows have a mezzanine level for children.
The restaurant, which is built over the lake, serves mainly French-inspired cuisine on a set menu or more exciting a la carte (remember to ask to see it). Meals can be taken inside or on the terrace. Service is friendly but can be a little slow.
There is a small swimming pool for guests and Vakona Lodge has its own stables where horse riding from beginner to experienced standard can be undertaken on forest trails. There are also various walking trails into the forest from the lodge. There is also a games room for children.
Vakona Lodge also owns ‘Vakona Island’ where a brief canoe ride takes guests to enjoy a ‘lemur on the shoulder’ experience. Please be aware that these lemurs have not necessarily been ‘rescued’ from anywhere other than the wild. Similarly Vakona Lodge owns a small private zoo / crocodile park where caged wildlife can be seen. Not recommended from an animal welfare standpoint.
Vakona Forest Lodge is probably the most conveniently located lodge of this standard for the parks.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, private bathrooms, hot water and 24-hour electricity.
Local Wildlife
Indri, diademed sifaka, black and white ruffed lemur and eastern bamboo lemur can be seen during the day, while Goodman's mouse lemur, Crossley's dwarf lemur and eastern woolly lemur can be spotted at night. Other abundant wildlife includes Parson's chameleon, leaf chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, giraffe-necked weevils. Birds include the scaly- and short-legged ground rollers, red-fronted coua, velvet- and sunbird asitys, blue- and nuthatch vangas, forest fody and more.
Optional Activities
Wildlife walks in the rainforest, horse riding, canoeing and squash.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
The best flight option is with Ethiopian Airlines (Tue, Thu and Sat) or South African Airways/Airlink (Sunday only) directly into and out of Nosy Be.
Best Visited:
April to December
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Add a couple nights in the Antsiranana to visit the stunning Emerald Sea for snorkelling in warm and crystal clear waters, or a stay at Black Lemur Camp on the journey to Ankarana to see the rare Perrier’s sifaka.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Our highlights were the lemurs of course, but the sheer variety of them was amazing and we really loved how close some got. The spiny forest was particularly great for photographs because of such amazing backgrounds. Also loved the whale shark dive and the reefs were beautifully clear.
