Best of Northern Madagascar and Perinet
Tour Introduction
With superior accommodation, an impressive variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes, this is a perfect introduction to the Big Red Island’s eastern rainforests and northern region. Wildlife highlights are likely to include the largest lemur, the indri, the charismatic diademed sifaka, fascinating chameleons, endemic frogs and an assortment of other bizarre fauna and flora. A highlight will be the visit to the tsingy of Ankarana and at the end 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 to your hotel.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes No Meals.
Transfer to Analamazaotra Reserve (Perinet). Afternoon excursion in the rainforest reserve and evening night walk. The reserve is the best place to see the largest lemur species, the indri, along with common brown and bamboo lemurs and the bizarre giraffe-necked weevil. At night it is possible to encounter the cute Goodman’s mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur and woolly lemur as well as leaf-tailed gecko, pygmy chameleon, giant millipede and an assortment of endemic frogs.
Staying at Vakona Lodge. Includes All Meals.
In the morning transfer a little further north and enjoy guided walks in Mantadia National Park. The reserve is an excellent location to see the diademed sifaka and the black and white ruffed lemur. In the evening there might be another night walk to look for nocturnal species.
Staying at Vakona Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning visit to Perinet Reserve to look for indri, chameleons, endemic birds and more. Transfer back to Tana and to hotel in the afternoon.
Staying at Au Bois Vert. Includes Breakfast.
Fly north to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). Met on arrival and transfer to Montagne d’Ambre National Park. Afternoon walk in the park and an optional nocturnal wildlife walk. The park 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 Sanford’s brown and the very rare northern sportive lemur can be seen. Perhaps look for the nocturnal 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 at night in forest areas outside the park.
Staying at Litchi Tree. Includes All Meals.
Another day to explore the rainforest and search for the wildlife of Montagne d’Ambre National Park, enjoying its scenic beauty and forest trails. Several highly localised species have evolved in isolation in this island of rainforest and the park is particularly rich in reptile diversity. The northern ring-tailed mongoose is also often spotted here.
Staying at Litchi Tree. Includes All Meals.
Drive to Ankarana National Park via the Tsingy Rouge, an enormous ravine of sharp, ancient eroded karst limestone formations known as tsingy and unique to Madagascar. Afternoon/evening wildlife walk in Ankarana National Park.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day’s exploration of Ankarana National Park, visiting tsingy, lake and caves. The park protects a spectacular area of limestone pinnacles and sunken tropical dry deciduous forest, containing one of the highest densities of primates in the world. As well as many lemurs, the area is good for seeing the northern ring-tailed mongoose and various chameleons.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Ankify and take boat to 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 waters in front of the lodge are clear and offer good opportunities for snorkelling. Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen in the mornings.
The forest to the rear of the lodge is home to a number of lemur species including black lemur, Samirano fork-marked lemur, northern giant mouse lemur and Sambriano mouse lemur and these can often be seen in the trees behind the lodges and restaurant in the late early evenings.
Guided walks can be taken into the forest behind and lodge 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 In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
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.
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 lodge offers a secluded and exclusive 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 balcony with seating area, where one can relax and enjoy the view. Each tent is fully equipped with a king bed, mosquito nets, mini-bar and safe.
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 and also to the small Malagasy village nearby.
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.
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.
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.
Route Map
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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 or South African Airways/Airlink into Tana 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.
Ian Loyd
Area Specialist
For those that want to see more of the Tsingy in Ankarana National Park, add a few nights at the remote I’harana Bush Camp to see the little visited western side of the park.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
[Our escort guide] was excellent – he had amazing vocabulary and was always good natured, patient and attentive. He provided us with a great commentary to the country and proved to be a brilliant wildlife spotter. Wildlife highlights: seeing a streaked tenrec, snorkelling with green turtles, the pygmy chameleons, the biggest giant millipede I’ve ever seen, a group of indris without the crowds and hearing their calls, seeing new families of birds – vangas and couas…Everything was a complete treat – my binoculars got a complete workout.
