North Madagascar Safari, 10 Days

10 days with a combination of wildlife in the North and beach/diving in Nosy Be.
Arrival and departure from Tana

Day 1	Arrive in Tana
Day 2	Tana – Diégo Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre with Air Madagascar
Day 3	Montagne d’Ambre
Day 4	Montagne d’Ambre - Ankarana
Day 5	Grand Tsingy Ankarana
Day 6	Ankarana – Ankify – Nosy Komba by road and boat
Day 7	Nosy Komba
Day 8	Nosy Komba
Day 9	Nosy Komba – Nosy Be – Tana by boat and Air Madagascar
Day 10	Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tana

You will be greeted on arrival at Ivato airport by our English speaking guide who will accompany you to your hotel in town. ‘Tana’ – as the locals call Antananarivo has fascinating traditional architecture and a more Indonesian influence than the rest of Madagascar.

Overnight at Pavillon de l’Emyrne in a superior room (Half Board)

Day 2: Tana – Diégo Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre with Air Madagascar

After breakfast you will meet with your English speaking guide and transfer back to Ivato Airport in time for your Air Madagascar flight to Diego Suarez. Diego Suarez is well known for its spectacular setting, overlooking a deep harbour. For centuries, it has been considered of great strategic importance. Today, Diego Suarez is an excellent gateway to the varied natural attractions of northern Madagascar. The city has long been relatively isolated from the rest of Madagascar, yet influenced by the many travellers and traders who have passed through: Arab, Chinese, Indian and Creole culture have all made their mark on this cosmopolitan city. Upon arrival, you will be met by our local staff who will take you for a drive to explore the three bays, an area of stunning coastal scenery and beaches. The three bays consist of the Baies du Sakalava, Pigeon and Dune and there is variety of walks possible in the area depending on your fitness. After a picnic lunch, continue to Joffreville.

Overnight at Nature Lodge in a Standard Bungalow (Full board)

Day 3: Montagne d’Ambre

This morning you will meet with your local English speaking guide and drive to Montagne d’Ambre National Park for a full day visit. Established by the French in 1958, this volcanic massif and its surrounding forest are now one of the country’s best examples of ecotourism, which invites local community participation in planning and management. Thousands of acres of mountain rainforest are home to extraordinary plant and animal life. Huge ferns and strangler figs flourish in the forest, while several indigenous species of lemurs, including Sanford’s lemur and the crowned lemur, are also found here. You may even see ring-tailed mongoose and fossa. Magnificent birdlife includes crested ibis, paradise flycatcher, forest rock thrush and ground-rollers. You may wish to make one of the waterfalls the destination of your trip – as you make your way to one of the dramatic falls, you can learn more about the area’s inhabitants.

Overnight at Nature Lodge in a Standard Bungalow (Full board)

Day 4: Montagne d’Ambre - Ankarana

Meet with your English speaking local guide, and then head to Ankarana by road (4hrs). At half way, take the junction for 01 km to the Red Tsingy. It is a spectacular and rare formation of Tsingy, resulted from red earth erosion. Have picnic, and continue to Ankarana. The drive is on a good asphalt road (one of the few in the country), with green and volcanic landscapes. This is the breadbasket of the Diana region. As you approach Ankarana you will get a spectacular view of the Tsingy.

Check in, then in the afternoon, go out for short circuits into the park, to see the Red & Meva Tsingy, a sample of the sharp pinnacles.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Iharana Bush Camp in a Terraced Bungalow (Full board)

Day 5: Grand Tsingy Ankarana

After breakfast, set out with our local English speaking guide for a full day visit to the Park.

Ankarana is an island of Tsingy and forest, the massif is penetrated by numerous caves and canyons. Some of the largest caves have collapsed, forming isolated pockets of river-fed forest with their own perfectly protected flora and fauna. The reserve is known for its many lemur species, including crowned and Sanford’s brown lemurs. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with nearly 100 species. If you are lucky you may even spot fossa and tenrec.

Your guide will recommend the best trails to follow depending on your physical aptitude and interests.

Points of interest include:

• Baobab forest
• Ampondrabe river
• the abyss where the three rivers of Ankarana disappear
• Bat’s cave
• Les tourelles des Tsingy, turret shaped rock formations
• Lac Vert, a stunning crater lake

Overnight at Iharana Bush Camp in a Terraced Bungalow (Full board)

Day 6: Ankarana – Ankify – Nosy Komba by road and boat

After an early breakfast, drive to Ankify (4hrs) to take the boat to Nosy Komba (25 minutes). Nosy Komba is a small island nestled between Nosy Be and the mainland in the Mozambique Chanel. It is known for its population of black lemurs, lively local crafts market and stunning beaches. This volcanic island is covered with lush rainforest, home to the Macacoa lemur species and an abundance of chameleons, butterflies, tropical flowers and more. The beaches are white sand that flows into emerald waters. Snorkelling, scuba diving and boating excursions offer encounters with turtles, dolphins and hump-back whales (July-November). Check-in to Tsara Komba for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the Lodge.

Overnight at Tsara Komba in a standard lodge (Full board)

Day 7 & 8: Nosy Komba

Days at leisure at Tsara Komba. A luxurious 4 star eco-lodge on Nosy Komba Island. 2 Ocean View Suites and 6 Ocean View Lodges. Located on Nosy Komba, the most beautiful island of Nosy Be archipelago, Tsara Komba is a real eco paradise. “Art de Vivre” Slow Life, smart and ethnic atmosphere, a renowned Slow Food gastronomy, exceptional getaways to discover fabulous Malagasy landscapes and people, Tsara Komba offers a unique and tailor made experience.

Overnight at Tsara Komba in a standard lodge (Full board)

Day 9: Nosy Komba – Nosy Be – Tana by boat and Air Madagascar

This morning, transfer to the airport by boat and vehicle (1hr) for your Air Madagascar flight back to Tana. On arrival in Tana, our driver and guide will accompany you to your hotel in town.

Overnight at Pavillon de l’Emyrne in a superior room (Half board)

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, our driver and guide will accompany you to the airport and assist you in checking in to your outbound international flight.

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pavillon de l’Emyrne, Antananarivo
Day 2 - 3 : Nature Lodge, Montagne d’Ambre
Day 4 - 5: Iharana Bush Camp, Ankarana
Day 6 - 8: Tsara Komba, Nosy Komba
Day 9: Pavillon de l’Emyrne, Antananarivo