MADAGASCAR'S NORTH
The North is where you will find the most dramatic landscapes on the island, as well as the densest population of lemurs and the world’s smallest chameleon. Diego Suarez, or Antsiranana as it called since 1975, is where you will arrive if you wish to explore Madagascar natural beauty in the north of the island. Most people just arrive here and then start heading east, but depending on your arrival time you might also want to stay here for one night. The small town has a few pleasant hotel on offer.
Amber Mountain National Park is located about a 2 hour drive from Diego Suarez and takes its name from the resin that is found in the local trees, said to hold medicinal qualities and still used by the local Malagasy people. Nestled near the northern tip of Madagascar, this mountainous park rises out of the drier surrounding landscape, has a cool climate and some wonderfully lush scenery. Waterfalls, rainforests and volcanic lakes surround you, alongside an impressive level of biodiversity and plenty of endemic species of flora and fauna. This is where you can find the Brookesia micra chameleon, the smallest in the world at only 25mm long.
Ankarana National Park, which is a long drive of about 7 hours from Amber Mountain National Park is home to rock formations known as tsingies. Erosion of the limestone bedrock has created valleys and fortresses of impenetrable rocky spires and the largest underground cave system in Africa. Ankarana is also home to the densest population of lemurs on the island, including Sanford’s brown lemur, Perrier’s black lemur, dwarf lemurs and the dreaded fossa.
There are 2 areas on the island where the tsingi can be found, in Ankarana and in the west of the island at Tsingi de Bemaraha National Park. The advantage of Ankarana is that the terrain is much easier and that everyone can come here to see these extraordinary rock formations, whereas in Tsingi de Bemaraha National Park a high level of fitness and sense of adventure is required. Ankarana is a vast park and has hence been divided into two parts, Ankarana East and Ankarana West. Ankarana East is where most of the tsingi can be found and hence where also most of the accommodation options are. There are several different walks that can be taken to see the rock formations, anything from 30 minutes to a full-day walk. Ankarana East has a lot less of the tsingis but is also a lot less frequented by visitors. Here you can climb high up onto the formations and get fantastic vistas of the surrounding landscapes and you can go on a short boat cruise on the lake below. There is only one accommodation we use here, which is Iharana Bush Camp, one of our favourites in Madagascar.
About half way between the Amber Mountains and Ankarana National Park you will also come past the red tsingy, which are a must stop along the way. The red tsingy are made of red laterite similar to clay and not of limestone rock like the tsingy at Ankarana or Bemaraha. They are a result of erosion caused by the rain, wind and soft soil.
Most travellers end their journey through northern Madagascar with a relaxing beach stay or a few days of diving on the island of Nosy Be. More information about Nosy Be can be found on our Madagascar's Islands page.
Amber Mountain National Park is located about a 2 hour drive from Diego Suarez and takes its name from the resin that is found in the local trees, said to hold medicinal qualities and still used by the local Malagasy people. Nestled near the northern tip of Madagascar, this mountainous park rises out of the drier surrounding landscape, has a cool climate and some wonderfully lush scenery. Waterfalls, rainforests and volcanic lakes surround you, alongside an impressive level of biodiversity and plenty of endemic species of flora and fauna. This is where you can find the Brookesia micra chameleon, the smallest in the world at only 25mm long.
Ankarana National Park, which is a long drive of about 7 hours from Amber Mountain National Park is home to rock formations known as tsingies. Erosion of the limestone bedrock has created valleys and fortresses of impenetrable rocky spires and the largest underground cave system in Africa. Ankarana is also home to the densest population of lemurs on the island, including Sanford’s brown lemur, Perrier’s black lemur, dwarf lemurs and the dreaded fossa.
There are 2 areas on the island where the tsingi can be found, in Ankarana and in the west of the island at Tsingi de Bemaraha National Park. The advantage of Ankarana is that the terrain is much easier and that everyone can come here to see these extraordinary rock formations, whereas in Tsingi de Bemaraha National Park a high level of fitness and sense of adventure is required. Ankarana is a vast park and has hence been divided into two parts, Ankarana East and Ankarana West. Ankarana East is where most of the tsingi can be found and hence where also most of the accommodation options are. There are several different walks that can be taken to see the rock formations, anything from 30 minutes to a full-day walk. Ankarana East has a lot less of the tsingis but is also a lot less frequented by visitors. Here you can climb high up onto the formations and get fantastic vistas of the surrounding landscapes and you can go on a short boat cruise on the lake below. There is only one accommodation we use here, which is Iharana Bush Camp, one of our favourites in Madagascar.
About half way between the Amber Mountains and Ankarana National Park you will also come past the red tsingy, which are a must stop along the way. The red tsingy are made of red laterite similar to clay and not of limestone rock like the tsingy at Ankarana or Bemaraha. They are a result of erosion caused by the rain, wind and soft soil.
Most travellers end their journey through northern Madagascar with a relaxing beach stay or a few days of diving on the island of Nosy Be. More information about Nosy Be can be found on our Madagascar's Islands page.
where to stay...
From our visit to Madagascar's North, we have first-hand knowledge of the accommodation and below you can find the ones we most commonly use. Those include mainly our favourites sorted from low-key to deluxe, which are usually smaller properties with very personalised service, but also some bigger places, if they are the best or only option available. Open, close, then open each tab again to display the images fully.
diego suarezgrand hotel
allamanda hotel
amber mountains |
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the litchi tree
nature lodge
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ankarana |
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ankarana lodge
iharana bush camp
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itineraries
Below you can find some sample itineraries with images of the different lodges in them for short trips to Madagascar's North,
but this list is by no means exhaustive. For bespoke itineraries, please contact us directly to discuss your project.
but this list is by no means exhaustive. For bespoke itineraries, please contact us directly to discuss your project.
8-day Lemurs & Islands Accommodated Group Tour
includes services of a driver/guide from EUR 1,685 per person sharing* interactive itinerary here |
10-day Lemurs, Tsingy and Beach Private Tour
includes services of a driver/guide from EUR 1,995 per person sharing interactive itinerary here |