Northern Madagascar Safari

This tour begins in Madagascar's colourful capital - Antananarivo where we will be a night before flying to the Northern tip Diego Suarez. Continue to one of Madagascar's most diverse rainforests - Montagne d'Ambre, where you will find sacred caves, underground rivers and remarkable fauna and flora home to the world's smallest chameleons and lemurs!

Your next destination is the Ankarana Reserve- due to erosion the landscape resembles a spikey stone forest, underground riverbeds and caves help protect the region from human intrusion!

The last leg of the safari takes you to the sandy, tropical beaches of Nosy Be before we return back to the Capital City.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Antananarivo – Madagascar

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar on day one of the Northern Madagascar Safari. With its bustling markets, friendly people and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world's capitals.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.

Day 2: Antananarivo to Diego Suarez & Montagne d'Ambre – Madagascar

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Diego Suarez, where you will be collected at the airport. We then drive directly to Montagne d'Ambre National Park, which covers 18,200 ha of a prominent volcanic massif. Montagne d'Ambre boasts striking scenery, rainforest and waterfalls, and is one of Madagascar's most visited natural attractions. It was created in 1958 to protect the massif and its ecosystems, including the region's unique flora and fauna. In the Park you will have the chance to see seven species of lemurs, the aye-aye, the ring-tailed mongoose and a variety of reptiles including frogs, geckos and chameleons, as well as more than 70 species of birds.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nature Lodge.

Day 3: Montagne d'Ambre to Ankarana – Madagascar

Today we head to Ankarana - a nature reserve with karst pinnacles, sacred caves, underground rivers and beautiful scenery. The rich and diverse flora and fauna includes many lemurs and interesting bird species. Its limestone pinnacles are called tsingy formations, running through and under the tsingy are hidden forest-filled canyons and numerous subterranean rivers. We will explore the extensive cave system, which includes several fascinating bat-filled grottoes.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Relais de l’Ankarana

Day 4: Ankarana to Ankify – Madagascar

In the morning we will visit the Ankarana nature reserve, where once again you will have the chance to admire the remarkably rich and varied vegetation and the abundant wildlife of the reserve. Later we drive to Ankify - a small village situated along on of Madagascar’s white sand beaches.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel le Baobab or similar.

Day 5: Ankify to Nosy Be – Madagascar

Today you will go on a boat transfer to Nosy Be where you will be transferred by car and boat to your hotel. Nosy Be, commonly known as "the island of perfumes" and the largest of Madagascar's offshore islands, is a beautiful tropical island covered with palm trees and bougainvillea. Nosy Be is a beautiful place where you could easily spend the entire day simply watching the changing hues of blue in the sea and the sky. In addition to its attractive beaches, the island's assets include luxuriant foliage, friendly people and a relaxed Indian Ocean ambience.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.

Day 6: Nosy Be – Madagascar

Day six of the Northern Madagascar Safari is spent in Nosy Be at leisure. Visit the Lokobe Reserve, a rainforest reserve that protects most of Nosy Be's endemic vegetation. You might see lemurs, birds and chameleons. Or go on a day-cruise to the islands "Nosy Komba"- the island of lemurs or "Nosy Tanikely"- an underwater reserve offering a rich diversity of marine life, such as beautiful corals and a big variety of fish, with excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Fish you might see include surgeonfish, clown fish, barracuda, manta rays, sea urchins, starfish, eels, anemones and many more. At the end of the afternoon we will go back your Madagascar hotel where you will have the chance to enjoy the amenities on offer.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.

Day 7: Nosy Be to Antananarivo – Madagascar

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo, where a transfer will take you to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. You can wander through the capital's steep and narrow streets, taking in its architecture, atmosphere and pace. Or you can climb up to the old rova (palace) and enjoy the views over Antananarivo and the surrounding countryside. The town is at its best in the evening when the setting sun spectacularly illuminates its hillsides.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.

Day 8: Antananarivo to Johannesburg – South Africa

Today you will be transferred to the airport in Antananarivo for your flight back to Johannesburg, where your unforgettable Northern Madagascar Safari ends. We hope to welcome you to Madagascar again soon!

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Note:
Please note that internal flights should be booked in conjunction with international flights and the rates are subject to class, availability and change.

Looking for departure date info? It's up here…