Madagascar · Wildlife

7-Day Northern Madagascar Tour with Emerald Sea and Ankarana

7 Days Round trip from Antsiranana Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the vibrant city of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) with a guided city tour
  • 02 Visit Amber Montagne National Park, a stunning natural wonderland
  • 03 Marvel at the iconic Red Tsingy formations in Mahamasina
  • 04 Discover the biodiversity of Ankarana Reserve, home to lemurs, reptiles, birds, and bats
  • 05 Enjoy a boat excursion on the Emerald Sea with swimming, snorkelling, and turquoise waters
  • 06 Visit cacao and vanilla plantations near Ambanja

Embark on a captivating tour of northern Madagascar with a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide. This guided journey takes you through the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of the region, from cacao and vanilla plantations near Ambanja to the dramatic formations of Red Tsingy, the wildlife of Ankarana Reserve, and the lush rainforests of Montagne d'Ambre National Park. Along the way, enjoy a boat excursion on the Emerald Sea, hike Montagne de France, and discover the charm of Antsiranana.

Upon reaching the peak, you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views of Antsiranana Bay and the Indian Ocean.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Antsiranana, Ambanja, Nosy Be, Montagne d'Ambre National Park, Ankarana Reserve
Languages English, French, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Nosy Be to Ambilobe via Ankify and Ambanja

  • After Nosy Be Island, take a motorboat to Ankify, where you will meet our driver, who will take you to Ambilobe town.
  • The boat ride takes about 40 minutes. En route, we will stop at Ambanja village to visit the cacao and vanilla plantations.
  • We will arrive in Ambilobe in the afternoon.

Overnight at the Kozobe Hotel.

2
Day 02

Explore Ankarana Tsingy National Park

  • Today, you and your personal guide will start your trail to discover different species of lemurs and other wildlife, including Perrier's black lemur, northern sportive lemur, dwarf lemur, ring-tailed mongoose, fossa, and tenrecs. This park has 100 bird species, 50 reptiles, including some endemic and threatened snakes and geckos, and 10 frogs. Inside the spectacular and huge labyrinth of caves, there are 14 bat species. After lunch, we head back to Ambilobe.

Night at the same hotel.

3
Day 03

Ambilobe to Diego Suarez via Red Tsingy

  • Leave the hotel and drive to Antsiranana City for a 4-hour journey on National Road No. 6.
  • Stop at the Red Tsingy Reserve to admire the beautiful landscapes and visit this unique place that you must see when passing through the area. After the 2-hour visit and a picnic lunch, continue smoothly to Diego Suarez, the biggest town in the north.
  • The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight at the Jardin Extotique Hotel.

4
Day 04

Emerald Sea Boat Excursion and the 3 Bays

  • The driver and guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the departure point for your boat excursion to the Emerald Sea, where you can relax and admire the gorgeous turquoise waters. This beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling thanks to its shallow water. We will provide tasty seafood during the excursion. After the visit, return to Diego and then go on to explore this wonderful area known as the 3 Bays, including Sakalava Bay. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Night at the same hotel.

5
Day 05

Hike Montagne d'Ambre National Park

  • After your early morning breakfast,
  • we drive for an hour to reach this famous national park, Montagne d'Ambre National Park.
  • Today, you'll enjoy 4 hours of walking to explore one of the most popular hiking parks in the region. Splendid scenery includes lush mountain rainforests, crater lakes, and beautiful waterfall views. Montagne d'Ambre is an isolated patch of mountain forest rising from the surrounding dry region. You will see some lemurs, including crowned and Sanford's lemurs, birds such as the Madagascar crested ibis and white-throated oxylabes, and various reptiles.
  • Break for lunch, and then head slowly to visit the tortoise, the village of Diego Suarez, and its colonial building culture.

Night at Nature Lodge Hotel.

6
Day 06

Hike Montagne de France

  • Breakfast at your restaurant.
  • Drive to Montagne de France to begin a beautiful mountain hike.
  • The hike starts at the base of the mountain and ascends to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Along the way, you will encounter a variety of exotic flora and fauna native to the area. Upon reaching the peak, you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views of Antsiranana Bay and the Indian Ocean. The trail is challenging, but it is an excellent opportunity to experience the local culture and marvel at the natural wonders that Madagascar has to offer.
  • Return to the city after the visit, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight at Nature Lodge Hotel.

7
Day 07

Antsiranana Airport Transfer

  • Today is our last day of the North Tour.
  • We will transfer you to the airport, depending on your flight time.
  • Once we arrive at the airport, our services end.
Emerald Sea, Red Tsingy, Ankarana Reserve, Montagne d'Ambre National Park

Where this trip takes you

Emerald Sea, Red Tsingy, Ankarana Reserve, Montagne d'Ambre National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Antsiranana 5 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private car rental
  • Fuel during the tour
  • Park entrance fees
  • Obligatory local guide
  • All visits mentioned in the itinerary
  • Midrange accommodation for 6 nights

What's Not Included

  • Meals, drinks, and personal needs
  • National flights and visa fees
  • Expenses outside the program

What to bring

  • There are things you should not forget: suncream, sunglasses, walking boots, walking shoes, mosquito spray, and a torch.

Know before you go

  • The tour booking requires at least 7 days' minimum notice after confirmation. This will help me organize the tour well in advance for you.
  • This tour is open year-round and can be booked directly if the price meets your budget.
  • Travellers with back or heart problems should not join the tour due to the temperature, activity level, and road conditions.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Antsiranana Airport, Antsiranana, Madagascar
Tour start
Antsiranana, Madagascar
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Antsiranana.

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