In the most northern part of Madagascar, Antsiranana stands around the beautiful bay, one of the greatest in the world.
Antsiranana’s economy is based on trade activities connected with the important commercial harbour, a port of call for big fishing boats which ply the Indian Ocean, built mainly by the Yemeni community, introduced during the French colonisation, who also introduced the use of khat, now widespread among the Antakarana local people.
On the east coast you can explore gorgeous bays, which are entirely deserted and protected by the rocks, with perfect turquoise waters for swimming.
Further inland, you can visit the Amber Mountain National Park, one of the most beautiful, for its luxuriant vegetation, rivers and lakes and the Ankarana National Park with its spectacular caves and unique rock formations: the Tsingy, high pinnacles which make those places almost impassable, preserving their natural condition.
Antsiranana (Google Map)
In the most northern part of Madagascar, Antsiranana stands around the beautiful bay, one of the greatest in the world.
Antsiranana’s economy is based on trade activities connected with the important commercial harbour, a port of call for big fishing boats which ply the Indian Ocean, built mainly by the Yemeni community, introduced during the French colonisation, who also introduced the use of khat, now widespread among the Antakarana local people.
At the arrival, transfer in the hotel; after the lunch in hotel, departure for the visit of the city, of the market, the huge bay, on of the biggest in the world, opened on the Indian ocean; in the evening dinner and overnight in hotel Le Grand Hotel (standard room) or similar.
Breakfast in hotel; departure from in the morning along the road towards the east coast, where you can admire beautiful Baobab trees; than beginning of the trail to the bays of Dunes, Pigeons and Sakalava, where you can swim in clear, turquoise water and relax in desert beaches; picnic lunch; then in the late afternoon return to Antsiranana; in the evening dinner and overnight in hotel Le Grand Hotel (standard room) or similar.
Breakfast in hotel; departure for the excursion to the Forest of Baobabs; transfer to the shores of the bay and boarding on a motor-boat; after about 20′ of navigation arrival on the peninsula and beginning of the hike of about 2h30; the excursion lead to a region where Adansonia Madagascariensis and Adansonia Suarezensis baobab live, both endemic of the north of Madagascar; at the end back to Antsiranana and lunch; continuation by 4WD car to reach in about 1h30 Tsingy Mena, amazing ephemeral calcareous formations, produced by the erosion, that assume suggestive colours with the light of the lowering sun; then transfer to Joffreville, an ancient small town situated near Amber Mountain National Park; in the evening dinner and overnight in hotel Le Domaine de Fontenay (standard room) or similar.
Breakfast in hotel; morning devoted to the excursion in Amber Mountain Park, a thick of volcanic origin, covered of luxuriant vegetation, where they flow rivers that originate spectacular falls; departure by car up on the hill to reach the park entrance and continuation along the road; then beginning of the hike through the tropical forest; of at the end you will have served the lunch; then, continuation by car along the National Road westward to reach the village of Mahamasina, right opposite Ankarana National Park; set up in hotel Ankarana Lodge (standard room) or similar; in the evening dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, departure by car to the Ankarana National Park and beginning of the exploration of the site, a wild habitat of caves, underground rivers, stately canyons and forests inhabited by various kinds of lemurs; during the excursion in the park the fantastic Tsingy can be admired, spectacular Jurassic rocky massif, dated to about 100 million years ago; have picnic lunch during the excursion; at the end back to your hotel Ankarana Lodge (standard room) or similar; time at your disposal for relaxing; in the evening dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, take the National Road again back to Antsiranana in about 2h30 or continuation to Ankify Beach in about 2h30 where you will be transferred to Nosy Be port by motor-boat in about 40’.
