Walking in Maronjejy and other northern Madagascar parks

Northern Madagascar's parks offer some of the best walking habitats on the island, with generally dry and shady conditions. In two weeks, this itinerary takes you from Diego to Suarez to Montagne d'Ambre, Anakarana and Marojejy, and ends with a couple of days to explore the fabulous island of Nosy Be.

The most challenging days are spent on the ascent of the 2,132m Marojejy Summit.

Day 1: Arrival Antananarivo

Welcome and transfer to the hotel Antananarivo, the capital, which is the beating heart of Madagascar. Indeed, the "City of Thousands" is at the same time the largest economic, political, historical and cultural pole. Antananarivo is a step not to be missed because it has an undeniable tourist attraction, which is not always discovered at first sight. The palaces, streets, squares and houses of the upper town tell a fascinating story.

Welcome on arrival and transfer to the PALISSANDRE Hotel & Spa or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 2 : Antananarivo - Diego - “Montagne des Français”

Breakfast at the hotel.  The “Montagne des Français” is located a few kilometers from the town of Diego Suarez, on the road to Ramena. It has the advantage of being close to the town and is one of the sanctuaries of floral biodiversity in Madagascar's Northern Region.

For nature lovers and hikers, for your recreation time and outings with family or friends: Montagne des Français opens its doors to you to discover its nature, relive its fascinating stories and also witness the splendid view over Diego Bay, “Pain de Sucre” and the town of Diego Suarez.

Overnight at the GRAND HOTEL or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 3: Diego - Montagne d'Ambre

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the visit to Montagne d'Ambre National Park (50km +/- 1 hour drive ). In the company of the park guides, we hike in the lush forest. This park is home to exceptional vegetation with tree ferns, palms, orchids, many exotic species while beautiful avenues of conifers along the trail to the forest station. Waterfalls, crater lakes embellish our walk. And of course, the Malagasy fauna with the friendly lemur. We meet the crowned lemur, the stanford lemur. 7 species share the area. We also meet chameleons, gecko and other uroplatus. The birds in the park are as numerous as colorful. In the afternoon we return to the hotel.

Overnight at the GRAND HOTEL or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 4: Ankarana – Red Tsingy

Drive Breakfast at the hotel. By 4x4 we bypass the Massif de la Montagne d'Ambre and take the road to the south (140 kms +/-5hours of driving). Between Diego and Nosy Be we stop for 2 astonishing sites : the Tsingy rouge : a dry river bed and clay. Those of Ankarana: an ancient coral reef. And for both, water, wind and a lot of time, here is the result: amazing sculptures, a limestone massif like a stone forest! Arrival at the hotel at the beginning of the afternoon.

Overnight at the ANKARANA LODGE or similar on half board.

Day 5 : Ankarana

Today there is more walking, around 4 or 5 hours.

The park geology is ancient coral reef eroded by water and wind and the result is a limestone formation looking like a sharp stone forest. We go and explore the park with a local guide. In the morning, we walk sometimes with difficulty through sharp crest of the Tsingy and caves (bats).

We have a picnic lunch by “la perte d’eau”, a huge excavation of a dried river where water disappears during rain season.
We walk towards Tsingy Rary in the afternoon where we have a hanging footbridge above the canyon. Our path passes through huge ficus forest of which roots are amazing. Go back to Mahamasina village at the end of the afternoon.

Overnight at the ANKARANA LODGE or similar on half board.

Day 6: Ankarana – Sambava

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by car with your driver-guide for Sambava, with breaks on the road. Arrival at the end of the afternoon after 360 KMS +/-7hours of driving.

Overnight at the MINI HOTEL or similar on bed and breakfast .

Days 7-9: Sambava – Marojejy

A few days of exploring Marojejy National Park including both the lower part of the primary rainforests and the highest summt.

You'll encounter many species of reptiles and amphibians, a few species of lemurs, and many species of birds, including the blue coua and Prévost's eurycere. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of “the Simpona”, the silky sifaka with its extremely white fur, which can only be seen in the Marojejy forests.

This superb massif, culminating at 2133 m, is the subject of a thrilling and rarely- visited trek. Lush vegetation, astonishing fauna, exciting - if not easy!

Day 7 : Camp 1 : Camp Mantella 3h of trek 445m in altitude
Day 8 : Camp 2: Camp Marojejia 1 or 2h30 hours of trek 775m of high
Day 9 : Camp 3 : Camp Simpona 3 or 4 hours of Trek 1 250m of high (Park peak 2 132m)
• Night on full board in the camp

Day 10: Camp 3- Camp 1 – Vohemar

Early breakfast around 5am. Beginning of the ascent to the summit (03h walk), arrival around 8am. Arrival at the summit, panoramic view of the highest point in the region (2,132m altitude). 

Descent to Camp 1 and arrival at Manantenina. Road to Vohemar.

Night at BAIE D’ IHARANA or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 11: Vohemar – Ankify – Nosy be

After breakfast, we continue our road to Ankify the place where we take the motorboat till Hell ville. Transfer to your hotel, rest of the day free. Total travel is 280Km +/- 5 hours + 45 min by motorboat.

Night at VANILA HOTEL or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 12: Nosy be

Considered one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world, Nosy Iranja is one hour and a half from Nosy Be by speed boat. The island is made up of two small islands (Small Iranja and Great Iranja) connected by aa white sandbank that is visible at low tide. With its turquoise waters, the island has a genuine paradise feel to it. It is home to sea turtles, who come there to lay egg, hence its nickname as the turtle island.

Nosy Iranja has also a large share of seabirds: sterns, marine eagles.  You can also visit the Great Iranja Island’s lighthouse and the Iranja village after your pic-nic lunch on the beach, under the shades of coconut trees.

Night at VANILA HOTEL or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 13: Nosy be

You will embark on a mini-cruise aboard a catamaran to enjoy the two islands near Nosy be.
Nosy Komba, your first stop, is the second biggest island of the area behind Nosy Be. It’s a traditional fishermen’s village with a handicraft market, where one can shop for sculptures and traditional table clothes. Nosy Komba is also famous for its small Lemurs’ park.

Afterwards, you’ll get to Nosy Tanikely (literally, « little land island »), a marine reserve that shelters all kinds of multi-colored fish, corals, anemones, and even sea turtles. Snorkelling (equipment provided) in Nosy Tanikely is a truly unique experience, as one feels as if inside a real life size aquarium. The seafood pic-nic lunch will take place on the catamaran after the snorkelling session.

Night at VANILA HOTEL or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 14: Nosy be – Antananarivo

After a final dive in Nosy be, we take the plane for Antananarivo. Transfer to the airport for flight to the capital, flight from Tsaradia. Transfer and night at the hotel.

Overnight at PALISSANDRE Hotel & Spa or similar on a breakfast basis.

Day 15: Antananarivo

Breakfast at the hotel. You will make a short stop at the artisanal market for some shopping.

Transfer to the airport to take international flight

• English -speaking driver/guide from Diego till Ankify
• 4x4 car for up to 4 people, including fuel during the trip
• Accommodation in double or twin room, in the hotels listed in the program or similar
• Bed and breakfast basis
• Dinner at Ankarana Lodge
• Lunch on day 5
• Camping equipment, guide, porters, cooks and all local and village taxes
• Entrance fees to the national parks and sites indicated: Montagne d’Ambre, “Montagne des Français”, Ankarana, Red Tsingy, Marojejy
• Local guide in the parks
• All transfers
• Pay on the road
• Application fees

• International flights
• Meals (lunches and dinners) not included in the program
• Free activities in Nosy be
• Tips and drinks
• Insurance