Diego and Nosy Be
From 2 to 12 people
This trip leads us from the extreme north of Madagascar to Nosy Be—the island of perfumes. Diego-Suarez city, Antsiranana, is encircled by rich and diversified nature. Beautiful beaches open on one of the most beautiful bays of the world, whereas the Indian Ocean comes to run around in wild and protected creeks in the East.
Overlooking the Bay of Diego, Amber Mountain National Park holds a unique and often endemic fauna and flora.
We will cross through different landscapes to join Nosy Be. Life is present everywhere; we progress between high mountains and the coast of the Mozambique Channel. It is a fertile region; the land and agriculture are generous there. Vanilla, cocoa, cashew nut, ylang-ylang are grown there, benefiting from this very favorable climate.
You will enjoy the relaxed rhythm of life of Nosy Be. A peaceful or active stay is possible, and there are many activities on the island: boat trips, diving, fishing, the discovery of surrounding islands, and hikes.
Availability: All Year
Effort Level-2
Comfort Level-4
- Creeks and wild bays of the Indian Ocean
- Wildlife in Amber mountain
- The discovery of the Red Tsingy and Ankarana
- The exceptional natural and human diversity
- Nosy Be Island, Mozambique Channel quietness
Day 1
Antananarivo / Diego Suarez / Three Bays (B/L)
Transfer to Antananrivo Ivato airport. You will be assisted with checking into your domestic flight to northern Madagascar. *Fly to Diego Suarez, a 1h 15 flight.
Your guide will welcome you upon arrival at the airport of Diego Suarez. We will then drive along the Montagne des Français to join the Three Bays.
Here we will take a lovely two to four hour walk that includes seeing the Bay of Dunes, Pigeons, and Sakalava. The channel that separates the vast Diego Bay from the Indian Ocean is close; we are now in Cap Miné.
This place is full of history, and the remnants of France’s presence are still visible. We take a wonderful stroll on Orangea and Ramena beaches.
There is a possibility to climb to the top of the Montagne des Français summit and enjoy a beautiful panorama during sunset. We are back at the hotel for the evening.
*The program might change following the flight schedule.
Day 2
Montagne d’Ambre National Park (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Amber Mountain National Park for a guided tour of a luxuriant forest. This is the first National Park created in Madagascar. The flora in the park is unique: tree ferns, palms, orchids, and several rare species of trees.
Waterfalls and crater lakes decorate our walk. We might see chameleons, geckos, leaf-tailed geckos, and many colorful birds. There are seven varieties of lemurs in the forest, including the Crowned Lemur and Sanford Lemur.
There is a possibility of walking back to the hotel in the afternoon. Walk pace and duration depend on the group (minimum 2 hours). The guide will advise you.
Day 3
Diego Suarez / Tsingy Rouges / Ankarana (B/L)
We leave Joffreville village behind us to reach Ankarana National Park. We will be driving about 95 miles today. We turn off on the way to visit the Red Tsingy. The geological history of this formation is similar to Tsingy of Ankarana, but with some thousands of years of difference. Red Tsingy is due to the erosion of sandstone instead of limestone.
We drive back to the main road until we reach Mahamasina Village, where Ankarana National Park gate is.
Day 4
The Tsingy of Ankarana – Mahamasina (B/L)
It is ancient coral reef eroded by water, wind and time, and here is the result: 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 the caves including that of the 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.
Go back to Mahamasina village at the end of the afternoon.
Day 5
Ankify / Nosy Be (B)
We embark on a speed boat in the morning for 45 mn to join Hellville (Andoany), the capital of Nosy Be. We will pass close to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely.
We reach our beachfront hotel by taxi, lunch on arrival. You will be with your guide up to the reception of your hotel-afternoon at leisure. We invite you to go and meet local people who are typically quiet yet friendly-evening at the hotel.
Your guide is not with you during your stay in Nosy Be.
Day 6
Day at leisure at Nosy Be (B)
We offer a day to relax for this last day of your holidays.
Many activities are possible from the hotel: water sport, fishing, excursion in some islands, boat trips, motorbike or bicycle renting.
Nosy Komba island with its fishing village, and slao Nosy Tanikely, one of the marine Parks in Madagascar, are close. One full day of absolute pleasure! The hotel reception will advise you and help you with all these activities.
We recommend a walk to Mont Passot in the late afternoon for a beautiful panorama of the island at sunset or just lazying around on the beach.
Enjoy an evening at your hotel by the sea.
Day 7
Nosy Be / Antananarivo (B)
Relaxed morning before transfer organized by the hotel to the airport.
End of tour services.
Fly to the capital of Madagascar 1h 15 flight.
- Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
- Entrance fees where applicable.
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
- Transfers
- Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.
