Beaches, Tsingy and Wildlife of Northern Madagascar for Families
Tour Introduction
Staying in some of the most comfortable accommodations and with great attractions on your doorstep this easy paced itinerary is perfect for those looking to experience Madagascar without too much flying or driving.
After arriving into Nosy Be, enjoy a stay at a high comfort and very family friendly hotel with many water-based activities on offer. Next comes the tsingy of Ankarana Special Reserve, one of the most exciting in the country. A tsingy is a dramatic karst limestone geological feature peculiar to Madagascar, characterised by thousands of sharp, pointy pinnacles protecting deep ravines filled with foliage and rare wildlife.
Crowned lemurs, Sandford’s brown lemurs and the localised and very cute Ankarana sportive lemur are all easy to see here as are colourful panther chameleons and camouflaged leaf tailed geckos.
The second base in the tsingy, the I’harana Bush Camp is ideal for those looking to experience some more adventure with zip-lines, exciting trails, canoes and bike rides all on offer.
Finally, after all that adventure take some out at the beautiful beach side location of Eden Lodge with doorstep snorkelling with turtles, nearby coral reefs, water sports and forest wildlife available.
Full Itinerary
Arrive into Nosy Be airport. Met on arrival and transfer 30 minutes by road to the hotel.
Staying at Ravintsara Wellness Hotel. Includes Dinner.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax at the hotel or perhaps take an optional excursion such as an excursion to snorkel with whale sharks, and turtles, dolphin watching or to the marine reserve of Nosy Tainkely.
Staying at Ravintsara Wellness Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
This morning take an excursion to the Lokobe Strict Reserve.
This reserve is in the southeast corner of Nosy Be and is normally reached by pirogue (local dugout canoe). It is a superb example of lowland rainforest covering 740 hectares with numerous forest trails to explore. The reserve is most noteworthy for its population of black lemurs and the locally endemic Nosy Be (Hawk’s) sportive lemur as well as its reptile (50 species) and frog (35 species) diversity.
These include the beautifully marked and multi-coloured panther chameleon and some small species of Brookesia chameleons plus impressive boa constrictors and brown mantella frogs. Return to the hotel.
Staying at Ravintsara Wellness Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Today transfer by road to the dock and then 45 minutes by boat to Ankify Port on the mainland. On arrival in Ankify continue the journey by road past vanilla and cacao plantations and local villages, perhaps stop at a local vanilla plantation if this is of interest.
Reach Ankarana Special Reserve around lunchtime. In the afternoon explore some of the reserve and its fascinating karst landscape and sunken dry forest.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today explore Ankarana Special Reserve, a spectacular area of limestone pinnacles and sunken tropical dry deciduous forest, containing one of Madagascar’s highest densities of lemurs. The moon like karst landscapes of Ankarana are one of the highlights of Northern Madagascar.
Crowned and Sanford’s brown lemurs are abundant and inquisitive here often giving great sightings. The reserve is also home to the localised and nocturnal Ankarana sportive lemur which can be seen roost in tree snags and holes during the mornings.
Trails can be chosen depending on your interests/fitness. Perhaps hike and climb to Lac Verte (difficult) or visit the Grotte de Chauve Souris bat cave (each day’s itinerary to be decided on the spot).
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy another day to explore this wonderful reserve. Try to also spot the panther chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, huge ground boa constrictor and northern ring-tailed mongoose whilst exploring here.
Staying at Ankarana Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today transfer (approximately 4 hours) on a bumpy road to the West of Ankarana and the I'Harana Bush Camp.
This rustic chic camp is a great base to explore the remote Western side of the Ankarana reserve and the camp offers many exciting activities such as zip-lining, a cave tour, bike riding, canoe trips and walks to various viewpoints over the Tsingy.
Staying at I'Harana Bush Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a full day to explore the impressive tsingy escarpments and dry forests close to the lodge. There are some more adventurous trails available here with rope bridges, steel ladders and steeper trails and more gentle options to choose from. Perhaps also choose from one of the many activities offered by the lodge such as zip-ling or take a bike ride to a local village.
Staying at I'Harana Bush Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a second full day of activities from the lodge.
Staying at I'Harana Bush Camp. Includes All Meals.
Transfer 4 hours back to Ankify and take boat (45 minutes) to Anjanojano, a remote peninsula, only accessible by boat. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the stunning beaches and tranquillity of Eden Lodge.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. OPTIONAL excursions available such as snorkelling at Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, or excursions to other islands.
The waters in front of the lodge are clear and offer good opportunities for snorkelling. Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen in the mornings.
The forest to the rear of the lodge is home to a number of lemur species including black lemur, Sambirano fork-marked lemur, northern giant mouse lemur and Sambirano mouse lemur and these can often be seen in the trees behind the lodges and restaurant in the late early evenings.
Guided walks can be taken into the forest behind and lodge and also to the small Malagasy village nearby and the lodge also has a water sports centre on site.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. OPTIONAL excursions available.
Staying at Eden Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Time to relax during the morning. In the afternoon transfer to the airport on Nosy Be and take your flight home. e. OPTIONAL excursions available.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Ravintsara Wellness Hotel
Overview
The Ravintsara Wellness Hotel is a tranquil resort on the island of Nosy Be. With a relaxing atmosphere, the hotel is perfect for leisure enthusiasts who want to discover the Madagascan island life.
Ravintsara has 20 bungalows (sea and garden view) and all are equipped with air-conditioning, fan, safe, minibar, flat screen TV with satellite channels, Internet, telephone, king size bed and a desk. The comfortable bathrooms are equipped with double sinks, a jacuzzi and a shower as well as a separate toilet.
The resort is facing Sakatia island on the west coast overlooking spectacular sunsets.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Enjoy Malagasy and international dishes at their gourmet restaurant which also offers a cooking show once a week and Sunday brunch on the beach. The lounge bar offers a selection of light meals all day long. Other facilities at Ravintsara include the beach bar, complimentary wifi, swimming pool overlooking the sea, a children’s play area, water aerobic classes, fitness classes, table tennis and board games. The spa within the gardens has a range of treatment rooms as well as steam room, Jacuzzi, beauty salon and hairdresser.
Optional Activities
Diving, snorkelling, day trips to the islands, catamaran day trips and sightseeing excursions.
Ankarana Lodge
Overview
The recently renovated Ankarana Lodge is located approximately 1 km from Ankarana National Park with superb views over the local savannah.
The lodge has simple yet comfortable air-conditioned bungalows and more simple rooms, the more basic terraced rooms have air- conditioning and all have private bathrooms. There is 24-hour power for lighting and charging of equipment.
There is a large swimming pool with deck chairs and a drinks service, and there are plans to build a bar. The spacious bungalows overlook the pool and have private verandas. Although without air- conditioning the rooms have fans and two doors to improve the airflow.
There is a restaurant towards the back of the pool serving traditional Malagasy cuisine.
The main reason for a stay here is to visit Ankarana National Park, a spectacular tsingy area of eroded limestone pinnacles and sunken dry deciduous forest containing one of the highest densities of primates in the world – it has to be one of Madagascar’s most exciting reserves. Highlights include the various chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos and the northern ring-tailed mongoose.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, restaurant, drinks service, swimming pool, terrace, 24-hour electricity.
Local Wildlife
There are 11 species of lemur in the park, including crowned, Sandford’s brown, northern sportive and greater dwarf lemur. Other wildlife includes ring-tailed mongoose, various chameleons and leaf-tailed geckos and the colourful Madagascar giant day geckos. The Madagascar crested ibis is also frequently seen here.
Optional Activities
Excursions in the Ankarana National Park could include visits to the impressive limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy, sunken caves, underground rivers and more.
Iharana Bush Camp
Overview
The Iharana Bush camp has simple but lovely cabanas inspired by the traditional Malagasy lodge with ochre walls, satrana-roofed with dividing walls made with plants, woods, roots, creeper and laterite.
The cabanas are small individual lodges under the shade of mango trees. Four of them are by the lake and have a luxury private balcony at the foot of the Tsingy. Each cabana is equipped with private bathroom with hot /cold water and all usual items needed.
The cabanas use ecological energy. You can have hot water and light through solar panels. Be informed that there are no plugs in the cabanas. You can recharge your appliances in an office especially intended for that purpose.
Their restaurant combines western specialties and a slight oriental touch. They even make their own homemade jam for breakfast.
The restaurant continues out to a wide balcony, a perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the sunset.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
A Bar, Restaurant, Massages are available, an emerald natural swimming pool, and a shop with local arts and crafts,
Optional Activities
Explore Mandresy Cave.
A walk through the Tsingys until the panoramic viewpoint of Ambatomiloloha.
Discover the quiet and peaceful Laka Laka lake by canoe while admiring the majestic Tsingy.
Take a bike ride around the surrounding villages.
Eden Lodge
Overview
Located on the mainland opposite the island of NOSY BE on a stretch referred to as Baobab Beach and accessed only by boat, the well run lodge offers a secluded and exclusive beachfront location.
The lodge offers wonderful accommodation in luxury safari style tented rooms, each positioned under a traditional thatched roof. Each spacious tent opens up into a large solid built bathroom section, which includes a hot water shower area, flushing toilet and washstand with basin. The bathrooms open to a private terrace with a massage table. To the front, each has its own deck with seating where one can relax and enjoy the view. Each tent is fully equipped with a king bed, mosquito nets, mini-bar and safe.
Just down the beach from the main lodge is the luxury villa, boasting a small private pool, large kitchen, living room, bar, three en-suite bedrooms with air-conditioning, verandah and ocean views. Perfect for small groups and families.
There is a large open sided thatched restaurant and bar, which also has a relaxing lounge area overlooking the beach. The menu is set with 3 choices for starter, main, desert and accompaniments. The food is freshly cooked with produce from the organic garden.
There is a small water-sports centre, which can provide snorkelling equipment as well as sea kayaks, hobbiecats, pedalos and windsurfing boards free of charge.
The waters in front of the lodge are clear and offer good opportunities for snorkelling. Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen in the mornings often just a few steps from the beach.
The forest to the rear of the lodge is home to a number of lemur species including black lemurs and these can often be seen in the trees behind the rooms and restaurant in the late afternoons and early evenings. Guided walks can be taken into the forest behind the lodge, where lemurs can be seen, and also to the small Malagasy village nearby.
Further away, boat excursions to Nosy Tanikely for snorkelling and Lokobe Wildlife Reserve on Nosy Be are possible.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, mini bar, safety deposit box, private massage room, mosquito nets and a water sports activity centre onsite. The separate luxury beachfront villa has three en-suite bedrooms, living room, bar, kitchen, small private pool.
Local Wildlife
Black lemurs are particularly common in the lodge grounds during the day. At night Pariente's fork-marked lemur, northern giant mouse lemurs and occasionally even aye ayes enter the lodge grounds along with hedgehog tenrecs. A wide range of reptiles including colourful day geckos, panther chameleons and snakes also inhabit the forest around the lodge and green and hawksbill turtles feed on the seagrass just off the beach in the mornings. Birdlife includes Madagascar starlings, white-headed and hook-billed vangas and Madagascar hoopoes and excursions to the nearby Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve offer a wealth of tropical reef fish, more turtles and Madagascar flying foxes.
Optional Activities
Excursions to Nosy Tankely Marine Reserve and Nosy Be, snorkelling and scuba diving, village visits, kayaking, windsurfing.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
The best flight option is with Ethiopian Airlines (Tue, Thu and Sat) or South African Airways/Airlink (Sunday only) directly into and out of Nosy Be.
Best Visited:
April to November
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Travel in October or November for whale shark snorkelling from Nosy Be. Humpback and Omura’s whales and pods of spinner dolphins can be seen from July to November from Nosy Be.
If you want to get more off the beaten track and see some of Madagascar’s rarest lemur species, then perhaps add a trip to the Black Lemur Camp to see the Perrier’s sifaka, Camp Tattersalli for the golden-crowned sifaka and aye aye or the Sahamalaza- Iles Radama National Park for the blue-eyed black (Sclater’s lemur) lemur.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
[Our escort guide] was excellent – he had amazing vocabulary and was always good natured, patient and attentive. He provided us with a great commentary to the country and proved to be a brilliant wildlife spotter. Wildlife highlights: seeing a streaked tenrec, snorkelling with green turtles, the pygmy chameleons, the biggest giant millipede I’ve ever seen, a group of indris without the crowds and hearing their calls, seeing new families of birds – vangas and couas…Everything was a complete treat – my binoculars got a complete workout.
