Join TravPact for a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure around Madagascar. Journey into national and local parks, learn about local conservation efforts, and marvel at the extraordinary wildlife endemic to this island nation. With some of your journey spent deep in the wild, you’ll be camping amidst it all and truly reconnecting with the world as you disconnect from all the modern distractions. This 19-day tour is all about the adventure!
You might also like our 16-day highlands to the coast bike tour around Madagascar. Not sure which tour is best for you? Contact us for an informational chat so we can help you choose based on your travel style and interests.
You will arrive at Ivato International Airport in Madagascar. Welcome! You will get a visa at the airport and we recommend exchanging money at the airport as well. Our driver/guide will be waiting for you at the exit of the customs hall and will be available to help you with formalities. Afterward, the driver will take you to your city hotel to relax and rest.
Transfer: Shuttle from airport to hotel
Accommodations: Chez Jeanne or similar
Your adventure in the north of Madagascar will begin with a flight to take you from Antananarivo to Sambava, a city located in the north-east of the island. Here, people live peacefully in a settlement cut out of the forest that looks like it is filling the gaps between the dense forest trees. With demand for vanilla increasing at the turn of the 20th century, followed by the demand for coffee, the city experienced great economic development and is now considered to be one of the richest towns in Madagascar. Usually, there are hardly any tourists in this city. From here, you will be taken to a camp located in Marojejy, which is well-known for its National Park.
You will pass through the coconut and vanilla plantations of Sambava, before reaching the Marojejy National park entrance. From the very first day, you will start to discover the wealth of this park by walking and climbing to an altitude of 180 meters. You will explore a massif that is one of the most majestic in Madagascar while enjoying one of the most original perfumes. This moment will offer you a unique opportunity to see the microclimate that affects the speed of the growth of its vegetation. This first hike will show you many sites, including Humbert Waterfall, and you will meet with the bamboo lemurs, whose scientific name is “hapalémur griseusgriseus”. You will also get the opportunity to see the Mantella Laevigata ou Radaka, a frog with green colors on its back, at home at the Mantella Camp all year.
You will spend the night at the first park’s camp.
Transfer: Flight from Antananarivo to Sambava
Accommodations: Camping in Marojejy
Marojejy National Park is a very special, though not much visited, authentic primary rainforest in Madagascar. You’ll notice very tall trees growing very close together and sections of bamboo forest as well, which has featured prominently in David Attenborough’s documentary.
This beautiful park covers 55500 hectares and is characterized by its imposing mountains surrounded by lush forests, which are home to a rich, endemic, and diverse wildlife.
On Day 3, you will reach the second camp. The circuit on this part is called ‘circuit simpona’ and is located on the frontier between the wet forest at low altitude and the mountains. It enables you to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the granitic cliffs and mountains, which are covered by a dense green forest. Also, this will be an opportunity to discover the origin of the name for this circuit; it comes from the name of species of endemic lemurs that is only found in one place in the entire world, right here in Marojejy Park. This species is “the propitheque soyeux” also known as “simpona”. This lemur is covered with a fur of extra whiteness and it can be seen only in the Park of Marojejy. Don’t confuse these species with those which you find at Tattersalli that are called “propithecus tattersalli” in the forest of Daraina, there is a difference between them.
You will spend this day exploring the marvellous nature of the Marojejy Park, with a massif called “the prestigious of all of the island” with its grandiose size.
On Day 4, you will reach the third camp where you will spend the night before leaving this amazing nature behind.
Accommodations: Camping in Marojejy
Today, you will walk back to the entrance of the National Park (about 4 hours). There, the car and driver will be waiting for you to drive you to Vohemar, a journey of about another 4 hours. You will spend the night at a hotel on the Bay of Iharana, where you can refresh yourself after the three days of camping.
We advise you to start early so that you arrive in Vohemar in daylight, leaving time for a swim if you like and to enjoy the sight of the fishing boats returning to shore.
Transfer: Vohemar – Daraina (about 4 hours’ drive)
Accommodations: Baie D’Iharana
We suggest you leave early today. The road is very bad and dusty, so it will take at least 4h30 to arrive near Daraina. There, you will sleep at the Friendly camp of an NGO Fanamby and have the time in the early afternoon, if possible, to visit the Tatersalli Reserve. Here, you will spot the golden crown Sifaka lemur.
Transfer: Vohemar – Daraina (4.5 hours’ drive)
Accommodations: Camping at Friendly Camp
Today will be another day of driving over the bad and dusty road to Iharana, which should take about 5 hours. But the drive is worth it!
This natural site is endowed with great riches and exceptional beauty. You will be in the middle of nature, far away from television, air-conditioning, and telephones. We favour charm and authenticity here, while reducing our impact on the environment. Iharana Bush Camp is the most unusual amongst bush camps in Madagascar. Here, artificial tents are replaced by magnificent natural cottages.
The sleeping facilities consist of eighteen individual cabanas. The organic architecture is inspired by traditional Malagasy housing. The combination of skills, craft industry, arts and materials give an original aspect to the camp, making it totally harmonious with its environment. Our customers, who visited the place thought it was great to wonder around in the village near the hotel where people are looking for gold. Indeed, the contact with the local population is very simple and pure (there are really few tourists).
Transfer: Daraina – Iharana (4 hours’ drive)
Accommodations: Iharana Bush Camp
Today, you will head for the Ankarana reserve, a journey of about 5 hours. This relatively short journey will bring you to an amazing rocky world. Indeed, this park is well-known for its rocky peaks: the “Grey Tsingy of Ankarana”. These incredible karstic rock formations can only be found in the north and in the south-west of Madagascar.
Follow the path that leads to the “Benavony” trail where you will find a suspension bridge while walking to the lower parts of this famous Tsingy. Do not miss meeting with the animals, including species of endemic lemurs; also notice the typical vegetation of Ankarana, like the pachypodium, baobab trees, etc…
In Ankarana, you will stay in a simple accommodation principally consisting of bungalows in the style of the traditional local houses ‘architecture.
Transfer: Iharana – Ankarana (5 hours’ drive)
Accommodations: Chez Aurélien or similar
Today, an amazing site is awaiting you. It is called “the red tsingy” and is the result of erosion caused by wind and rain over hundreds of years. The place is of stunning beauty, but this miracle of nature can disappear quickly if not respected. In the middle of a savanna-like area with wild palm trees is a rough path that leads you to this special Tsingy.
After the visit, you will be driven back to the national road for the drive to Joffre Ville, a small village at the foot of the Amber Mountain where you will spend the night.
Accommodations: Soeurs Benedictines or similar
After breakfast, your car and English-speaking driver will already be waiting to take you to Montagne d’Ambre National Park. The Amber Mountain is the first National Park of Madagascar. Created in 1958, the National Park of the Amber Mountain is located in a volcanic area and is home to a fantastic rainforest, preserved from human influence, and where a lush and complex flora and fauna developed. Discover the many waterfalls, including the Antomboka and the Antakarana, the sacred waterfalls and the Mahasarika Lake. Seeing all of these, you will understand why the National Park is considered as the water tank of the region.
A visit inside this paradise is ideal for birdwatchers. You will have opportunities to find lots of birds, including Malagasy kingfisher “Alcedo vintsioides”. You can find reptiles as well, such as the smallest chameleons in the world, the “Brookesia minima”. And, last but not least, this park is home to many lemurs (Sanfordi brown lemurs, crowned lemur, etc) and little carnivorous animals (Ring-tailed mongoose Galidia elegans or the “fosa ” Cryptoprocta ferox ).
You will have a picnic in the park.
Accommodations: Soeurs Benedictines or similar
Today, you will leave for the jungle park, which is about 15 km away from your hotel. The latter is part of a sustainable development approach linked to responsible and thoughtful eco-tourism.
Tonight will be spent at the Jungle Park Ecolodge. The lodge is a tourist centre for sports, science, and solidarity in the heart of the massif of the French Mountain located in the Valley of the Parrots.
On the environmental side, the lodge is really sustainable, as it uses selective organic toilets, ecological showers, ovens, and solar lighting. Also, on the social and economic side, the lodge has an interpretation centre (environmental education) and works with village communities in reforestation programs and in taking care of a vegetable garden.
Transfer: Diego- Jungle Park (15km)
Accommodations: Jungle Lodge
Today, you will be able to book leisure activities on your own and as you want. You might choose to enjoy yourself at the massage room with a bath of essential oils. Jungle Lodge also offers sporting activities such as trekking, climbing, caving, park hook-up, and bird watching … or you could choose to just relax!
Accommodations: Jungle Lodge
Today, you will head to Ambanja region, which is about 7 hours’ drive away heading back south. You will visit the Millot cacao plantation, a plantation in which you can look at the traditional cacao transformation process.
Transfer: Jungle Park – Ambanja (7 hours’ drive)
Accommodations: Palma Nova hotel or similar
After breakfast, you will go on a full day discovery trip of the upper Sambirano and the Cascade de “Bons Pères”. This tour will enable you to discover the high Sambirano and its huge cocoa plantations, rice fields, and small villages. You will follow the curves of the Sambirano River that irrigates the whole valley. The locality of Ambobaka is famous for its familiar medicine. The healers practice a secular knowledge based on treatment with medicinal plants and different qualities of massage.
You will sail in a traditional outrigger canoe along the tributary of Sambirano: la Ramena. In doing so, you can discover the Cascade de Bons Pères, one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Madagascar with a fall of nearly 80 meters. You can climb with your guide; swimming under the falls and in the basins of the waterfall. You will have a picnic lunch there.
During your journey, you will also enjoy meeting a smiling and welcoming population. The feeling is pleasant and at the same time strange to feel immediately adopted by the villagers when we stop for a few minutes and show our interest in their agricultural or craft activities.
Accommodations: Palma Nova hotel or similar
After breakfast, you will be driven to Maromandia, a town of about 400 km away from Ankarafantsika. The latter has a private park called Maromandia Park, known for spotting the Blue-eyed Lemur and the sportive lemur as well. You will enjoy this visit as there are plenty of lemurs around. At the end of the afternoon, you will be driven to Ankify where you will spend the night in a local lodge.
Accommodations: Ankify Lodge or similar
This morning, a private motorboat will be waiting for you at Ankify Harbor to take you to Nosy Vorona, where you will spend three days. Lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean and just 50 x 50 meters, Nosy Vorona (Bird Island) is an island cut off from the world, a fabulous place to let your thoughts flow free and to let go.
However, the island is still an ideal place for numerous activities, including kayaking, snorkelling, and fishing. Guided tours on Nosy Komba and in Nosy Be‘s Lokobe nature reserve or the main village Hellville, as well as diving trips and Catameran chartering, can all be organized.
Accommodations: Nosy Vorona
Today, you will be transferred to the airport of Nosy Be. There, you will catch the return flight to Antananarivo. Upon your arrival in the capital, you will be transferred to a hotel near the airport for day-use. Later, you will be taken to the Ivato international airport and will leave Madagascar with – hopefully – unforgettable memories.
Transfer: Shuttle to Nosy Be Airport, flight Nosy Be – Tana, shuttle to/from an airport hotel
Mora Travel dedicates itself to organizing ‘sustainable’ trips to Madagascar every day. Sustainability is very important to us! By organizing these trips, we believe our travelers can experience Madagascar and enjoy everything that the country has to offer. And because you are traveling with us, we can contribute to preserving biodiversity and endemicity and giving local people in Madagascar a real chance.
Madagascar is not an easy destination to promote sustainable tourism as the logistics in remote areas are often very basic, the options are limited, and many resources are hard to get by. There aren’t always sustainable options, but wherever possible we opt for the most sustainable choice. Nevertheless, we do promote responsible travel to lessen our negative impact on our destination as much as possible.
This means we work together with partners that are environmentally conscious (renewable energy, sustainable waste management) while also looking after the social and economic wellbeing of the local people. We give preference to local Malagasy accommodations, businesses or for example parks that employ local staff under good conditions, that use mainly local products and/or are engaged in community initiatives. This means that the hotels during the trip are a real mix of very simple and luxury hotels depending on the criteria mentioned above.
We also contribute to reforestation. To compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions of all tourists who travel with us, we plant trees. The purpose of planting trees is to house animals, because they have less and less place to live because of deforestation. We still have a long way to go, but we feel that making this a choice and communicating this to our partners will help create a larger sustainable tourism community in the long run.
