Northern Madagascar Holidays

Stretching from the bayside jungle of Masoala National Park on its northeastern peninsula to Anjajavy in the west, Northern Madagascar offers a rich collection of unspoiled landscapes from the breathtaking “tsingies” and caves of Ankarana to the lush rainforests of Amber Mountain and the hidden beaches of Anjajavy.

Hiking and wildlife spotting in the company of experienced experts are the prime activities in this spectacular region. When you’re not trekking between waterfalls and crater lakes, or exploring canyons and coves, you can experience local life in the farming town of Joffreville, or the fishing villages along the Anjajavy coast.

Towards the northern edge of Madagascar, Ankarana Special Reserve is one of the most dramatic and accessible “tsingy” regions of the island. Sharp and rugged limestone pinnacles shoot from the forest floor to create a landscape that is as mesmerising as it is challenging.

Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs leaping between the trees and chameleons resting on rocks as you navigate narrow trailways, and hanging bridges to explore and view this spectacular terrain. Delve deeper to find bat-filled caves, or crocodiles basking in river gorges. For birders, the end of each year brings flocks of migratory species while gardeners will love finding wild orchids throughout the park. Stay at a luxury eco-lodge within the reserve and completely immerse yourself in this magical environment.

If you’re looking to enjoy an independent nature walk, Amber Mountain’s misty park is one of the only places in Madagascar where guides aren't compulsory. Follow established trails through the jungle to find the Cascade Sacrée and its fern-fringed grotto, or the 80-metre falls of Cascade Antomboka. Spot exotic flora and diverse wildlife as you wander the Mille Arbres - or Path of a Thousand Trees.

Sightings of Sanford's brown lemur, leaf-tailed geckos, and the tiny Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleon are common while eagle-eyed spotters might also find mongooses, falanoucs, fossas, frogs, or even a Madagascar tree boa. While you can’t stay in the park itself, the Malagasy village of Joffreville is just a few miles outside with old colonial houses surrounded by local homes, streets lined with colourful fruit stalls, and tin-roofed rum shacks giving an authentic taste of Madagascan life.

Few places in Madagascar blend beautiful countryside with stunning shore quite as well as Anjajavy. A peninsula on the northwest coast, accessible only by air, the reserve flows from deciduous forest to limestone headlands and secluded coves. Join guides for daytime nature walks to appreciate almost 2,000 flower species hiding glimpses of chameleons and frogs.

In addition to the abundant brown lemurs, Anjajavy is also the chosen habitat of lesser-seen Coquerel’s sifakas alongside rarely-sighted fossas and bushpigs. Night walks reveal nocturnal creatures such as high-climbing sportive lemurs or tiny mouse lemurs. At the shoreline, a series of pale sand bays invite you to find unspoiled spots for bathing and snorkelling. Northwest Madagascar is home to the Sakalava peoples and visitors to Anjajavy will find traditional fishing villages along the coast and elaborately decorated tombs set into the limestone cliffs and caves.

While Northern Madagascar is generally cooler at all times than the humid regions further south, the dryer period from May to November is still the best time to visit. The rains between December and April are often lighter in this part of the county, but can still create difficulty accessing the lower altitude areas of the parks.

That said, many indigenous plant species, including orchids, bloom spectacularly during the first months of the year making this an excellent time to get lost among the colourful and sweet-smelling flora. Hiking is at its best during the coolest months of June and July while wildlife from lemurs and snakes to migratory birds are most easily spotted from October onward.