Getty Images/iStockphoto

Northern Madagascar

It's as if Madagascar had conspired to provide a microcosm of its myriad travel experiences all in one place: here you'll find the isolated Sava region with its wild coastline and vanilla-scented air, the relatively sophisticated city of Diego Suarez and the country's premier beach destination, Nosy Be. Travellers will revel in the region’s diverse national parks while activity junkies will be spoilt for choice with everything from diving to kitesurfing.

You'll find more sea-based activities than you’ll have time to try in Nosy Be, excellent seafood and idyllic scenery. It couldn’t be more different from the mainland – here arid plains are fringed with lush ylang-ylang, vanilla and coconut plantations, while parks large and small feature strange geological formations, rainforests and rare species.

The region also hosts some of Madagascar’s flagship cultural events, the Donia, Zegny’Zo and the Nosy Be Jazz Festival – unique chances to discover Malagasy artists.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Northern Madagascar.

See
Parc National Marojejy
This is one of Madagascar’s flagship parks. Consisting of more than 550 sq km of pristine mountainous rainforest, it covers the Marojejy massif, an area of magnificent scenery. Attractions here are the highly endangered silky sifaka alongside 10 other lemur species and myriad plants, birds and insects. It's accessible to those who want a fairly easy nature walk as well as those looking for a climbing challenge through several levels of montane rainforest. In 2007 the park was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. It's easy to access from Sambava or Andapa.
See
Andilana
Far and away Nosy Be’s best beach, Andilana, at the island’s northwest tip, is a long stretch of pearly white sand, with water that’s true azure and clear as gin. It’s ideal for swimming and chilling for an afternoon, with gorgeous sunsets. Andilana ignites on Sundays, when French expats and Malagasy from around Nosy Be come for a lazy day in the sun. Families lay out picnics on a shaded bit of sand, tuck into a crate of beers, turn on their stereo, and swim and dance until the sun goes down.
See
Réserve Spéciale Anjanaharibe-Sud
A place of outstanding beauty and solitude, this little-visited 286-sq-km reserve is the northernmost outpost of the black indri. It is also home to the silky sifaka, white-fronted brown lemurs and some primordial trees. There are hot springs to visit, too. Getting here is half the fun: by taxi on a rutted road, on foot and by moto-taxi.
See
Parc National Montagne d’Ambre
This wonderful national park is literally a breath of fresh air from the arid northern plains: at 1000m, it is generally 10°C cooler than Diego or Ankarana, even more in winter, and its luxuriant forests could not contrast more with the mineral beauty of the lower grounds. For visitors, the park provides lovely walks in gorgeous forests, with plenty of waterfalls and lakes to rest by. It rains almost every day in Montagne d’Ambre, and the park (182 sq km) and adjacent massif act as Diego’s water reservoir: hydrologists have calculated that the area contributes 50 million cu metres of water annually to northern Madagascar, enough to support 700 sq km of rice paddies. The summer season (December to April) is the best for seeing reptiles and amphibians, but birdwatching and views from the summit are better in winter. One day is enough to get a good sense of what the park and wildlife are like, and two days will give you time to trek to the summit and discover many of the lakes and waterfalls which dot the park.
See
Parc National Marin de Nosy Tanikely
Nosy Tanikely is a protected marine reserve 10km south of Nosy Be. It's one of the best snorkelling sites in the area, with coral, numerous fish and sea turtles. Snorkelling is best in the morning, before the wind picks up. Although the reserve officially opens at 8am, you are allowed to come earlier – just stick around until the reserve officials arrive so that you can pay your admission fees. Snorkelling equipment is available from the reserve’s cabin for Ar10,000. The lighthouse on Nosy Tanikely offers magnificent 360-degree views and you're likely to spot lemurs and chameleons on the way. Most organised day tours combine Nosy Tanikely with Nosy Komba, using the beach on Nosy Tanikely for a lunchtime picnic and snorkelling. An excursion to Nosy Tanikely with Evasion Sans Frontière in Nosy Be costs Ar310,000 for two.
See
Réserve Spéciale Ankarana
This striking and undeveloped fantasy land is home to uniquely Malagasy sights: psychedelic fields of spiky tsingy (limestone pinnacle formations) next to dry forests. Running through and under the tsingy are hidden forest-filled canyons, an extensive cave system and subterranean rivers. The park is famed for its bat-filled grottoes steeped in legend and history, where the Antakarana (the predominant tribe in northern Madagascar) took refuge from the Merina (the traditional ruling elite from the highlands) during the 18th-century tribal wars. Guides are compulsory, and the price varies depending on which circuit you do. If you need a porter, it costs Ar40,000 per day.
See
Nosy Iranja
The gorgeous Nosy Iranja, southwest of Nosy Be, consists of two islands: larger, inhabited Nosy Iranja Be (about 2 sq km) and tiny Nosy Iranja Kely (0.13 sq km). The islands are connected by a 1.5km-long sand bar, negotiable on foot at low tide. Sea turtles regularly lay eggs on the beaches. Nosy Iranja is a popular sailing day trip from Nosy Be (for two Ar624,000). The excursion generally includes snorkelling, swimming and a good lunch on board the boat. There is a hotel on the island that gets mixed reviews. The island is a popular destination for Italians staying at Andilana on Nosy Be.
See
Ambondrona
On a small bay just north of Madirokely, Ambondrona is more tranquil than its southern neighbours, with lovely views of the mainland hills across the sea.
See
Jardin Tropical
Set in a cyclone-ravaged Creole house in the French residential quarter, the Jardin Tropical provides a welcome, leafy green space in the centre of town. Three areas of garden – primary forest, rock and full sun – showcase different types of planting. Animals include crocodiles in the river at the bottom of the hill, porcupines and chameleons and lots of birds. Eco-projects are offered for local children. Concerts arranged in collaboration with Alliance Française are held on a stage in the garden.