The best of North Madagascar

Days 1 - 2

3* Relais des Plateaux

Breakfast

On arrival in Tana (Antananarivo), you will be met and taken to your hotel, the Relais des Plateaux. After your long flight, you can relax beside the pool. In the afternoon, you may like to explore Tana and enjoy a meal at one of the excellent restaurants in the city.

You can also extend your stay in the Tana, in which case we will move you to a better standard property, more centrally located, and provide a private city guide.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo, affectionately known as Tana, is the bustling and colourful capital of Madagascar. Nestled among the central highlands, the city is an intriguing mix of history, culture, and vibrant modern life. As you explore, you'll notice its unique charm, with winding cobblestone streets, French colonial architecture, and traditional Malagasy houses perched on steep hillsides.

The city's heart is a hive of activity, where lively markets such as Analakely offer a sensory feast of colours, sounds, and smells. Here, you can shop for local crafts, fresh produce, and vibrant fabrics while soaking in the energy of daily Malagasy life. Tana's historical landmarks, like the Rova of Antananarivo, perched atop a hill, tell the story of the island's royal past and offer breathtaking views of the city below.

Tana also serves as a cultural hub, where traditional Malagasy music and dance can be experienced alongside the flavors of its diverse cuisine, blending African, Asian, and European influences. As you wander, you'll discover cosy cafes and bustling restaurants that showcase the island's rich culinary heritage. Beyond the city, lush landscapes and picturesque rice paddies stretch into the distance, hinting at Madagascar's natural beauty waiting to be explored.

Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace) - A historic royal palace offering stunning views and insight into Madagascar’s monarchy.

Andafiavaratra Palace - A museum showcasing royal artifacts and historical exhibits.

Analakely Market - A bustling market filled with local crafts, food, and textiles.

Ambohimanga - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred royal hill located just outside the city.

Botanical Garden - Home to lemurs, endemic plants, and Malagasy wildlife.

Lac Anosy - A peaceful lake with a striking World War I memorial in its center.

Independence Avenue - A lively area with shops, cafes, and colonial architecture.

Piratenmuseum (Pirate Museum) - A fun spot to learn about Madagascar’s pirate history.

Faravohitra Cathedral - A charming colonial-era church with panoramic city views.

Antananarivo Museum of Art and Archaeology - A museum exploring Malagasy culture and history.

Days 2 - 8

3* Babaomby Beach Resort

Breakfast

This morning, you will head back to the airport for your flight to Diego in the northeast of the country. Time and tides permitting, you will be taken by road (45 minutes) to a small port to board one of the local Dhows, and then cross over to the Babaomby Beach in the Emerald Sea (around 1 hour). This is one of the most exceptional remote spots on the Planet

North Madagascar

North Madagascar is a unique and untouched paradise for windsurfing and wing foiling. Warm, crystal-clear waters, unspoiled landscapes, and rich culture; it checks all the boxes for those looking for stunning, uncrowded, wind-rich conditions. The island’s vast coastline, exposed to consistent trade winds and swells, is home to countless unexplored surf and wind spots, making it a hidden gem for watersports lovers.

The best spot for a windsurfing holiday to Madagascar is Babaomby Beach on the Emerald Sea, located in the northeastern corner of Madagascar. This is a windsurfer's haven. During the peak season (July-October), winds average 30-35 knots, providing perfect conditions for high jumps, wave riding, and freestyle tricks. The Emerald Sea lagoon, with its diverse wind, wave, and flatwater setups, offers a unique playground for all skill levels and disciplines, from wave sailing to freeriding.

Toreky Island: A favourite for jumps with reliable waves and flatwater run-ups. Ideal for wing foiling and windsurfing.
Suarez Island: Known for its pristine white sand beaches and challenging reef waves. It’s also a hotspot for humpback whale sightings during their migration season.
La Piscine: Boasts the clearest, flattest water in the area, perfect for freestyle and beginners.
The Pass: Offers a chance to switch to port tack for windsurfers craving variety.
Paradise: A tranquil lagoon with mesmerizing turquoise waters and a vibrant local scene.

The wind Stats here ranks among the top 10 windiest locations on the "Windguru" app, with 98% of days exceeding 20 knots. The water temperatures is consistently warm at 26-28°C, suitable for swimsuits or shorty wetsuits. The landscape combines dunes, mangroves, reefs, and sandy islets, offering endless exploration opportunities.

Madagascar's combination of world-class windsurf conditions, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can work for all type of holidays. Perfect for a solo adventure due to the warm, friendly nature of the location. For families, it can make for an epic adventure, especially when combining the beach with some of the many amazing inland adventures. And of couples, it can be an incredible place to share.

Days 8 - 10

4* The Litchi Tree, Amber Mountains

Breakfast

This morning, you will take a small boat back across the Emerald Sea to the mainland near Diego Suarez and then onward by 4x4 to Joffreville (around 90 minutes), the gateway to exploring the Amber Mountains.

Your private guide will take you to the Amber Mountains National Park for a guided tour, then overnight at The Litchi Tree Hotel.

Amber Mountains National Park

Amber Mountain National Park, or Montagne d'Ambre, is one of Madagascar’s most enchanting natural reserves, located in the northern part of the island near Diego Suarez. This lush, tropical paradise is a stark contrast to the surrounding dry landscapes, offering visitors a cool and verdant escape filled with diverse flora and fauna.

The park is renowned for its dense rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and crater lakes, all set against a backdrop of volcanic mountains. The lush vegetation is home to an extraordinary variety of plant species, including ferns, orchids, and endemic trees. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting the park’s unique inhabitants, such as crowned lemurs, Sanford's brown lemurs, and a variety of brightly colored chameleons, including the smallest chameleon species in the world, Brookesia minima.

Amber Mountain National Park offers well-maintained hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. Along these trails, you can visit stunning natural landmarks like the Sacred Waterfall and the emerald Lac Mahery. Birdwatchers will enjoy the park’s vibrant birdlife, while others might marvel at the strange leaf-tailed geckos camouflaged among the trees.

The park’s cool, misty climate is a refreshing break from the heat of the surrounding areas, making it an ideal spot for exploration. It is easily accessible from Diego Suarez, with guided tours available to help visitors navigate its trails and learn about its unique ecosystems.

Amber Mountain National Park is a magical destination that showcases Madagascar’s unparalleled natural diversity and offers a serene retreat into the heart of the island’s wilderness.

Days 10 - 11

2* Ankarana Lodge

Breakfast

Today, you will travel from Joffreville to Ankarana (around 4 hours of very bumpy roads). If it is possible to stop en route at the Red Tsingy, your driver will do so.

On arrival in Ankarana, your private guide will take you for an afternoon guide tour of the Ankarana Nature Reserve. Overnight at Ankarana Lodge

Ankarana National Park

Ankarana is one of the best places in Madagascar to see the famous limestone tsingy (a geological oddity sculpted by erosion). The limestone massif rises up from the forest, and though a few tiny succulent plants cling to the rocks, the tsingy is largely bare and spikey limestone. A few paths wind through the rocks, and hiking is challenging, but rewarding with some spectacular views out over the reserve. Among the forests and rivers of the lower levels of the park lie several caves, stretching for thousands back into the limestone. Colonies of hundreds of bats live within, and twisted limestone formations glint in the torchlight.

The lower levels of the park are deciduous forest, where crowned lemurs, and Sanford's brown lemurs can be seen among the trees. Two nocturnal lemurs are also present in Ankarana Special Reserve, including the gray mouse lemur and the northern sporting lemur. Even during the day, sleepy-eyed sporting lemurs can be found snoozing in the fork of a tree, although they are most often heard at night-time.

Ankarana is spared the heavy rains that fall on the east coast of Madagascar from December through until April, but this remains the wettest time of year, and the lower reaches of the park are off-limits. In particular, it is not possible to visit the caves during this period, as sudden rainfall and rising waters make this rather dangerous. On the plus side, the plants thrive in the rain, and orchids bloom in the early months of the year. From April onward, the weather becomes drier. June and July are the coolest months of the year and are good times for some of the most challenging hiking activities. The warmer months of October, November, and December are excellent for wildlife: snakes come out to bask in the sunshine, migratory birds arrive from the north, and lemurs are at their most energetic and easily spotted.

Days 11 - 14

4* Tsara Komba Lodge

Full Board

This morning, you can enjoy another walk in the Ankarana before driving to the small port of Ankify (around 3 hours). From here you will catch a boat across to Nosy Komba. On arrival at the stunning Tsara Komba small luxury resort, you can rest your walking boots and put on your flip-flops, ready for some well-earned beach relaxation!

North Madagascar

North Madagascar is a unique and untouched paradise for windsurfing and wing foiling. Warm, crystal-clear waters, unspoiled landscapes, and rich culture; it checks all the boxes for those looking for stunning, uncrowded, wind-rich conditions. The island’s vast coastline, exposed to consistent trade winds and swells, is home to countless unexplored surf and wind spots, making it a hidden gem for watersports lovers.

The best spot for a windsurfing holiday to Madagascar is Babaomby Beach on the Emerald Sea, located in the northeastern corner of Madagascar. This is a windsurfer's haven. During the peak season (July-October), winds average 30-35 knots, providing perfect conditions for high jumps, wave riding, and freestyle tricks. The Emerald Sea lagoon, with its diverse wind, wave, and flatwater setups, offers a unique playground for all skill levels and disciplines, from wave sailing to freeriding.

Toreky Island: A favourite for jumps with reliable waves and flatwater run-ups. Ideal for wing foiling and windsurfing.
Suarez Island: Known for its pristine white sand beaches and challenging reef waves. It’s also a hotspot for humpback whale sightings during their migration season.
La Piscine: Boasts the clearest, flattest water in the area, perfect for freestyle and beginners.
The Pass: Offers a chance to switch to port tack for windsurfers craving variety.
Paradise: A tranquil lagoon with mesmerizing turquoise waters and a vibrant local scene.

The wind Stats here ranks among the top 10 windiest locations on the "Windguru" app, with 98% of days exceeding 20 knots. The water temperatures is consistently warm at 26-28°C, suitable for swimsuits or shorty wetsuits. The landscape combines dunes, mangroves, reefs, and sandy islets, offering endless exploration opportunities.

Madagascar's combination of world-class windsurf conditions, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can work for all type of holidays. Perfect for a solo adventure due to the warm, friendly nature of the location. For families, it can make for an epic adventure, especially when combining the beach with some of the many amazing inland adventures. And of couples, it can be an incredible place to share.

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