Lemurs, Chameleons, and TsIngy of Northern Madagascar
Ankarana and Amber Mountain National Parks Extension
Overview
Explore Madagascar's northern reaches at Ankarana and Amber Mountain National Parks—with their vast diversity of wildlife including Sanford's brown lemurs, ring-tailed mongoose, chameleons, and more than 1,000 species of flora! We'll enjoy walks near crater lakes and giant fern trees and discover the wonders of the Tsingy Forest on this 6-day excursion.
Arrive: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Highlights
- Visit Madagascar's remote northern national parks
- Look for endemic species of the north, explore the limestone landscape
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Antananarivo (“Tana”), Madagascar's capital, you will be met and transferred to the Les Relais des Plateaux, conveniently located near the airport...Meals on your own
Late morning transfer to the airport for flight to Diego Suarez. On arrival we go for a short drive to Amber Mountain National Park, a biologically diverse reserve whose montane rainforests offer huge green tree ferns, crystal clearcrater lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a wealth of wildlife, including endemic species not found in the south of Madagascar. Here we'll again see crowned lemurs as well as Sanford's brown lemurs, and a varied flora—1,000 species, a botanist's delight! There are 60 reptiles, such as tiny stump tailed chameleons, leaf tailed geckos and snakes, 35 frog species and more than 40 butterflies. This is also the best place to see chameleons. Afterwards, we return to Diego Suarez. Overnight at Hotel Allamanda...BLD
In the morning we drive for about 2.5 hours to Ankarana and check-in the Ankarana Lodge. Though more basic in amenities and decorations, the lodge more than makes up for with its location—an added bonus is that the lodge is known to be frequented by brightly-colored chameleons and different types of lemurs. After lunch at the lodge, we enjoy the afternoon at Ankarana National Park, a reserve with spectacular landscapes, including the unique eroded limestone towers known as "tsingy." Overnight at Ankarana Lodge...BLD
In the morning, we'll visit Ankarana National Park and hike for about two to three hours on a flat and easy trail. While on the park's trails, we should see many crowned lemurs (the reserve harbors one of the largest and least disturbed populations of this distinctive primate, endemic to northern Madagascar) as well as Sanford's brown lemurs, and the inquisitive ring tailed mongoose, fossa, tenrecs, and Madagascar striped civet. The park is also outstanding for reptiles, with 50 species including some endemic and threatened snakes and geckos and 10 species of frogs.
There is an option for a more challenging hike of approx. 4-5 hours. It is challenging so hikers need to be very fit, but it rewards you with superb views of the tsingy formations. The hikers will leave earlier (6:30 am) and also walk on the same path for the open view of the tsingy. They then continue on for another hour to the hanging bridge (note the path is more difficult as you need to navigate walking amidst the tsingy and the sun can get hot since you won't have shade). The hike is 2 hours each way so approximately 4-5 hours total.
We return to Ankarana Lodge for overnight...BL
There is an option for a more challenging hike of approx. 4-5 hours. It is challenging so hikers need to be very fit, but it rewards you with superb views of the tsingy formations. The hikers will leave earlier (6:30 am) and also walk on the same path for the open view of the tsingy. They then continue on for another hour to the hanging bridge (note the path is more difficult as you need to navigate walking amidst the tsingy and the sun can get hot since you won't have shade). The hike is 2 hours each way so approximately 4-5 hours total.
We return to Ankarana Lodge for overnight...BL
This morning, enjoy a return drive to Diego Suarez. After lunch, visit the Bay of Sakalava, a popular kitesurfing destination, as well as the Bay of Dunes, and Bay of Pigeon out to the Orangea beach. An endemic specie of baobab called “Andasonia surenzensis” is found in this region. This is an opportunity to see some sea birds as well. We arrive at the hotel before sunset. Overnight at Allamanda hotel...BL
In the morning fly back to Antananarivo. Transfer to the Hotel Carlton, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight at hotel...B
Join the first day of the Madagascar: Off the Beaten Path trip...B
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visiting Morocco.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.