UNPARALLELED BIODIVERSITY and BEACH

Overview
Itinerary
Included
Not included

This tour to Marojejy and Ankarana is just unique, and made for those who is seeking for unparalleled biodiversity of Madagascar.

The difficulty of access to Marojejy has created a natural laboratory that has engendered unique forms of wildlife, long reserved for scientists. In a landscape of steep cliffs, where the altitude varies between 75 and 2132 metres, shrubs and lichens hang from the trees. At low altitudes, the dense forest canopy reaches 35 metres. Over 275 species of ferns have been identified there! Above 1400 metres, the trees become more stunted. As for the fauna, there are 11 species of lemurs, including the highly endangered silky sifaka. Living beside them are 115 species of birds, including the serpent eagle and 148 species of reptiles and amphibians which account for one third of those present on the island! Marojejy remains largely unknown and is guaranteed to be off the beaten track of any stay in Madagascar.

The Ankarana National Park is best known for the Tsingy that lie here, a very rare natural phenomenon. They are large grey limestone rock formations, created by millions of years of erosion. The buds are pointed and razor-sharp. Under the Tsingy there is a whole different world: deep caves full of bats and crocodiles.

The word Tsingy means “walking on your toes” and has its origins in the 17th century. At that time, a civil war was raging in Madagascar. The local tribes flee to the caves under the Tsingy. They only came out at night to walk to their village for food. They walked for miles tiptoeing over the razor-sharp points, and so the name Tsingy was born.

DAY 1-ARRIVAL IN ANTANANARIVO

You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Stay at Green Palace hotel or similar

DAY 2-TANA-SAMBAVA-MAROJEJY

Transfer to the airport and catch the morning flight to Sambava. Arriving in Sambava, a driver and guide is meeting your and take you for an hour drive to the park entrance where you get everything fix and start the 4 hour walk to reach the first campsite, Camp Mantella, where northern bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur occidentalis) can often be seen. Overnight camping. There are shared bungalows (fully equipped but always better to have a light sleeping bag). It also has a large sheltered eating area with an assortment of cooking utensils. A campground is located nearby for those who prefer to pitch a tent. This area of lowland rainforest is a good place to see several species of lemurs, many birds (including the helmet vanga) and many species of amphibians and reptiles. The beautiful Cascade de Humbert waterfall is a short walk (800 m) from the camp.

DAY 3-MAROJEJY NP

Today, always accompanied by the local guide you will walk up to the second campsite. The Simpona Trek is a continuation of the Mantella Trek, leading from Camp Mantella up to Camp Marojejia (about a two hour hike). Camp Marojejia is located at the transition between lowland and montane rainforest (elevation 775 m [2540 ft]), and is perched on a hillside with stupendous views overlooking sheer granite outcrops and lush vegetation. The camp consists of a sheltered eating area and four cabins furnished with beds, mattresses, and bedding. The name of this trek comes from the Malagasy name for the Silky Sifaka, a beautiful white lemur which is found only in this area. To increase your chances of spotting this elusive animal, we are hiring a "Simpona Specialist" in addition to your guide. This camp is situated in the transition from lowland to montane rain forest, and must surely be one of the most beautiful in Madagascar. A large, covered dining area is perched on a mountainside with views overlooking sheer rock outcrops and lush vegetation.

DAY 4-MAROJEJY NP

Today, you will continue searching for more animals and learn more about this beautiful park and with the local guide, you can discuss and decided whether continue to the 3rd campsite and to the summit or just walk around not far from the second campsite and trying to find more animals and birds.

If continuing up the main summit trail another 2 km you find Camp Simpona, the highest-altitude camp in the park at 1,250 m elevation. The hike to this third camp is very steep, but well worth the effort since silky sifakas are occasionally seen near the bungalows in this unique montane habitat, and the views are truly magnificent. An additional 2 km of steep walking is needed in order to reach the summit of the Marojejy massif which, at 2,132 m, is one of the country’s highest yet most accessible mountain peaks. Marojejy is perhaps the only national park in Madagascar featuring comfortable bungalows as well as kitchen and toilet facilities deep in primary rain forest.

DAY 5-MAROJEJY-VOHEMAR

Walk back to the village of Mandena where the driver is waiting for you and will drive you back to Sambava and a possibility of stopping and visiting some vanilla plantation before heading to Vohemar where you will overnight at a hotel.

DAY 6-VOHEMAR-DARAINA RESERVE-ANKARANA

An hour drive from Vohemar is DARAINA RESERVE. Less well-known but equally as spectacular as some of the more popular locations in Madagascar, Daraina is home to the golden-crowned sifaka. One of the world’s rarest primates, this lemur is found here and nowhere else. Other lemurs are seen with regularity, including crowned lemurs and Sanford’s brown lemurs, and even occasionally the aye-aye. Undulating hills covered with deciduous and semi-evergreen forest make Daraina one of richest and most ecologically sensitive areas in the north of the island.You will then spend 2-3 hours here and will have a picnic lunch inside the Reserve before heading to Ankarana where you will overnight at Ankarana lodge or similar

DAY 7-ANKARANA NATIONAL PARK

Today, you will spend a day in the park with the local guide to explore Ankarana national park. Ankarana National Park is a natural jewel renowned for its network of underground rivers: the largest in Africa. With its unique ecosystem, this protected area promises adventure and discovery! The Park also contains Tsingy, a limestone formation that has inherited a particular shape through erosion. They are composed of narrow labyrinth-shaped corridors. To discover this extraordinary rock formation, you’ll need a lot of physical endurance, as some parts require climbing large blocks of stone or walking through very narrow crevasses before reaching the endless expanse of rocks that rain and wind have carved majestically over time. This also where you will probably see the highest density of crowned lemurs in their wild habitat. Lots of birds and reptiles just make this a very important park to visit in Madagascar.

DAY 8-ANKARANA NATIONAL PARK

Anther day exploring Ankarana with your local guide. There are several trails to follow and lot to discover as the Ankarana National Park is one of the most diverse protected areas in Madagascar not just for its abundance of endemic plants and animals, but also for the contrasting terrains and landscapes that can be found in its territory.

DAY 9-ANKARANA-NOSY BE

Today, you drive to the mainland seaport of Ankify where you take a speed boat to Nosy Be and stay at your beachfront hotel.

DAY 10-11-13- NOSY BE

It's famous for its pristine white sands, clear waters, and excellent swimming—and in the evening, its impressive sunsets. Nosy Be's surrounding islands and islets are also known for their beaches. You can arrange with the hotel the activities of your choice.

DAY 14-NOSY BE-TANA

Transfer to the airport of Nosy Be and fly back to Tana in order to catch the flight out. And this flight out can also be taken from Nosy Be as there are international flights depart from the international airport of Nosy Be.

DAY 15- DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport. Time to say VELOMA( Good bye)

Tour Cost: USD 2360 per person (based on two people sharing)