From Diego Suarez to Nosy Be: great bays, tsingy, forests and lagoons

30 min transfer by car Arrival in Diego Suarez, welcome by your guide, then we set off to discover the famous bays of Diego Suarez. Transfer by car (45 min) to Sakalava Bay, the starting point of our walk. It's an easy coastal hike through magnificent scenery of rocks and lagoons. You'll first reach Pigeons Bay, then the walk continues to Dune Bay, where you'll find your 4x4 again. 2h30 to 3h of walking, gentle elevation gain, easy walk, coastal trail. Lunch arranged by us. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast at Allamanda Hôtel or similar.

30 min transfer by car Departure from Diego Suarez fairly early, depending on the tide. You'll take a seafront road towards the village of Ramena. Boarding a traditional wooden hull, fitted with a motor, for « the Emerald Sea ». You can also sail under wind power, weather permitting. You'll land on the islet of « Nosy Suarez » to fully enjoy the beach. Possibility of grouping together for snorkeling or following a fishing boat a few minutes from the islet. This immense emerald-colored lagoon lets you dive into a natural aquarium with crystal-clear waters, where fish of every shape, size and color seem to have arranged to meet. (Traditional flat-bottomed wooden motorboat fitted with life jackets, capacity 8 people.) Lunch on the beach. After lunch, return to Ramena then to the hotel. Departure depends on the tide; the return trip can sometimes be a little windy (especially from June to September). Please note: we reserve the right to cancel the outing the day before or on the same day depending on the weather (especially from June to September), in which case we'll suggest an alternative. To be discussed on site with the guide. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast at Allamanda Hôtel or similar.

28 km, about 1h of driving depending on stops Drive to Joffre Ville after breakfast. After a little under an hour on the road, we reach the park entrance. Meeting with the guide, then we set off for a wonderful morning exploring the tropical forest of Montagne d'Ambre. It's a volcanic, mountainous region with elevations ranging from 850 to 1 475 meters (Montagne d'Ambre Peak). The park is home to several lemur species, including the crowned lemur and the fulvus lemur, as well as several species of birds and chameleons (including the smallest in the world). You'll discover magnificent waterfalls and lakes, along with beautiful panoramic views. 2h30 to 3h of walking. Departure after the visit to return to the hotel. In the mid-afternoon, visit to Joffre Ville. Please note: during the austral winter, from mid-June to late August, it's cool in Joffre Ville, with the minimum temperature dropping to as low as 10°C. It's best to delay entering the park to have a better chance of spotting the animals. Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Nature Lodge or similar.

115 km, about 2h30 of driving depending on stops Departure after breakfast for the Red Tsingy (April to November only). After a little under an hour on the road, you'll leave the national road for about 45 minutes on a dirt track towards the Red Tsingy. We descend into the Grand Canyon to discover these striking, ephemeral clay-and-limestone formations. It's the runoff from rainwater and the whims of the wind that have shaped these colorful, otherworldly peaks, unique to Madagascar: the Red Tsingy. About 1h30 of walking, 60m elevation gain, easy walk, hiking trail Continue to Anjahakely Reserve in the afternoon Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Akiba Lodge or similar – Soft All Inclusive (soft drinks included)

A day dedicated to exploring Andrafiamena Park. Early in the morning, we set off in search of lemurs, mainly the black lemur. This circuit lets visitors encounter groups of Propithècus perrierri, Euremeur coronatus, Eulemur sanfordi, Lepilemur septentriolanis, various birds, and various snakes, not to mention the floristic diversity of the Andrafiamena forest. An easy circuit that follows the mountainside. Depending on your interest, this walk can be combined with the natural pools circuit. Lunch included at the lodge. Free afternoon. Possibility of a night visit before dinner. Departure 10 minutes from the hotel and 1h visit. Set within the gallery of the Andratiamena dry forest, a night walk gives visitors the chance to encounter groups of Microcébus tavaratra and other nocturnal species. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Akiba Lodge or similar – Soft All Inclusive (soft drinks included)

After breakfast, we take the road towards Tsingy de l'Ankarana National Park. This first discovery takes us to the eastern side of the park; the hike is breathtaking. We cross a magnificent gallery forest full of lemurs before emerging onto an enormous tsingy plateau, which we explore along maintained paths. About 4h of walking at moderate difficulty. Lunch at the park exit, then we continue on to Iharana Bush Camp in the afternoon. Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Iharana Bush Camp or similar.

An authentic stay at Iharana Bush Camp to explore the Tsingy de l'Ankarana. Iharana Bush Camp welcomes you on the shore of a lake, facing a tsingy massif. The natural site is exceptionally rich and uniquely beautiful. Here, you're in the heart of nature: no TV, no air conditioning, no telephone. We favor charm and authenticity with minimal impact on nature. Iharana is the most unusual bush camp in Madagascar. Synthetic tents are replaced by magnificent natural cob structures. The organic architecture draws on traditional Malagasy dwellings. The walls don't fully enclose the interior. The upper part of the wall is left open for natural ventilation. Several walks are organized from the camp to discover the most beautiful facets of the tsingy, taking in panoramas, gallery forests and caves. More active activities are also possible: large and small zip lines, climbing (introductory routes), mountain biking. To be arranged on site Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Iharana Bush Camp or similar.

153 km, dirt track + paved road, about 4h with stops including 1h of dirt track – 40 min speedboat transfer Breakfast at the camp. Then, a 4x4 transfer to the Sambirano Valley, through cocoa and aromatic plant plantations. Boarding a speedboat at Ankify and crossing to Nosy Be. 40 min crossing, fast flat-bottomed hull, 75hp, 8 people per boat. Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight, breakfast at Manga Soa Lodge or similar.

Free time at your leisure at Manga Soa Lodge. An eco-lodge built around a « slow life attitude » philosophy, where well-being and relaxation in a natural setting await you. Far from the bustle of the island's hotels and bars, yet close to the airport and the island's sites of interest. This little gem is nestled in a 3-hectare tropical garden, with a private beach, ocean and coral reef right at your feet. Many excursions are also easily arranged from the hotel, such as visits to neighboring islands, diving, hiking, fishing, etc. The not-to-be-missed outings are: turtle safari at Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Sakatia, whale or whale shark safari depending on the season, Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Manga Soa Lodge or similar.

Depending on flight times, transfer by boat to Hell-Ville, then on to Nosy Be airport. Flight to Antananarivo, then transfer to the airport for your return flight.