Lemurs, baobabs, rainforest, desert, hiking and diving: Madagascar is a dream destination for outdoors enthusiasts – half the fun is getting to all these incredible attractions.
Located about 2.5 km from Hell-Ville, the Arbre Sacré de Mahatsinjo (Sacred Tree) is a huge, more than 200-year-old Ficus benghalensis (banyan tree) near the village of Mahatsinjo, spreading across roughly 2,000 square meters. The site also features a small local cultural museum and a...
Andoany (better known as Hell-Ville) is the vibrant, bustling administrative capital of Nosy Be. It offers a compelling mix of faded French colonial architecture, colourful markets, and authentic Malagasy culture. Rather than a beach destination, it’s best experienced as a cultural...
As part of our one-day trip to Nosy Komba, we spent some free time at the uninhabited marine national park near Nosy Be, located on the tiny island of Nosy Tanikely, often described as an “underwater aquarium.” This protected sanctuary—where fishing and nighttime anchoring are...
Today we joined an organised one-day excursion (300,000 MGA) to Nosy Ambariovato, better known as Nosy Komba—the “Island of Lemurs.” This popular trip from Nosy Be is perfect for spotting wildlife, especially black lemurs (Eulemur macaco), experiencing local culture, and unwinding on...
Nosy Be is Madagascar’s premier island destination, renowned for its white-sand beaches, fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, and vibrant marine life. Highlights include snorkelling in the Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, hiking up Mont Passot for breathtaking 360-degree sunset views (🎟️15,000...
The rather rough road from Ambanja brought us to Ankify Port (about 1 hour / 22 km), a busy maritime hub in northwestern Madagascar. It serves as the main gateway for passengers and cargo travelling between the mainland and nearby islands such as Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Tanikely...
Sambirano cocoa, grown in the Sambirano River valley in northwestern Madagascar, is a premium, largely organic “fine cacao” prized for its distinctly fruity, bright, and slightly acidic flavour profile. Thanks to the valley’s unique microclimate and high-quality genetics—typically a blend...
We spent the night in Ambanja, the gateway to the Sambirano Valley. Located in northwestern Madagascar along the Sambirano River, the town is a vibrant agricultural hub and the heart of the country’s organic cocoa production. The name “Ambanja” literally means “where there is powder.”...
The road from Antsiranana (Diego-Suarez) to Ambanja follows the RN6, which has been largely rehabilitated—a massive improvement over the former dirt track. Although maintenance is still ongoing, travel time has been reduced significantly to about 3.5 to 4 hours (237 km). Some stretches...
We got our first dose of the day’s scams right at the entrance to Montagne d’Ambre National Park (Amber Mountain). Staff tried to charge us for a full-day visit, even though we had clearly agreed with our local guide on a short 3-hour hike (🎟️ 55,000 MGA, guide 80,000 MGA, car...