Northern Madagascar

From Tana, we take a short flight to Antsiranana and continue by road to the green oasis of the Montagne d’Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park, located on Madagascar’s northernmost tip. From our base in a comfortable wildlife lodge, we explore this lush patch of montane rainforest in search of species including Sanford’s Brown Lemur, Amber Mountain Fork-marked Lemur, Crowned Lemur and perhaps even the elusive Fosa, the largest carnivore on the island. The birdlife here is especially abundant and includes the endemic Amber Mountain Rock-thrush, as well as Madagascan Crested Ibis, Souimanga Sunbird, Pitta-like Ground-roller, White-throated Oxylabes and Hook-billed Vanga.

Moving south, after a couple of hours we will turn off the road onto dirt tracks which lead to the local reserve of Analamerana within the wider Andrafiamena Protected Area. Here, a large patch of dry forest has been set up as a local nature reserve to protect a small population of the localised and rare Perrier’s Sifaka and two nights here maximises our chances of finding them these beautiful animals. The birdlife here is superb, and we can look in particular for such species as Madagascan Harrier-hawk, Malagasy Green Sunbird, Blue Vanga, Grey-headed Lovebird and Madagascan Buttonquail.

Continuing south, our next stop is to explore the dry forests of the Ankarana Special Reserve. The Ankarana massif is a limestone plateau which rises abruptly from the surrounding grassy plains. It has been eroded over the aeons into a dramatic landscape of jagged limestone pinnacles, known as tsingy, and numerous caves and other caste landforms, all edged by a dry deciduous forest. Wildlife here includes Crowned Lemur, Sanford’s Brown Lemur and birds such as Crested Coua, Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher and the localised White-breasted Mesite.

From here we head in a south-east direction, and the small town of Daraina in Loky-Manambato Protected Area. The surrounding area is arguably the best place in the whole country to see one of the worlds most curious and enigmatic creatures - the Aye-aye. In addition this area is the only place to see the incredibly rare and localised Golden-crowned Sifaka and Daraina Sportive Lemur. We then retrace our steps and journey over to the western side of the country, with a night in the town of Ambanja, which again hosts a number of lemur species in the surrounding countryside which are difficult to see elsewhere. The final night of our tour is on the coast, and the ideally location to have a well deserved relax in beautiful surroundings. 

For those that would like to prolong their holiday, we can arrange an extension on the island of Nosy Be. The largest and most well known of the islands in this area, it has a significant number of endemic species concentrated in Lokobe Nature Special Reserve. A visit here would be well worthwhile, as well as a boat trip to look for both Whale Shark and Humpback Whales which both occur in the surrounding waters at this time of year. Snorkelling off the coast can be incredibly rewarding in the crystal clear waters, or simply relax on the idyllic white sand beaches.