Hiking and Navigation in Sakalava Territory

Aboard our vehicle, we take the road towards Ankarafantsika National Park. It is the largest park in the northwest of Madagascar and is located about a hundred kilometers from the city of Majunga.

Upon our arrival, we will discover the natural riches of this mosaic of dense evergreen forest (with persistent foliage) and dry deciduous forest (with deciduous foliage) populated by different kinds of lemurs, more than 120 species of birds, chameleons, iguanas, freshwater turtles and also Nile crocodiles.

All morning, we continue our discovery of the park.

After lunch, we head towards Antsohihy. We pass through numerous villages, as well as large stretches of savanna.

We make a stop in Antsohihy where we spend the night in a local hotel.

We hike from the village towards the interior. Life is everywhere present in this shrubby savanna. Villagers go about their daily activities.

Then, returning to the coast, the Tsingy barrier creates very beautiful coves perfect for swimming.

On the limestone massifs, dense forests shelter colonies of mischievous lemurs and majestic birds.

Another curiosity of these places is a very significant presence of baobabs with reddish trunks. They reign as masters over this peaceful peninsula.

For our second evening, we camp on the beach near the village.

After a hearty breakfast on land, we return to our dhow. With anchor aweigh, we set course north toward an island with a particular history. Nosy Lava once housed an infamous penal colony on this paradise island. If maritime conditions permit, we will then set foot on shore to explore this chapter of Madagascar's history. The penal colony has been closed since the early 2000s.

During these voyages, we take time to get in the water, to swim, and to discover the abundant marine fauna in these places. We leave to the west, the small island of Nosy Saba. A luxury hotel complex has just been built there. Difficult to see, it is perfectly integrated into the island's landscape. We make our way to the coast of the mainland to set up our evening camp at Maro Antsatsaka or Ampasy Mirehoko, depending on tidal and weather conditions.

Once on board, we hoist the heavy cotton sails so that the wind carries us northward. After a morning of sailing, we reach the southern part of the Radama archipelago. As we progress, you will become aware that no road, no land access allows you to reach the coast between northern Majunga and Nosy Be.

Totally preserved and of rare diversity, the Radama Archipelago scatters its islands like pearls in the Mozambique Channel. All unique, on foot, we discover them and we will meet a quiet world of unsuspected richness. And tonight, yet another dream bivouac under the starry vault.

We leave the island of Nosy Antany Faly. On the way, we take the opportunity to dive on magnificent coral reefs. The magic is also aquatic, multicolored fish, corals of all kinds.

We land on the large white beach of Ambatofotsy. While strolling, we discover the village and its surroundings.

In the cool of the morning, we set out on a hiking expedition to discover a new world.

Throughout our journey, we approach the mangrove and its dense forests of mangrove trees. Freshwater streams with shrimp remind us of the purity of these places. The primary forest is intact, with immense tree-dwelling bats having taken refuge there.

We will also search for high points to embrace with our gaze the magnificent landscape of the Radama. We return to our bivouac, our routines and the lovely moments shared.

The morning winds push us along the coast. The Radama Islands remain behind us and rise their profile above the waves, Kalakajoro, Berafia…

The great "Fjord" of Ambariomena now opens before the bow of our dhow. We enter this refuge where, for centuries, boats have made a habit of sheltering and resting. This very long corridor is punctuated with villages, small coves and extends inland towards the sacred mountain of the Sakalava. The omnipresent primary forest shelters very diverse fauna and birdlife. The mangrove, for its part, runs along the dense and difficult to penetrate shores. Life is present everywhere, on the water where pirogues and dhows come and go, on the shore where the soft sounds of villages mingle with the songs of animals. At night, the silence of the boats is deafening, while we simply enjoy it.

The dhow sails close to the rocks of the Great Land. The volcanic peaks mark a clear change, we enter the Nosy Be region. The basalt necks emerge from the water like inaccessible loaves of sugar.

Nosy Ankasoberaviny: diving on this coral site is particularly beautiful, it's a must. In just a few years, this protected place has recovered exceptional marine fauna and flora.

Nosy Be reveals itself to us at the bottom of the immense bay. Here, marine fauna is abundant and can be spotted during specific periods. Whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales, the rare Omura's whale, a multitude of dolphin species, turtles... Nosy Be bay is a unique, fascinating but very fragile ecosystem.

We breathe in the last moments of this beautiful journey. The song of the rigging, the golden light of sunset, a breathtaking landscape. Gently pushed by this delicious thermal wind, our heads full of memories of this Sakalava coast and our hearts at peace, we reach Madirokely beach as the sun sets... a magical moment!

Accommodation in Nosy Be: Heure Bleue in bungalow with feet in the water or similar

Explore freely the Island of Perfumes and its surroundings.

Numerous activities available from the hotel: water sports, fishing, swimming and snorkelling, island hopping and sea excursions, motorcycle, quad and bicycle rentals, pirogue excursion in the Lokobe Reserve, village visits, a visit to an essential oils distillery at Domaine de Florette, market strolls, to the sacred tree or to the waterfall…

We recommend the trip to Mont Passot, from which you can admire a magnificent sunset.

The reception desk at your hotel will be able to advise you and guide you for all these activities.

Activities and visits at your own expense. Possibility to organize excursions and activities upon request, please contact us.

Free time in Nosy Be according to the domestic flight schedule.

Transfer to Nosy Be Fascene airport for the flight to Antananarivo. Depending on flight schedules, welcome at Antananarivo airport by the Détours Madagascar team and visit of the capital.

Evening transfer to the airport, assistance with boarding on the flight to Paris, night flight.