Discovery of the North-West and Immersion in Sambirano
Between emerald sea and primary forests, explore the Sakalava lands of northwestern Madagascar
Duration
15 days
From
€1,190/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
At the first light of day, the Bay of Diego Suarez reveals its turquoise waters where Sakalava dhows dance. This land at the end of the world unveils its secrets to curious travelers: the red Tsingy sculpted by erosion, the primary forests of Amber Mountain populated by crowned lemurs, and the hidden villages of the Sambirano valley where ancestral traditions still echo.
The circuit winds between Diego Suarez and its three mythical bays, the limestone formations of Ankarana where caves and Tsingys hide, then ventures into the rural intimacy of Andranomandevy and Antanambao. Here, in the heart of cacao plantations and terraced rice fields, village women share their knowledge while the healers of Ambobaka perpetuate traditional Malagasy medicine. Mahajanga, a cosmopolitan city with spice-scented air, closes this odyssey with the discovery of the Red Circus, a geological curiosity with ever-changing colors.
This journey reveals Madagascar in its most authentic diversity: postcard-like landscapes and the most touching human encounters, between preserved nature and living Sakalava culture.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Paris > Antananarivo (Madagascar)
Antananarivo > Diego Suarez
Diego Suarez > The 3 Bays
Diego > Amber Mountain > Diego
Diego > Red Tsingy
The Tsingy of Ankarana
Ankarana > Ambanja > Andranomandevy
Andranomandevy > Antanambao
Depending on the day and the rules that govern this sacred place, morning visit to the hot spring and the marsh surrounding it where thousands of birds nest. After breakfast, walk through cocoa plantations and along paths that cross beautiful rice terraces on the mountainside.
Gentle approach to rural Madagascar life as you cross villages, discover agricultural work depending on the season and also small artisanal trades such as blacksmithing. Arrival in Antanambao late morning, check-in and lunch at the community guesthouse.
In the afternoon, swimming and water hiking along the Ambahatra River. Dinner and night in a guesthouse run by the villagers of Antanambao.
Antanambao > Amboboka > Ambanja
Morning walk to reach the vehicles on the other side of the river then transfer to the village of Ambobaka which is known throughout northern Madagascar as a major center of traditional medicine. A lineage of healers practices ancestral knowledge that allows them to treat fractures and other trauma, using plants and various types of massage. A walk through the village allows you to pass near the center of traditional practitioners to discover healing techniques as well as a garden bringing together the most common plants of the Malagasy pharmacopoeia.
Short pirogue crossing to the "Bons Pères" waterfall for a picnic, relaxation and swimming in this Garden of Eden where a succession of waterfalls forms natural bathtubs and natural jacuzzis.
In the afternoon, pirogue ride along the Ramena river which unwinds its bucolic landscape in silence until the village of Ambobaka before returning to the track that leads back to Ambanja.
Ambanja > Antsohihy
Antsohihy > Majunga (Mahajanga)
Majunga
Majunga > Ankarafantsika
Return to Antananarivo and return flight
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International and domestic air transport,
- The single supplement = 300 EUR per person
- Your personal expenses,
- Beverages (mineral water, soft drinks, beer…),
- Travel insurance,
- Visa fees and territorial exit tax.
Included
- Land transport
- Double room accommodations with breakfast included
- Accommodations in hotels or guesthouses, on the routes of the southwest and southeast coasts
- Entrance fees in parks and reserves, including mandatory local guide fees
- Visits and excursions as described in the program
- English-speaking companion guide
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
More than 60 days before departure: 30% of the total price (deposit retained)
Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Your Passport:
Important: your passport must be valid. It must be mandatory and obligatorily valid for 6 months after the end of your stay in Madagascar.
Your travel documents
Your valid passport,
Your international and/or domestic flight tickets,
Your repatriation insurance/first aid expenses contract, -
Your vaccination record, not mandatory,
Your blood group card if possible.
Obtaining a visa to enter Malagasy territory
Upon arrival in the territory:
The visa cost is €35 for a stay of less than 30 days.
It is easily obtained upon your arrival in Malagasy territory.
This applies to all airports in Madagascar that receive international flights.
Upon arrival in the terminal, upon exiting the plane, a corridor for passengers is dedicated to issuing tourist visas.
This procedure is the simplest. We recommend it to you.
From the embassies and consulates of your countries of origin:
For information, download the document explaining the procedure and the constitution of the file for obtaining a visa from the Madagascar embassy.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed to enjoy your trip with peace of mind!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and procedures for claiming any loss are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for declaring any loss. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, issued upon arrival at Ivato Airport (Antananarivo) or online (e-visa). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Before booking your trip, check with Madagascar's consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality, including visa fees and authorized lengths of stay.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between 160 and 270 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1400 euros return) are additional. Long transfers and domestic flights represent a significant portion of the budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to suit your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection, which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Wild West
Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana, based in Antananarivo
For me, traveling to Madagascar is stepping into the spirit of fihavanana: sharing, helping one another, meeting people, and taking time to understand what connects them to their land.
— Noro
