Far North

Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, is the sleepy capital of Madagascar's Far North region. This charming city is enclosed in a large natural bay and deep-water harbour, and serves as a great base from which to explore the northern coast and inland national parks. Variety epitomises the whole region, both in climate and in the colourful cultures found in the capital.

The northern coast of Madagascar is home to a string of islands and islets that offer the perfect balmy Indian Ocean Island experience for honeymooners and beach bums alike. Elsewhere, much of the region is mountainous and blanketed in dense rainforest, some of it protected within the Montagne D’Ambre, a stunning park home to a rich variety of animal, bird and plant life.

In and around the Far North, Madagascar
Montagne D’ambre, or Amber Mountain National Park, is a bird watchers' paradise that is easily accessible from Antsiranana. 800-1500m above sea level, the climate here is lovely, with the cool mountain air providing a welcome contrast to the heat of Madagascar’s lowland and coastal regions.

South of Montagne D’ambre is the Ankarana Massif, famous for its colossal stone forests and bizarre rock formations. These are comprised of narrow limestone towers, or tsingy, that cover the surface of the massif. The massif is hollow inside and houses within it a dense network of tunnels, as well as pockets of sunken forest where the caves have collapsed forming deep pools that shelter an array of wildlife. Totally wild, Ankarana has no hotels meaning all accommodation is planned on an organised camping basis.

West of Ankarana, and several miles offshore, are the Mitsio Islands. Dolphins, turtles and stingrays find sanctuary here in the calm waters. It is a fantastic diving destination - remote but easily accessible with a yacht charter - and yet attracts few visitors. Further south, the islands of Nosy Be and Nosy Iranja are more geared towards mass tourism (by Madagascar’s standards) and offer an affordable alternative to the Mitsio Islands, with a good mix of simple beach lodges and larger resorts. See our Madagascar beach holidays page for a more detailed write-up.