Madagascar North (with Miavana)

Lokanga Boutique Hotel
Perched high on Royal Hill, with commanding views over the old city centre, Lokanga is a wonderful retreat set within the heart of the Madagascan capital.

The original 1930s Malagasy townhouse is furnished throughout with antiques and family souvenirs, inviting you to journey back to the early twentieth century. It has just six en-suite bedrooms, all individually styled and decorated with family antiques and the expected modern comforts: WiFi, minibar, winter heating, and satellite television.

Each of Lokanga’s rooms has been furnished with a different era in Madagascar’s history in mind, from the English colonial room, recalling the English missionaries who once lived on Royal Hill, to the West Indies Room, whose bright saffron colours, cast-iron furnishings and Indian artwork recall the era of the spice trade.

Allamanda Hotel
The Allamanda Hotel enjoys an enviable location on Diego Suarez' waterfront, just steps from the sea and within walking distance of the town centre. Small and intimate but with all the facilities you would expect from a top-end resort, the Allamanda offers 24 elegant guestrooms, each with private balcony, air-conditioning and wireless internet access.

The Allamanda's pool is a lovely spot to sit and take in the view of the ocean and the city port at sunset.

After lunch at your hotel, depart for the Amber Mountains National Park (37kms). The afternoon will be spent exploring the forested hills of the Amber Mountains in the company of an experienced wildlife ranger.

The Montagne d'Ambre National Park comprises over 18,000ha of tropical rainforest, covering a vast volcanic massif composed mainly of basaltic rocks. It is a region rich with wildlife, much of it endemic.

Stump-tailed chameleons are among the forest’s most colourful inhabitants (though not the easiest to spot!) Equally colourful are the Amber Mountain’s eight species of lemur, the most distinctive of which is perhaps the crowned lemur. Keen botanists will enjoy discovering the forest’s many varieties of orchid.

Among the Montagne d’Ambre’s main attractions, however, is its climate. The verdant forest is a haven of freshness, offering an escape from the stifling heat that is otherwise typical of this region. And with several rivers cutting a course through the volcanic massif, the park is as notable for its waterfalls and crater lakes, as it is for its rich vegetation and wildlife. You’ll have the better part of the afternoon to explore both, returning to Diego Suarez early evening after 3-4 hours in the park with your guide.

Known for its limestone karst pinnacles, or “tsingy”, along with its extensive cave system and network of underground rivers, Ankarana is one of Madagascar’s most spectacular national parks, a truly alien environment quite unlike anywhere else on earth. Much of the reserve is taken up by dry deciduous forest and savannah plains, but its centrepiece is the “Wall of Ankarana”, a staggering monolith of limestone karst, formed by fossilised coral reef an estimated 150 million years ago.

During your tour you’ll encounter the extraordinary spectacle of the red tsingy, which occur where the limestone highlands have been eroded. The vegetation is equally unusual, with a fascinating array of drought-adapted succulent plants. There are various canopy trees including figs, superb specimens of baobab and numerous palms.

The wildlife, too, is stunning. Ankarana has perhaps the highest density of primates of any forest in the world! Visitors may encounter the crowned lemur, Sanford's brown lemur, Perrier's black lemur, the northern sportive lemur and dwarf lemurs. A variety of chameleons and leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos can also be spotted in the reserve.

After a full-day spent exploring Ankarana, check into Iharana Bush Camp, situated just outside the reserve, for one night (half board).

Iharana Bush Camp
Iharana is an intimate camp situated just outside the Ankarana reserve. Accommodating its guests in eight cosy cottages, the traditional Malagasy-built bush camp is a true wilderness retreat, making up for what it lacks in facilities (no TV, no internet and no air-conditioning in the rooms) with its stunningly scenic setting amid exceptional natural beauty – perfect for those seeking a real back to nature experience!

Miavana
Opened in 2017, Miavana is Madagascar’s newest and most luxurious lodge. Comprised of fourteen deluxe villas scattered along the western coast of Nosy Ankao, it offers unparalleled luxury in a fabulously remote setting.

Nosy Ankao itself is part of a five-island archipelago, situated just off the north-eastern coast of Madagascar and accessible only by helicopter. Surrounded by coral reef and with verdant forest inland, it's a natural wonder. The beaches, needless to say, are stunningly beautiful.

Miavana is the only lodge on this private island, and makes good use of its space. The fourteen villas are scattered far apart to ensure privacy; all enjoy an undisturbed view of the sea and sand. Inside, they are beautifully furnished and offer ample space, with the smallest of the villas measuring a generous 400 square metres. Each features an indoor living area, private deck with steps directly onto the beach, and a large double bedroom. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom villas are also available. The main lodge features a French garden, world-class spa, bar with wine cellar, outdoor dining area and pool.

Miavana isn't just a retreat for those seeking luxury pampering. It will appeal to more adventurous spirits, too. With access to otherwise unvisited coral reefs, it's a great location for divers (amateur and experienced divers alike – lessons are offered on-site), while others will relish the opportunity to explore the ocean on a jet ski or take to the skies in a helicopter for an aerial view of the aquamarine bays, beaches, lagoons and channels of the archipelago. Boat cruises, dolphin and whale watching, beach and forest walks are among the other pursuits on offer.

In Antananarivo, connect with your international flight home. If departing the following morning, we will arrange for a night at a hotel in Antananarivo.