Madagascar Northern Exposure

Northern Madagascar is a world of dramatic landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, lush rainforests and pristine tropical coastlines. Our Madagascar Northern Exposure adventure is an unforgettable 10-day extension to our A Lost World itinerary, taking you beyond the better-known sights and into some of the island’s most remote and spectacular regions.

From surreal limestone formations and wildlife-rich rainforests to remote waterways and idyllic beaches, this Northern Madagascar adventure offers an incredible variety of experiences in just six days. It is the perfect choice for travellers who want to explore further, discover wild places and experience the remarkable natural diversity that makes Madagascar so unique.

Discover the Red and Grey Tsingy

One of the great highlights of Northern Madagascar is the extraordinary Red and Grey Tsingy. These spectacular limestone formations have been sculpted by nature over millions of years, creating a surreal landscape of razor-sharp pinnacles, deep canyons, towering rock formations and hidden passages.

The Tsingy is unlike anywhere else on Earth and provides some of the most impressive scenery and photography opportunities in Madagascar. As you explore this remarkable environment, the landscape constantly changes, revealing new shapes, colours and perspectives around every corner.

The Red Tsingy is particularly striking, with its rich earthy colours creating a dramatic contrast against the surrounding vegetation and sky. Together, the Red and Grey Tsingy showcase the incredible geological diversity of northern Madagascar.

Explore Rainforests and Madagascar Wildlife

The adventure continues beyond the Tsingy into lush, orchid-filled rainforests and remote wilderness areas. Northern Madagascar is home to an astonishing variety of endemic species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Keep watch for lemurs, colourful birds, brilliantly camouflaged chameleons and a host of fascinating insects and reptiles as you travel through the forest. Madagascar is famous for its unique wildlife, and every excursion offers the chance of an unexpected encounter.

The rainforest itself is just as captivating. Ancient trees, orchids, vines and dense vegetation create a vibrant ecosystem alive with sound and movement. For nature lovers and wildlife photographers, exploring these remote forests is an unforgettable part of the journey.

Remote Waterways and Tropical Beaches

Northern Madagascar isn’t only about dramatic landscapes and wildlife. This adventure also takes you to remote waterways and beautiful tropical coastlines where you can experience a quieter, more peaceful side of the island.

After days spent exploring forests and Tsingy landscapes, pristine beaches and turquoise waters provide the perfect opportunity to relax and take in the extraordinary surroundings. Far from busy tourist centres, these remote coastal areas capture the wild and unspoilt character of Madagascar.

Experience the Wild North of Madagascar

Combining adventure, wildlife, nature and relaxation, Madagascar Northern Exposure is the perfect addition to our A Lost World itinerary for travellers who want to discover more of this remarkable island.

Whether you’re fascinated by the otherworldly Tsingy, eager to encounter Madagascar’s unique wildlife, passionate about photography or simply looking for an adventure far from the ordinary, Northern Madagascar delivers an unforgettable experience.

Over ten days, you’ll journey through some of Madagascar’s most spectacular and least explored landscapes — from dramatic limestone formations and rainforest wilderness to remote waterways and pristine beaches.

Extend your Madagascar adventure and discover the wild beauty of Northern Madagascar.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore Diego Suarez and its surroundings
Amber Mountain NP known for its endemic flora and fauna, waterfalls and crater lakes
Ankarana NP, with its Tsingy of limestones pinnacles, canyons and caves
The Red Tsingy hides plentiful secrets of nature for you to unveil

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Tana (Antananarivo) – Madagascar

DEPARTURE DATES

5 June 2027 – 14 June 2027 Available

DURATION

10 days/9 nights

PRICES per person

AU$6695 twin share rate

AU$7595 single rate

Book on both Madagascar A Lost World and Northern Exposure and receive 10% discount off both tours.

GROUP SIZE

2 to 8 Guests

INCLUDED

local English speaking guide

Accommodation as mentioned

All Meals as specified

All transfers, sightseeing, boat trips, 2 x domestic flights and touring as indicated

Bottled water

Entrance fees sightseeing tours/park entry fees

All currently applicable service charges and taxes

NOT INCLUDED

International air-tickets and taxes

Excess baggage on any flight

Vaccination costs

Passport or Visa fees

Travel Insurance

Personal items like drinks and laundry

Any other meals or sightseeing not specified in the detailed itinerary

Guides & Drivers gratuity

Additional information

Destination	Madagascar

Day 1

Antananarivo (Tana)

Arrive in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our group hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and settle in for the evening. D

2-3

Days 2-3

Diego Suarez

Fly from Tana to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) in the far north, where you will be met by our local guide, Angelin.

You’ll spend two nights here and visit the port town of Diego Suarez, known for its wide streets, old colonial-era buildings and lively atmosphere. Enjoy a lovely lunch at Mellville Restaurant, with its amazing views across the bay.

The following day will be dedicated to some interesting walks. You can choose between the Three Bays Walk, a scenic coastal trail connecting Sakalava Bay, Pigeon Bay and Dunes Bay, with plenty of opportunities for swimming along the way.

Alternatively, for something more strenuous, you can take on the French Mountain Circuit, a popular 2.5-hour nature and historical hike featuring a 600-step staircase leading to a 360-degree panoramic view from the summit. From here, you’ll have spectacular views overlooking Diego Suarez Bay, Sugar Loaf Island (Nosy Lonjo), the Three Bays and the Emerald Sea. B L D

4-5

Days 4-5

Diego Suarez to Ankarana

We head to Ankarana National Reserve, located about 100 km from Diego Suarez. We’ll take a detour to visit the “Tsingy Rouge” (Red Tsingy), which provides a wonderful spectacle of sculptured, coloured sands shaped by the wind and rain. Depending on the time available, you can take a walk down into the canyon to see the Red Tsingy up close.

The following day, we’ll visit Ankarana National Reserve. Here, you’ll find the impressive grey Tsingy (limestone pinnacles), surrounded by dry deciduous forest. Its dense forests support one of the largest and least disturbed populations of crowned lemurs. Keep an eye out for northern sportive lemurs, dwarf lemurs and ring-tailed mongooses.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the southern end of Ankarana for more exploration. B L D

Day 6

Iharana Bush Camp

We’ll spend two nights at Iharana Bush Camp, set among spectacular limestone landscapes. Surrounded by lakes, forests and distinctive Tsingy formations, the camp is a peaceful base from which to explore the area and experience Madagascar’s unique scenery and wildlife.

Enjoy guided walks through the Tsingy and explore the fascinating caves, including Mandresy Cave, with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. There is also an opportunity to take a traditional pirogue ride on the lake, which is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the Tsingy are bathed in warm evening light.

There is plenty of time to relax and make the most of the beautiful bush setting. B L D

7-9

Days 7-9

Amber Mountain

From the Tsingy, we head to Montagne d’Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park. This massif rises from the surrounding dry region, forming an isolated stretch of montane rainforest covering an area of 18,200 hectares at altitudes between 800 and 1,470 metres.

The park offers great biodiversity: a vast tropical forest with endemic fauna and flora, luxuriant vegetation, numerous waterfalls and volcanic lakes. The climate is perfect, and the cool air is refreshing after the heat of the lowlands.

A large number of animal species inhabit the national park, including 25 species of mammals, among them six carnivores such as the ring-tailed mongoose and the fossa. There are eight species of lemur, including Sanford’s brown lemur, crowned lemur, lesser bamboo lemur and five species of nocturnal lemurs.

These forests are also home to 75 different bird species, 35 of which are endemic or locally endemic, such as the Amber Mountain rock thrush. There are also up to 60 species of reptiles, including the tiny stump-tailed chameleon, leaf-tailed geckos and snakes, as well as 35 species of frogs and more than 40 species of butterflies.

We will have the opportunity to enjoy some lovely walks, as well as nocturnal walks, before flying back to Tana. B L D

Day 10

Trip concludes

Our final morning in Tana is at your leisure before we transfer to the airport for our return flight home. B

Please note: The proposed itinerary is just a guide and changes could be made due to domestic flight schedule changes and hotel availability.

Angelin Razafimantsoa

Angelin grow up in Joffre Ville Madagascar at the base of Amber Mountain National Park and is where his love of the natural world began.
He studied hard and completed his secondary schooling and in 1994 he completed a National Tourism course in guiding. He also had the opportunity to work with researches from the University of Michigan who worked on a book called “biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians of Madagascar”.
In 2003 Angelin was again approached by a German company to assist and work on another two books, “A Field guide of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar”and “Lemurs of Madagascar”.
Anglin speaks two dialects of Malagasy and is fluent in English and French. In his spare time he enjoys listening to music and taking great pleasure in advising young teens in the community about future career opportunities.

How to Book

To ensure your place on this exciting adventure, please contact us to reserve a place +61 405 280 358 or , then complete the Adventure Associates Booking Form and return to us with your AUD 500 per person deposit.

Deposit required per person:	AU$500 per person
Balance due:	75 days prior to departure
If booking within 74 days of departure:	Full payment must be made.

Reservations are established when you receive written confirmation and acceptance of the deposit and Booking Form. Travel insurance is strongly recommended at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be advised in writing to Adventure Associates. Cancellation charges are subject to regulations of airlines, coach and tour operators, hotels and other principals involved. If it is necessary to cancel your arrangements, the following non-refundable charges will apply.

More than 100 days prior to departure	AU$250 per person
Between 99 and 75 days prior to departure	Full loss of deposit per person
Between 74 and 31 days prior to departure	75% of tour cost per person
On or within 30 days prior to departure	No Refund

If the cancellation charge is more than your advance payment you remain liable for the difference. For these and other reasons mentioned above you are strongly recommended to take out Travel Insurance. Once the Land Tour has departed there will be no refund for any unused portions of the trip.