OVERVIEW

Sit back in the comfort of a traditional tuk-tuk and see the landmarks in Antsiranana and the natural beauty that lies just beyond the city limits. The tuk-tuk is an open-air rickshaw of sorts originally named for the sound of its engine. Modern engines are noticeably quieter and the tuk-tuk has become one of the most desirable ways to get around. One of the best viewpoints lies west of the city overlooking Cul-de-Sac Gallois, an enclosed bay with only one way in and out. Closer to downtown Antsiranana, you will pause to take in the panoramic views of Diego Suarez Bay and its signature sugar-loaf mountain. The sights within Antsiranana, which was called Diego Suarez until 1975, are just captivating, especially Independence Plaza. It honors Madagascar’s freedom from France, much like Foch Plaza. There, you will see a statue of Philibert Tsiranana, the “Father of Independence” that became the country’s first president.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride in and around Antsiranana in an open-air tuk-tuk that allows for unobstructed views.
• Behold the surrounding natural beauty from a viewpoint on an enclosed bay west of the city.
• See urban landmarks that reveal the history of Antsiranana.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Admire the fascinatingly unusual landscape around Antsiranana and relax on an absolutely gorgeous beach that rims the surrounding bay. An ancient volcano created the sugarloaf mountain that rises out of Diego Suarez Bay and although smaller than the more famous Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, it is no less beautiful. You will enjoy another perspective of this natural attraction from atop French Mountain, a protected area known for its endemic species of plants and animals. Among them is the Suarez baobab, a sacred peculiar-looking tree that supposedly lives thousands of years. Baobabs are often called Upside-Down Trees because after shedding their leaves the branches resemble roots. After descending the mountain, you will head for laid-back Ramena Beach, a spectacular stretch of sand on the bay. Feel free to take a swim and snack on local specialties such as sambos, a crunchy deep-fried pastry often stuffed with minced meats or fish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See bizarre-looking baobabs, also known as Upside-Down Trees, on French Mountain.
• Enjoy two perspectives of the volcanically formed sugar loaf mountain in Diego Suarez Bay.
• Relax on Ramena Beach and snack on traditional local dishes such as sambos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the rainforest that blankets an astonishingly biodiverse national park that is home to some of Madagascar’s most unusual plants and animals. You will first pause at Joffreville, an agricultural town that offers sweeping views of the island’s lush northernmost area. Amber Mountain National Park lies due south at an even higher elevation and as you will discover it is a natural wonderland where new species are still being recorded. While walking the jungle trails, you may spot fork-striped lemurs, ring-tailed mongooses and red-breasted couas, an endemic cuckoo that inhabits the understory. The park is even more well-known for chameleons, which you may see changing flashy colors for camouflage or to show dominance over other chameleons. The vegetation is just as exotic as it includes rare orchids, flowering vine trees and precious woods used for medicinal purposes. Back in Antsiranana, you will stop to snap photos of the sugarloaf mountain in Diego Suarez Bay.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through a national park where exotic flora and fauna flourishes in the rainforest.
• Observe wildlife that may include lemurs, tropical birds and multi-colored chameleons.
• See an incredible variety of tropical plants and flowers, including endemic species.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the peninsula due east of Antsiranana and stop to enjoy the serene tropical settings at three of its bays. To reach some of the more remote coastal areas, you will travel in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle that can easily handle the rugged terrain. Antsiranana overlooks Diego Suarez Bay and its iconic sugar-loaf mountain, but the bays farther east are much more secluded and uncrowded. As you will see, Sakalava Bay is somewhat shallow, sheltered by a coral reef and nearly always windy, all reasons that it attracts kite surfers. Farther up the coast, you will find Pigeon Bay – named for the colony of birds that once lived there – and Dunes Bay, whose conditions are ideal for sea turtles. You will enjoy free time at the latter destination, where you might take a refreshing swim and snack on seasonal fresh fruit and rice-based Malagasy pancakes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous scenery while driving through a remote peninsula in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
• Stop at three bays along the peninsula’s coast, each with its own unique attributes.
• Relax on the beach at Dunes Bay and snack on traditional local dishes and fresh fruit.
• Enjoy a sweeping view of the volcanically formed sugar loaf mountain in Diego Suarez Bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the Red Tsingy, a jagged landscape of earth-toned, chimney-like rock formations that erosion has sculpted out of a single gorge. The tsingy – which is a Malagasy word that means “where one cannot walk barefoot” – is only accessible in a 4x4 vehicle, and you will instantly understand why after viewing this remote arid setting that is often described as lunar-like. Incredibly, the sandstone formations were only discovered in the 1950s when landslides exposed them. Their reddish-orange hue is from the rich deposits of iron oxide in the soil. While walking through the gorge, you will enjoy a close-up look at these bizarrely shaped geological curiosities. A buffet lunch follows, during which you might discuss the hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Red Tsingy. Later, you will pause at a viewpoint that overlooks the stand-alone sugar loaf mountain that rises out of Diego Suarez Bay, and enjoy a bit of free time for shopping in Independence Plaza.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the lunar-like landscape of the Red Tsingy gorge.
• See how erosion has carved bizarrely shaped, earth-toned rock formations throughout the gorge.
• Gain an understanding of how the Red Tsingy was created and how it is ever-changing.
• Enjoy a sweeping view of the volcanically formed sugar loaf mountain in Diego Suarez Bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.