The limestone tsingy, caves and night walks of Ankarana, and the bay at Diego Suarez, in the dry north.
The north of Madagascar is dry, dramatic and far quieter than the south. The Ankarana reserve is a maze of sharp limestone tsingy, caves and canyons, with crowned lemurs in the forest, sportive lemurs and chameleons at night, and underground rivers with crocodiles.
Four nights at Ankarana Lodge, with walks in the tsingy and a boat trip on the great bay at Diego Suarez, make a short, adventurous trip for travellers who want something different.
Madagascar
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 8
Suitable for travellers aged 8 and over.
Pace and fitness
Active, fitness: active.
Meet your driver at Antananarivo airport and transfer to the Palissandre Hotel and Spa, in the old town, for a quiet first night.
Overnight
A calm hotel in the old upper town of Antananarivo, with city views.
Take the morning flight to Diego Suarez and drive south to Ankarana Lodge, on the edge of the reserve, arriving in the afternoon for a first walk.
Overnight
Ankarana Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Bungalows on the edge of the Ankarana reserve, with guided walks to the tsingy.
Hike into the tsingy with your guide, past sharp grey pinnacles and canyons, to a lookout over the stone forest, with a picnic lunch and crowned lemurs in the trees.
Overnight
Ankarana Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Bungalows on the edge of the Ankarana reserve, with guided walks to the tsingy.
Visit the caves and the underground river, with its bats and crocodiles, and take a night walk after dinner for sportive lemurs, chameleons and geckos.
Overnight
Ankarana Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Bungalows on the edge of the Ankarana reserve, with guided walks to the tsingy.
Drive to Diego Suarez for a boat trip across the great bay, with a visit to the Emerald Sea and its white sand, and a swim, before the drive back.
Overnight
Ankarana Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Bungalows on the edge of the Ankarana reserve, with guided walks to the tsingy.
Drive to Diego Suarez airport for the flight to Antananarivo, landing in the afternoon, and settle in at the Palissandre Hotel and Spa.
Overnight
A calm hotel in the old upper town of Antananarivo, with city views.
A slow breakfast, then the transfer to the airport for your flight.
Ankarana Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Bungalows on the edge of the Ankarana reserve, with guided walks to the tsingy.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A calm hotel in the old upper town of Antananarivo, with city views.
Breakfast & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct) | US$5,650 | US$4,790 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | US$4,503 | Get quote |
| Low season (Nov to May) | US$4,960 | US$4,200 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | US$3,948 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Lemurs are watched in the wild, never handled or fed, and sightings of any single species cannot be guaranteed. Madagascar’s roads are slow, and domestic flights can change at short notice, so we build in time. The tsingy trails are rough and steep, and the caves require a torch and sturdy shoes.
Best time for this trip May to Nov
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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