North West

Destinations

Ankarafantsika

Ankarafantsika

The name of the Park comes from « garafantsika » which means « mountain of thorns ». It is located in the region of Boina in the northwestern part of Madagascar. 450km from Antananarivo, which means 8 hours by car or 115 km from Mahajanga for 2 hours’ drive. The park is characterized by a sandy massif in which different animal species and plants can be found. With an average annual rainfall of 1,475mm and a warm climate, Ankarafantsika Park is composed of varied forests and savannas and is famous for the Ankarokoaroka canyon which has resulted from erosions.

  • Coquereli Circuit
  • Distance 3 to 5 Km
  • Duration 2 to 3 h
  • Easy level
  • Baobab Circuit
  • Distance 1,5 Km
  • Duration 1,5 to 2 h
  • Difficult level
  • Great Canyon
  • Distance 9 to 12 Km
  • Duration 3 to 4 h
  • Sport level
Tsingy de Bemaraha

Tsingy de Bemaraha

In the province of Mahajanga, district of Antsalova is situated the Tsingy Strict Nature Reserve. Its total surface is about 1Bemaraha National Park52 000ha and offers a beautiful view of karstic scenery. Resulting from erosion, those limestones display different rank of natural sharp rocks which form a kind of maze combined with its caves. Preserved mangrove forests are also found within the park, species such as lemurs and birds live there. Bemaraha National Park is classified among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is genuine for its rich biodiversity and unique view.

  • Tantely Circuit
  • Distance 2 Km
  • Duration 2 h
  • Easy level
  • Andadoany Circuit
  • Distance 2 to 6 Km
  • Duration 4 to 5 h
  • Easy level
  • Manambolo Circuit
  • Distance 2 to 4 Km
  • Duration 4 h
  • Easy level
Baie de Baly

Baie de Baly

Baly Bay is located in the southwest of Mahajanga, in the region of Boeny and covers a total surface of 58 km². The Park is characterized by a warm and sub-humid climate. The symbolic species within the Park is the endemic ploughshare tortoise « the Angonoka ». The park comprises dense forests and also marine biodiversity at the same time. Diverse populations of animal species are to be seen. Both aquatic animals and terrestrial live in this area. The park homes more than 118 species of birds, 13 primates which encompasse the bamboo lemur, the Decken’s sifaka and some variety of reptiles.

  • Angonoky Circuit
  • Distance 4 Km
  • Duration 3 h
  • Easy level
  • Ankoay Circuit
  • Distance 24 Km
  • Duration 2 days
  • Intermediary level
Sahamalaza

Sahamalaza

The Sahamalaza National Park comprises an area of 26.035ha, situated in the region of Sofia, province of Mahajanga, northwest of the Island. It has been established in 2007 and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2001. It is home to endangered lemurs such as the blue-eyed black lemur “Eulemur flavifrons”. The climate of the Park varies from season to season and the park is characterized by a flat and uneven ground. The Biosphere is carpeted with mangroves which reach around 57 km². Since it combines both terrestrial and sea setting, Sahamalaza Biosphere Reserve presents a rich, voluptuous ecosystem and offers a large stretch of activities.

  • Ankomba manga maso
  • Distance 47 Km
  • Duration 2 to 4 h
  • Easy level
  • Fitilimbengy Circuit
  • Distance 30 Km
  • Duration 2 to 3 h
  • Easy level
  • Radama Island circuit
  • Distance 50 Km
  • Duration 2 h
  • Easy level
Tsingy de Namoroka

Tsingy de Namoroka

Namoroka National Park is situated in the northwestern region of Madagascar in the province of Mahajanga and 50 km south of Soalala. Established in 1927, the Tsingy of Namoroka is made up of eroded limestone and extends over 22.227 ha on which grow varieties of baobabs and other vegetations. The Tsingy of Namoroka also possesses caves and deep canyons which frame its landscape. Other types of animal species also live in the surrounding such as lemurs and water birds.

  • Mandevy Circuit
  • Distance 24 Km
  • Duration 3 h
  • Difficult
  • Ambovon'Omby Circuit
  • Distance 24 Km
  • Duration 3 h
  • Difficult
  • Antsifotra Circuit
  • Distance 12 Km
  • Duration 3 h
  • Difficult
Ambohitantely

Ambohitantely

On the National Road RN4, Antananarivo-Mahajanga in the district of Ankazobe is located the Ambohitantely National Park, which is the only protected area in Analamanga. A large stretch of natural forests still remains in the surroundings. The preservation of the Reserve is of primary due to slash and burn practice since a considerable part is threatened. In spite of this threat, the park still contains numerous vegetation species such as the endemic palm tree: the “Dypsis decipiens “. Diverse types of animals also live and are sheltered within the reserve which include the Eulemur fulvus and other nocturnal lemurs.

  • Botanical garden
  • Distance 4 Km
  • Duration 4 h
  • Easy
  • Loop circuit
  • Distance 6 Km
  • Duration 4 to 5 h
  • Difficult
  • Dypsis decipiens
  • Distance 4 Km
  • Duration 2 h
  • Easy