The best of North Madagascar

Days 1 - 2

3* Relais des Plateaux

Breakfast

On arrival in Tana (Antananarivo), you will be met and taken to your hotel, the Relais des Plateaux. After your long flight, you can relax beside the pool. In the afternoon, you may like to explore Tana and enjoy a meal at one of the excellent restaurants in the city.

You can also extend your stay in the Tana, in which case we will move you to a better standard property, more centrally located, and provide a private city guide.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo, affectionately known as Tana, is the bustling and colourful capital of Madagascar. Nestled among the central highlands, the city is an intriguing mix of history, culture, and vibrant modern life. As you explore, you'll notice its unique charm, with winding cobblestone streets, French colonial architecture, and traditional Malagasy houses perched on steep hillsides.

The city's heart is a hive of activity, where lively markets such as Analakely offer a sensory feast of colours, sounds, and smells. Here, you can shop for local crafts, fresh produce, and vibrant fabrics while soaking in the energy of daily Malagasy life. Tana's historical landmarks, like the Rova of Antananarivo, perched atop a hill, tell the story of the island's royal past and offer breathtaking views of the city below.

Tana also serves as a cultural hub, where traditional Malagasy music and dance can be experienced alongside the flavors of its diverse cuisine, blending African, Asian, and European influences. As you wander, you'll discover cosy cafes and bustling restaurants that showcase the island's rich culinary heritage. Beyond the city, lush landscapes and picturesque rice paddies stretch into the distance, hinting at Madagascar's natural beauty waiting to be explored.

Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace) - A historic royal palace offering stunning views and insight into Madagascar’s monarchy.

Andafiavaratra Palace - A museum showcasing royal artifacts and historical exhibits.

Analakely Market - A bustling market filled with local crafts, food, and textiles.

Ambohimanga - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred royal hill located just outside the city.

Botanical Garden - Home to lemurs, endemic plants, and Malagasy wildlife.

Lac Anosy - A peaceful lake with a striking World War I memorial in its center.

Independence Avenue - A lively area with shops, cafes, and colonial architecture.

Piratenmuseum (Pirate Museum) - A fun spot to learn about Madagascar’s pirate history.

Faravohitra Cathedral - A charming colonial-era church with panoramic city views.

Antananarivo Museum of Art and Archaeology - A museum exploring Malagasy culture and history.

Days 2 - 8

3* Babaomby Beach Resort

Breakfast

This morning, you will head back to the airport for your flight to Diego in the northeast of the country. Time and tides permitting, you will be taken by road (45 minutes) to a small port to board one of the local Dhows, and then cross over to the Babaomby Beach in the Emerald Sea (around 1 hour). This is one of the most exceptional remote spots on the Planet

North Madagascar

A Kitesurf holiday to North Madagascar is an exhilarating mix of super reliable stong wind, warm turquoise waters, rich culture, endemic wildlife, and awe-inspiring landscapes. The area, particularly around the North East (Sakalava Bay, Babaomby, and the Emerald Sea), is renowned for its steady trade winds, which blow consistently from May to November, making it one of the world’s top kitesurfing destinations. These winds, usually between 15 to 30 knots, create ideal conditions for all levels, with flat waters and small to medium waves that suit freestyle, wave riding, and those seeking smooth, effortless cruising along the shore.

Beyond the perfect conditions for kiting, Northern Madagascar offers a raw, untouched beauty that sets it apart. The beaches are pristine, with soft white sands, calm blue lagoons, and lush tropical forests lining the coast. You’ll often find yourself kiting in solitude, surrounded only by nature. The biodiversity here is extraordinary, with species found nowhere else worldwide. Between kitesurfing sessions, you can explore the nearby forests and nature reserves, spotting Madagascar’s famed lemurs, colourful chameleons, and rare plants.

As always, Planet Kitesurf Holidays, we have scored the destination during a comprehension site visit for the very best locations and accommodation options, both on the coast and inland. From a kitesurf perspective, there are three options:

Sakalava Beach - This is the easiest kitesurf beach to access, just 40 minutes by 4x4 from Diego Suarez. Sakalava is also per have the easiest spot for kit siring as there is a huge flat water bay, and you can launch straight from the beach. This is perhaps the best location for Learning To Kitesurf in Madagascar. Most of the properties along this beach (of which there are around 10, plus around 6 kite schools), are very basic. There is really only one property (Sakalava Kitesurf Bungalows) that has reasonable quality, plus the very best kitesurf school for training next door.

The Emerald Sea and Babaomby Beach - The Emerald Sea is a little North of Sakalava, and can only be accessed by boat. At the Northern end is Babaomby Beach, which has the best access to the top kitesurf areas in this huge lagoon. Although there are some small beaches to launch from, it is best to take a trip by boat to the best spots in the Emerald Sea. Our partner kitesurf school here takes our client every day to the best sport in the lagoon, as well as arranging epic downwinders. The Emerald Sea is also great for learning, as there is a huge space. As with Sakalava, most of the properties dotted along this coast line are very basic. Planet works with the very best available here, based in a prime location. See our Emerald Sea Kitesurf Lodge.

Miavana Island - This is an ultra luxury island resort, only accessibly by private Helicopter from Dieo Suarez (30 mins), or Noise Be (50 mins). The Kitesurfing here is either directly from the resort or from a number of surrounding small uninhabited small islands and lagoons, which are perhaps some of the very best kitesurfing spots on The Planet. Included in your stay is a private power boat with kitesurf instructor/guide, crew, and use of the latest F-One kitesurf equipment. There are endless lagoons and pristine beachs to kitesurf from in and around Miavana, some accessed by boat, and some only accessible by Helicopter.

Outside of kiting, you’ll experience a rich, warm culture. Malagasy cuisine, based on fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and unique spices, is full of flavour. Dishes like romazava, a flavorful stew, and freshly grilled seafood are local specialities, often served right on the beach with an ocean view. Venturing into local villages and markets adds an extra layer to the experience, where you can meet artisans, explore traditional crafts, and get a feel for daily life in Madagascar.

We strongly recommend comb dining your kitesurf stay in North Madagascar with tours in the and around the region, to include Amber Mountains, the Ankarana Special Reserve, and the stunning islands around North West side surrounding Nosie Be. Planet Travel are specialising in Northern Madagascar, and all our Kitesurf Holidays to this incredible destination, will be tailored to you specific requirements.

Days 8 - 10

4* The Litchi Tree, Amber Mountains

Breakfast

This morning, you will take a small boat back across the Emerald Sea to the mainland near Diego Suarez and then onward by 4x4 to Joffreville (around 90 minutes), the gateway to exploring the Amber Mountains.

Your private guide will take you to the Amber Mountains National Park for a guided tour, then overnight at The Litchi Tree Hotel.

Amber Mountains National Park

Amber Mountain National Park, or Montagne d'Ambre, is one of Madagascar’s most enchanting natural reserves, located in the northern part of the island near Diego Suarez. This lush, tropical paradise is a stark contrast to the surrounding dry landscapes, offering visitors a cool and verdant escape filled with diverse flora and fauna.

The park is renowned for its dense rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and crater lakes, all set against a backdrop of volcanic mountains. The lush vegetation is home to an extraordinary variety of plant species, including ferns, orchids, and endemic trees. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting the park’s unique inhabitants, such as crowned lemurs, Sanford's brown lemurs, and a variety of brightly colored chameleons, including the smallest chameleon species in the world, Brookesia minima.

Amber Mountain National Park offers well-maintained hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. Along these trails, you can visit stunning natural landmarks like the Sacred Waterfall and the emerald Lac Mahery. Birdwatchers will enjoy the park’s vibrant birdlife, while others might marvel at the strange leaf-tailed geckos camouflaged among the trees.

The park’s cool, misty climate is a refreshing break from the heat of the surrounding areas, making it an ideal spot for exploration. It is easily accessible from Diego Suarez, with guided tours available to help visitors navigate its trails and learn about its unique ecosystems.

Amber Mountain National Park is a magical destination that showcases Madagascar’s unparalleled natural diversity and offers a serene retreat into the heart of the island’s wilderness.

Days 10 - 11

2* Ankarana Lodge

Breakfast

Today, you will travel from Joffreville to Ankarana (around 4 hours of very bumpy roads). If it is possible to stop en route at the Red Tsingy, your driver will do so.

On arrival in Ankarana, your private guide will take you for an afternoon guide tour of the Ankarana Nature Reserve. Overnight at Ankarana Lodge

Ankarana National Park

Ankarana is one of the best places in Madagascar to see the famous limestone tsingy (a geological oddity sculpted by erosion). The limestone massif rises up from the forest, and though a few tiny succulent plants cling to the rocks, the tsingy is largely bare and spikey limestone. A few paths wind through the rocks, and hiking is challenging, but rewarding with some spectacular views out over the reserve. Among the forests and rivers of the lower levels of the park lie several caves, stretching for thousands back into the limestone. Colonies of hundreds of bats live within, and twisted limestone formations glint in the torchlight.

The lower levels of the park are deciduous forest, where crowned lemurs, and Sanford's brown lemurs can be seen among the trees. Two nocturnal lemurs are also present in Ankarana Special Reserve, including the gray mouse lemur and the northern sporting lemur. Even during the day, sleepy-eyed sporting lemurs can be found snoozing in the fork of a tree, although they are most often heard at night-time.

Ankarana is spared the heavy rains that fall on the east coast of Madagascar from December through until April, but this remains the wettest time of year, and the lower reaches of the park are off-limits. In particular, it is not possible to visit the caves during this period, as sudden rainfall and rising waters make this rather dangerous. On the plus side, the plants thrive in the rain, and orchids bloom in the early months of the year. From April onward, the weather becomes drier. June and July are the coolest months of the year and are good times for some of the most challenging hiking activities. The warmer months of October, November, and December are excellent for wildlife: snakes come out to bask in the sunshine, migratory birds arrive from the north, and lemurs are at their most energetic and easily spotted.

Days 11 - 14

4* Tsara Komba Lodge

Full Board

This morning, you can enjoy another walk in the Ankarana before driving to the small port of Ankify (around 3 hours). From here you will catch a boat across to Nosy Komba. On arrival at the stunning Tsara Komba small luxury resort, you can rest your walking boots and put on your flip-flops, ready for some well-earned beach relaxation!