"Situated on the world’s second-largest natural bay, the laidback port of Diego Suarez is the fly-in gateway town to a diverse set of attractions in the far north of Madagascar. These include the wildlife-rich forests of Amber Mountain National Park and the island’s most accessible major outcrops of tsingy (a karstic formation of steep serrated rock needles) in Ankarana Special Reserve. ”
- Philip Briggs
Diego Suarez and the far north
Boasting a lovely location on the immense Baie des Français, Diego Suarez overlooks the small but steep sugarloaf island of Nosy Lonjo. The town centre has some interesting colonial architecture but many people prefer to base themselves at the facing beach resort of Ramena, which is also the springboard for boat excursions to a beautiful pale turquoise swimming- and snorkel-friendly lagoon known as the Emerald Sea.
The main tourist hotspot in the far north is Amber Mountain, an extinct volcano that rises to an altitude of 1,477 metres (4,845ft) southwest of Diego Suarez. The lushly forested upper slopes, protected in a national park since 1958, a serviced by a trail network trail that runs past several crater lakes and waterfalls, and offers the opportunity to look for crowned lemur and Sanford’s brown lemur, as well as 14 chameleon species (nine of which occur nowhere else in the world), several types of leaf-tailed gecko and 75 bird species (including the endemic Amber Mountain rock thrush).
South of Diego Suarez, Red Tsingy Community Reserve comprises an otherworldly landscape of tall and curvaceous ferruginous clay chimneys. Further south still, hiker-friendly Ankarana Special Reserve protects the most accessible of Madagascar’s major tsingy formations, and immense jagged limestone outcrop that incorporates Madagascar’s longest cave network, and also supports 330 plant, 11 lemur, 96 bird, 44 reptile and 16 amphibian species.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
What People Say
-
The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
-
We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
-
Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
-
Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
-
Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
-
Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
-
Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
-
We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
-
Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
