Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Diego, it's half a day's drive to
Ambanja
, where you should visit the cocoa and
spice plantations before boarding a boat at Ankify for
Nosy Be
. Spend three or four days
enjoying the coral reefs and beaches and make sure you put a day aside for the fabulous
Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Lokobe
. Fly back to Tana from Nosy Be.
2½ Weeks
East Coast
Exploring this part of the country is challenging but by no means impossible, although
budget travellers will balk at the cost of travelling beyond Ile Sainte Marie, which is ac-
cessible by private 4WD or internal flight only.
Head east along the paved RN2 to the charming village of
Andasibe
, jumping-off point
for the luxuriant, misty rainforests of
Andasibe area parks
. Spend at least a couple of
days waking to the cries of the legendary indri (Madagascar's largest lemur), hiking and
birdwatching before winding down the RN2 to the coast. In
Manambato
, organise a tour
of
Canal des Pangalanes
, the picturesque gateway to the waterways and lakes. Travel to
Tamatave (Toamasina)
by cargo boat.
From Tamatave, fly to gorgeous
Ile Sainte Marie
and stay at the terminally laid-back
Ile aux Nattes
. Tour the island by quad or motorbike and take a whale-watching trip (July
to September).
If you relish a challenge, take a boat to
Soanierana-Ivongo
and drive the infamous
RN5
(4WD only) to
Maroantsetra
(two days). Spend a night at
Nosy Mangabe
and a couple of
nights in the pristine
Parc National de Masoala
. Fly back to Tana from Maroantsetra or
on to Sambava in the northeast.
