Pristine coastal stretches, majestic baobab trees, leaping lemurs and a gold mine of natural reserves. Some call it the ‘Red Island’ of the Indian Ocean, but to most, it is known as Madagascar. Madagascar is home to the beautiful island of Nosy Be and the second largest natural bay in the world: The port city of Diego Suarez. A glimpse of their surreal beauty never fails to show first-time and frequent travellers to visit Madagascar that their dream holiday in Madagascar can be a reality here.

NOSY BE

Madagascar’s largest island off its northwest coast awaits exploration. Nosy Be and the array of things to do here will certainly ignite your wanderlust to visit Madagascar.

Nosy Tanikely Excursion

Just a 45-minute boat ride from Nosy Be is the Nosy Tanikely underwater reserve. Alongside breath-taking beach views, Nosy Be Original lead the tour and provide snorkelling equipment to dive amongst a plethora of exotic wildlife. Here, some of the island’s precious sea turtles are floating amongst vibrant corals. This coupled with a beach picnic beneath the shade of trees allows for a fabulous day out. One of the freshly prepared dishes on offer is succulent shrimp and barracuda, complementing the marine landscape.

 Lokobe Reserve

The Lokobe Reserve is a luxuriant forest of endemic and medicinal plants, a 45-minute boat transfer from the serene fisherman’s village of Ambatozavavy. Here, an expert tour guide enlightens you on the reserve’s flora and fauna as you catch rare glimpses of them. Some of its 376 fauna species include the Sportive and Black Lemurs of Madagascar, fluffy creatures with glowing orange and blue eyes.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

If you plan to visit Madagascar between September and December, Nosy Be’s crystal waters are frequented by a 12-14 metre gentle giant: The Whale Shark. Les Baleines Rand’Eau offer an excursion  involving these beautiful creatures. As you dive under the depths of Madirokely Beach, prepare to feel awed when brushing shoulders with the world’s largest fish. While most would consider swimming with Whale Sharks a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is the norm for few here.

Nosy Be City and Nightlife

Nosy Be’s city life is a combination of well-preserved culture and contemporary influences. By day, admire its colonial architecture and bustling street market in its capital city of Hell-Ville. By night, enjoy an invigorating drink at Djembe Disco, the island’s most popular nightclub situated in Ambatoloaka town.

Nosy Komba Excursion

Visit Madagascar’s second largest island, Nosy Komba, with Nosy Be Original  for a close encounter with wild Black Lemurs at the Lemur Park Nature Reserve. Watch as they descend from winding branches and onto your shoulders to be fed bananas. Afterwards, feast your eyes at the Ampangorinana Craft Market, where locals hang an assortment of handcrafted tablecloths and other objects outside their houses for the next lucky buyer.

Nosy Be Accommodation

For the conservationist, African Hotel Award-winning L’Heure Bleue combines luxury with sustainability. It is one of the only hotels in Madagascar to achieve the world-class Green Globe Certification for its environmentally friendly construction and design. Its minimalistic yet chic style carries from its ravinala roofs through to its 8 luxury lodges and 10 bungalows.

Made from local materials such as rosewood, all come with a private terrace overlooking the crystalline waters of Madorikely and Amatoloaka Bay. But, the accommodation is not the only place to enjoy the waves. Forever Dive and Scuba Nosy Be are partnered with L’Heure Bleue, offering scuba diving sessions for exploration of the water below.

When it comes to hotels in Madagascar, Nosy Be’s people know how it’s done. For lavish living alongside authentic culture, stay at the Nosy Be Hotel and Spa . The hotel’s design pays homage to quintessential Madagascan architecture with thatched roofs and quirky African décor. A total of 38 unique rooms and suites are available according to one’s fancy, each combining modern design and amenities with traditional African influences. And, their spa is one to try, with treatments incorporating organic Madagascan ingredients such as salt from Diego Suarez itself.

The Villa Valiha Boutique Hotel takes beach holidays to the next level. Located right on the waterfront of Madirokely Beach, this villa complex boasts an outdoor pool with magnificent sea and sunset views. Villa Valiha’s design hearkens back to traditional African décor with touches of a seaside theme. Its 5 rooms and suites vary in design, size, and amenities, each with their own character. For the culinary connoisseurs, Villa Valiha’s food and drink is inspired by many cuisines, some being African, Mediterranean, and American.

Luxury is redefined at the Sangany Lodge , a boutique resort with comfort at its core.  African culture and beach-themed design don its 8 deluxe suites, which are spacious, airy, and fully immersed in nature for a beach holiday like no other. Every suite exudes its own charm, but one of the suites, the Suite Tarzon  is particularly unusual. It is a treehouse nestled between two Ficus trees, providing gorgeous views of Amporaha Bay below.

DIEGO SUAREZ

Also known as Antsiranana, Diego Suarez is within the northmost parts of Madagascar and is teeming in activities for the outdoor adventurer’s travel bucket list.

Deserted Island

Traverse the Emerald Sea on a boat from Ramena Beach, about a 30-minute drive from Diego Suarez with Evasion Sans Frontière Madagascar. The boat docks on the beaches of deserted islands, where the calming sound of waves and the wind blowing through the palm trees accompanies your picnic on the sand.

Amber Mountain National Park

A thrilling hike awaits at the Amber Mountain National Park , situated approximately 45 minutes south from Diego Suarez. Its landscape features mountainous scenery, a lush rainforest, waterfalls, and vast volcanic lakes. Within its rainforest lurk the carnivorous fossa, observable from a close distance on your hike in one of Madagascar’s most treasured places.

Ankarana National Park

Wondrous caves, spires, and forests make up the scenery of Ankarana National Park , around a 4-hour drive south from Diego Suarez. In its forests, walk alongside various lemurs of Madagascar, including Brown Lemurs and Dwarf Lemurs. Here is also Africa’s largest cave system, where 14 different bat species are discoverable in its depths. But, the most awe-inspiring are the grey spires, or ‘Tsingy’ in the Malagasy language. These naturally eroded limestone sculptures allow for enthralling views whilst hiking amongst them.

Tsingy Rouge

Tsingy Rouge, also known as ‘Red Tsingy’, is a natural site of coppery laterite rocks eroded into spires. Its winding paths are also due to erosion from the Irodo River, guarded left and right by these imposing rock formations. Here, enjoy a peaceful hike surrounded by one of the planet’s unique beauties, about a 2-hour drive south from Diego Suarez.

Windsurfing

The avid windsurfer curious to visit Madagascar will be pleased to know that Diego Suarez’s waters are not always so peaceful. In fact, its high winds and rolling waves make it the ideal windsurfing destination. Catch the waves, glide and somersault in the air on your sailboard, leaving nothing but sea spray behind you.

Diego Suarez Accommodation

In Diego Suarez, they are no strangers to sumptuous stays. Right on the waterfront of a private bay and in the Oranjia Terrestrial Reserve, the Mantasaly Resort is where adventure and opulence come together.

Combining a nautical-themed design with an African flair, the Mantasaly Resort captures everything that Madagascar is about. Its 3 types of suites, the Superior Mini Suite,   the Triple Suite   and the Mini Suite   all include a 12m² private terrace from which to admire the bay surroundings.  Water sport lovers will thrive here, with activities on offer including kitesurfing, windsurfing and snorkelling. It is also Diego Suarez’s only hotel to host exclusive boat trips around its neighbouring islands and bays, one being the paradisiacal Bay of the Great Dunes.

In Diego Suarez’s city centre is the Grand Hotel , where relaxation replaces the outside racket. Elegant earth tones make up its aesthetic from floor to ceiling, and it certainly has that urban feel with its decor. With a total of 66 rooms and suites with the latest amenities, guests are surely spoiled for choice here.

The hotel’s courtyard largely comprises of a 350m² pool, perfect for enjoying a dip and drink under the sun. L’Oasis Restaurant, their poolside eatery, serves local gourmet cuisine from best Malagasy Chef of the Year 2007, Chef Jackson Randriamaro.

Just a 16-minute walk from Amber Mountain National Park, Nature Lodge  is an eco-lodge where nature’s heartbeat echoes from every corner. Designed with Malagasy colours and furniture, its 12, 35m² chalets are set up in a semi-circle formation around its main Terrace building. Much like L’Heure Bleue, Nature Lodge is renowned for its sustainable design, built with locally sourced material and timber. One of its most prized amenities is indeed its raised Terrace, a place to relax, dine, and where colourful chameleons pay the odd visit!

When it comes to booking your holidays in Madagascar, Madagascar Endemics and Resorts  is the go-to company. CEO and Founder Manitra Andriamialisoa is a connoisseur of his field. His excellent knowledge of Madagascar and dedication to providing guests with unforgettable experiences deem him and his company the best for booking customised tours of the island.

With their astonishing nature parks, beaches, activities and accommodation, both Nosy Be and Diego Suarez leave no question about why you should visit Madagascar as part of your travel bucket list.