excursions in antsiranana

Antsiranana and its surroundings have innumerable captivating places of interests . The city of Diego can be the departure point for expeditions through the province of Antsiranana , because itself is connected to the capital by regular flights with the Arachart airport situated 9km southward the city center. The discovery of sites at the north of Diego such the Salt marsch ( 15km from the city ) requires a four wheels drive because of the road conditions .For nature lovers , the province of Diégo has three important Reserves and two great Parks : the Ambre forest and the Ambre Mountain National Park , Ankarana National Park . The other starting points of excursions : Joffreville 32km on a tarred road still in good condition : The station of Roussettes ( about 4km .) can be reached from Joffreville with tourism car. Ambilobe for the discovery of Tsingy and the caves of Ankarana mountain . Ambilobe is the region of sugar cane and its economy mainly depends on the production of the sugar and its by-products .

The British cemetery situated in city , it is there that been buried the many English armed force victims who have fighted against Vichy French colonial forces for the conquest of the strategic base of Diego Suarez. The cemetery is maintained by a Commonwealth countries commission .

It is the place where you can enjoy bathing or fishing or just have a dolce farniente. Because of its extremly fine and white sands and its turquoise sea , it is the the right and ideal site .

The Sugarloaf or Nosy Lonjo :
This volcanic origin rocky islet off the bay of Diego can be seen from the road to Ramena Beach . Ceremonies of «fijorona » are practiced there regularly.

Extremly beautiful site , the deep turquoise color of this small interior sea is the result of its weak water depth conjugated to the sandy bottom color . It is advised to go there early in the morning because crossing the pit on low tide may be impossible because of the coral just above the water and the very weak draught .

The Sakalava bay : international surfing mecca .
A succession of beautiful bays , turquoise sea bordered of white and fine sand beach and two islets that can be easily reached on foot on low tide. As the bay is often exposed to the wind, it is a favourite place of the local «fun boarder » who have a really good time in the big waves.

The Windsor castle

The Windsor Castel : to the north-west , 40 km from Diego Suarez
It is an important monolith that can be seen from Diego ( higher than the Eiffel Tower). It is 391m high and the viewpoint is worth the trip :westward, the blue of the Mozambique Channel with its two small islands Nosy Hara and Nosy Hao, to the east, villages, the bay and the city of Diego ,to the North the Ambre Cape headland , and to the South the Courrier bay

The sacred lake of Anivorano Nord situated at 75km from Diégo owes its name to a local belief. An other sacred place to the Sakalava and the Antakarana , the Mahavavy waterfalls at 45km, you have to conform to the respect of the fady (taboos). Ceremonies sometimes take place at the foot of Andranomamofona waterfalls : symbols of the man and the woman union .

Vohémar or Boamaro or also Iharana : In its past this city inspired a lot of legends . Nested in the hollow of a magnificent bay of the Indian Ocean it is one of the cities of vanilla , coffee and cloves which represent the SAVA region (Sambava-Andapa -Vohémar -Antalaha)

The Green lake or lake « Andronotsara » is about 7km from the city. It inspires various fantastic tales and legends which explain the sacrifices and taboos practiced by villagers of the region.

Sambava is situated at 153 km from Vohémar to which it is connected by a tarred road. In addition to the coffee and vanilla, the coconut takes a special place in this small coastal city and the Soavoanio coconut processing occupies a signifiant area of 4761 ha spreading on a coast of 60 km long on both side of the city.
The valley of the Lokoho : its gorges and its rapids are very attractive.

Antalaha (89km) southward Sambava is connected by a rather difficult track in rainy season .

The places of interests

Our Selection of hotels

THE PROTECTED AREAS

Integral Natural Reserve

Belief and Traditions

Other spots to discover :

Antananarivo

Nosy Bé

Majunga

Morondava

Fianarantsoa

Fort Dauphin

Tamatave

Sainte Marie

What you should know about Madagascar :

The Country

The climate

The ecotourism

Fauna and flora

Parks and Reserves

Its population

The funerary arts

Belief and traditions

Useful informations

Useful addresses

*Belief and Traditions*
Famadihana	Fitampoha	Tsanga-Tsaina	Alahamady bé	Sambatra

	Antsiranana and its surroundings have innumerable captivating places of interests . The city of Diego can be the departure point for expeditions through the province of Antsiranana , because itself is connected to the capital by regular flights with the Arachart airport situated 9km southward the city center. The discovery of sites at the north of Diego such the Salt marsch ( 15km from the city ) requires a four wheels drive because of the road conditions .For nature lovers , the province of Diégo has three important Reserves and two great Parks : the Ambre forest and the Ambre Mountain National Park , Ankarana National Park . The other starting points of excursions : Joffreville 32km on a tarred road still in good condition : The station of Roussettes ( about 4km .) can be reached from Joffreville with tourism car. Ambilobe for the discovery of Tsingy and the caves of Ankarana mountain . Ambilobe is the region of sugar cane and its economy mainly depends on the production of the sugar and its by-products .
	British cemetery
	The British cemetery situated in city , it is there that been buried the many English armed force victims who have fighted against Vichy French colonial forces for the conquest of the strategic base of Diego Suarez. The cemetery is maintained by a Commonwealth countries commission .
	Ramena beach
	It is the place where you can enjoy bathing or fishing or just have a dolce farniente. Because of its extremly fine and white sands and its turquoise sea , it is the the right and ideal site .
	The sugarloaf
	The Sugarloaf or Nosy Lonjo : This volcanic origin rocky islet off the bay of Diego can be seen from the road to Ramena Beach . Ceremonies of «fijorona » are practiced there regularly.
	The emerald sea
	Extremly beautiful site , the deep turquoise color of this small interior sea is the result of its weak water depth conjugated to the sandy bottom color . It is advised to go there early in the morning because crossing the pit on low tide may be impossible because of the coral just above the water and the very weak draught .
	Sakalava bay
	The Sakalava bay : international surfing mecca . A succession of beautiful bays , turquoise sea bordered of white and fine sand beach and two islets that can be easily reached on foot on low tide. As the bay is often exposed to the wind, it is a favourite place of the local «fun boarder » who have a really good time in the big waves.
	The Windsor castle
	The Windsor Castel : to the north-west , 40 km from Diego Suarez It is an important monolith that can be seen from Diego ( higher than the Eiffel Tower). It is 391m high and the viewpoint is worth the trip :westward, the blue of the Mozambique Channel with its two small islands Nosy Hara and Nosy Hao, to the east, villages, the bay and the city of Diego ,to the North the Ambre Cape headland , and to the South the Courrier bay
	The holy places
	The sacred lake of Anivorano Nord situated at 75km from Diégo owes its name to a local belief. An other sacred place to the Sakalava and the Antakarana , the Mahavavy waterfalls at 45km, you have to conform to the respect of the fady (taboos). Ceremonies sometimes take place at the foot of Andranomamofona waterfalls : symbols of the man and the woman union .
	Vohémar
	Vohémar or Boamaro or also Iharana : In its past this city inspired a lot of legends . Nested in the hollow of a magnificent bay of the Indian Ocean it is one of the cities of vanilla , coffee and cloves which represent the SAVA region (Sambava-Andapa -Vohémar -Antalaha)
	The green lake
	The Green lake or lake « Andronotsara » is about 7km from the city. It inspires various fantastic tales and legends which explain the sacrifices and taboos practiced by villagers of the region.
	Sambava
	Sambava is situated at 153 km from Vohémar to which it is connected by a tarred road. In addition to the coffee and vanilla, the coconut takes a special place in this small coastal city and the Soavoanio coconut processing occupies a signifiant area of 4761 ha spreading on a coast of 60 km long on both side of the city. The valley of the Lokoho : its gorges and its rapids are very attractive.
	Andapa
	Andapa is situated at 119 km from Sambava , to which it is connected by a very beautiful road crossing a worthy of an eastern forest greenery .
	Antalaha
	Antalaha (89km) southward Sambava is connected by a rather difficult track in rainy season .