City: Antsiranana Province
Top Things to do in Antsiranana Province
Top Restaurants in Antsiranana Province
Top 10 Things to do in Antsiranana Province, Madagascar
Antsiranana is a former province of Madagascar with an area of 43,406 km. It had a population of 1,188,425 (July, 2001). Its capital was Antsiranana. A diversity of ethnic groups are found in the province, including Anjoaty Sakalava, Antakarana, Tsimihetu, Antemoro, Betsimisaraka, Antandroy, etc.
Restaurants in Antsiranana Province
1. Tsingy Rouge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By Pauli_Roth - Khartoum, Sudan
Tsingy Rouge was a beautiful experience since it was our first tsingy in Madagascar. From Diego Suarez it is quite a while, around 3h. Since the roads are terrible, car rental is impossible and if you find one, it is not worth the risk. The tsingy was beautiful, something different and interesting how it was created but it was a bit small, meaning it took around half an hour to walk and see it all. The rest we spend in the car. Therefore, I would recommend to combine the trip - leave early morning from Diego Suarez, visit Tsingy Rouge and continue to the Ankarana park which has big gray tsingy and stay a night or two and continue to Nosy Be or wherever else you like...
2. Nosy Tanikely
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Lance_Kerwin - Tromso, Norway
I just love it. Tanikely is a snorkeling paradise. We were there for half a day with an organized boat trip. Amazing place!:)
3. Les Trois Baies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
4. Nosy Sakatia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
5. Lokobe Nature Special Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 839 reviews
Reviewed By krawner - Chicago, Illinois
Practical tips: bring roll-up pants or zip off pants, tennis shoes, long sleeve shirt, lots of DEET, plastic bag, sunblock. Optional: flip flops and short sleeve shirt.
Drive to edge of bay. Hike in muddy water along the coast for 30 minutes. You'll probably take off your shoes because the mud is deep to your ankles. Then go out into the ocean to get into a canoe. Here, the water will go above your knees. Then canoe for 45 minutes. The canoe is a handmade local wooden canoe, a priogue. Ideally you will place your shoes in a plastic bag in your backpack. If you leave your shoes on the bottom of the canoe, then there's a possibility they will get wet if the canoe leaks (our shoes were soaked). Then walk in mud again for another 30 minutes. Wash your feet at the village. Put on shoes, long socks, long pants and long sleeves shirt. Put DEET bug spray under your clothes and extra on all exposed areas. Hike in Lokobe Reserve which has an over abundance of mosquitoes ready to devour you. For 2 hours, see black lemurs, grey spotted sportive lemur, leaf tailed gecko, pygmy chameleon, boa constrictor, tree frogs, etc. Then eat lunch (bottled water, fish, crabs, rice, and vegetables. ). Some souvenirs for sale in the village like tablecloths and carved wood. Then paddle back. It was dirty, hot, and humid. Can wear the short sleeved shirt and flip slips while paddling. Definitely an authentic Madagascar experience and a chance to see lemurs on Nosy Be.
6. Ankarana Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Reviewed By Maria_the_Snorkeler - Moscow, Russia
The trip to Ankarana Reserve was a wonderful, unforgettable experience despite blazing heat. Almost right at beginning of the path, I had a close encounter with a crested coua eating fruit and a lovely rufous-colored male Malagasy paradise flycatcher with very long tail feathers, soon followed by a couple of buttonquails. Then we proceeded to a stunning place, the lost rivers. Three river beds and the hole where they end and where the water disappears during the rain season look like creations of a fantastic architect, the river beds smoothly and evenly paved with stone, the hole being perfectly rectangular, and the Amphitheatre made by two of the three river beds and looking as if made by Ancient Romans. The more surprising are the fossils of marine creatures on the rocks that prove that it had been the ocean floor once. Madagascar is the island of miracles, indeed. Another stunning sight is tsingy with each individual rock looking like a sculpture. Actually it was near the tsingy that I was lucky to take pictures of the elusive Madagascar lesser cuckoo which is easy to hear but very difficult to see. Unfortunately, my excursion did not begin early and the wildlife was not very active. Nevertheless, I saw crowned lemurs resting high up in the tree and peeking at me, and two Ankarana sportive lemurs. Other birds I saw at Ankarana Reserve that day included a couple of crested ibises, greater vasa parrots, Madagascan cuckoo-roller, hook-billed vanga, and Frances's sparrowhawk (see pictures). During this walk, I made more pictures of crested coua and only when I looked at these pictures later I saw that it was holding some prey, I think it’s a small chameleon (see the picture). It was also very interesting to watch a male paradise flycatcher perform in front of a female, displaying his impressive plumage – long tail streamers (hugely elongated middle tail feathers). Another interesting sight was the nymphs of flatid leaf bugs Phromnia rosea with their waxy “feathers.” During the night walk near the entrance to the park I saw quite a few animals including leaf-tailed gecko, short-nosed chameleon, and sportive lemurs (see pictures). Ankarana Reserve is a wonderful place to see but I suggest starting earlier to see even more wildlife and enjoy cooler air. Next time I will spend at least two days in Ankarana.
7. Mont Passot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By Em B
Yes, this is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. With panoramic views around the island (and a map to help you get your bearings), tourist shops selling local crafts, and a resident tame black lemur, there is enough here to draw a good number of tourists.
The entry cost is 10,000 Ariary for tourists or 2,000 Ariary for those with resident visas. If you are volunteering in Nosy Be, mention this at the desk because you may be eligible for the concessionary fare.
We arrived around 30 minutes before the sunset, at which point the area was much quieter and we were able to enjoy the view before the tourists with selfie sticks descended and started grappling for the prime spots.
Other points: it is a short climb from the car park to the summit, there are toilet facilities available, and there was a restaurant but this was closed at the time we visited.
8. Lemuria Land
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By Cindy M - Colorado Springs, Colorado
This little gem is located just a few minutes from the dock and pier area of Nosy Be. The highlight for me was the unique chameleons that are in nice open enclosures and in the wild one trees around the park. There is a nice display of lemurs from all over Madagascar, that would be hard to see anyplace else on a short visit. There are plenty of wild lemurs around too! They are not shy and pose for photos as they hop around the trees. I'm normally not a fan of third-world "zoos" but I make an exception in this case. The animals looked happy and healthy. There are tree covered paths with benches scattered around so even when it's HOT (and it will be!) it's a good option. There is a gift shop and Distillery that produces essential oils. Give yourself a few hours to really be able to see all the displays and enjoy the wild lemurs.
9. Nosy Fanihy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
10. Montagne de Francais
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Russ1970meyer
A Must see in this Part of Madagascar. Incredible views, beautiful walks in an unspoiled Natural scenary. Great Memories and pictures for the Future!
