Please use the comments facility below to submit updates to chapter 14 (The North) of Madagascar (12th ed).
To comment on other chapters visit the main Madagascar Updates page.
Hilary Bradt
Publisher, travel writer, lecturer and sculptor
Search
I discovered a very nice, tiny restaurant . Malagasy homecooking by chef Evarestine (mother). We ordered in advance at he time we were there (lowseason). She cooked us lovely Malagasy dishes. We felt at home for lunch and dinner and some rhuma arrnagé afterwards. Situated 150 m from Chez Laurent. They told me about their plans to enlarge the restaurant. The name of the restaurant is “Chez Transylla”, after his daughter. The father is guide Ariel.
TEL: 034 77 63413. They all speak French. (NP ANKARANA)
The turning for Iharana Bush Camp at Ankarana West is near PK 130 on RN6.
The turning to Andrafiamena Reserve and Black Lemur Camp is at 12°47’56.2″S 49°14’40.0″E. Black Lemur Camp is a little misleadingly named. The locally endemic species of Perrier’s sifakas (Propithecus perrieri), after which the camp is named, are indeed black and they are indeed lemurs… but they are not Black Lemurs (Eulemur macaco), which is an entirely different species!
Kite Paradise in Sakalava Bay has opened last year. We stayed 8 nights there (planning initially only 4) and had a great time. Lovely atmosphere, super laid back, calm yet social. I recommend the ‘Makilux’ tents as they are as comfy as real bungalow rooms, and give you the impression of being super close to the nature and bay.
Also I can only confirm the great impression from Iharana Bush Camp close to Ankarana! Well worth spending 2 nights to cut traveling and visit the park. Evasion sans frontiere (based in Diego, Nosy Be or Tana) can organize 4×4 transfers, visits to Tsingy, meals, guides etc. great quality cars and guides, fairly priced.
LDTM Car Hire Madagascar- I had a poor experience with the owner of the company; he tried to overcharge us an extra day and asked his driver to drop us ( two families with kids!) out on the side of the road when I refused. The car- Hyundai Starex 4 x 4 – sliding door fell off, rear windows do not open, no A/C. Driver was safe and civil.
this is in Diego/ Antsiranana
The dorms in Montagne d’Ambre NP has dismantled and the campsite can only been used by larger groups for safty reasons
The road from Vohemar to Ambilobe is in dreadful condition but if you have the time well worth the experience. It took us 12 hours by 4×4, including a 1 hour visit to Campement Tattersalli to see the Golden Crown Sifaka (and a minor car breakdown, involving cooling off the motor with river water…) and we were completely orange from the dust, but it was a great experience.
Subsequent stay at Iharana Bush Camp was superb: friendly staff and good food. They now have warm water using solar power (the Guide mentions that it has cold water only).
Hotel Les Paillottes de Babaomby has upgraded its tents to comfortable bungalows. Nice and laidback place with friendly staff and good food (communal dining is the standard).
Doesn’t sound like it’s changed much in the last few years