Day01
Antananarivo
Our expeditions
Expedition 01 · Northern Madagascar
Madagascar, land of volcanoes, karst and oceans
12 days from Diego-Suarez to Nosy Be, with an optional scientific extension up to 15 days.
Cross northern Madagascar like a geoscientist. Discover how volcanic processes, rock erosion, limestone dissolution, the workings of watersheds and marine dynamics have shaped the landscapes, the biodiversity and human activity.
- Duration
- 12 days, or 15 with the extension
- Route
- From Diego-Suarez to Nosy Be
- Lead field
- Geoscience
- Physical level
- Specified in the offer
Five discoveries on this expedition
From the Diego-Suarez coastline to the volcanic uplands of Amber Mountain, from the Red Tsingy to the Ankarana karst, then from the Sambirano valley to the islands of Nosy Be, this expedition invites you to see Madagascar differently.
The northern coast
Capes, bays, beaches and sediment dynamics.
Amber Mountain
Volcanism, water, forest and relief gradients.
Two kinds of tsingy
Erosion of weathered material at the Red Tsingy and limestone dissolution at Ankarana.
The Sambirano
River, alluvium, soils, farming and cocoa.
Nosy Be and Nosy Tanikely
Island geology, volcanic landforms and reef environments.
Main program: 12 days
Each day pairs a destination with an observation theme. Activities, physical level, logistics and fallback options are set out in the program sent on request.
Day 1Antananarivo
Day 1/Antananarivo
Click a stop to jump to its day.
Day02
Antsiranana, Three Bays
Coastal geomorphology and bay landscapes
Antsiranana bay and Nosy Lonjo
Day03
Emerald Sea
Lagoon, tides, reefs and sediments
Emerald Sea lagoon
Day04
Amber Mountain
Volcanism and forest hydrology
Waterfall, Amber Mountain
Day05
Red Tsingy → Ankarana
Differential erosion and weathered formations
Red Tsingy of Irodo
Day06
Ankarana → Ambanja
Limestone karst and underground drainage
Limestone blades, Ankarana
Day07
Sambirano, Ambanja
Alluvial soils and cocoa agroecosystems
Day08
Ankify → Nosy Be
From the mainland to the archipelago
Day09
Nosy Tanikely
Reefs and marine geomorphology
Day10
Nosy Be, Mount Passot
Island volcanism and local produce
Ampasipohy beach, Nosy Be
Day11
Nosy Be → Antananarivo
Presenting the scientific atlas
Day12
Antananarivo
Review and international departure
Optional extension, three extra days
From the western mangroves to the eastern gold deposits
The Ambilobe–Betsiaka extension fits in after Ankarana and before the Sambirano valley. It leads from the north-west of the Ambilobe area to Betsiaka in the east, and requires reorganising overnight stays and transfers.
| Added day | Area | Scientific content |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | Lower Mahavavy, western mangroves River hydrology, sedimentation, farmland plain and accessible mangroves | River hydrology, sedimentation, farmland plain and accessible mangroves |
| B2 | East of Ambilobe, Betsiaka Basement and cover, tectonic structures and the setting of gold deposits | Basement and cover, tectonic structures and the setting of gold deposits |
| B3 | Betsiaka, authorised sites Primary, eluvial and alluvial gold; artisanal mining and the environment | Primary, eluvial and alluvial gold; artisanal mining and the environment |
Please note
Deposits and mining sites are not guaranteed visits. Sites will be chosen after reconnaissance, agreement from rights holders and checks on access and safety conditions.
Five fields, led by geoscience
Geoscience is the main thread; four complementary fields help explain the role of water, substrates, living things and societies in shaping territories.
Lead field
Geoscience, mineralogy and palaeontology
Explore the history of rocks, landforms, sedimentary basins and mineralisation. Palaeontology may remain document-based.
In the North: Volcanoes, tsingy, gold.
Biodiversity, evolution and forest ecology
Observe adaptations, endemic species, rainforests and dry forests, and conservation.
In the North: Amber Mountain.
Marine science, oceanography and reefs
Read lagoons, tides, reefs, beaches, mangroves and coastal environments.
In the North: Emerald Sea, Nosy Tanikely.
Human sciences, anthropology and territorial economics
Understand local knowledge, trades, resource use and value chains.
In the North: Fishing, Ambilobe, cocoa.
Agronomy and local produce
Explore the links between water, soils, crops, agricultural supply chains and climate.
In the North: Sambirano, ylang-ylang.
Methods and expected outputs
- Mapping
- Station notebook
- Sketches of rocks and landforms
- Comparing the Red Tsingy and Ankarana
- Soil–water–cocoa profile
- Illustrated presentation at the end of the trip
No sampling is planned in the standard educational offer.
Logistics and practical information
The final offer sets out, for your group:
- The licensed guides and science communicators involved
- Vehicles and boats
- Maps, GPS and equipment
- Accommodation, to be confirmed
- Weather and air transport
- Fallback plans
Prices, flights and capacity are set in the quote.
Get the program or request a quote
Two separate requests depending on the length you choose: the 12-day northern program, or the 15-day northern extension.
Let’s plan your scientific expedition to Madagascar
Would you like to join one of our expeditions, organise a university trip or explore a field program tailored to your group? Tell us what you need: MDCBridge can prepare a proposal based on your goals, the format you want and the services that have been confirmed.
- contact@mdcbridge.mg
- Ground partner
- sifaka-voyages.com
Indicative programs: activities, access, transport, safety and support are adapted to field conditions and confirmed in the final offer.