Madagascar Cruises

Nestled near the northern tip of Madagascar, this mountainous park rises out of the drier surrounding landscape, has a cool climate and some wonderfully distinct scenery.

Taking its name from the resin that is found in the local trees, it is said to hold medicinal qualities and is still used by the local Malagasy people. Waterfalls, rainforests and volcaniclakes surround you, alongside an impressive level of biodiversity and plenty of endemic species of flora and fauna.

This sandstone formation made of small sandstone needles, formed and changed during land and mudslides after heavy rain are one of Madagascar’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Located about 65km southeast of Diego, the pinnacles are made of laterite, an iron dioxide-rich soil with an intense red brick colour. The landscape is constantly changing with old needles eroding and new ones appearing from beneath, so, as an erosion monument, Tsingy Rouge is a constantly changing phenomenon.

Madagascar is a paradise of endemic wildlife and the world's greatest biodiversity hotspot. From curious lemurs to colourful chameleons, there are plenty of fascinating species within reach of Hell-Ville at sites such as Lokobe National Park.

Ylang-ylang is a wildflower commonly grown on Madagascar’s many plantations and praised for its sweet-smelling aroma, which is used in aromatherapy. The long tradition of extracting ylang-ylang's perfume was popularised in the West by Chanel in 1921.

The highest viewpoint on Nosy Be, Mont Passot stands at nearly 4,000 metres in height. En route from Hell-Ville to Mont Passot are several crater lakes, which are home to Nile crocodiles. These can be captured in all their glory from the summit.