Diego-Ambanja-Diego by bike

The route between Diego and Ambanja is suitable for biking anytime of the year, even at times when the road is in a bad condition as it often is during the rainy season between December and April, which is when the landscapes are the greenest.

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Diego to Antsalaka

Start early, ideally around 6am to avoid many passing cars and trucks between warehouses and factories along the stretch between Diego and Arrachart Airport. Thereafter, traffic along the RN6 gradually becomes less frequent.

Passing the French Mountain on the left the route is consistently but not steep uphill. After 60km, at the sign to Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre, turn right from RN6 and continue 6km to Antsalaka where accommodation can be found after another 1.5km of mostly walking trail leading to West Valley Lodge - a farm with countless flowers and naturally organic fruits and vegetables offering accommodation since 2019.

Alternatively, stay on RN6 and continue for 13km of mostly uphill biking to Anivorano Nord where accommodation at La Reine d'Ankarana is the best available option in town.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 7:44 AM EAT
Distance: 42.4 miles
Duration: 10 hours, 39 minutes, and 22 seconds
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Minimum Elevation: 168 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1920 feet
Total climb: 3065 feet
Total descent: 1337 feet

Antsalaka to Ambilobe

Again, an early start is recommended to avoid the heat of the day for much of the ride which starts with an uphill stretch to Anivorano Nord. Beautiful scenery all along the way.

Among various villages you will pass through the gem-trading village of Ambondromifehy.

About one to two hours later you will reach the main entrance for Ankarana National Park and shortly thereafter a high point with amazing views towards Ambilobe and the coast from where a loooooooong downhill stretch follows.

There are few good accommodation directly in the centre of Ambilobe. The two best options are Noor Hotel and Hotel National.

Monday, April 1, 2019 6:32 AM EAT
Distance: 50.7 miles
Duration: 9 hours, 13 minutes, and 48 seconds
Average Speed: 5.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 101 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1900 feet
Total climb: 1168 feet
Total descent: 2952 feet

Ambilobe to Ambanja

As usual, but especially today, an early start is recommended, partly as it's best to get out of the city before most of the traffic starts and partly because the longest stretch of any day lay ahead.

Close to Ambilobe there are cashew tree plantations and shortly after leaving town numerous farmers selling freshly roasted cashews are offered in small stalls along the roadside. Each tin-can full of cashew will cost 5,000 Ar (2019).

A nice lunch restaurant named Relax's Garden can be found at S 13°29.605' E048°39.358'. However, there are usually not many guests here and so if you want something specially prepared, call Mme Mariamo at 032 34 397 49 to place an advance order when you leave in the morning or in the evening before. Alternatively, a popular truck-stop restaurant where there's always something in the pot can be found a few kilometres further on the left side of the road.

The best hotel in Ambanja is unquestionably Palma Nova which offer room categories in budget categories from dorms, through rooms with shared bathroom to doubles with en-suite bathroom. The informal bar and restaurant is open during breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's easy to get lazy and spend a few days here after a long bike ride.

Before reaching the crossroad town of Madirofolo it's possible to take a shortcut by turning right onto the zebu cart route at 13°37'32.5"S 48°28'15.5"E and avoid much of the traffic along the final stretch into Ambanja. This route leads through cacao plantations parallel to the main road. However, during times of much rainfall the route gets quite muddy and is not ideal by bike. Then just continue a bit further and turn left at Madirofolo.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 6:17 AM EAT
Distance: 64.4 miles
Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes, and 55 seconds
Average Speed: 5.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 43 feet
Maximum Elevation: 177 feet
Total climb: 596 feet
Total descent: 647 feet

Ambanja to Ankify

For those who have not yet been up and down the Sambirano it would be the best area to explore by bike further. Or to complete a coast-to-coast bike trip, continue onto Ankify and from there a few kilometres to Ankify-Doany, a small fishing village with a nice beach and view onto Nosy Komba. The distance back and forth can easily be completed in a day or less.

From Palma Nova, part of the route through the cacao plantation is unquestionably the most beautiful but which can get a bit tricky here and there during rainy periods.

Sunday, October 14, 2018 10:19 AM EAT
Distance: 13.5 miles
Duration: -32 minutes and -24 seconds
Average Speed: -8.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 79 feet
Maximum Elevation: 79 feet
Total climb: 0 feet
Total descent: 0 feet