The Vanilla Coast: Sambava-Antalaha-Vohemar-Andapa
Antalaha
This fishing village in the southern part of the Vanilla Coast still lives to the rhythm of its swinging pirogues 
and only received a few schooners and trading ships when settlers from the island of Réunion, seduced by the hot and humid climate, introduced vanilla cultivation at the end of the 19th century.
This “brown gold”, which plays an essential role in national exports, has made Antalaha the economic center of the Northeast.
Agricultural projects, trading port, regional market: Antalaha attracts Merina, Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Chinese, and Indian populations. It is a pleasant, green, and flowery city that.
For many months of the year, the air in Vanille is filled with the scent of vanilla.
Ankavanana and Ankavia Valley
In these valleys that penetrate deep into the heart of the primary forest, vanilla cultivation covers nearly 3,000 hectares. Visiting these immense plantations is the subject of organized excursions.
Ampahanasee (20 km north of Antalaha, on the road to Sambava).
Its waterfowl – teal, wild geese, pochards – and crocodiles have made it a meeting point for hunters in the region.
Vanilla Games
Every year during the vanilla harvest season, the Antalaha Vanilla Athletic Games (JAVA) bring together farm workers, fishermen, and city dwellers.
After the sporting events, the lively rhythms of Salegy, Oasta-Oatsa and… Malesa is a city in a festive mood until dawn.
Sambava (80 km north of Antalaha)
Sambava remains an important center for vanilla production, coconut, wood, coffee, and other agricultural resources that contribute to its development and that of the region, not to mention the gold, amethysts, and sapphires found in its subsoil.
The humid tropical climate makes the small port city at the foot of the Marojejy Massif appear like a garden with intoxicating scents.
The Sambava Estuary separates the city center in. South of the popular district of Antaimby with its shops, small restaurants, and hotels.
At the bustling market on Tuesdays, you can enjoy the seasonal fruits (persimmons, mangoes, pineapples) and buy fabrics, handicrafts, spices, rum, and of course vanilla pods.
Marojejy Integral Nature Reserve
(90 km from Sambava, northeast of Andapa)
The crystalline massif of Marojejy (2,137 m), rising in its chains east of Tsaratanana, is a wildlife sanctuary.
Its layered vegetation, representative of the wetlands of the east, is home to wildlife. Many bird, reptile, and mammal species can be found in the reserve, including the Diademed Sifaka. Access to the reserve requires a special permit from ANGAP.
Climbing the massif requires a three-day tour starting from Maroambihy; it is advisable to be accompanied by a local guide, as the terrain and humidity make progress difficult.
Vanilla Pods Cooperative for Vanilla (north of the city)
A visit to the plantations is a must to appreciate the meticulous patience required to care for vanilla plants and artificially pollinate their flowers.
After drying the pods outdoors, the cooperative’s employees sort the pods by size. The bundles.
Our coconuts are packed in metal boxes lined with greaseproof paper.
Before the boxes are hermetically sealed for export, an inspector sniffs each bundle to remove any “defective” pods.
Coconut plantation of Soavoanio, “Le Bon Cocotier” (On the way to Antalaha)
This 35,000 ha plantation is bustling with activity. A hybrid, a cross between the dwarf coconut from Malaysia and the coconut from Africa, is grown here.
Coconuts are harvested year-round, but especially from late June to early September.
While some farm workers castrate the male flowers of the dwarf coconut trees, others carry out the various processing stages: crushing the fruit.
Drying and extracting the kernel to obtain copra oil.
The Beaches of Sambava
The immediate surroundings of Sambava are not very suitable for swimming in the sea…
The most beautiful beach in the region is Ampadrozonanana, located 3 km south, but if you want to go windsurfing, water skiing, or fishing in a pirogue, you will prefer the calm waters of the lakes Antamoty and Andohabe near the village of Antohomaro, located 9 km south of Sambava.
Andapa
Located 110 km southwest of Sambava, this place is situated in a fertile basin with steep edges, the rice bowl of the North, where coffee and vanilla are also produced.
In September-October, When rainfall is scarce, you can follow the small paths that have been created in the forest between Andapa and the banks of the rivers Adranofotsy or Antainambalana, in order to then reach Maroantsetra by pirogue. Other routes connect Andrakata, the last village before Andapa, to Antsambalahy, in the heart of Ankavana, from where you can reach Antalaha by dugout canoe or bush taxi. These expeditions, reserved for athletes, require five to eight days and a good local guide.
Vohémar
The RN 5A connects Sambava to Vohémar (155 km north), another city with the scent of vanilla, which is located at the following URL: https://www.urlaub-auf-madagaskar.com/ambilobe-nach-sambava/.
Settled at the bottom of a beautiful bay.
Not far from there, archaeologists have excavated a huge necropolis dating back to the 13th to 16th centuries, testifying to the existence of a flourishing trading post.
In Vohémar, the RN 5A veers away from the coast to reach Ambilobe – a challenging route that can sometimes be impossible during the rainy season.
River Escapades
From Nosiarina, about 20 km north of Sambava, you can take a pirogue up the Bemarivo River to Amboangibe, a small village surrounded by coffee plantations.
Experience a delightful cruise in the heart of lush vegetation populated by birds, chameleons, and snakes.
Ships transporting coffee to the coast are happy to welcome tourists on board. The return journey can be done on the same route or along the river (30 km), or a similar route can be taken on the Lokoho between Farahalana (24 km south of Sambava) and Marojala.
