Madagascar is big and there is a lot to see, if you are in a hurry and want to see many different things (what I would not recommend), a possible programme could as follows : First long week (8-10 days) - go South : Antsirabe, Ambositra , (visit Zafimaniry region) Ranomafana (rain forest), Mananjary (Pangalanes waterway) , Manakara ( take the old train) Fianarantsoa, Ranohira (N.P. Isalo), Tulear , spend 2 days at Ifaty lagoon. Option : From here, if you like adventure, then go to Fort Dauphin, along the south coast, crossing the deep South (Antandroy region)- 5 days. Second week - if you don't go the the South : drive from Tular to Morondava (along the Mozambique coast), Belo /Tsiribihina, cross the river, Bekopaka, visit Tsingys. Back to Atananarivo by plane. Third week : flight to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Joffreville, Montagne d'Ambre, N.P. Ankarana, Ambilobe, Ankify, cross to Nosy Be. Another possibility is to spend some nice days in Nosy Boraha (Sainte Marie), instead of Nosy be which is well known but not so nice. If you can affort it : spend some rest days at Nosy Tsarabanjina (by boat from Hellville/Nosy Be)!

It si a big country, which is indeed difficult to travel. ile de ste marie is fantastic, take a motorcycle and drive around the island. in the right season (aug-oct) you will see loads of whales with their calfs! Libertalia is a great place to stay there. Andasibe and Mantadia National parks, both full of lemurs (you will wake up from teh call of indri indri). Mantadia is the nicest, as you will not bump into big groups of tourists.

Delphine, Madagascar is my favourite country. SO many places to see and such great variety. Here are some of my big highlights to suggest in 3 weeks. Ranomafana and surrounding rainforest...lush forest, huge ferns nad great night hikes looking for wildlife. Andringitra...out of the way and not visited by as many tourists, the best hiking in Madagascar IMO. The "Tsingy de Bemaraha" - limestone karsts that have been eroded away. Very popular and easy to get to is Isalo National Park. IT wasn't my favourite but you'll see great vegetation like "elephant foot" plants. Baobab Alley is probably one of the most photographed spots in the country too, and worth it...although expect to be hassled for money by people there. For some good seafood I would suggest somewhere near Morondava on the west coast, but it may not be easy to get to for you...the norther bit of the island is popular for Vanilla and the Montagne d'Ambree park is worth a visit. If you want some time to chill out and relax then Nosy Be is the island to do that, it is in the north of Madagascar. A remote park I plan to visit next time is Masoala .. but in 2-3 weeks that will not be possible for you. Have fun...!

2-3 weeks is not long, so pick one area with lots of variety. Morondave and the environs may be a good choice.

Even with that amount of time, try to keep your itinerary limited. Moving around can be very tedious...but that's half the adventure!

Best hotel: Anjajavy L'hotel