This journey through western Madagascar will take you across the rolling highlands covered with terraced rice fields to the heart of the great West. Descend the Tsiribihina River by pirogue, hike in the Tsingy of Bemaraha, and travel by 4×4 on coastal tracks along the great Andavadaoka lagoon on a truly authentic itinerary.
Itinerary :
Flight to Antananarivo.
Drive to Antsirabe. Crossing the highland: vast expanses of terraced rice fields and small traditional villages. Stop in Ambatolampy, the city of artisanal foundries, to visit a small workshop where aluminum pots are made. Arrival in Antsirabe at the end of the morning, visit the city and its market, and meet local artisans. Then, continue into the rural countryside of the Highlands.
In the morning, you will set off on a hike through the rolling countryside of the Highlands (approx. 3 hours’ walk).
Small-scale farming is very developed here, with terraced rice fields and vegetable gardens. In the afternoon, you will head west towards the vast rolling savannah plains, arriving in Miandrivazo on the banks of the Tsiribihina River at the end of the day.
Early in the morning, transfer by bush taxi to the village of Masekapy. Then, you will board traditional pirogues (1 pirogue operator and 2 people per pirogue) and sail down the river for 3 days. Cross the Bemaraha Gorges and walk to a waterfall and natural pools in the heart of lush nature where lemurs live. The descent of the river continues and will be punctuated by short walks to discover the villages nestled above the river and meet the villagers. On the last day, you will cross the Menabe coastal plain to reach the village of Tsaraotana.
You will board a motorized bush barge to reach the village of Belo sur Tsiribihina and your 4x4s. You will arrive mid-morning in this lively village with its small river port. You will continue along small tracks through dry forests and vast savannahs to the Tsingy du Bemaraha, near the village of Bekopaka.
Explore the National Park and visit the Great Tsingy of Bemaraha. Covering an area of 150,000 hectares, this nature reserve is Madagascar’s largest protected area and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. You will discover an exceptional geological formation, consisting of a succession of sharp limestone peaks, sculpted by wind and water, which rise up to 60 m high. Hike in the park for about 4 hours
Return to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina in the morning. After a “folkloric” crossing of the Tsiribihina River by ferry, you will continue towards Morondava on a track that crosses large dry forests. You will reach the famous “Avenue of the Baobabs” at sunset. Arrival in the evening.
New trails through the savannah, forests of octopus trees, and salt ponds along the mangroves, before reaching the villages of Ankevo: these are charming villages known for their small artisanal shipyards that build wooden schooners… The villagers are farmers (mainly rice), zebu breeders, fishermen… In the afternoon, meet and chat with the villagers… discover their activities.
Full day with the Sakalava-Vezo… Morning: excursion and introduction to fishing in local pirogues with Sakalava-Vezo fishermen, snorkeling, relaxation, swimming… Afternoon: walking tour in the forest to discover the agricultural life of the villagers… Visit schools, meet village schoolchildren
You will resume the trail towards the fishing village of Belo sur Mer: visit the village and its small shipyard where traditional schooners and dhows are built, and meet and chat with the Vezos fishermen. Lunch on your own in Belo-sur-mer, then back on the trail. Your journey will be punctuated by stops in small Sakalava villages. You will reach Manja, a large village in the heart of the bush, at the end of the day.
Early departure. Cross the Bevoay River on a traditional ferry before crossing a rice-growing plain. Continue along a track that winds its way through the savannah, where each village surrounded by rice fields brings a touch of greenery. At the end of the morning, you will arrive at the coast and the small Sakalava town of Morombe. You continue along the track in the afternoon and the scenery changes. The sandy track winds along the banks of mangrove forests, where baobabs and octopus trees grow on small islands of land. Arrival in the afternoon at the fishing village of Andavadoaka..
In the morning, visit the fishing village… Then continue along the sandy coastline and its immense turquoise blue lagoon. You will pass through a few small fishing villages perched on sand dunes. Stop for a swim and a picnic lunch on the beach along the way. You will arrive in Ifaty in the late afternoon.