The descent of the Tsiribihina and the Tsingy of Bemaraha

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  From Antananarivo to Antsirabe, the Malagasy Highlands

  Early departure heading south via the RN7. The city of Antsirabe is located 170 km from the capital. We cross the picturesque landscapes of the Central Highlands, taking a winding road bordered by mosaics of various crop fields and terraced rice paddies.

• day 2

  Heading west, from the Highlands to Miandrivazo and to the Tsiribihina river.

  We head West. We cross a succession of villages nestled in rich valleys surrounded by extinct volcanoes. In Betafo, we will take the time to stroll through the village and its surroundings. The region is rich, prosperous. The very abundant water encourages a wide variety of crops on very fertile land. The perched villages are made up of red brick houses with thatched roofs. We continue our journey towards Miandrivazo. Gradually, we leave the Highlands to reach the Bongolava region. The steppe undulates over a landscape of endless hills. The small villages are isolated on much less generous land. At the end of the day, we descend into the great depression where the Tsiribihina river flows. The small town of Miandrivazo is nestled at the foot of the Bongolava foothills.

• day 3

  First day of navigation on the Mahajilo river, then on the Tsiribihana river.

  We board our dugout canoes not far from Miandrivazo, at Masiemkampy. The first strokes of the paddle are on the Mahajilo river, draining the waters of the Highlands, to the west of Antananarivo. This tributary joins powerful rivers coming from the Antsirabe region, Ambositra, and the northern part of the Makay massif. All these waterways form this river, which then takes the name Tsiribihina, "the one where you do not dive".

• day 4

  The life of the Tsiribihina river

  We are now sailing on the river which, 100 km further west, flows into the Mozambique Channel through a wide delta, 80 km north of Morondava. The navigation is calm, peaceful. We have time to savor this unique world that develops around the rivers. The villages, the people, the children pass before our eyes, call out to us, laugh, and go about their daily activities. The river is still, wide, and in some places, it can be nearly a kilometer across. The riverbanks are lush. We observe a specific aquatic and terrestrial fauna there, as well as flora characteristic of western Madagascar. Wide sandy beaches welcome us to sleep. Life and encounters are present everywhere. Crocodiles, very numerous, bask in the sun on the banks. Myriads of birds animate the sky and, on land, we occasionally come across chameleons, tortoises, and surely lemurs.

• day 5

  Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, end of navigation, then track to the Tsingy of Bemaraha.

  At the end of the morning, we dock not far from Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. The trail, due north, allows us to reach the Manambolo river and the village of Bekopaka. The Bemahara National Park opens its doors to us for a spectacular discovery of the Tsingy.

• day 6

  Discovering the Tsingy of Bemaraha

  We dedicate an entire day to discovering this unique environment. About twenty kilometers north of the village, routes have been set up in the limestone cathedrals, allowing you to hike safely inside and on top of the Tsingy. The interweaving of fractures and limestone blades sculpted by erosion is spectacular. Through canyons with lush vegetation, then dry vegetation on the limestone slabs, passing through labyrinths and fissures, we will reach the Roof of the "Tsingy." Return to the village at the end of the day.

• day 7

  Morondava via the Avenue of the Baobabs.

  Early in the morning, we get back on the road towards Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. After crossing the river by ferry, we reach the Avenue of the Baobabs and its unique spectacle at sunset. Morondava is the end of this stage.