Canoe trip on the Manambolo

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Antananarivo – Ampefy - Tsiroanomandidy

  Departure for Lake Ampefy, to the west of Antananarivo. Crossing the volcanic and hilly landscapes of the Itasy region. Short walking excursion along the lake. Lunch, then drive towards Tsiroanomandidy where we pass convoys of zebu carts transporting their harvests to the big market. Overnight in an inn.

• day 2

  Tsiroanomandidy – Bongolava

  We take a trail that crosses a landscape of hills and valleys before reaching the village of Beamboaty, in the middle of an orange grove. Then, we venture into the wild Bongolava massif where only a few collectors dare to go. In the afternoon, we reach the western slope of the massif, which overlooks the great plains where the Manambolo river winds. We finish with a short 30-minute walk to reach our bivouac at the edge of a waterfall.

• day 3

  Hiking – Ankavandra – Canoes

  With our porters, we descend from the massif to reach the village of Ankavandra (3h). This is the starting point of our canoe descent. The pirogue drivers and cooks, all from this village, will be delighted to help you discover it. In the afternoon, after the traditional "fomba" (ritual), we begin our navigation. The convoy of canoes stretches out, letting itself be guided by the current. At the end of the day, bivouac on the sandy banks.

• day 4

  Canoe descent

  The course of the river is lost in its sandy bed and forces us to follow the boatmen, who show us the channel to take. Sometimes narrowing between two hills, the river runs along small cliffs from which clear water springs emerge. Fishermen offer us their fish. Here and there, crops on the silt are visible on the banks. All the life of the river unfolds before our eyes, to the languid rhythm of nature and the current that carries us away. Bivouac on the sandy banks.

• day 5

  Canoe descent

  We continue our journey. The landscape changes as we approach the Bemaraha massif. We enter the foothills of the mountain. The houses gradually disappear. We are in the Bemaraha gorges, where lusher vegetation clings to the steep walls. Bivouac on the sandy banks.

• day 6

  Arrival at Bekopaka

  In the morning, we explore on foot a canyon submerged in vegetation. Its stream has carved out a succession of natural pools and its clear water invites us for a swim. In the afternoon, we get back into our canoes and our journey continues in the impressive silence of the gorges where the cries of parrots echo. We reach our campsite "Camp Croco" on the riverbank, hidden under the mango trees.

• day 7

  Bekopaka

  By 4x4, we set out to explore one of the most unusual sites: the "Tsingy de Bemaraha" (a UNESCO World Heritage site). It is a truly magical labyrinth of crevasses, gorges, and caves, dominated by sharp limestone peaks: the "Tsingy de Bemaraha." A must-see is the suspension bridge, with viewpoints offering dazzling panoramas over the top of the Tsingy. Return in the afternoon and visit the small village of Bekopaka. Overnight at Camp Croco.

• day 8

  Bekopaka – Morondava

  By the track, we head towards Belo sur Tsiribihina. The first kilometers of track cross a dry forest, then a grassy savannah dotted with small villages. In Belo, a folkloric crossing by ferry of the Tsiribihina river, then we continue by track to Morondava, passing by the famous "Avenue of the Baobabs" at sunset. Arrival in the evening.