Expedition in VEZO dugout canoes

Madagascar, discover this 10-day trip

Trip Description

The plane allows us to reach Tulear, from where we sail south for a week to reach Morombe. This is the land of the "Vezo," the ethnic group of nomadic fishermen who travel in outrigger canoes. Their existence is tied to the sea and their social and cultural aspects are fascinating. They are true sons of the sea, while the other fishermen, who have remained sedentary, live on land. For the Vezo, the sea is life itself. The sea provides for the entire existence of the Vezo, and everything they lack is supplied by the inland villages with which they trade. For the Vezo, a canoe (lakana) is both a tool for feeding themselves, a means of transport, and, for the nomads, a tent (sail and masts in the shape of a tipi). The Vezo canoe, carved from a trunk of light fibers, is equipped with a square sail and a single outrigger, which indicates the Indonesian origin of the ethnic group. The route follows the lagoon, sheltered from the big waves and the swell of the open sea. It stretches over 200 km of our journey and allows for jubilant sailing! A festival of corals, fish, canoes, and encounters, all joyful! "Air Madagascar" flight to Tulear, where we sail for a week to reach Morombe. Here is the land of the nomadic fishermen "Vezo" who travel by outrigger canoe. Their existence is closely linked to the sea and their social and cultural characteristics are fascinating. Some are true nomads of the sea, the other remaining fishermen have settled. For the Vezo, the sea is life itself. The sea provides for the entire existence of the Vezo, and everything they lack is supplied by the inland villages with which they trade. For the Vezo, an outrigger canoe (lakana) is both a tool for feeding themselves, a means of transport, and a nomadic tent (sail and mast in the shape of a tipi). The Vezo canoe, carved from a tree trunk of light fibers, has a square sail and a single outrigger, which indicates the Indonesian origin of the ethnic group. The route follows the lagoon, protected from the big waves of the sea. It extends over 200 km of our journey and allows for glorious sailing! Festival of coral, fish, canoe, and encounters, all joyful!

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1
Tuléar - Mangily
Welcome at the airport and transfer to Mangily to the hotel-bungalows "on the beach". The hotel-bungalow is ideally set under a filao forest. The restaurant terrace offers an extraordinary sunset to the south of the Mozambique Channel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight in bungalows ("comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC). Transfer distance by 4x4: 60 km – duration: +/- 1h30.
day 2
Mangily
Depending on the tide, you go out in the morning for an introduction to sea kayaking, paddling, and sailing. Excursion in a Vezo canoe and snorkeling in the Ankaranjelita marine protected area: Sea Rose Garden. Lunch in the village, return by canoe. Visit to the baobab and tortoise reserve. Dinner and night "on the beach". Night in rooms and bungalows ("comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and toilet).
day 3
Mangily - Tsiandamba
This first major canoe trip is superb, as you have to follow the lagoon along the large Ankaranjelita pass, then follow the outer barrier for longer, before entering the large lagoon after the river mouth, heading towards Fiserenamasay. You then sail northeast at low tide. The arrival at the Vezo village is spectacular, with children gathered on the beach who shout, sing, and run towards the foreigners. Dinner and overnight in bungalows at Tsiandamba, in the heart of a typical Vezo village to discover. Overnight in bungalows ("rustic" category DBL or family, with bathroom and WC outside). Vezo canoe: duration: +/- 5h00
day 4
Tsiandamba in Ambatomiloa
Departure from Tsiandamba to reach Ambatomiloa by sailing pirogue in the lagoon. Picnic on the way. Snorkeling south of the coral reef. Extraordinary view of the sea from the promontory terrace. Night in bungalows ("Comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC). Meals: lunch / dinner Vezo pirogue: +/- 3h00, depending on the weather.
day 5
Ambatomiloha at the Bay of Assassins
Departure from Ambatomiloa to reach the Bay of Assassins by sailing outrigger canoe in the lagoon. The stage is done in Vezo outrigger canoes. At Antsepoka, you have to leave the lagoon in front of the "Bay of Assassins" for a breathtaking spectacle that fades among the rollers, which the Vezos know how to master skillfully. The Bay of Assassins owes its name to the wrecks of galleons from the 15th and 16th centuries. The tide determines the travel times and it is possible that we will have to get up early. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Overnight in bungalows ("rustic" category DBL or family, with bathroom and WC outside). Time in canoe: +/- 3h00, depending on weather conditions. Departure from Ambatomiloa to reach the Bay of Assassins by sailing outrigger canoe in the lagoon. Dinner and overnight camping. Overnight camping. Meals: picnic / dinner. Sea kayaking: +/- 6h00, depending on the weather.
day 6
Antsepoka - Andavadoaka
When the tide allows, we return to the spectacular pass to slip among the delegates who watch them skillfully master navigation. The tide determines the travel times and we may have to get up early. If luck is with us, we will see sea turtles, as the place serves as a nesting site. Picnic upon arrival at Andavadoaka, snorkeling, then visit to the village of Andavadoaka. Vezo pirogue: +/- 2h00, depending on weather conditions. The stage takes place entirely in outrigger pirogues and consists of leaving the lagoon in front of the "Bay of Assassins" for a show of the pass that winds through the rollers that the Vezos skillfully master. The Bay of Assassins owes its name to the shipwrecks of the galleons of the 15th and 16th centuries. The weather determines the travel times and we may have to get up early. Picnic on the beach, snorkeling, then visit to the village of Andavadoaka. Dinner and overnight at "Coco-plage". Night in bungalows ("Comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC). Meals: lunch / dinner Vezo pirogue: +/- 3h00, depending on the weather.
day 7
Andavadoaka
A trip to Andavadoaka to deeply discover the village that represents the identity of the Vezo: fishing and snorkeling at the edge of the pirogues, balancing on the lake with us, the Vezos, and a night in bungalows at "Coco-beach" (or similar). Dinner facing the sunset over the Mozambique Channel. The visit to Andavadoaka allows you to closely observe the ancient traditions and unique customs of the Vezo. Family events are close to us. Night in bungalows ("comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC). Vezo pirogue: +/- 3h00, depending on weather conditions.
day 8
Andavadoaka - Bevato - Morombe
Departure from Andavadoaka by Vezo pirogue in the lagoon to the Vezo village of Bevato (17 km), passing by the deserted island of Nosy-Ve. The village has nothing. Then continue to Morombe, passing by the island of Nosy-Ratafanika and its Vezo village among the baobabs. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Overnight in bungalows ("comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC). Vezo pirogue: +/- 5h00, depending on weather conditions.
day 9
Morombe - Mangily
Car transfer after the track to reach Mangily. The journey allows us to observe the bush landscape (euphorbias of the dry forests) and its rubrostipa baobabs, local Mikeas, last representatives of the Bantu ancestors. They are hunter-gatherers, the living caches of the spiny forest, and they are very fearful. Picnic en route. Swimming in the afternoon. Night in rooms and bungalows ("Comfort" category DBL or TWN with bathroom and WC) Meals: Picnic / Dinner 4x4 transfer distance: 100 km - duration: +/- 6h00
day 10
Mangily - Tulear
End of our services: you will see Tulear or the airport, at the time of the return flight to Tana.