Canoeing on the Manambolo River from Highlands to Bemarahas Tsingy

This flagship and adventure tour of our agency, proposes you the discovery of a region still little known, located in the west of Madagascar “The Menabe”. Whether for immersion in the volcanic landscapes of Lake Itasy, natural dam formed by its craters. Hiking through the Bongolova massif with its rock formations of “Lavaka”. Finally, continue the canoeing down the Manambolo river that winds through this wild region where extends as far as the eye can see the imposing massif of Bemaraha and its famous “Tsingy”.

Leader on this tour that we entirely created and that we continue to develop for more than 15 years. We offer all the appropriate logistics, such as the training of guides and boatmen to ensure maximum comfort and safety. This tour will introduce you to our vision of sharing and solidarity tourism.

Possible extension:
• Stay in Belo/mer
• The coastal track to Tulear
• Return to Antananarivo by road or by plane.

  • Itineraries
  • Dates and prices
  • Notes

  • Day 1

    • ANTANANARIVO
    • AMPEFY (lac Itasy)
    • about 0 h
    • 295 km about 5.3 h
    • TSIROANOMANDIDY
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    Departure from Antananarivo by the western road to reach Ampefy, a small peaceful town in the region of Itasy on a background of volcanic landscapes. We can admire all along the road small villages and traditional houses thatched roofs, rice terraces ... and finally reach the Great Lake Itasy. Then, a visit and hiking to discover this region. Then we take the road to the municipality of Tsiroanomandidy where we meet convoys of zebu carts that bring their crops to the big market. In fact, this region living mainly from cattle breeding
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • ANTANANARIVO
        Breakfast included

  • Day 2

    • TSIROANOMANDIDY
    • about 0 h
    • about 5.3 h
    • BONGOLAVA
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    We take a trail through a landscape of hills and valleys before reaching the village of Beamboaty in the middle of an orange grove. Then we sink into the wild massif of Bongolava or only a few collectors dare to venture, a typical Menabe landscape with its glowing ocher colors that have earned its name to Madagascar, the Red Island. In the afternoon we reach the western slope of the Massif which dominates the great plains where winds the Manambolo river. We finish with a short walk of 30 minutes to reach our bivouac at the edge of a waterfall.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • TSIROANOMANDIDY
        Breakfast included

  • Day 3

    • BONGOLAVA
    • 2.3 to 3 h
    • AKAVANDRA
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    With our porters we go down the massif to reach the village of Ankavandra (3h). This is the starting point for our canoe trip down the Manambolo River. Boatmen, cooks, all of them are from this village and have all been trained by our agency. They will be happy to help you discover this small town. In the afternoon, after the traditional "fomba" (ritual of the inhabitants of this region to bring good luck and wish good navigation to the travelers), we begin our navigation. The canoe convoys stretches, being guided by the current. By the late afternoon, camping on the sand banks.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • AKAVANDRA
        Breakfast at the camp

  • Day 4 and Day 5

    • CANOE TRIP ALONG THE RVIER
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    The course of the river is lost in its sand bed, and requires us to follow the boatmen who tell us the channel to follow. Tightening sometimes between two hills, the river runs along small cliffs from which springs clear water. Fishermen propose us their fishes. Here and there, crops on the silt are visible on the banks. The whole life of the river unfolds before our eyes, with the languid rhythm of nature and the current that carries us away. The landscape changes as the Bemaraha massif approaches. We enter the foothills of the mountain. The houses are disappearing gradually. We enter the Bemarahas Canyon.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • CANOE TRIP ALONG THE RVIER
        Breakfast included

  • Day 6

    • 3 to 4 h
    • CANOE TRIP
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    In the morning we explore a canyon drowned in lush vegetation in the middle of a karstic landscape. Its stream has dug a succession of natural pools and its fresh and clear water invites us to swim and relax. In the afternoon we resume our canoes and our progress is in the impressive silence canyons of an impressive height up to 80m or resonate the cries of parrots and where it is possible to catch sight of the famous vazimbas tombs, ancestors of the people of Madagascar. We finally reach our camp "Camp Croco" on the bank of the river under the shade of mango trees.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • CANOE TRIP
        Breakfast included

  • Day 7

    • BEKOPAKA
    • 3 to 5 h
    • about 5 h
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    In 4X4 we leave to discover an exceptional site, the "Tsingy du Bemaraha", national park classified World Heritage by UNESCO covering 72 340ha including 90 varieties of birds, and a dozen species of reptiles and a dozen species of lemurs. It is a veritable labyrinth of crevasses, canyons, caves, dominated by fantastic sharp limestone peaks. Passage through a suspension bridge, to reach the lookouts that offer incomparable views on unique and dazzling landscapes on the roof of the Tsingys. Back in the afternoon and visit the small village of Bekopaka.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo
      • BEKOPAKA
        Breakfast included

  • Day 8

    • BEKOPAKA
    • about 8 h
    • MORONDAVA
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    By the track we take the direction of Belo sur Tsiribihina located at a hundred kilometers from Morondava town. The first kilometers of track cross a dry forest then a grassy savannah dotted with small villages typical of the region of Menabe. In Belo awaits you a folk and animated ferry crossing the river Tsiribihina. We continue by the track to Morondava through the famous "Baobabs Alley" at sunset. A show not to be missed especially for amateur photographers. Arrival in the evening.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dîner
    • Accomodation
    • Activity
    • Photo

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