People of the West

The people in the West are very attached to their culture. They are breeders, coupled with good farmers. This trip will immerse you completely in a cultural bath that will help you understand the “fomba” of the Masikoro, Vezo, Sakalava, Mahafaly, and other peoples who make up the strength of the West.
You will dive into the heart of their daily lives. The Vezo and Sakalava will teach you how to fish again, you will work with the Masikoro… Each meeting and experience will help you to better understand their way of life.

Itineraries
Dates and prices
Notes

Day 1
- ANTANANARIVO
Arrival in Antananarivo, personalized welcome by our team and transfer.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- ANTANANARIVO
  
  Lunch not included
- ANTANANARIVO
  
  Dinner included
- ANTANANARIVO
  
  Chalet des Roses
  
  Tamboho
Day 2
- ANTANANARIVO
- ANTSIRABE
- 195 km about 4 h
- BETAFO
Departure for Antsirabe 170 km from Antananarivo. Crossing highland landscapes along a winding road lined with small waterfalls extending the view over terraced rice paddies. We pass by Ambatolampy the city of artisanal foundries: visit a small factory of aluminium pots. Arrival in the afternoon. Visit of the city, craftsmen working the zebus horn... Lunch. In the early afternoon, we continue to the village of Manandona in the heart of the rural countryside. Dinner and overnight stay with local people.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- BETAFO
  
  Lunch not included
- BETAFO
  
  Dinner included
- BETAFO
  
  Inhabitant\'s Lodging
Day 3
- 3 to 4 h
- BETAFO
We leave for a walking tour in the rural countryside of Vakinakaritra. We cross the rice fields and the small villages typical of the region. Visit of small village schools and schoolchildren. Meeting with the farmers of the highlands who will introduce you to their culture and daily life...
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- BETAFO
  
  Picnic included
- BETAFO
  
  Dinner included
- BETAFO
  
  Inhabitant\'s Lodging
Day 4
- BETAFO
- MIANDRIVAZO
- 230 km about 6 h
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
Early in the morning, on the way to the West and its large hilly expanses covered with savannah to reach Miandrivazo on the banks of the river Tsiribihina in the morning then transfer to the bush port. We board a motor boat or we start our navigation on the Tsiribihina river. Observation of the water birds that inhabit the banks of the river. Lunch on board and in the evening bivouac on the banks.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Picnic included
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Dinner included
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Bivouac
Day 5
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
Continuation of the descent. Crossing the Bemaraha gorges, discovering the natural pools on foot followed by a short walk to a waterfall in the heart of a lush natural setting where some lemur families live... Small hiking excursions to meet the local population and discover the region's typical villages. Crossing of tobacco plantations and baobab forests. Meal and night in bivouac on the banks of the river.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Lunch included
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Dinner included
- DESCENT OF THE TSIRIBIHINA
  
  Bivouac
Day 6
- BELO SUR TSIRIBIHINA
- 100 km about 4 h
- BEKOPAKA
Continuation in the morning by boat. Crossing the coastal plain of Menabé to reach the village of Belo sur Tsiribihina. Lunch on board before taking the track again in 4X4 towards Bekopaka to reach in the late afternoon the banks of the Manambolo River at the feet of the Tsingys of Bemaraha. Dinner and overnight in a camp.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Lunch not included
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Dinner included
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Croco Camp
  
  Le Soleil des Tsingy
Day 7
- BEKOPAKA
Departure by SUV to the Great Tsingy about twenty kilometers from the village of Bekopaka. Covering an area of 150,000 ha, this nature reserve represents the largest protected area in Madagascar and has been classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1990. In-depth discovery of the "Tsingy du Bemaraha" national park: deep crevasses, caves, canyons and labyrinths, passing by the suspension bridge of about fifty meters deep to reach the Tsingy's roof where a belvedere has been set up and which gives us a 360° view over this exceptional breathtaking complex. Return at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight in a camp.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Picnic included
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Dinner included
- BEKOPAKA
  
  Croco Camp
  
  Le Soleil des Tsingy
Day 8
- BEKOPAKA
- 140 km about 5 h
- MAROFANDILIA
We continue our discovery towards the Marofandilia forest. After the "folk" crossing of the Tsiribihina River by ferry, we pass through large dry forests before reaching our camp which is located in the interior of the forest in the afternoon. Called love camp due to the presence of a great baobab in love. Installation then we leave to discover the environment around: baobabs, lemurs...
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- MAROFANDILIA
  
  Picnic included
- MAROFANDILIA
  
  Dinner included
- MAROFANDILIA
  
  Camp Amoureux
Day 9
- MAROFANDILIA
- 60 km about 2 h
- MORONDAVA
We take the road again this time to reach the Kirindy reserve is located about 30 minutes from the campsite. Kirindy is a private reserve managed in one of the most threatened ecosystems. The reserve is renamed by the jumping giant rat the "Fosa" (Hypogeomys antimena), there are also various species of lemurs and a number of endemic reptiles. The flora is also unusual, a number of unique species are found in Kirindy. We continue our journey and reach the famous "Baobab Alley", at sunset, the attraction of the region, with a unique variety of baobabs over 30 m high. Arrival in Morondava at the end of the day.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- MORONDAVA
  
  (Français) Déjeuner non inclus
- MORONDAVA
  
  Dinner included
- MORONDAVA
  
  Sun Beach
  
  Palissandre côte Ouest
Day 10
- MORONDAVA
- 60 km about 3 h
- ANKEVO
New trails through the savannah, octopus forests and salt ponds along the mangrove swamp, before reaching the villages of Ankevo: These are charming villages known for their small artisanal shipyards of wooden schooners... These villagers are farmers (mainly rice), zebu breeders, fishermen... In the afternoon, meetings and exchanges with the villagers... Discover their activities... Dinner and overnight in a cottage or camp in the village.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- ANKEVO
  
  Lunch not included
- ANKEVO
  
  Dinner included
- ANKEVO
  
  Inhabitant\'s Lodging
  
  Bivouac
Day 11
- ANKEVO
Full day with the Sakalava-Vezo... The morning excursion and introduction to fishing in local canoes with the fishermen, snorkeling, relaxation, swimming.... In the afternoon: hiking excursion in the forest to discover the agricultural life of the villagers... Depending on the period, school visit and meeting with the schoolchildren...
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- ANKEVO
  
  Lunch not included
- ANKEVO
  
  Dinner included
- ANKEVO
  
  Inhabitant\'s Lodging
  
  Bivouac
Day 12
- ANKEVO
- 44 km about 3 h
- BELO SUR MER
We take the track back to the fishing village of Belo sur Mer. Visit of the place and its small shipyard which builds traditional schooners and dhows. Meetings and exchanges with Vezo fishermen. In the afternoon, relax on a beautiful white sandy beach that encourages swimming, or discover the surroundings: shipyard, fishing village, canoe trip or snorkelling to discover its coral reefs... Overnight in a bush lodge.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- BELO SUR MER
  
  Lunch not included
- BELO SUR MER
  
  Dinner included
- BELO SUR MER
  
  Ecolodge du Menabe
Day 13
- BELO SUR MER
- 100 km about 4 h
- MORONDAVA
Sorry, this entry is only available in French.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- MORONDAVA
  
  Lunch not included
- MORONDAVA
  
  Dinner included
- MORONDAVA
  
  Sun Beach
  
  Palissandre côte Ouest
Day 14
- MORONDAVA
- ANTANANARIVO
Transfer to the airport and flight to Antananarivo. Reception and assistance for international correspondence.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dîner
- Accomodation
- Activity
- Photo
- ANTANANARIVO
  
  Lunch not included
- ANTANANARIVO
  
  Dinner not included

Practical: April to October
Best period: May to October off rainy season
Climate :
- December to March: hurricane season
- April and May until mid-June: rainy season
- Mid-June, July and August: winter season
- September, October and November: dry season
Domestic flights: domestic flights to Madagascar are served by the only national airline: Air Madagascar.
Our advice: If you have chosen Air Madagascar for your international flight, we advise you to buy and issue your domestic flights jointly in order to benefit from a 50% discount in economy class and 30% in business class. Except for the Tana-Tuléar flight, Tuléar-Tana.
Caution: The weight of luggage for the domestic flight is 20 kg per person.
As a precaution: Air Madagascar's domestic flight schedules are regularly changed (schedules, date, etc.). It is preferable to arrive the day before the departure of the international flight and to have 24 hours of beat between the two flights.
Luggage: For a comfortable trip, divide your luggage into 2 bags.
A small backpack for your things of the day and a travel bag that stays in the vehicle.

The bivouacs:
- A sleeping bag (for nights in a bivouac) adapted to your size, with lateral zipper for an opening at your convenience. Your bag must be light but efficient up to temperatures of 0°C.
- A bag sheet, a small inflatable pillow are always welcome.
- A toilet bag and towel
- Gourd of at least 1 litre, light and isothermal
- Pocket knife, preferably multi-purpose
- Toilet paper + lighter for destruction
The roads:
The roads on this course are paved, perhaps a few holes in places but always passable in all seasons.
Transport and transfers:
The transport used for this tour is mainly 4 x 4.
For the descent of the Tsiribihina River, a barge is used, described as a kind of barge that measures between 10 to 15 metres depending on the boat.
At the rear is installed a Pilot station, an equipped kitchen
At the front is installed 2 parallel benches with cushion, at best a long table for the meal
On the roof there is a solarium with deckchairs, a part is for those who want to sunbathe and a shaded part for those who want to enjoy a panoramic view of the surroundings.

People of the West

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Related circuits

Joyau du Nord

From the Highlands to the Great South

Wild Lands: from Andringitra to Makay

Canoeing on the Manambolo River from Highlands to Bemarahas Tsingy