Menabe Tsiribihina Tsingy

Picked up at your hotel by your driver who can take you to the upper town to admire the view of the capital ( Haute Ville ). Then, departing for the town of Antsirabe, you will stop along the way to the village of Behenjy famous for its foie gras, and to Ambatolampy known for its artisanal manufactures of aluminum objects including pots. Continuation to Antsirabe: the landscape and the environment reveal rich laterite lands, typical Imerina villages, Catholic or Protestant churches, lively markets. Arrival in Antsirabe, installation at the hotel. Then exit to Tritriva Lake located at 15 kms western of the city. It is one of the large crater lakes quite mysterious whose shape evokes the map of Madagascar. This lake also has its legend: two lovers whose parents refused marriage ended their day by drowning hand in hand. Back to the hotel Chambre du Voyageur. (Step 170 kms, 4 to 5 hours )

Rural walk around Betafo (200 m vertical drop): We will start with a visit of a traditional Malagasy popcorn maker; then, meet with blacksmiths who design tools for villagers such as: knife, spade, grass, ax, and workers specialized in bricks, tiles and building clay houses. The ballad will continue off the beaten track, to the rhythm of the campaign and the meeting of Malagasy peasants. The travelers will be welcomed by warm families who will have the pleasure of sharing their way of life. Arrived at the top of the hill Ambatomalaza, picnic and panoramic view of the valley. We will descend on Betafo, visit an unusual royal tomb and join the vehicle. Head to the village of Miandrivazo, where in the royal era, King Radama I was expecting his future wife, the daughter of a Sakalava king. Miandrivazo, located at sea level, is considered one of the hottest cities in Madagascar. Installation at the hotel Princesse Tsiribihina. (If you go down the Tsiribihina the next day, your guide will be around 19h for a brief briefing). (220 kms stage, 6 hours) 

Departure around 9am from Miandrivazo, Transfer to the heart of the savannah, for the Pier near the village of Masiakampy (count 1 hour, 20 minutes of tar, 40 minutes of track). The crew welcomes us on the barge. Barges are motor barges formerly used for the transportation of tobacco. They were then arranged for the transport of tourists. At the back of the barge is the cockpit and the kitchen. Passengers have benches on the lower deck where meals will be served. A staircase leads to the Solarium equipped with deckchairs. The cruise will begin in the middle of the morning, we will cross vast cultivated plains, will sail along the banks and gorges of Tsiribihina and will cross the villagers of the river; they are part of the ”Sakalava” ethnic group, their huts are built mainly of reeds, and roofs made of rice straw or palm leaves. In the late afternoon, refreshing stop and swim at the waterfall of Nosy Ampela (women’s island), a small corner of paradise for that houses families of lemurs. The Camp will be set up nearby on a large sandbar.

The barge continues its navigation in the heart of the meanders of the Tsiribihina river. We will meet piroguiers, motor barges for the freight of local products and by means of transport and exchange for the villagers. In the day, stop at the village of Begidro famous for its old tobacco concessions. The peasants still cultivate it in a traditional way; you can visit the warehouse. We resume the cruise, landscapes follow one another: cliff bats (Kina Kina), the giant capoquin, rice fields, the village of Berevo, more modern, with a Catholic school, a dispensary and a gendarmerie. At the end of the day, stop for 30 minutes to the village of Ambatomisay to see our first Baobabs ”Andasonia Za”. The crew will put up the Camp on a beach that can change from one year to another, depending on the rains. After dinner, you will participate, around a campfire, in a traditional dance show.

The landscapes are confused with tamarinds, mango trees, jujube trees, ricins, sensory mimosas, balsas, and date palms. Last day of your cruise to greet once again herons, fishermen, drongos, green bee-eaters, teals, humpback ducks. Arrival at the end of the morning at Bereketa pier in Belo sur Tsiribihina; lunch on board the barge. We join the 4WD which has left Morondava in the morning. It will take more or less 4 hours of track to reach Bekopaka, starting point for excursions in Tsingy of Bemaraha. (120 kms stage, track – 5 hours). Installation at the hotel Orchidées du Bemaraha.

Day 6

After breakfast, we will go for an excursion on a traditional pirogue all along the Manambolo river; it lasts around 1 hour and a half. We will see caves, Vazimba Tombs ( Vazimba were the first ethny leaving in Madagascar) , birds.  Then departure with the 4WD from Bekopaka to join the starting point of ”Grands Tsingy” ( 17 kms of a bumpy road, it will take from 1 to 2 hours driving according the season and rain ).  The trip is called ”Andamozavakay”, it takes around 4 hours It is not a trek but a slow and observation walk. This not requiere not a particular physical condition, but it is not good for those subject to vertigo or claustrophobia. During the hike we will discover: secondary forest, caves (bring a headlamp) of the diaclases, panoramic views of this unique massif in the world. You will  cross a suspension bridge. The set is perfectly safe and very well laid out by the National Park that provides safety harnesses.Back to the hotel after the visit.

Departure at 7:30 am, we return on track to join Belo Tsiribihina. Lunch advised at the restaurant ”Mad Zebu,” one of the best in Madagascar. We will take a ferry boat and cross again the Tsiribihina (45 minutes crossing). It will remain 2h30 to 3 hours to reach Morondava. On the way, you will stop at the Sacred Baobab, a tree with a thousand years of notoriety. By the end of the afternoon you will stop at the baobabs alley to enjoy the sunset and take pictures. Arrival at the hotel early in the evening. (Step 220 kms – 8-9 hours of track)/Night at the hotel Sun Beach. Before arriving Morondava, overnight can be added in Kirindy Reserve.

Transfer airport for correspondance to Antananarivo. End of the Menabe Tour.