MIANDRIVAZO

Miandrivazo lies on the banks of the Mahajilo, a tributary of the Tsiribihina, 220 km from Antsirabe, and is the starting point for the descent of that river. This town is the hottest place in Madagascar (temperature 30°C at night from october to March, during the daytime might reach 37°C or 38°C), but often cold in the winter (June, July and August especially in the morning).

WHERE TO STAY?

Hotel Lakana (medium)
Hotel chez la Reine Rasalimo (medium)

DESCENDING THE TSIRIBIHINA RIVER

This is becoming increasingly popular trip. The river-trips can be done only by the tour operator or a very professional guide to avoid the problems with the bogus guides and some of the padlers in Miandrivazo. This is a three to four days trip, with the starting point in Miandrivazo. The birdlife viewed from the river is excellent, and there is a good chance of seeing 5 species of Lemurs, cameleons and snakes. There are about 83 species of birds during the river trip.If you want to see the marvellous Tsingy of BEMARAHA (the eroded limestones), the river-trip is the best way to go there, because to go by car to Morondava and go all around the way to Belo sur tsiribihina is a waste of time.During the river trip you see a primery forest, the Gorge of Manambolo, the second day is the best part of the trip, is passing a lovely landscape, a wonderful waterall and nice to relax as the trip a bit tiring.
It is a good place also to learn the traditions and the customs of the western tribe by passing a few village during the trip. Using motor boat is fast and less tiring, but expensive and noisy.
Most of the tourists like the canoe (pirogue) rather than the boat. The river trip is a good adventure's trip, so do not miss it if you visit Madagascar.

Camping.

TSINGY OF BEMARAHA NATIONAL PARK (the eroded-limestones)

The scenery rivals anything in Madagascar and it is a treasure house for botanists. At 152 000 ha, it is one of the largest protected areas in Madagascar lies to the south of Maintirano (western part).
The Tsingy of BEMARAHA is a great place, known for its famous limestones. Manambolo river forming the southern border of the park, cutting a spectacular gorge through the limestones.
I have never known a visitor who hasn't loved The Tsingy of BEMARAHA.
There are about 100 species of birds in the Tsingy and a few species of lemurs, including the brilliant white Decken's sifaka sitting in the trees.Bekopaka is the nearest village at the right side of Manambolo, about 1 km from the gate of the Tsingy. There is an interesting History about the tribe in Bekopaka: Many Malagasy people still think that the first people who had lived in Madagascar before the immigration from other countries came to Madagascar was the VAZIMBA.Most of the people in Bekopaka are the vazimba, and few of the Sakalavan'ny Menabe.There are sort of encircled stones lies on the eastside of Manambolo river, those are the vazimba's tombs.

MORONDAVA

The Morondava area was the center of the Sakalavan'ny Menabe Kingdom and their tombs. It lies in southeast of Madagascar about 700 km from Antananarivo.Today Morondava is the centre of a prosper area, and has successfully introduced ostrich farming to Madagascar.For tourists it is a good a seaside resort, with a laid back atmosphere.This is the centre for visiting the western deciduous forest, the famous baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.

BELO-SUR-TSIRIBIHINA

Apart from being the town at the end of the Tsiribihina River, this place has little to offer, but a nice small town for a stop from the Tsingy or after the River-trip. It is worth a night relax in Belo-sur-tsiribihina when you are a bit tired as both trips are really adventure.

WHERE TO STAY?

Hotel Menabe (bottom)
Grande Lumière (bottom)

RESERVES NORTH OF MORONDAVA ( Kirindy And Menabe )

-The dry decidous forests between the rivers and Morondava are of great biological importance. Indeed, this is one of the most threatened forest types in the world.
Many endemic Species of flora and fauna here; the area is particularly rich in reptiles such a turles, Snakes and a variety of lizards. The fosa is common in these forests and seven species of lemur are found, including white Sifaka and the rare pale - marked lemur and pygmy mouse lemur, the world smallest primate. The giant jumping rat, Madagascar's most charming rodent, is unique to this small area.

BELO-SUR-MER

Not to be confused with BeloSurTSIRIBIHINA, this vezo village 70 km south of Morondava.
To enjoy it you need to be there in coolest time of year (June and July) because it is very hot there the village itself is a collection of small houses and huts, on the border of a small lagoon, shrouded in palm trees.Belo sur Mer has a beautiful beach.

WHERE TO STAY ?

Hotel Marina de Belo sur Mer (top)
Menabe hotel (medium)
Nosy Andrano Bungalows (bottom)

MOROMBE

Morombe is situated north of Tulear, about 250 km.The road is sandy and in very poor condition,The 250 km Journey takes about 22 hours.Morombe rewards those with time to stroll..It is quite a prosperous-looking little town,With some spacious houses in the north and a bustling village of wooden huts to the south.If you continue south along the beach beyong the Baobab hotel you will come to a rewarding group of mangroves here you can watch mud - skippers. Behind this area are some local tombs. Beach is lovely in Morombe.

WHERE TO STAY?

Hotel Baobab (top)
Lakana volamena (medium)

ANDAVADOAKA AND AMPASILAVA

These two villages are adjacent to each other by one of the best beaches in Madagascar'some 45 km to the south of Morombe. Coming south from Morombe, you first reach Andavadoaka then, 5 km further on,Ampasilava, described as a sweet little village.The drive there is varied and very beautiful.It takes around two hours.

WHERE TO STAY ?

Hotel coco beach (top)
Laguna Blue Resort (medium)

ANKARAFANTSIKA INTEGRAL NATURAL RESERVE

It lies in the north-west, on the right side of road to Mahajanga about 110 km before Mahajanga. AMPIJOROA forestry station is part of the Naturelle Intégrale d'Ankarafantsika. This is typical dry, deciduous forest with sparse understorey and lots of lianas. In the dry winter season many of the trees have shed their leanes, but in the wet months the forest is a sea of bright greens. Conspicuous is the tree with menacing spines, the hazom-boay, or Hurac crepitances. Wildlife viewing in Ampijoroa starts as soon as you arrive. Right beside the parking area is a tree that coquerel's sifaka use as a dormitory. They are extremely handsome animals with the usual silky white fur but with chestnut-brown arms and thighs.On your walks you may also see mongoose lemur, wooly lemur and the sportive lemur if the guide shows you its tree. This is the only place in the world where you might see the recently discovered (1998) golden-brown mouse lemur, Microcebus ravelobensis, named after Ampijoroa's Lake Ravelobe.
Therer are always lots of reptiles (two new species of Brookesia chameleons were discovered there recently), and this is a birder's paradise. Within minutes we found sicklebill, chabert's and hook-billed vangas all nesting round the campsite ... and then the highlight: white-breasted mesites which walk just like clockwork toys. After seeing the main reserve you should (if permitted) cross the road to the lake.A path runs right Lake Ravelobe (7 km) providing excellent birding: lots of waterfall and the very rare Madagascar fish eagle.

MAHAJANGA

Mahajanga is situaded in the north-west coast about 600 km from Antananarivo. A hot but breezy town a large Indian population and enough local colour and interesting excursions to make a visit of a few days well worth while.A wide boulevard follows the sea along the west part of town, terminating by a lighthouse. At its elbow is the Mahajanga baobab, at least 700 years old with a circumference of 14 metres.

WHERE TO STAY?

Le Tropicana (top)
New Hotel (top)
New continental (medium)

Day excursions
Cirque Rouge
About 12 km from Mahajanga and 2 km from the AIRPORT. This is a canyon ending in an amphitheatre of red, beige and lilac-coloured rock eroded into strange shapes-peaks, spires and castles. The canyon has a broad, sandy bottom decorated with chunks of lilac-coloured clay. It is a beautiful and dramatic spot, with its stream of fresh water running to the nearby each, makes an idyllic camping place.

KATSEPY

Katsepy is a tiny fishing village across the bay from Mahajanga which is reached in 45 minutes by ferry. Untill recently there was only one reason to go to Katsepy: to enjoy the landscape in the surrounding of the bay.

ANJOHIBE CAVES

The grottes de Anjohibe are 82 km northeast of Mahajanga and accessible only by 4WD vehicle, and then only in the dry season.
There are two places to visit, the caves themselves and a natural swimming pool above a waterfall.The caves are full of staladites and stalagmites (and bats), and have 2 km of passages. There is a troop of sifaka here to add to the excitement there may be crocodiles in the lower pool

.ANJAJAVY

This luxury hotel really does have it all: isolation, coral reefs, tsingy-like limestone outcrops, pristine, beaches, extensive mangrove forests, a dramatic bat-filled cave, a private reserve bustling with birds and lemurs, sifaka gambolling on the villa roofs.Anjajavy is one of the modern and cleanest beach in Madagascar, but expensive.

WHERE TO STAY?

Air Hotel (top)

tours & prices