On the way to the sun

Early in the morning we will leave and, along the RN7, we will stop in Ambatolampy and Antsirabe, where we will have the opportunity to visit the workshops of some local artisans. The journey will continue admiring the typical landscape of the center of the island, between plateaus and rice fields, until the arrival in the city of Miandrivazo, crossed by the Tsiribihina river. In Miandrivazo we will leave the cars and continue the tour on other means of transport.

Accommodation at: Princesse Tsiribihina or similar  

Our adventure along the Tsiribihina River begins today: in Mianrivazo we will embark on a rowing canoe and begin following the river’s course. During the navigation we will be able to admire typical birds, water turtles, lemurs and the fearsome crocodiles. The pirogue will give us a privileged observation point not only of local fauna and flora but also of life in the fishing villages that meet along the river.

Overnight in Camp Tented 

After a night in a tent along the banks of the Tsiribihina, at dawn we will continue with our adventure following the course of the sun for the whole day to come. After a dip among incredibly beautiful waterfalls, at sunset we will reach a small and little known fishing village where we will camp under the stars.

Overnight in Camp Tented 

Our pirogue adventure will end along the last stretch of the river, up to the rural district of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina: from here on we will resume moving by land. We will continue our tour along the dirt tracks of the west, through the villages of Sakalava, until we reach the town of Bekopaka. Along the way we will be able to observe some baobabs.

Accommodation at: L’Olympe du Bemaraha or similar  

We will spend the day visiting the incredible Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a nature reserve defined by Unesco as a “World Heritage Site”. We could admire several species of lemurs, including the shifaka, known for their unmistakable white coat. In addition, we will trek between very high limestone formations (pinnacles) and Tibetan bridges suspended in the void.

Accommodation at: L’Olympe du Bemaraha or similar  

Early in the morning, we will resume our march towards the south, along the dirt track that leads to the town of Morondava. We will stop in the rural municipality of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina for lunch and, from here, we will cross the river on a barge. In the afternoon we will arrive at the famous Avenue of the Baobabs, where we will be able to admire one of the most incredible sunsets in the world.

Accommodation at: TreCicogne or similar  

Immediately after breakfast, we will resume the journey south, along sandy tracks in the middle of the thorny forest, a unique Malagasy habitat of its kind. In the afternoon we will arrive at the village of Belo-sur-Mer, home of the Vezo fishermen, also known as “nomads of the sea”, which extends over a lagoon between sandy dunes. Here we will have the opportunity to observe the “boutre”, the typical local boats used to transport goods along the west coast of the island.

Accommodation at: Ecolodge de Menabelo or similar  

We will leave at dawn heading south, moving along the coast on a sandy but, at the same time, adventurous track. Then walk through a dense scrub that will allow us to admire baobabs, typical flora and fauna, until we reach the village of Morombè.

Accommodation at: Auberge Chez Laurette or similar  

We will then continue south to Andavadoaka, a secluded and quiet Vezo fishing village. Here we will be able to enjoy the wonderful Andavadoaka sea, which has been included in the WWF marine reserves for its incredible biodiversity. We will be able to lie down and sunbathe on the white beach, swim in the turquoise waters or snorkel with a pirogue along the Great Barrier Reef.

Accommodation at: Blue Lagoon or similar  

Early in the morning we will go to visit the Hopital Vezo, a hospital created and managed entirely by the doctors of the Amici di Ampasilava Onlus association. Here the sick from all over Madagascar can receive free and specialized care. After an interesting meeting with the volunteers of the non-profit organization, we will return to the beach to relax in this semi-deserted paradise.

Accommodation at: Blue Lagoon or similar  

Very early in the morning we will set off again towards the south, along a particularly suggestive sandy track. Our destination will be Ambatomilo, a small fishing village nestled in an enchanting bay. And here we will stop for lunch. Finally, we will leave to explore the last stretch of coast, passing through the villages of Mangily and Ifaty, to reach Tulear, the capital of the southern region of Madagascar.

Accommodation at: Eden Palm or similar 

In the “classic” tours of Madagascar, the town of Tulear is just passing through. On our journey it will instead be a unique experience full of emotions. In fact, we will dedicate the day to visit the EPP school in Tanambao Morafeno, managed by the Aid4Mada ONLUS association, where hundreds of children will welcome us to give us a warm welcome.

Accommodation at: Eden Palm or similar  

In the morning we will embark on an internal flight that will take us to Antananarivo. Having landed in the capital, we will spend the afternoon in Lemurs Park, a reserve that will allow us to closely observe numerous lemurs rescued from dangerous situations.

Accommodation at: Au Bois Vert or similar  

On the last day of our trip to Madagascar we will visit the capital, savoring its colors and scents. Upon boarding, we will be transferred to Ivato airport and from the window we will greet these places that will inexorably become part of us.