Call of the baobabs

The tour from the capital via Antsirabe Miandrivazo, to discover the main tourist attractions of the Middle West, has the advantage of alternate river cruises, trekking and marine excursions. Culminating with the majestic baobab alley.

Lowering the Tsiribihina

 Barges that once carried tobacco, converted now comfortable cruise ships have their port a few kilometers from the river Miandrivazo Mahadilo tributary of the Tsiribihina which falls traditionally within 3 days and 2 nights until Belo Tsiribihina.

Bivouacs are made tent on the banks of the river silted up. The evening gathering wood for making large bonfires. This is the Wild West! The villagers do not hesitate to find travelers and improvise songs and dances.

This river cruise household many stops to catch a glimpse of their villages and abundant food crops and cash crops, including tobacco. One excursion will lead to the waterfall Nosy Ampela, dream place for ablutions outdoors in emerald waters.

Forests that cover the slopes of the river are home to a variety of wildlife: chameleons, lemurs and bats that we observe from the boat while lunching! The avifauna is very rich: blue herons and white, many species of ducks ...

The Tsingy of Bemaraha

 There is, first of all, the small Tsingy, bordering the river Manambolo. From this river you can travel by boat to the caves, which were the natural refuge of the first inhabitants of the island from the thirteenth century.

A few kilometers further, we reach the entrance of the National Park of Bemaraha established on 15 000ha, a maze of narrow passages, called joints, the heart of a karst massif with sharp spikes. This series of "waves" mineral is unique in the world and was ranked, in 1990, World Natural Heritage by UNESCO.

The largest protected area in Madagascar offers spectacular treks descents into narrow conduits, climbing (equipped with necessary harnesses and carabiners), passing over suspension bridges to reach lookouts offer magnificent views.

Vegetation that persists to survive in this universe has features such mineral branches and roots which penetrate between the rocks tens of meters. Frogs, small mammals, birds (many Couas) and lemurs inhabit these places.

Menabe Antimena

 Throughout the region that lies midway Tsiribihina River and Morondava, remained ignored for too long with the exception of the alley of baobabs. 50km focus on yet natural sites of great interest.

Lake Bedo, RAMSAR listed since 2007, is popular with birdwatchers especially between March and June where flamingos, herons, many migratory birds and ducks (including Bernier duck endemic to Madagascar) abound. Banks, which thrive baobabs bottles (Andasonia fony) are the natural habitat of a turtle flat tail (endemic Menabe) and Nile crocodiles.

The 15 200ha of forest Kirindy is home to a highly diverse fauna and the very rare Microcebus Berthae, the smallest primate in the world, also endemic to Menabe. Several species of lemurs and the opportunity to observe fosa, one of the few carnivorous mammals of Madagascar following the botanical trails and forest paths complement the pleasant visits.

Mangrove Kivalo can understand a fine specimen of this ecosystem, mangrove forest, a breeding ground for many aquatic species. From the village of Mangily, canoe trip up the beach and sand dunes that hem the shores of the Mozambique Channel.

The Marofandilia village can be explored for its skilled sculptors from dead wood only, perfect ancestral mode of expression.

Morondava and Baobab Alley

The small coastal town and resort of Morondava has many assets to retain visitors. Comfortable hotels, restaurants overlooking the Mozambique Channel and fishing villages in its immediate vicinity. At sunrise, hundreds of small canoes and sailing dhows that large cross off the shores seem to be a mirage ...

Apart from all these advantages, Morondava is less than half an hour (19km) from the famous baobab alley, one of the most photographed sites of the Big Island. At all times and seasons, in all weather, the alignment of a few dozen of the most majestic baobabs, Andasonia grandidieri, compose a landscape of rare elegance. At sunset, the show may turn great!

Belo village

Difficult to imagine discovering the West means without embarking in Morondava to Belo villae located 80km south of the capital Menabe and is also accessible by land outside the rainy season, this runs from January to April.

The peninsula has an Belo sea coast where rocks and sandy beaches alternate, with the sea makes all colors from deep blue to green translucent striking contrasts.

Mangrove that surrounds this small fishing village is immense.

The ballet of pirogues veils lapping up on the beach gives this resort, with several hotels, an inescapable charm.

The renowned shipyard, which remains totally handcrafted, which are born great dhows plying the Mozambique channel is ahead. Between hammering tools handled by "marine architects' and children's laughter ...

Still further south, by tracks that get lost in the bush or forests of baobabs, is accessed Morombe then sites like Andavadaoka Salary or that let you flabbergasted. Lagoons to the infinite palette of subtle colors and sandy beaches on the edge to the forest ... more than dream paradise?