From the capital of Madagascar, the tourist routes of the West will make yo discover the main tourist attractions of the region such as river cruises, treks and marine excursions. The program in summary: discovery of the Tsingy de Bemaraha, Belo sur mer, and top of the top of your stay : the majestic alley of the baobabs.
Embark on comfortable cruising boats on the Mahadilo River, a tributary of the Tsiribihina which traditionally sails, in 3 days and 2 nights until Belo on Tsiribihina. Bivouacs are carried out under tent, on the sandy banks of the river. In the evening, you will help to gather wood to make big bonfires.This sounds like the conquest of the West! This river cruise has many stops in order to glimpse villages and their abundant food and cash crops, including tobacco. One of the land excursions leads to the Nosy Ampela waterfall, a little paradise on Earth! The forests that cover the slopes of the river shelter a varied fauna: chameleons, bats and lemurs. The avifauna is also very rich: blue and white herons, multitude of species of ducks …
Amateur of birdwatching and nature? Start your sightseeing trip in the Menabe region by the Bedo Lake, where you can observe between March and June : pink flamingos, herons, a multitude of migratory birds and ducks (including the Bernier duck endemic to Madagascar). The shores are also the natural habitat of a rare flat-tailed tortoise and Nile crocodiles. Go hiking to discover the Kirindy forest, which is home to an extremely diverse and sometimes very rare fauna, such as the microcebus Berthae, the smallest primate in the world, endemic to the Menabe, and the fosa, one of the rare carnivorous mammals of Madagascar. The Kivalo mangrove and its mangrove forest are a breeding ground for many aquatic species.
Jewels of the Western facade of Madagascar, the Tsingy de Bemaraha will be an essential step of your tour. This succession of mineral waves is unique in the world and is classified as a UNESCO world natural heritage since 1990. The largest protected area of Madagascar offers spectacular treks: descents in narrow passages, climbing, hiking over suspended bridges to reach belvederes which offer grandiose views. The vegetation that struggles to survive in this mineral universe presents some peculiarities such as ramifications and roots that penetrate the rocks over tens of meters, you cannot observe these curiosities anywhere else. Frogs, small mammals, birds (many couas) and lemurs will sprinkle your visits and make it an even more unique experience.
To rest from your Western Madagascar excursions, the small coastal town and seaside resort of Morondava is ideal. Comfortable hotels, restaurants with views on the Mozambique Canal and fishing villages will surely satisfy your needs. At sunrise, hundreds of small sailing canoes and large dinghies cross offshore, whose landscape seems to be a mirage … Apart from all these assets, Morondava is at less than half an hour (19km) of the famous baobab alley, one of the most photographed sites on the big island. The alignment of this dozen baobabs composes a landscape of rare elegance!
You cannot imagine to discover the mid-west without embarking, in Morondava, for Belo sur Mer located 80km in the South of the capital of Menabe. The peninsula of Belo sur mer presents a coast where rocks and sandy beaches alternate, offering striking contrasts with the sea that takes many colors. The sailing canoes that come to moor on the beaches give a particular dimension to the shores bordered by mangroves which brings a pleasant singular aspect.
We also advise you to visit the shipyard, totally crafted where the large dhows are designed.
What’s more, Belo sur Mer is close to places where baobabs grow, such as Baobab Avenue or Kirindy National Park.
Finally, on your way to the south, many sites remain to be explored, such as Morombe and its forest of Ampanonga, Andavadaoka or Salary and their white sand beaches.
