Canoeing down the Tsiribihina River in a traditional wooden boat Anosin’ Ampela waterfall
Daily life in the western region of Madagascar
Tsingy de Bemaraha NP. Baobab in love
Avenue of the Baobab
Trip rating 10.0/10 from 3 trip reviews
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Overall operator rating 10.0/10 from 12 trip reviews
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The operator proved to be a reliable and flexible tour operator.
We missed our flight in Paris and had no problems with re-organizing pre-tour arrangements so we were able to catch up with the group in time.
2
Client:
Rae and Bill ó Breacáin - from Ireland
Trip:
This trip: The culture of the Menabe region
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We are very happy with the level of service provided by the manager, his partners and the extremely efficient and friendly team of guides.
The actual ten day trip was everything we had expected - an opportunity to relax, to explore and to meet the local people along the journey, but we were not prepared for the level of care and courteous attention we received.
Our every need was anticipated and the generousity of spirit was something we never experienced on any previous trip.
Klaus and Durlin even arranged accommododation and national and international flights for the remainder of our stay in Madagascar.
We look forward to repeating the experience.
3
Client:
Alan Reith - from Australia
Trip:
This trip: The culture of the Menabe region
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
I found the tour extremely well priced - the food provided on the trip exceeded my expectations as was the service.
Klaus provided good supporting information and went out of his way to accommodate any requests. His English was acceptable certainly more than sufficient to convey interesting sociological, religious and historical details of the Malagasy people.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this operator to anyone. Regards Alan Reith
Itinerary
SPECIAL OFFERS: Small adventure groups 2012 are from 1190 Euro sharing: every Wednesday and Thursday from 16 May to 11 October 2012 starting in Antananarivo
The culture of the Menabe region – the life in the western region of Madagascar
Big parts of the west of Madagascar are mountainous. Only a few people live there. In fact, most of the region is uninhabited due to bad state of roads. Vegetation beside the river is great. We get to know the area by a traditional wooden boat tour and and we visit the Tsingy of Bemaraha, the limestone needles. The west is also well known for the fabulous Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava and its nice beaches.
DAY 1 - Antananarivo – Antsirabe Pick-up at Antananarivo airport or your hotel. Drive to Antsirabe. The drive takes us across the highland landscape with its beautiful rice fields and its spectacular eroded hills called ‘lavaka’ and through a lush green landscape where vegetables and fruits are farmed. We will take a tour of the city, wandering through wide, palm-lined boulevards. Also we visit some artisan production. Night in a colonial style hotel where, in earlier years, farmers from the East coast relaxed. Included meals: lunch, dinner
DAY 2 - antsirabe – Miandrivazo Antsirabe, from where we start, is a lovely town and a stroll around its streets will bring you in contact with some fantastic little shops selling Malagasy artefacts and handicrafts. It is a very peculiar town because of its charming characteristics. Industrial town – agricultural town – tourist town. After a short visit of the town we drive to Miandrivazo, about 220 km. We pass a moonlike landscape. Here is the starting point of the pirogue tour. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
[DAY 3 - start on the Tsiribihina River We begin our calm water river journey on the majestic Tsiribihina River. We travel approximately 160 km’s on the river, using traditional boats made out of one trunk of wood. Those trees are endemic to Madagascar or the region. Nowadays pirogue builders are rare as more and more motorboats are coming up. The trip is slow and you can relax and enjoy calls of birds such as bee-eater, coucal, pied crow… We will occasionally work together to lift the boat over high sand banks. Our trip will take us about 160km along the river, finally arriving in Belo sur Tsiribihina, a city 100 km north of Morondava. Meals are served on the shore; camp sites on the Tsiribihina River are usually large sandbars with smooth and clean tent sites. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4 - Canoeing down the Tsiribihina River On the river we pass several ranges of wooded hills on our way. Today we continue passing the 'Gorge de Bemaraha' with its steep rocks before we stop at Anosin' Ampela, a wonderful waterfall where we can refresh ourselves. Also cloth washing is fast done. We will see dense vegetation along the riverbanks, towering cliffs and baobab forests. Water birds, fruit bats and lemurs will accompany our journey. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5 - Canoeing down the Tsiribihina River This morning we rise early for our relaxing boat trip downstream along the Tsiribihina River. Passing through diverse landscapes, isolated natural wilderness beside the Tsiribihina River, reminding us how far away we are from home. We continue to pass by some villages where on the way long the river kids wave their hands with their smiles saying: hello. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6 - Arrival in Tsaraotana – Tsingy de Bemaraha A last two hours before we say ‘Good bye’ to the Tsiribihina. Also this last part of the pirogue trip leads us to beautiful landscapes with rice fields on banks. We arrive in the morning in Tsaraotana where we unload the pirogues and embark into 4WD. We continuing in direction of Tsingy de Bemaraha, which is classified as one of the world wonders by UNESCO. The fascinating raised limestone plateau is decorated with sharp pinnacles. Areas of deciduous forest also provide the chance to see brown lemurs as well as Sifaka lemurs and a variety of birds. Bemaraha contains an original flora. The dry dense forest has several types of vegetable formations. We arrive in the afternoon and check-in our hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7 - tsingy de Bemaraha excursion Bemaraha is a plate of moderate altitude, with the shredded relief, consists of a limestone deposit massive Covered by the dense and dry forest, the erosion of water carved there a tight network of deep cracks separated by grooved blades and acute points. Today we have a full day trek with a local guide in the park. There are some different ways to the valleys. The limestone needles are up to 60 m where we can probably find once more Sifaka lemurs (Propithecus verreauxi). Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8 - Tsingy de Bemaraha – Morondava After we crossing the Manambolo River by ferry we travel south by 4x4 vehicles to the Belo sur Tsiribihina. We enjoy a lunch there. We try to catch sunset at the ‘Avenue of the Baobab’ between Belo sur Tsiribihina and Morondava. More than a dozen majestic old giant baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri) growing next to the track. The day's last golden rays strike the bloated trunks from the west. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9 - Morondava ] After the strain of the last days,you may relax. – End of service. – Included meals: breakfast This module ends in Morondava on the west coast of Madagascar. From here we may continue to visit another part of the country or to stay some days on the beach before travelling back to Antananarivo.
We propose to arrive latest one day earlier in Madagascar and to spend a night here. We will be happy to suggest a hotel for you.
Price: starting from 1190 Euro per person sharing
Participating in one of our groups you typically will be sharing your experiences with between six to 12 like minded travellers and you'll have a tour manager with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people. While itinerary is scheduled there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy.
If you prefer a private tour please let us know and we will be happy to send a personalised offer.
INCLUDED IN PRICE English speaking tour manager Overnight in the hotels in double room, mostly with private facilities, during the river tour in tent, Meals as mentioned, including 1 ½ l of mineral water per person per day, Going by traditional pirogue, car or 4WD, all transfers, All entrance fees Tip for drivers, local guides, porters, waiters etc.
NOT INCLUDED International and domestic flights Drinks except mentioned Private expenses
This is a complex itinerary and may be subject to change.
Requirements: you should like camping, teamgeist.
Please note: This tour is on private base customisable.
Complementary information: Duration of tour: 9 days Car or minibus: 2 days 4WD: 2 days and transfers Pirogue tour: 3 days and two hours Trekking: 1 day
The pirogue or ‘lakana’ how it is called in Madagascar is a wooden boat made out of one trunk. They are made out of endemic hard wood like Soarafo or Arofy. They are 9 to 11 metres long and 50 to 60 cm large. Mostly are two persons in a pirogue. Of course there is a boatman who rows and navigates the pirogue.
Camp-sites on the Tsiribihina River are usually large sandbars with smooth and clean tent sites. All camping equipment is provided (spacious tents, 3-cm self-inflating mattress, blanket, sleeping bag, pillow).
SPECIAL OFFERS: Small adventure groups 2012 are from 1190 Euro sharing: every Wednesday and Thursday from 16 May to 11 October 2012 starting in Antananarivo
