Manambolo river expedition

The Manambolo River tour is in west of Madagascar. This river is more wild than Tsiribihina river. But before explore this river, we would like to show you the beautiful volcanic lake and the Zeizer in Ampefy. Then we drive to Tsiroamandidy city, the biggest Zebu market in Madagascar (Wednesday). About our river tour, we have 4 days by dugout canoe and explore the best part of the gorge of the Manambolo River. Oly is the name given by a local boatman to 2 beautiful natural swimming pools under a small waterfall which he recently discovered when he went deep in the gorge of the Manambolo River for gathering wild honey. We went to this amazing place to see the natural swimming pools and study the opportunity to explore the highlight of the Manambolo River. Before a full day visit of the Grand Tsingy to discover the biggest caves ever seen in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and World natural heritage which is home to hundreds of Bats and flying foxes. After our visit of the Tsingy, we drive to Kirindy to see the wild life there (mouse lemurs, sportive lemurs, the famous FOSA, birds). Our last day we visit the baobabs trees on the way to go to Morondava (sacred baobab, twisty baobabs in love, the beautiful sunset to the baobabs avenues).

This tour is disponible from may to november
Delay : 12 days

Antananarivo to Ampefy

We leave from the hotel or from the airport, and drive to west of the capital. On the way we meet the local and their small village, we discover too the dry landscape of the highland. And we arrive to Ampefy, the small village in the lake side. Sometimes you meet the fisherman close to your hotel.

Overnight in hotel
day 1

Ampefy to Tsiroamandidy

After breakfast, we drive to visit geyzer which the soft water comes out from the big rock, you can take a bath there. Then back to the hotel for lunch, the afternoon we drive to Tsiroamandidy(2h drive).

Overnight in hotel
day 2

Tsiroamandidy to Bongolava,Ankavandra

We drive to Ankavandra village, it’s only 115 km but needs 8h driving, to across the Bongolava mountain. The landscape is very dry. You have to ready for the real adventure.

Overnight in hotel
day 3

Ankavandra to Manambolo

We start the adventure with the dugout canoe. This river is very shallow, so sometimes you have to push the canoe. You should bring all your bag and drinks. The guide organize (the camping instrument, alls foods, minerals water). After breakfast, you can spend the morning to To see: birds, crocodiles, met the local villages.

Overnight in hotel
day 4-6

Manambolo river, gorge and Bekopaka

Today, we still on the river but we leave the canoe for a moment. Then we go to visit the waterfall and swimming there. Then we paddlinvg down across the gorge to be in Andadoany the end of the canoe. After say goodbye to our boatman, we drive to the hotel.

Overnight in hotel
day 7

Visit of small Tsingy in Manambolo be

we start in the morning, we should arrange the tickets and the guide to the park office before our hiking to explore Manambolo be, the biggest tour in the small tsingy.

To see:

• labyrinth of limestone
• 2 view points on the limestone pinnacle formation
• the biggest Sifaka of the West of Madagascar called Decken's Sifaka
• red fronted brown lemurs
• birds species
• spiders

This tour is a perfect circle which finished on the park office.

Overnight in hotel
day 8

Visit of the Big Tsingy

Early morning start to drive 17 Km to the Big Tsingy (1h30mn drive). We have 3 different tours in the infinite Grand Tsingy, so we can choose. Broadway (6h30mn hiking), Andamozavaky(4h hiking), Ranotsara(3h hiking); to see: 70 Meters high cracks, forest’s canyon where lives lemurs and birds, where the flora is truly unique with its endemic and medicinal plants, suspend bridge, caves, cathedral of rocks, the infinite view on the highest roof of the Big Tsingy… Drive back to the hotel for lunch, relax in the afternoon. In the evening, hire the local guide for a nocturnal walk to see: chameleons and especially the rare mouse-Lemurs.

Overnight in hotel
day 9

Bekopaka to Kirindy reserve

Drive to Kirindy Forest which is on the way to Morondava, this reserve is very famous to see the famous FOSA, and the smallest lemurs in the world 45g.

Night walk to see nocturnal species of lemurs including :

• the mouse-lemurs
• fork-marked lemurs
• sportive lemurs
• giant jumping rat
• chameleon
• nocturnal lezards

Overnight in Kirindy forest
day 10

Visit Kirindy reserve, baobabs and Morondava

Morning visit in the deciduous Dry Forest to see Lemurs, birds and rodents, the famous FOSA. Lunch at the restaurant. Slow Drive to get to the Baobabs Avenue at sunset for a beautiful sunset and Baobabs photographs. After sunset, drive to Morondava.

Overnight in hotel
day 11

Transfer to the Morondava's airport

After a morning visit of Morondava, transfer to the airport in Morondava to fly to Tulear or flyback to Tana, depending on your next step of your visit in Madagascar.

day 12