Tsiribihina river in the genuine trip with local tour guide operator Rijatours

Descent Tsiribihina river

Strong points on tsiribihina river trips:
- A navigation of another age by dugout,
- Majesty of the Tsiribihina river and the mystery of its gorges
- Morondava, and the baobab trees' country

Just like its alter ego Manambolo, majestic Tsiribihina takes you along to the heart of the vastnesses of the Malagasy West. Sometimes it takes its time and traces its meanders in a lunar landscape, sometimes in a grassy savanna where giant acacias, kapok and jujube trees are detached, sometimes in the luxuriance of a vegetation sheltering fauna swarming with life. A true 'bath of nature' awaits those who choose the experiment of this tour leaving the beaten tracks. Our dugout will not disturb the colonies of brushes, of teals or of ashen heron; the lemurs will not give up so little their capers, and the rest will be made by the art of cooking of your cook-guide for the halts on a sand bank...Exit the stress; you are living unforgettable moments on the road of Tsingy, these masterpieces of architecture which will disappear one day because of this same erosion that has drawn them so well. For the time being, don't worry, that will not arrive before a few other million years.

DAY 1

Antananarivo

Meet at Ivato international airport and transfer to the hotel. Live intensely your first contact with the City of the Thousand, one of the most picturesque capitals in the world where the rice plantations besiege to the footing of its bordering districts. Sort of pyramid-city but with a base which does not cease extending, Antananarivo is built on three levels and at the summit the emblematic Queen's Palace right in rehabilitation. Visits of Ambohimanga 'the Blue Hill', and of the Old City with its superb panoramic sight.

DAY 2

Antananarivo - Antsirabe

We choose to leave early to discover the countryside of Imerina during its wakening with its undulating landscapes, its hamlets of cob walls, and always the feeder ricefields. At the km No 170 of this RN7, also called the Road of the South, Antsirabe is the first thermal site of Madagasikara and has a climate particularly vivifying. In the afternoon, we will not refuse the pleasure of strolling by rickshaw between two visits of lapidaries and craftsmen workshops'. We will pass the night at the hotel according to the client choice.

DAY 3

Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

We will not leave the Town of Water without a small detour to the most famous volcanic lake of Madagasikara, the Lake Tritriva. Then we will head into the West, the fertile lands of Vakinankaratra gradually give up the place to the aridity of Bongolava. Miandrivazo on the side of Mahajilo, an affluent of Tsiribihina, will be our port of boarding. This region is famous having the highest temperatures of Madagasikara! Relaxation at the Coin d'Or or Rasalimo hotel.

DAY 4

River

Boarding at 8.00 a.m. after the breakfast, then we go for a tour by the dugout which will watch the malagasy West scenery, in its austere beauty, pass before our eyes. We will stop as much as anyone will want to stretch his legs a bit in a virgin nature, and to discover endemic species of birds such as wigeons, égrettes, herons and chameleons. Stop for meal at the semi-day and the guide-cook will concoct you something with meat certainly - based - on zebu, fish, chicken, and vegetables. Only fresh things! Then we resume the navigation until the evening, preparing the bivouac on a sand bank. Meditation guaranteed by listening to the whistle of the night insects and by contemplating a beautiful starry sky...

DAY 5

Gorges of Tsiribihina river

The passage of the Gorges through the solid mass of Bemaraha is one of the strong points of the descent. Fantastic landscapes, a deciduous dry forest, a diversified fauna where one will recognize in particular the lemurs which should not be missed such as propithèques of verraux or fulvus lemurs, very rare Pygargue of Madagasikara or 'Ankoay', or large parrots, chatterers with wish. Bathe in a natural swimming pool collecting crystalline water of a very beautiful waterfall. We will see lemurs watering themselves there by a little chance.

DAY 6

Antseraraka

We take breakfast on a sand bank - as usual - and then new departure with a background of tobacco fields. It is told that they were Greek migrants who have launched this intensive culture from the end of 19th century. Under the impassive eye of black cap herons, our boats will pass in front of the rock blocks where groups of dogfishes are hung.
End of the river and we take the zebu-cart to join the village of Antseraraka for 3 hours and night in the bungalow.

DAY 7

Antseraraka - Morondava

After the breakfast, we take the road on Morondava by 4x4wheels, while passing by the famous avenue of baobab trees. Night at the Bougainvillier or similar hotel.

DAY 8

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continuation by plane to Antananarivo or Toliary.