11/ Madagascar, adventure in a land of Baobabs: 6 nights – 7 days

This module brings us adventure in the remote west of Madagascar, 4×4 driving on all kinds of track, wading through rivers, crossing saltpans and mangroves, navigating tall grass, bush plains and sand dunes. Pushing might be required if the 4×4 gets stuck! A varied landscape with different species of baobabs, this is the land of the Mikea, a primitive tribe of hunter-gatherers. On the final days the tracks follow the coastline between Andavadoaka and Tulear

DAY 1:  MORONDAVA – BELO SUR MER: 90 km

After breakfast, short visit of Morondava then 4 hours drive southwards on a dirt and sandy track to reach Belo sur mer. Our adventure starts with crossing Kabatomena, the first long river without bridge, then followed by Maharivo, a second shorter one. Arrival in Belo sur Mer around noon. A small town situated on the beach, Belo is a fishermen village known for its dhow construction. Afternoon, we visit to the village and see the traditional open-air dhow construction. Settling and overnight in hotel

DAY 2:BELO SUR MER – MANJA: 110km

Depending on the tide, an optional local pirogue transfer to Kirindy Mitea National Park is possible on request. This newly opened National Park classified as “Ramsar Site”where is available, where many birds can be spotted. It also characterized by a typical vegetation of the west composed with dry-deciduous and thorny bush to a spiny forest. In the afternoon, 4 to 5 hours drive to Manja. Night at KANTO on HB (very basic hotel).

DAY 3 : MANJA – ANDAVADAOKA: 240 km

Today is another long drive but a rewarding one with beautiful scenery: everywhere we see baobabs, spiny forest. Here we are really in Africa with its bush landscape, its dark feature population. We’ll continue our drive, we take another ferry and cross Mangoky River and reach the town of Bevoay, one of the most important city where a big dam has just been built to water all the fertile plains, the rice and vegetables fields surrounding. Our car has to drive through another 2 small different rivers. The second step is the drive from Bevoay to Andavadoaka via Morombe which takes 4 hours with some stops in between. Estimated arrival late in the afternoon. Overnight in hotel

DAY 4:ANDAVADOAKA

Day at leisure in Andavadoaka, known for its beautiful lagoon, its emerald sea, white sandy beach, and its baobab forest. A nice fishermen village with a breath-taking scenery, it is also the best relaxing spot after the long and hard journey. Overnight in the same hotel

DAY 5:ANDAVADOAKA – IFATY: 180km

Early in the morning, drive to Ifaty. Today’s landscape is dominated by the spiny forest like the cactus, different euphorbiacea and didieracea… Many mangrove trees are lining the coast alternated by Vezo fishermen villages. Arrival in Ifaty at the end of the afternoon. Night in hotel

Day 6: IFATY – TULEAR

2 hours drive to Tuléar. Short city tours. Your tour ends here.