BEKOPAKA BEMARAHA – the entrance point of the Tsinji-Bemarakha nature reserve.
Rafting on the Manambolo River: Rafting on the Manambolo River is carried out on traditional pirogues (kayaks), during which you have the opportunity to admire the impressive gorges. Further up the river are caves related to the burial traditions of the Wasimba (the first inhabitants of Madagascar).
Tsinji-Bemaraha: a unique limestone labyrinth 30 m high with footpaths, iron stairs and small bridges. There are two observation decks that offer stunning views of the park, and there is also a high chance of meeting Van der Decken’s sifaka and the red-fronted lemur.
Avenue of the Baobabs: The Avenue or Avenue of the Baobabs is a prominent group of baobab trees that line the dirt road between the towns of Morondava and Beloni Tsiribihina in the Menabe region of western Madagascar. This amazing landscape attracts tourists from all over the world, making this place one of the most visited in the country. In July 2007, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests of Madagascar granted temporary conservation status to the alley.
ANTSIRABE
Rickshaws: At any time of the day, you will see over 6,000 people riding what are known as “pus-pus” rickshaws. Without them, Antsirabe would not be Antsirabe, it is the main city transport. Be sure to take a short tour of the city center in one of these rickshaws.
Antsirabe workshops: the city hosts many workshops for the production of various handicrafts: recycled metal is used to make miniature bicycles and cars, zebu horns are used as a material for decorative items or kitchen utensils, precious and semi-precious stones are polished and then made from them decorations are made.
Zafimaniri Villages: The woodworking art of the Zafimaniri people is inscribed on the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List” of UNESCO (2008). Today, about 25,000 Zafimaniri people live in a hundred villages scattered throughout the mountainous regions of the region. The Zafimaniri community remains the only repository of a unique woodworking culture that was once widespread throughout the island.
FIANARANCOA
Fianarantsoa old town tour: Fianarantsoa means “good education” in Malagasy, and for a reason: this city is the cultural and intellectual capital of the island. It houses some of the oldest Protestant and Lutheran cathedrals of the island, the oldest theological seminary (also Lutheran). Fianarantsoa is also considered the wine capital of Madagascar due to the presence of the wine industry in the city.
Sahambawi Tea Plantation: Sahambawi is the only tea plantation on the island of Madagascar. The plantation covers approximately 335 hectares, with a daily production of approximately 20 tons of wet leaves collected by approximately 250 people. Tourists can visit the tea fields, watch the process of picking the leaves and transforming them into granulated tea. Then a tasting is held for tourists, which will allow you to discover the rich taste of Madagascar tea.
Antemoro Paper Factory: In the small town of Ambalavao, a cultural treasure with marvelous architecture, beautiful houses with verandas, there is the Antemoro Paper Factory, which produces inlaid paper made from plants and flowers, which today is exported all over the world and which is used to make beautiful greeting cards.
RANOKHIRA (IZALO)
“Izalo Window”: The so-called “Izalo Window” is located on top of a hill and is a rectangular formation of rocks with a large opening, which is why it was called a window. “Window” is an amazing place that is ideal for watching the most beautiful Madagascar sunset.
Isalo National Park: A great place to hike through canyons and oases with a park ranger and admire the stunning moonlit scenery of this place and beautiful waterfalls. This landscape was shaped during the Jurassic period and developed a unique flora that was able to adapt to the existing conditions. Isalo Park is home to 77 species of birds, including the rare and famous rock thrush Monticola sharpei bensoni. During the haika you can see various lemurs, including cats.
RANOMAFANA
Ranomafana National Park: Ranomafana National Park is home to over 41,600 hectares of rainforest, home to many rare animal and plant species, including the golden lemur, broad-nosed lemur, wari lemur and Milna-Edwards sifaka, and 120 species of frogs. Of the birds, you can see the blue-headed earthen rashka-atelornis, the blue vanga, the short-legged earthen raksha and the one-color Madagascar shepherd. The park was founded in 1991 with the aim of preserving the unique biodiversity of the local ecosystem and reducing human impact on the protected area.
