Kayaking in Madagascar – Boat tour through the mountain cloud forest

Day 1: Departure from Antananarivo to Andasibe

The first day of the six-day journey starts early in the morning in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. You will board your vehicle and head towards Andasibe on the well-maintained RN 2 road.

Along the way, you have the option to visit the Madagascar Exotique Reserve, managed by the renowned French researcher A. Peyrieras.

This reserve is home to numerous reptiles, mammals, and birds, offering tourists the chance to observe them up close. However, most animals are kept in cages or enclosures, limiting the opportunity for natural habitat observation.

Despite this, the reserve remains a popular stop for tourists and we can organize a brief visit. You will then continue your journey to Andasibe, passing through other reserves like Andasibe, Mantadia, and the Torotorofotsy Moor. After a drive through Moramanga, you will finally arrive in Andasibe.

We have arranged for your overnight stay at the stunningly located Vakona Lodge in Andasibe.

Day 2: Visit to Andasibe National Park

On the second day of the tour, you will start by exploring the Andasibe National Park.

During a guided tour through the jungle, you will have the opportunity to observe numerous extraordinary animals in their natural habitat.

The specific itinerary in the park will depend on your physical condition and interests. If you prefer, you can return to the hotel for lunch around midday.

Alternatively, you can have lunch as a picnic right in the park, which is truly a unique experience.

The afternoon is dedicated to a visit to the Mitsinjo Association.

This group consists of local residents who have come together to support conservation and preservation efforts in the area.

The staff there offer guided tours and provide plenty of information about the local flora and fauna. In the evening, you have the opportunity to join a guided night excursion in the Mitsinjo Reserve.

Afterwards, you will spend the night once again at the Vakona Lodge.

Day 3: Train ride from Perinet to Lohariandava

On the third day, you will start your adventure boat tour from the train station in Perinet.

While there are no dangerous or insurmountable situations awaiting you, this tour will definitely be adventurous and extraordinary.

You will begin with a small train ride in Perinet. Operated by Mada-Rail, this train only reaches the Perinet station three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

That's why it is crucial to professionally plan this tour to ensure that the timing fits perfectly.

The train will take you and your equipment to Lohariandava, but not before treating you to a truly impressive train journey.

The somewhat old-fashioned vehicle will pass through numerous tiny stations, where the local residents eagerly await your arrival. Being so isolated, they rarely see outsiders, making the arrival of the train a welcomed highlight.

Upon arrival at the Lohariandava station, the focus will be on unloading all equipment and preparing for the upcoming boat tour.

After crossing the river, the camp will be set up on a sandbank by the shore, where you will spend the night.

While the team is busy preparing the camp, you can explore the surrounding rainforest on your own and perhaps even encounter some of its inhabitants.

Day 4: The Rapids of Sahatandra

On the fourth day of the journey, it's finally time to get into the boats.

You will quickly realize that the additional investment in an experienced team has paid off. While the river itself poses no insurmountable dangers, it does take some skill to navigate the boats through the granite rocks and rapids smoothly and safely.

On the banks, the mighty and impressive rainforest rises on both sides, quickly captivating you.

Exploration trips into the rainforest are also included, as the team must take breaks to find the best way through the rapids.

Once again, camping will be set up directly on the riverbank on this day, allowing you to enjoy a stunning view of the starry sky.

Day 5: Journey through the Bamboo Forests

On the fifth day of the trip, the water calms down a bit and flows more leisurely.

All the ingredients for an unforgettable boat trip come together: the Sahatandra River now merges with the Vohitra and flows along imposing cliffs towards the east. Countless granite mazes and the dense rainforest rise on either side of the river.

The tropical sun, the crystal-clear water, and the green impenetrability of the jungle create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy this section of the journey. Once again, you can look forward to a wonderfully romantic camping experience on the riverbank.

Day 6: Explore the Pangalanes Canal

On the sixth and final day of your journey, changes are on the horizon.

The landscape around you is transforming as the dense rainforest gives way to a vast coastal plain and more villages appear along the riverbanks. You will encounter more rafts and pirogues carrying various goods, navigated by the locals.

You will drift into the Pangalanes Canal with the current, leaving all rapids behind you as bamboo and sugarcane line the shores.

Your destination for the day is Anivorano, a village about 12 kilometers from Brickaville. Here, you will disembark and bid farewell to the boats.

From Anivorano, you can embark on various extension tours, which are not included in the price listed below.

Possible tours may take you to the east coast to Sainte Marie or to Nosy Be.

You also have the option to return to Antananarivo from here.

If you need information on possible extensions and tour connections, we are happy to advise you on all the options available in our program.