Tour Guide, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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Tsiribihina is the name of a long river found between Miandrivazo city and Belo/Tsiribihina city. Tsiribihina means nobody can go across this river by feet because it is very deep and has many crocodiles.
Tour on Tsiribihina by motor boat or by wooden pirogue becomes very popular in the west region of Madagascar since the last decade.
The trip lasts three days and two nights either by motor boat or by pirogue and we offer this tour only from April to November of the year.
Tourists start this tour from Miandrivazo and will visit 4 villages located at the river side along the river such Masiakampy, Begidro, Berevo and Antsiraraka. The visit of the villages allows the tourists to learn more about the life of the Malagasy people and give them opportunity to get in direct touch with them. Tourists discover also how those people spend their time during their life, among of it, they spend their time in the rice field or beans field or tobacco field, or they catch fish from the river for their meals or they spend their most time to discuss under the tree in order to avoid the heat from the sun, the region is very hot.
Throughout the mountain of Bemaraha or the gorge of Bemaraha, tourists will not miss to see the two species of lemurs, the Sifaka or white lemur with a black mouth and the Gidro or the brown lemur. They can be seen along the river side, in the forest along the river and must be seen near the big waterfall and natural swimming pool.
Not only that, you may see crocodiles, turtles, king fisher bird, chameleon, wild duck bird, herons, bats and the famous baobab tree during the trip.
The night, tourists sleep under the tent on the River side, we call it 100 Stars Hotel. The beach is so soft and white. Usually tents are provided but it is recommended that the tourists will bring their own sleeping bag. Before going to bed every night a fire camp is organized and all sing and dance , drinks and snacks are served at the same time. Some people from the village nearby come and perform their traditional music during the evening.
This tour gives also opportunity to taste the Malagasy dishes , in the morning, you will have godrogodro for your breakfast. In the noon you will have Chicken with coconut milk for your lunch and in the evening you will have ro mazava for your soup or diner.
I dare to say that I am the first organizer of this trip by pirogue or wooden boat or rowing boat. In 1991, One tourist wanted to do this trip he came with his motor bike and contacted me to organize it. We spend two days in Miandrivazo and in a village called Bepeha to find a boatman to offer this tour. We found nobody to offer this tour at that time, finally that tourist continued his route by riding his motor bike to Morondava.
One year later, in 1992, two another tourists came in Miandrivazo and yet decided to this trip. At this time I have known two men, the one is called Rami and the other is called Johary, I made an arrangement with them and we decided to take those tourists to experience the first time the trip on Tsiribihina river by rowing boat together. Rami and Johary were our Boatmen and I an their Tour guide and interpreter ( English/Malagasy language). I never forget it.
For this unforgettable and memorable experience, I decide to found my first tour operator in Miandrivazo city on 2002. The name of this tour operator is BABA VOYAGES. The main activity of BABA VOYAGES is to organize the boat ride on Tsiribihina river for three days and two nights.
I let you know that I can organize your tour from Antananarivo upon your arrival at International airport until to the location where you need my services as your tour guide.
I think I have enough experiences to offer you the best services.
Jean Claude tour guide in Madagascar.