Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
24;
www.piroguedormorombe.com
)
with basic bungalows on the sea, is probably the best
place to stay, and arranges transfers. Somehow.
Southern Reef
There are some interesting places to visit on the reef south of Tuléar, including its best
overall tourist destination, Anakao. But after that places of interest are fewer and farther
between.Meanwhiletheareainlandcontainsamassivespinyforestoflittleornointerestto
the traveller at all, once its basics have been digested. So really, the only sensible itinerary
here is to continue hopping down the coast. How far you go simply depends on how much
time you have. For those with limited time, a day trip to Sarodrano and St Augustine, or
one or two days in Anakao, will suffice. For those wanting to unearth an unknown gem, in
a more remote location, consider Ambola. Long-haulers have to decide between the inland
route to Ampanihy, on the RN10, or the coastal route via Beheloka, Itampolo and Saodona,
before continuing on to the cape. The latter is preferable, but only doable in the dry season
between May and late October, as the Linta River becomes impassable. In reality, however,
all bets are off in this area in the rainy season, as the roads have degraded substantially, and
are subject to deep mud everywhere.
SARODRANO
Sarodrano is the first stop south of Tuléar, a fishing village of grass huts on a sandy penin-
sula that extends into the ocean beneath some cliffs. It's a short distance from the city, on a
good road, but worlds away in every other respect.
The
Grotte de Sarodrano
(admission Ar2000), near la Mangrove, is worth a look (and
swim). It's a bi-level natural pool jointly fed by tidal flow and freshwater springs, such
that it contains both fresh and saltwater fish at different depths (and lots of them). From
here you can take an interesting pirogue ride to Sarodrano village. If one isn't waiting, call
Auberge de Pecheur.
Sleeping & Eating
Auberge de Pecheur
BUNGALOW €
( 032 42 903 90; d Ar20,000, without bathroom Ar12,000) You can rent a basic hut at
this place right on the beach, and do nothing the rest of the day.
La Mangrove
BUNGALOW €
( 94 936 26; http://hotelchezalain-tuléar.com; d Ar30,000) For more midrange accom-
modation, try this place which appears on the right side of the road just before the penin-
