Western Madagascar - Madagascar - page 212

There is nothing to do or see in Belo, but there are two excellent sleeping and eating
options, which come in very handy for those on their way to/back from the Tsingy de Be-
maraha or the Tsiribihina.
SLEEPING & EATING
Hôtel-Restaurant du Menabe HOTEL €
( 032 42 635 35; http://hoteldumenabe.free.fr ; d/tr Ar25,000/30,000) In an old, colourful
colonial building, Hôtel du Menabe offers some grand rooms with huge double beds. Most
have bathrooms and all are impeccably clean. The hotel is run by a friendly Frenchman,
Bruno, and there is a great atmosphere, notably in the evenings when the dining room fills
up with travellers swapping stories of Tsingy ascents and Tsiribihina descents.
Mad Zebu INTERNATIONAL €€
( 032 07 589 55, 032 40 387 15; [e-mail]; mains Ar12,000-16,000)
The 'crazy zebu' is the most incongruous find in dusty Belo: dishes seem to come straight
out of a Michelin-starred restaurant (the chef trained in prestigious kitchens in Madagascar
andEurope),withexquisitecreationssuchaspan-friedshinofzebuwithroastcherrytoma-
toes or Nile perch in coconut sauce, all elaborately presented. Every travel agent in Mada-
gascar books its clients here for lunch on their way between Morondava and the Tsingy de
Bemaraha, so it's a good idea to book ahead.
INFORMATION
There is no bank or internet access in Belo. The nearest facilities are in Morondava.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Boat
Belo is on the northern side of the Tsiribihina River so vehicles (and passengers) coming
from Morondava need to use the ferry (passenger/ vehicle Ar500/20,000, 45 minutes, 6am
to 7pm).
Taxi-Brousse
There are daily taxis-brousses between Belo-sur-Tsiribihina and Morondava (Ar10,000,
four hours). Departures are from the Morondava side of the river. The road is unsealed but
in good condition.