Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
need to book an early-morning pirogue trip, which is also a good way to see the area's
aquaticbirds.Atwo-hourguidedboattouronthelakeandintotheparkcosts10,000Arper
two-personpirogue.Thereisalsoaparkentryfeeof10,000Arperperson.Thebesttimeto
visit is from March to June when the water level is highest.
Andrebais45minutesfromAmbatondrazakaby
taxi-brousse
(2,000Ar).
CampBandro
(
26 347 87;
m
034 10 147 60;
e
reservation@mwc-info.net
;
€), a Madagascar Wildlife
Conservation project, has two double rooms (10,000Ar), camping facilities (5,000Ar/tent)
and a kitchen area but no restaurant.
THE SMUGGLERS' PATH
A steady trickle of adventurers come to Lake Alaotra in or-
der to hike the Smugglers' Path to the east coast. Much of the feedback I've received has
been quite negative. It's very tough, very steep, and not particularly rewarding (lots of de-
forestation). The route takes four to five days, beginning in Andromba. The trail passes
through Ambohitromby, Manambato, then various small villages before ending in Anja-
hambe. From there
taxi-brousses
go to Vavatenina, and thence to the east coast. Hotel
Voahirana can arrange guides.
ZAHAMENA NATIONAL PARK
Zahamena (
57 300 33;
e
cimateza@dts.mg
) is a wonderful but somewhat difficult to
reach and thus little-visited national park, which has only recently become accessible to
tourists. Its 64,370ha protects 13 lemur species (including indri), over 100 varieties of rep-
tile and amphibian, and a diverse range of flora - including two locally endemic ferns.
Access is usually from the east: from Ambatondrazaka it is a 70km road to the park of-
fice at Antanandava (2 hours) then 8km to the park entry at Ankosy on a track that is pass-
able in a 4x4 from July to November (otherwise it's two hours on foot). It is also possible
to reach the park from the east coast around Fenoarivo, where there is also an office.
Guides (8,000Ar) and porters (5,000Ar) are available, but best arranged in advance.
There are two circuits of roughly 6km (3 hours) each, with camping possible for 2,000Ar/
night. You will need to bring with you all food and other supplies for your visit. See
Click
Here
for permit prices.
CONTINUING EAST ON RN2: MORAMANGA TO
ANDASIBE
