First Descent of Matsiatra River

This trip is the FIRST ever descent of Matsiatra River plus a four day trek inside the wild Makay Canyons. This expedition has not been run before and needs no rafting experience and average fitness.

It is all too easy to believe there are few unexplored areas of the world left to be discovered, but for anyone with a true sense of adventure Pioneer Expeditions is offering a unique & and never before attempted & trip to the more remote parts of Madagascar.

Close to the equator and with habitats that switch from rainforest to desert and mountain to mangrove swamp, the Indian Ocean island is noted for its rich plant biodiversity.

Typified by stunning landscapes, wildlife and plants, the itinerary will focus on the first ever organised descent of the Matsiatra River combined with a four day trek inside the isolated and wild Makay Canyons.

The 18-night trip - which departs in May - features a programme that will open up a world inhabited by crocodiles, birds and reptiles, that boasts dense vegetation and unusual fauna, and at times will take visitors into traditional villages, isolated retreats, clear freshwater springs and vineyards dotted across hillside settings.

The tour level of difficulty is classed as medium while the standard of comfort is in relation to the majority of nights that are spent camping. The last few days are enjoyed relaxing at a luxurious resort on the waters of the Mozambique channel.

The trip costs £2450 per person and includes a full programme of discovery and activities, transfers, all meals while camping and at hotel stays, and the services of experienced local guides and tour leaders. International flights are not included.

0845 0047 801

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 Arrive Antananarivo (Tana)

Friday 23rd May 2008. After your arrival and introductory briefing from the expedition leader, there will be time to explore the town and pick up any additional supplies for the time we spend away from civilisation. Tana, a crazy mix of African, Asian and French sights, can be noisy and crowded or, in the early morning, sun lit, tranquil and picturesque. For the first time visitor just a stroll around the bustling streets and up and down the many tiers of steps, with their diverse collection of vendors and stalls, will be a never forgotten experience.
Overnight hotel with all meals.

Day 2 Drive to Fianarantsoa (Fianar)

A long and fascinating drive on a good but winding road. With lots of opportunities for great photo stops, passing through very diverse highland scenery, forested areas and rice paddies, plus lots of traditional villages and active rural life.

Fianar is the academic and intellectual centre of Madagascar and lies at the heart of the country's most productive agricultural region. The town is dominated by the 1374m Mount Kianjasoa and the city has a high country atmosphere and is Madagascar's leading wine producing area with vineyards dotted around the surrounding hillsides.
Overnight hotel with all meals.

Day 3 Four wheel drive to the Matsiatra river

We set off early for the 160km of fairly good 4WD tracks to the start of the river expedition. Heading towards the village of Fitampito, we navigate a steep mountainous road for the first 100km and then onto an immense highland plain bordered by distant ranges.

Heading further into the interior we should reach the river in time for lunch and then, after an initial briefing, we launch the rafts.

During our first afternoon afloat we shall have rafting instruction, experience our first rapids and doubtlessly spot our first crocodile plus some exotic and unique vegetation, including baobabs, pachypodiums and succulents. We even have a short portage around some tricky rapids before setting up our first night's campsite on the river banks.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 4 & 5 Matsiatra descent

Continuing our descent of the Matsiatra, we shall pass through beautiful and ever changing scenery with a myriad of bird life and the occasional village along the shore. Locals living in this remote area are cut off from the rest of the country, being days away from the nearest track and modern civilisation. We can see their traditional lifestyle and activities at the riverside.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 6 Ride high on the Matsiatra

At this stage of our journey we are at a very remote part of the river with no more settlements or villages. Due to the seclusion, wildlife is increasingly abundant and the sensation of isolation intense.

We stop off at an old and disused Mica and Beryl mining site and, if we have arrived in time, we can explore the surrounding hills in search of great mineral souvenirs straight from the bush. This evening we shall cross the river and ferry all the porters over, as tomorrow we will leave on foot towards the Makay range. This is the end of part one of the river Matsiatra.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 7 Trek to the Makay canyons

After breakfast we begin out trek with a 400m ascent followed almost immediately by a 400m descent - what a way to start the day! At an easy pace we cross a deserted range of hills and, although we may spot tribesmen grazing their cattle, this is a lightly populated area of few villages with no modern facilities.

We can see in the distance our destination & the Makay range - on the far side of the valley but, depending on our progress, we may not reach the canyons until the next day.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 8 Trekking the Makay canyons

Nearing the canyons is always impressive, the range seems continuous and we may have to explore to detect the start of the trail. We are aiming at a particular canyon which at this time of year will be partly filled with water. With mostly a sandy bottom we will be tramping in ankle deep water either barefoot or in sports sandals. This could prove to be the hardest part of the expedition but worth it for the opportunity to trek through these extraordinary narrow gorges and canyons.

Depending on our progress we should sleep in a cavern known locally as the Andranomita Cave. Here we can drink from a clear freshwater spring and explore the surroundings, observing the unusual flora and fauna in the canyon. There is fairly dense vegetation here but if we keep our eyes peeled we should sight the lemur cattas (ring tail lemur) which have been reported in this area.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 9 & 10 Trekking in the Makay range

For the next two days we will trek through the winding canyons, across a highland plain and back to the canyons until finally we reach the edge of the Makay.

We should reach the Matsiatra river in the late afternoon where our boats will be waiting for us.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 11 & 12 Rafting the Matsiatra
This section of river flows through beautiful narrow passages, it is surrounded by dense primary rainforest on all sides and the wildlife is abundant. We hope to see lemurs, chameleons, birds, crocodiles, turtles, fosa and bats.

As the river descends and we are confident of our rafting skills we will navigate the numerous rapids that are nicely spread out on this section. There is no human presence in the gorge and, because of the terrain, the porters can not reach us. This means we will be self supportive & travelling light with basic camping gear and simple meals - but this is arguably the most spectacular section of the Matsiatra and it will be worth it.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 13 Join the Mangoky river

We reach the Mangoky in the early morning and, for the next 40km, experience the calm, flat expanse of this mighty river before it becomes narrow and dramatic once more. Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 14 & 15 Mangoky descent

We continue heading west. The gorges are splendid and lined with thousands of baobabs & unquestionably the highest concentration of such trees in the world. Wildlife is plentiful even if crocodiles are more elusive on this river due to poaching. At night we will pitch our tents on gorgeous riverside beaches and enjoy campfires, good food and immense Madagascan skies.
Overnight camping with all meals.

Day 16 Drive to coast

On arrival in Bevoay we leave our boats behind
and transfer to four wheels to drive to our beach side resort near Andavadoaka. After a varied and picturesque journey, we will reach what has been described as ‘one of the best beaches in Madagascar'.
Overnight hotel with all meals.

Day 17 & 18 By the beach

We have two days to relax, explore the surrounding countryside with its rare diverse species of baobab, check out the incredible beaches, dive and snorkel the clear waters and coral reefs or just put your feet up and savour the experiences of the last two weeks.
The area has one of the richest marine ecosystems on the west coast with phenomenal diving and equally enjoyable snorkelling sites. Manta rays, whales, sharks, turtles, potato groupers, napoleon wrasses and mega pods of dolphins, as well as all the smaller reef fish, are regularly sighted. On our last night together we shall have a final celebratory meal.
Overnight hotel with all meals.

Day 19 Antananarivo

Tuesday 10th June 2008. Fly from Tulear to Tana where the tour ends.
Antananarivo is the colourful capital city of Madagascar with a rainbow of houses decorating the hillsides, extensive rice paddies running through sections of the town, and bustling streets full of cars and Zebu-drawn (humped cattle) carts.
Before departure, you may choose to spend the day in this historic city, with its Mediterranean climate and vast surrounding rice plains. You can browse the markets for local handicraft and souvenirs, visit the Rova - the hilltop ruin of the Queen's Palace, the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

This is primarily a camping expedition. We shall stay in classic dome tents with two people in each three person tents, follow environmentally responsible camping procedure and ensure we make as little impact on the ecosystem as possible. Our nights in Tana will be in a first class hotel and our time by the beach will be in a luxurious resort with excellent facilities and extremely comfortable bungalows. All rooms are based on twin occupancy but single occupancy is available at some locations at an extra cost.