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Ecotourism
Feedback Madagascar has been involved in the development and facilitation of various community Ecotourism projects. These tourist opportunities are in line with Feedback's philosophy as they not only allow tourists access to beautiful countryside and an opportunity to experience the Malagasy way of life first hand, they ensure that whilst doing so the tourist also gives back to the community by partaking in a sustainable, locally managed project that supports the local community you are visiting. Further Ecotourism projects are currently being developed so please check back with us for regular updates.
Ecotourism around Ambalavao:
Ambohimahamasina
Traditional style building Ambalavao
A rural community 39km southeast of Ambalavao, Ambohimahamasina (literally “at the sacred mountain”) is home to Madagascar’s most sacred mountain ‘Ambondrombe’ (see large pic above). It is believed that the spirits of all dead people reside on this mountain.
Bordering the rainforest ‘corridor’ which runs from Ranomafana to Andringtra, Ambohimahamasina has some spectacular scenery; with beautiful Betsileo villages and ricefields, and some interesting cultural sites. Weaving and basketry is traditional to the area.
A community tourism committee has been running since 2003, local guides have been trained and there are several local guesthouses or ‘homestay’ located around the area – giving travellers an opportunity to experience how rural Malagasy people really live. Various treks can be organised depending on interests, ability and time available. Views across the rainforest are breath-taking as you climb the mountain of Itaolana, and for the most adventurous there are various different treks that can be organized which cut across to the eastern side of the rainforest:
- to Ikongo (where a taxi-brousse can be taken to the train station in Manampatrana)
- to Ankarimbelo (after which you can walk to Ifanirea where there are taxi-brousses to Vohipeno and Manakara)
Campsites are currently being established along these paths.
There are fixed rates for guides as well as meals and accommodation at the homestay. There is a tourist fee to pay at the ‘commune’ office; these funds are managed by a local committee to improve amenities and benefit local communities.
Early morning view from homestay
Getting there
It is advised that travellers arrive in Ambohimahamasina in the morning so as to be able to contact guides and walk to their chosen homestay. There are daily taxi-brousses from Ambalavao to Ambohimahamasina; leaving very early in the morning on Mondays and Thursdays (market days). It is best to ask about times the day before so as to avoid long waits and disappointment. The fare is currently 3,000 Ariary from Ambalavao. The road is semi-tarmac and good all year round.
Alternatively, there are various guides in Ambalavao and Fianarantsoa that can organise trips to Ambohimahamasina.
‘La Maison des guides’, infront of the station in Fianarantsoa, tel : (00261 20) 75 520 30, can also make reservations for Ambohimahamasina.
A website is currently being developed concerning Ambohimahamasina. In the meantime, please contact Ny Tanintsika or APMM for more information.
Up close with lemus at Anja
Anja (Association AMI : Anjà Miray)
Lemur Reserve and Caves
About 15 km south of Ambalavao on the RN7, in the commune of Iarintsena, this little community-managed forest appears small from the outside but is like another world inside. Natural forest amongst huge rocks, there are also culturally-important caves to explore. The local community manages the tourism here and provides the guides. The forest is home to ‘maki’ (ringtailed lemurs), which one can get very close to.
There are fairly short circuits easy for everybody (the longest circuit is about 4 hours long).
The office is signposted along the RN7, where one has to pay the entrance fee and guide fee.
Languages : French / Malagasy / English
For more information, contact : Association des populations des montagnes du monde (A.P.M.M) Tambohivatro Malagasy tel : 7551468
apmm-fia@wanadoo.mg, www.madagascar.montain.org
Weaving demonstration at boutique
Ecotourism in Ambositra
Silk Workshop & Crafts Boutique / Restaurant
Voajanahary (Tel: 033 14 765 71 or 032 02 996 32) : a crafts boutique supplied by local craftspeople, including a silk workshop where one can see demonstrations of the different silk production techniques. There is also a bar and restaurant open everyday from 8am to 10pm. This initiative is supported by Ny Tanintsika and Mondo Giusto, providing an outlet for some of the wild silk and domestic silk products produced by women’s associations that they work with.
Ecotourism around Ambositra:
Silk Route Trails for Tourists + Homestay
View of Soatanana Village
Explore the traditional silk industry in the beautiful Betsileo countryside of Manandriana. Tours can be organised to the village of Soatanana, 38km southeast of Ambositra (tarmac road for 30km). This is a village specialized in spinning and weaving of wild silk, using traditional methods. This region is home to the greatest surface area of tapia forest in Madagascar.
Tapia (Uapaca bojeri) is an endemic plant and constitutes the only original forest in Madagascar’s highlands. Tapia is the staple diet of the wild silkworm (Borocera Madagascariensis), endemic to Madagascar. Feedback Madagascar - Ny Tanintsika oversees a project in this area to reintroduce the wild silkworm to the tapia forest and supports a weaver’s union, ‘Tambatra’, which regroups about 70 people.
A tour of this area provides the opportunity to see all the stages in silk production, from the cocoon to weaving, including dyeing of the threads which is done with exclusively natural dyes. A circuit lasting one day is proposed to visit the villages of Antapia and Soatanana. Language : French / Malagasy.
Please contact Feedback Madagascar - Ny Tanintsika for more information :
nytk.tnr@gmail.com;
tel : (00 261 20) 22 638 11 Antananarivo
View Reuters Article about silk in Madagascar (with video)
Other Recommended Ecotourism Activities :
Fianar Touring: specialising in eco-tourism and trecking http://fianar.touring.ifrance.com
La Maison des Guides: provides guides in association 'Coeur Malgache'- coeurmalgache@hotmail.com website to follow shortly.