Sambirano Adventure: Canoe, Waterfall, and Thermal Wellness｜Madagascar

Day 1: Heading for Upper Sambirano and the energy of Andranomandevy
8:30 AM – The big departure from Ambanja: Your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel (such as the Palma Nova). The journey begins on the red track that goes up the Sambirano River. The open windows let in the scents of ylang-ylang and damp earth.
10:30 AM – Immerse yourself in the cocoa plantations: First stop in the heart of the farms. You walk under the protective canopy where the cocoa trees grow. A local live guide shows you how to pick the pod and invites you to taste the white, tangy pulp of the fresh beans.
2:00 PM – The lively river crossing: After a picnic lunch, the trail stops abruptly in front of the Sambirano Riverbed. You leave the vehicle for a memorable crossing in a traditional canoe, sometimes supplemented by a zebu-drawn cart to cross the sandbanks.
4:00 pm – Arrival in Andranomandevy and the secret of the springs: You reach the village of Andranomandevy. On foot, you reach the sacred thermal spring where hot water gushes from the earth. In the late afternoon, the light fades over the nearby swamp, revealing the dance of hundreds of tropical birds that have come to nest there.
7:30 PM – Solidarity evening at the gîte: You will settle in at the eco-gîte managed by the village women's association. You share a traditional dinner (local rice, brèdes, coconut chicken) and exchange smiles with the hosts to the rhythm of authentic rural life.
Day 2: The secrets of Ambobaka and the freshness of the waterfall
7:30 AM – Wake-up call with the crowing of the rooster and drop-off at the trail: After a local breakfast, you cross the river again to reach your vehicle. Head for the village of Ambobaka, located about 20 kilometers downstream.
9:30 AM – Meeting with the traditional healers of Ambobaka: You arrive in this village, which is world-famous for its traditional healers. You explore their educational botanical garden: the live guide explains the use of sacred bark and leaves to massage and treat ailments according to ancestral knowledge.
11:00 AM – Cruise on the Ramena River: You board a dugout canoe to gently travel up the calm waters of the Ramena River, a tributary of the Sambirano, surrounded by green mountains.
12:00 PM – Lunch and swimming at the Bons Pères Waterfall: The canoe drops you off at the foot of the Bons Pères Waterfall. After a short walk, the show begins with a splendid waterfall. You will have lunch on the rocks before swimming in the cool pools and natural jacuzzis.
4:00 PM – Sunset on the Sambirano and drop-off: You take the track back to Ambanja. The trip ends on the city bridge, facing a flamboyant sunset that sets the waters of the river ablaze and brings this immersive experience to a magnificent close.