3-day Tsingy of Bemaraha tour from Morondava: Baobab Avenue

Limestone cliffs, hanging bridges and a river gorge in three days from Morondava

A 3-day tour from Morondava to Tsingy of Bemaraha National Park and back, with private transport, a local guide and park entry included. Day one takes you by safari drive and ferry across two rivers to Bekopaka village. Day two is spent exploring the Manambolo River gorge by canoe, then climbing and navigating caves inside Big Tsingy. The final day returns you to Morondava with a stop at Baobab Avenue for sunset.

The experience

Bekopaka village sits at the end of a long drive from Morondava: a 3-hour stretch of dusty roads through the Malagasy countryside, broken up by ferry crossings at the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers. You'll stop for lunch in Belo town on the way out and check in at your hotel by afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free. The early start on day one means you arrive with time to settle in before the real work begins.

Day two is the heart of the trip. A 6 a.m. wake-up gets you to the Manambolo River at dawn, where you board a traditional wooden canoe and drift through the gorge as limestone cliffs rise on either side and birds call from the water. After an hour on the river, you drive 17 kilometers to Big Tsingy of Bemaraha National Park, where the landscape shifts to a maze of sharp limestone formations. You'll climb through the rock, pass through caves, cross a hanging bridge, and take a break for a picnic lunch before heading back to the hotel. The afternoon is yours to rest or use the pool and bar.

The return on day three retraces the route to Belo town for lunch, then detours to Baobab Avenue: a stand of massive, ancient baobab trees that line a dirt road. You'll have time to walk among them and watch the sunset before the final drive back to Morondava. The tour runs only from April to October when the roads are passable. Outside those months, the route is closed.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the three days.
• ferry crossings at the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers.
• park entrance to Big Tsingy of Bemaraha and a mandatory local guide.
• American breakfast each morning.
• a picnic lunch on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday6 departure times: the first at 04:30, the last at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (20 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 19 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by FRIENDLY TOUR GUIDE MADAGASCAR

Is this one for you?The tour starts at 7 a.m. on day one and includes several hours of climbing and cave navigation on day two, so it suits travelers who are comfortable with early starts and physical activity. The fixed itinerary means all three stops (the river gorge, the limestone formations, and Baobab Avenue) fit into a single three-day window, and the April-to-October season window is set by road conditions, not by choice.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 19 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Tsingy of Bemaraha and what do you actually do there?

Tsingy of Bemaraha is a national park built on sharp limestone formations that rise like a forest of stone. You climb through the rock, navigate caves, and cross a hanging bridge suspended above the formations. A local guide leads you through the terrain, and the park entrance fee is included in the tour price.

How much walking and climbing is involved on day two?

Day two is the most physically demanding day of the tour. You'll spend several hours on your feet climbing limestone formations, moving through caves and across the hanging bridge. The itinerary includes a picnic lunch break before you return to the hotel in the afternoon.

What happens on the Manambolo River canoe trip?

On the morning of day two, you board a traditional wooden canoe and paddle through the Manambolo River gorge. The gorge is lined with towering limestone cliffs and hidden caves. The canoe trip lasts about an hour, and it is the quietest part of the day: a good time to photograph the landscape or watch for birds.

What is Baobab Avenue and when do you see it?

Baobab Avenue is a dirt road lined with massive, ancient baobab trees near Morondava. You visit it on day three during your return journey, with time to walk among the trees and watch the sunset before heading back to town. The trees are iconic to the region and a popular spot for photography.