THE “ZAFIMANIRY” TRIBE
In the heart of the highlands of Madagascar, east from the town of Ambositra, live the Zafimaniry tribe, a small ethnic group of about 50.000 people living in a hundred of villages. Following their founding myth, this tribe of Betsileo origins, escaping invader tribes and deforestation, sheltered among these mountains two centuries ago more or less.
Whether searching for pure lands to settle down or to preserve their freedom, Zafimaniry had lived in practically total autarky for a long time, nestled on high peaks, hard to reach and always shrouded in mist, growing rise, corn, potatoes, taro and manioc.
Thanks to their daily interaction with the forest, Zafimaniry have developed a remarkable skillfulness in wood carving.
Almost everything in their common life come from the forest: houses built without nails, in rosewood, with doors and windows elegantly graven, are interlocking masterpieces, which can be totally dismantled; stools to sit are obtained from only one block of wood; trunks, once hollowed out, are used to make big cases to collect honey; heavy coffins are made in the same ways, with only two pieces. Actually Zafimaniry know 23 different kinds of wood, each of them are used in a particular purpose.
The land of Zafimaniry is a destination which offers beautiful landscapes and many valiant tourists do trekking of 2 or more days to discover their characteristic villages, hidden among the mountains.
Despite the small number of people – or perhaps precisely for this reason – Zafimaniry culture have been included, by 2003, in the UNESCO Intangible Oral World Heritage.
When asking to Zafimaniry carvers about the meaning of their drawings it is not uncommon to be told they mean nothing but make wood only more attractive. Maybe this is really what it remains of the ancient knowledge theses “signs” represent; or it is an example of traditional Malagasy discretion; who knows… However it appears clearly to a trained eye, these graphic models refer to patterns which can be found in any place where “spirituality” have given rise to a kind of art able to carry a message through symbols. Hence, Zafimaniry tribe of Madagascar should be included among those people preserving the Universal Knowledge in the world.
ANDRINGITRA NATIONAL PARK
Andringitra National Park is found in Madagascar south/east, 47 kms. south of Ambalavao small town, along the National Road n. 7, in the Haute Matsiatra region. The park covers 31.160 ha and the altitude range from 650 ms. to 2658 ms. of Imarivolanitra (Pic Boby), the second highest peak of the country. The stunning unspoiled nature and the atmosphere of unrevealed secret make this site a mystic place to discover.
The History of the Park
Andringitra Integral Reserve was created in 1927. In 1998 Andringitra becomes a National Park, one of the six classified, by 2007, as a Natural World Heritage of Atsinanana Eastern Forests. Andringitra is situated in the land of Betsileo tribe, who lives of rice cultivated in terraces on the mountain slopes and the breeding of “zebu” (Malagasy cow). The western side of the park is inhabited by Barabory people whereas in the eastern part live the Baraharonga, whose ancestors came from the south/east of Madagascar.
A forest corridor
Andringitra is linked to Pic Ivohibe Special Reserve and to Ranomafana National Park by a forest corridor of 180 kms., a shelter for flora and fauna. Situated on a plain of the Highlands formed with crystalline schist, Andringitra is formed of Amborompotsy gneiss in the west and magmatic granite in the east. Gigantic domes and chains of rocks with narrows edges are found on the peaks, drawing a lunar landscape. Concentrated of endemism and biodiversity, Andringitra specificity is preserved thanks to the eastern forest and the steep sides of the mountain.
Fauna
7 species of shellfish founded in the rivers and lakes, 190 species of insects, including those aquatic, 78 species of amphibians, 50 species of reptiles, 54 of mammals (lemurs, carnivorous, bats, small mammals) and 108 species of birds are found in the park.
The Best Of Andringitra Fauna
1. Lemur Catta, with grey fur and the characteristic black ringed tail. It is found all year long, particularly in October and November during the offspring birth.
2. Alectroenas Madagascariensis, a blue-grey bird, with red plumage, colored eyes contour, white throat and belly, red-purple tail.
3. Buteo Brachypterus is a bird with a twisted beak, white and light-brown chest. It is found above 2300 ms. in forests and among the rocks.
4. Furcifer Campani, small black chameleon with white, yellow and red speckles on the sides. This reptile use to lay eggs in the ground during the rainy-season, from January to March.
5. Calumnia Nasuta is a tiny light-yellow chameleon. The male has a white line on the sides and one horn. The female is bigger with evident flakes. His brown body has green streaks.
Flora
Approximately 1000 plants have been recorded in the Andringitra National Park. Vegetation differs according to the altitude: damp dense forest at low and medium altitude and small trees but with many branches on the high altitude.
The Best Of Andringitra Flora
1. Aloe Andringitriensis, an endemic Aloe found in Andringitra with beautiful flowers which bloom from June to September.
2. Helycrisum Mirabile, a plant with green-grey leaves, which white flowers bloom between July and August.
3. Rhipsalis Baccifera, a kind of cactus. This succulent, epiphytic, plant grows on tree trunks. Its color is green and it is found in dense forest. It has particular drooping branches.
4. Ficus Rubra, an epiphytic plant which take advantage of a tree, rolling around it from the ground to the top.
5. Osbeckia Andringitriensis, an endemic shrub of Andringitra, with characteristic small egg-shaped green leaves.
Antananarivo(Google Map)
In the heart of the highlands of Madagascar, east from the town of Ambositra, live the Zafimaniry tribe, a small ethnic group of about 50.000 people living in a hundred of villages. Following their founding myth, this tribe of Betsileo origins, escaping invader tribes and deforestation, sheltered among these mountains two centuries ago more or less.
At the arrival at Antananarivo airport, meet our staff and transfer to the town; set up in Au Bois Vert (3*) or similar; overnight.
After breakfast in hotel, eparture by car to Ambaladingana; during the trip stops in the most interesting places, as Ambatolampy, famous for handicraft manufacturing of aluminum articles; arriving in the thermal town of Antsirabe approximately at noon and have lunch in restaurant; continuation on the paved road, among cultivated fields and typical villages to Ambositra; not far beyond it starts the dirty road to the east which leads to Zafimaniry land; arriving at the end of the day in Amlaladingana; set up in the typical “Sous le Soleil de Madagascar” hotel in characteristic simple bungalows made of wood, with private bath; in the evening, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Hiking 4 hrs – Level T – heights above sea level: from 1541 ms. to 1204 ms. = -337 ms. (highest point at 1633 ms.)
After breakfast, 45’ transfer by car to Antoetra, the most important Zafimaniry village, where local craftsmen carve beautiful wooden articles made of ebony and rosewood; departure of the hiking among valleys, streams, woods and rice fields, crossing the Zafimaniry villages, whose civilization is included in UNESCO Intangible Oral World Heritage; along the way you can observe local flora and fauna, with the assistance of a guide; picnic lunch during the trip; then continuation on the path and arriving at Sakaivo village; set up in a traditional house; rest of the time dedicated to explore the village, discovering Zafimaniry way of life, the orientation of the houses, admiring the woodcarving of doors and windows; meet the chief of the village; in the evening traditional dinner – if desired you could participate to the cooking of meals – overnight.
Hiking 5 hrs – Level T – heights above sea level: from 1204 ms. to 1541 ms. = +337 ms. (highest point at 1728 ms.)
After breakfast, continuation of the hiking, crossing valleys, skirting streams, admiring cascades, eucalyptus woods, rice fields and traditional villages, up to Antoetra; picnic lunch; continuation of the road itinerary toward the eastern slope, with arrival in the late afternoon to Ranomafana National Park; setup in the hotel Centr’Est Sejour (2*) or similar; in the evening, dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, whole morning devoted to the excursion to the rainforest park – included in the Atsinanana World Heritage – among rivers, falls, along the paths that cross the forest, where various kinds of lemurs, among them the Hapalemur, and other endemic animals as chameleons, geckos, butterflies and birds will be observed; have lunch in restaurant; in the afternoon continuation of the itinerary towards Fianarantsoa, chief town of Betsileo region and Ambalavao for the visit of a typical handicraft factory where you can see the creation of the « Antemoro Paper » made from Avoha natural fiber; farther south you take the dirty road going east, passing beautiful natural sceneries, to join at the end of the day the Tsaranoro Valley; set up in Camp Catta hotel (3*), situated in a breathtaking site, at the bottom of Tsaranoro, a granite almost vertical rock, high of 600 ms., a world renown climber’s heaven; in the evening, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Hiking 8 hrs – Level EE – heights above sea level: from 950 ms. to 1550 ms. = +600 ms. (highest point at 1800 ms.)
Breakfast at the lodge; early in the morning departure by foot towards the southern side of Dondy Peak; the path climbs up on a steep hill, then it opens on a gorge filled of ferns and palms; further the route passes on rocky ground and rare plants as Pachypodium and Euphorbia are observed all around; then the trail descends gently when vegetation changes into Eucalyptus forest enclosed in a small area, before arriving in Mahasoa village; from there you climbs again on slopes of the valley, then crossing Antanifotsy village until you reach the entrance of Andringitra National Park; here you enter the rain forest surrounded by the Andringitra buttress; then the trail descends again and you crosses Zomandao river before reaching Belambo, the site of the first campsite; picnic lunch during the hiking; in the evening dinner at campsite and overnight in canvas.
Hiking 6 hrs – Level E – heights above sea level: from 1550 ms. to 2100 ms. = +550 ms.
After breakfast you explore the Highlands tropical rainforest, typical of the eastern slope, so different than the dry forest founded in Tsaranoro Valley; you arrive at the bottom of Zomandao waterfall where many species of the local flora can be seen as medicinal plants, orchids, ferns, Philias, kalanchoe, Dombeya trees and 2 others cascades, Andriambavy (Queen cascade) and Andriandahy (King cascade); on the path one can also discover a little cave frequented, before the creation of the park, by zebu (Malagasy ox) breeders, attending the herd; then the trail gently climbs up to a viewpoint whence you can admire Andringitra massif and its highest peaks; continuation of the hike to Andranolava mere, a nice place to relax; after that, along the way to the mountainous spurs, many birds could be seen, some of them are endemic; you cross a little stream before arriving to the bottom of the mountain, in Andriampotsy site, where the second campsite will be set up; picnic lunch during the hiking; in the evening dinner at campsite and overnight in canvas.
Hiking 8 hrs – Level E – heights above sea level: from 2100 ms. to 1600 ms. = -500 ms. (highest point at 2658 ms.)
After breakfast departure to reach the highest point of Andringitra massif, the Imarivolanitra peak at 2658 ms.; the peak can be attained walking up on the mountain on an assisted trail made of rocky steps; along the way you can still admire some Aloe plants, gigantic ferns, hibiscus, rare carnivorous plants of the rainforest called Drosera, lichens and moss; after about 3 hours climbing you finally arrive on the top of Andringitra mountain, the second highest in Madagascar, where you could admire a stunning 360° panorama; take your time to feel deeply in your heart this unique moment; continuation of the trail going north/east, crossing a bare plateau that appears as a lunar landscape; further you cross a palm forest to reach the third campsite, at Iantaranomby, on the shores of a stream; picnic lunch during the hiking; in the evening dinner at campsite and overnight in canvas.
Hiking 4 hrs – Level T – heights above sea level: from 1600 ms. to 950 ms. = -650 ms.
After breakfast you leave behind the Andringitra National Park, crossing wide fields where Zebu herds come to gaze, on the southern part of Sahanambo valley; following a steep path, beyond “Chameleon” mountain, you reach Camp Catta hotel; lunch in restaurant; departure by car to reach again the now well-known National Road n. 7 which cross regions where you can discover different landscapes, descending from the mountains towards the Horombe plains; in the middle of these wide savannah rises the Isalo massif; at the arriving set up in hotel Isalo Ranch (2*) or similar; in the evening, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel; whole day devoted to the excursions in the park, characterized by canyons pinnacles of rock and calcareous steeples, rivers, natural little ponds fed by rivers and falls, where the bath can be made, forests inhabited by lemurs of various species, as the ring-tailed lemur Catta, Satrana palms (Bismarkia Nobilis), Aloe plants and the little bottle-tree Pachypodium Rosolatum; picnic lunch during the excursion; in the evening, dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, departure towards Toliary crossing the region of the seekers of sapphire, the Zombitse luxuriant dry forest, the bush where Mahafaly funeral constructions can be admired; arrival around noon in Toliary, on the shores of Mozambique Channel, in the middle of the huge Madagascar Coral Reef, one of the longest in the world. Lunch. Afternoon drive to Ifaty for about 30mn. At the arrival set up in hotel Bella Donna (Ecolodge); beginning of a relaxing stay on the beautiful coral beach; half-board in hotel.
After an early breakfast, drive to Toliara harbour. Set on board of a motor-boat and take a 1 ½ h. trip along the coastline to reach Anakao, a typical village inhabited by Vezo traditional fishermen ; at the arrival set up in hotel Safari Vezo (Ecolodge) ; beginning of a relaxing stay on the beautiful coral beach ; half-board in hotel.
Days off and time at your disposal for swimming in the reef clear water and individual visits like Nosy Ve and Nosy Satrana islets, snorkeling or scuba-diving (to organize on site); half-board in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel; departure by motor-boat to Toliary and transfer to the airport; flight to Antananarivo (not included in the Price, see Extra); assistance at the arrival to Antananarivo airport for check-in to international flight.
