The enchanting extreme south of Madagascar

If you’re seeking a rare and mythical journey, the route from Tuléar to Fort Dauphin along the coast is one of those exceptional adventures we love to share with you. This unique itinerary follows the hidden and secretive trails of southern Madagascar, where encounters with the local people are authentic, often picturesque, and deeply moving. The vast dunes of Androka, stretching as far as the eye can see, led us in April 2016 to an elderly wood sculptor, a master of the Mahafaly funeral art.

The wood sculptor and the Aloalo art

This elderly man continues the ancient traditions by carving the different types of Aloalo and statues that adorn the funeral tombs of the Mahafaly people. His works, characteristic of the region, symbolize the earth and the sky, the real and the imagined, as well as the ancestors and the living. Aloalo, highly valued spiritually, represents one of the fundamental pillars of Mahafaly culture. As travelers, we are invited to respectfully engage with the sacred and the timeless. In the past, these burial sites were hidden and secret, with few allowed access. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case today. Our role is also to encourage respect for these sites and to prevent the commercialization of these symbolic treasures.

The journey through the Menarandra river

Continuing our journey, crossing the Menarandra River is an adventure in itself. The dried-up riverbed takes us into the heart of Antandroy territory, an area that is arid and difficult to cultivate. The local population lives mainly through extensive breeding of sheep and cattle. As we cross forests of prickly Barbary fig trees, we leave behind unforgettable marks on the sides of our Toyota. On the ground, amidst the gravel of the trail, we must be vigilant as radiated tortoises, endemic to the south of Madagascar, slowly cross our path. There’s no doubt, we are truly in the Land of Thorns, the driest region of Madagascar, where the diverse Didiera species testify to its harshness.

A change in vegetation and environment

As we move forward, the vegetation and landscape begin to change. Near the Andohahela Reserve, we find the convergence of three distinct biotopes: dry bush, semi-arid forest, and dense humid forest, a rare phenomenon south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Further east, the transition is sudden as we cross a ridge under the shade of magnificent flamboyant trees, revealing a vast green valley ahead.

The Anosy region: A new natural and human environment

The Anosy region marks the passage into a new natural and cultural environment. Here, mountains descend into the sea, powerful rivers carve through the landscape before reaching the Indian Ocean. Every time we travel through this area, we feel an incredible sense of quiet strength emanating from the land and the sea. Fort Dauphin, or Tolagnaro, nestled at the foot of Pic Saint Louis, faces the Indian Ocean. The tranquility of this provincial town is soothing, offering a much-needed rest after this remarkable journey.

Located 1,122 kilometers from the capital, Antananarivo, perched in the highlands, Fort Dauphin offers the perfect place for relaxation after a beautiful escape into the heart of Madagascar.

Journey and itinerary by Tolo and Faly

Written by Sylvain ©Détours Madagascar 2016

This extensive journey through the arid Land of Thorns to the lush primary forests of the south of Madagascar—Tuléar > Fort Dauphin > Manakara > Antananarivo—lasts 16 days and starts at €2,210 (excluding flights). The journey through the splendors of southern Madagascar—Antananarivo > Isalo > Tuléar > Fort Dauphin—also takes 16 days and starts at €1,450 (excluding flights).