After your arrival in Antananarivo (nb. It may be best arriving the day before, we can arrange a hotel in Tana) and introductory briefing from the expedition leader, we will take an internal flight to Tulear. We will drive up to the Isalo region for the start of our Madagascan adventure. We will leave our car and spend the next 1 ½ – 2 hrs hiking down to a shallow part of the river where we will find our camp set up on the river bank.

The Benahy, though adjacent to Isalo National Park, has not seen many visitors. It cuts its way through breath-taking canyons, crawling with lizards, and lined with palm trees, aloe, baobabs, cacti, and a great variety of indigenous plants you may never have come across before.

It runs atop a section of land teeming with sapphires, and as a result, we may pass local miners, sifting sand through metal sieves.

Benahy navigation is smooth and easy, and we will raft in light canoes. A typical days rafting is a combination of paddle and drag areas (the later in the season we go, the more drag areas there are). The white water starts after the junction with Imaloto river and all the way down to the coastal plain just after junction with Onilahy river. Our typical daily routine will consist of setting off between 8 and 9 am and stopping to camp around 4-5 pm. We stop for lunch and en-route we have time to wander through side canyons and observe occasional lemurs.

During our time on the Benahy, we hope to see lizards, birds, and possibly even lemurs, turtles and bats as well as some exotic and unique vegetation, including baobabs, pachypodiums and succulents.

The Onilahy river is the largest river in the southwest. The river banks are sparsely populated – with settlements springing up to mine gemstones – but the floodplain does have lots of towns and rice paddies in areas that are not prone to flooding.

For our Onilahy descent we will transfer to larger more stable rafts and we will experience class III-IV rapids. After 3 rowdy days on the white water, our final day on the Onilahy should be more relaxing, with sections of flat meandering water. We can observe the changing landscapes along the route and enjoy the wildlife (including crocodiles), birds and riverside settlements. Camping with all meals.

When we reach Benenitra, we will transfer by road to the beautiful coastal resort of Ifaty, just North of Tulear. En-route we stop at the Bezaha-Mahafaly reserve.

Overnight camp

Facing the Mozambique Channel and the superb coral reef of Ifaty, less than 20 kms from Tuléar, you will discover the beauty of beaches not tainted by mass tourism. Between May and October, the humpback whales can sometimes be seen with their whale-calves. Snorkelling and diving are highly recommended (the coral reef is totally captivating) & visibility is great. Local fishermen will also be happy to offer you a trip in their traditional fishing boats (pirogues). Or if you prefer you can simply relax on the stunning white sandy beaches or swim in the turquoise waters.

We will catch the morning Air Madagascar flight from Tulear to Tana.  Depending on your time of arrival in Tana you can visit the handicraft market before transferring to your hotel for your last night in Tana.

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.