PANGALANES CANAL

Built in the ^20th century, the Pangalanes Canal is nearly 700 kilometers long and connects Farafangana to Toamasina, a port city that constitutes its outlet. The name "Panganales" comes from "Ampangalana" which means "the place where one takes in charge or embarks" the goods.

In Mananjary, a visit to the river port is necessary, at the entrance of the city. Numerous large and small boats cross the calm waters of the canal. Goods of all kinds are transhipped: wood, vanilla, baskets, fruits, fish, precious stones... Some pirogues are inhabited by whole families.

The amateurs of Indiana Jones type routes can try the adventure with a service provider to negotiate an ascent towards Nosy Varika or Mahanoro in the north, or to reach Manakara in the south. The most daring can travel by bush boat. Irregular departures but some to Nosy Varaka for 8 000 Ar, to Mahanoro for 20 000 Ar (increase to be expected because of the fuel). We sleep in the middle of the freight, of course, and we have to make do with extremely circumstantial circumstances!

One of the most recommended providers for any mini-cruise is Holidays Madagascar. They are indisputable specialists of this region. Otherwise, check with the Vahiny Lodge, the Sorafa Hotel or the Spice Route (non-exhaustive list).

The half-day excursions approach a part of the artificial channel and propose the discovery of spice or vanilla plantations, small typical villages and their traditional crafts.

During a day trip (plan a night in a bivouac), we go to Ambohitsara, where is located the "sacred elephant" that Arabs would have brought from Mecca in the ^12th century.

To go up to Tamatave, count 3 days of bush boat and 70 000 Ar. Holidays Madagascar proposes the circuit in a more organized way.

To go down to Manakara, the pirogue is necessary because of the shallow waters. Count then 3 or 4 days of escapade; a superb occasion to realize an original course in the East, before finishing by the ascent by train towards Fianarantsoa and the Highlands. A change of scenery is guaranteed with the discovery of small fishing villages and the man-made canal. In some places, and depending on the season, it is not possible to continue on the dugout and it is necessary to carry it for a few hundred meters (the dugout workers will do it for you if the adventure does not tempt you too much). The itinerary can also be done in the opposite direction.