Mangily

After the bush taxi, the zebu cart!

After a short stay in the city of Morondava, it's time for me to head off to explore this region of Madagascar and find out more about the daily lives of the people of this part of the island. When I was researching the area, I found out about a little village, not far from the Avenue of the Baobabs, which is home to a solidarity tourism association.

So I make an appointment with the village guide at the foot of the avenue's famous baobabs. To get to Mangily,we climb aboard a zebu cart which takes us via narrow tracks between high grasses, bushes and fields of manioc .

On the way, we pass a strange tree whose shape intrigues me. It's a 'baobab-amoureux'. The trunk of the tree divides into two just above the base and looks like two baobab trees wound around each other. It's an amazing sight and well worth stopping to take a few photos.

The centre "where strangers are welcome"

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Gail Johnson

After a two hour cart ride, we arrive in the village of Mangily, hidden by bushes and right next to the mangrove. The village is made up of several huts near which the freshly-caught fish is salted and left to dry on wooden racks.

The ABM (Association Belgique-Madagascar) with the the Madagascan NGO, SARAGNA have jointly developed the Tsaravahiny Centre, in the village. Thanks to eco-tourism the centre, which accommodates tourists, helps develop Mangily by creating employment and income for the locals.

You can stay in one of the five bungalows, one of the four small houses or in the dormitory. The solar showers provided are heated all day to just the right temperature. A restaurant has also been created and serves delicious crab, fish and chicken dishes prepared by the village women. The evenings are cooler and make it possible get a refreshing night's sleep.

Daily life in a village in the bush

The village offers a range of activities to help travellers get a better understanding of the daily lives of the locals. Crab fishing is an important activity for the families of Mangily for whom it is a source of income. The dexterity of the women tying up the crabs' claws is impressive, mind you don't get pinched!

The women also excel in the art of basket-making and they will teach you too. The baskets are sold in the markets of Morondava.

You can also go with a guide to explore the area around the village and - if you make an early start - you will see the white-furredSifakalemurs waking up slowly in the branches of the trees. There are tombs of the Sakalava et Vezo people around the village and the guide will explain the importance to the two ethnic groups who live in the region of these funeral rites. In a nutshell, everything here goes to make up a trip rich in discoveries and encounters.