Scroll the Melaky mangroves to Benjavilo

 
As a site only accessible by river, Benjavilo is renowned for the purity of its air, the tranquility and the green side of its vegetation. An ideal setting for a holiday in nature. Benjavilo is located in the Melaky region, district of Antsalova, municipality of Masoarivo.
It can be reached in 4 hours by speedboat from Maintirano, (chief town of region) and in 5 hours from Belo / Tsiribihina.
Formerly this village was called "Beanjavily", because of the occurrence of Anjavily (a plant indicating fertility). But "Benjavilo" is the new official name.
 
Mangrove restoration
This part of the western Malagasy coastline is part of the intervention area of WWF Madagascar. Here a project for the restoration and community management ofmangroves along the Manambolo, a 370 km long river, has been set up.
By passing through this part of the Melaky region from Ankatsaho, the evolution ofconservation actions become obvious. In the 1950ies, there was rice growing. Fewmangrove stands had survived clearing and the few remaining ones are became silted as these mangroves could no longer resist the sands suffocating them. Theywere considered as nothing more than good as firewood then.
 
In order to get to Benjavilo, follow the channel and once the village of Amboanio has been past, we can see the different plots consisting of propagules of a few weeks, shrubs of a few months, and mangroves a few years old... At Antanandahy, we canobserve the results after 10 years of reforestation at the islette called Nosimbagna (Île aux Aigrettes).
 
 
Thanks to the efforts of the community and the Global Fund for Nature, the ecosystem in these places has been preserved and accompanying measures have been taken like rising the awareness for sustainable fisheries.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine July 2018

Useful Information

When to go

This locality is accessible 8 months out of 12, that is from March to November. It is advisable to choose your boat leader by hiring someone who knows the area well and knows the currents especially at the entrance and exit of the mouth, at Antanambao.

How to get there

The trip lasts several hours by speedboat or motorboat. By dhow, count at least 24 hours of travel. By plane, fly to Morondava by Air Madagascar then continue by boat to destination or do the entire trip by boat via Belo.

Where to stay

Operators offer an all-inclusive tour, but local dishes such as crabs, freshwater fish and seafood can be eaten on site.

Where to eat

You need camping gear for a stay in Benjavilo. And why not, if you travel in a group, make a campfire?

What to see

It's a trip to the heart of nature. Deserted and calm beaches, green landscapes along the channel of the Manambolo river, birds to observe. You will also have the opportunity to meet with boatmen and fishermen all along the way.