It is a nightmare. This is how the driver-guides who took the Morondava-Tsingy de Bemaraha circuit describe the situation. Since last Thursday, there has been nothing but water as far as the eye can see in the Menabe region and part of the Melaky region.
“The road was already muddy from Morondava when we took tourists to the Avenue of the Baobabs last Wednesday. But we had to continue to the Tsingy de Bemaraha, a destination included in the circuit chosen by our clients, who had booked months in advance,” says Yves Espérant, a driver-guide.
The journey continued, and it was between Belo sur Mer and Ambalasatrana that the ordeal began for the travelers. “Some fellow driver-guides have been stuck with their clients for two days in Ambalasatrana. They have no choice but to wait for the water level to drop to continue,” says Rivolala Ralison, a driver and tour guide.
In Bekopaka, an important town near the Tsingy de Bemaraha, the situation is worse. Last Saturday, about thirty vehicles were stranded, helpless against the force of the water. A Terracan vehicle was literally stuck in the water while trying to cross. The car remained trapped with luggage on the roof, though fortunately, the passengers were on the shore.
Heavy rains fell last week on the western part of the island, making traffic complicated and dangerous. This 210 km stretch separating Morondava from the commune of Bekopaka in Melaky is quickly flooded due to the muddy nature of the track and the poor general condition of this national road. Only powerful vehicles like Nissans and Toyotas dare to venture there with the hood underwater and air intakes located well above the bodywork.
“Normally, the tourist season ends on November 15, which is why bookings were recorded until that date. Moreover, every year, the arrival of rain is usually delayed until mid-December or even January. But the recent bad weather has disrupted everyone,” explains Lova Raoelison, a tour guide. Tourists have had to sleep under the stars, make do with limited food supplies, or ask local residents to cook for them. Some who had planned to go have given up and crossed the Tsingy de Bemaraha off their list this year.
According to the latest figures, the Bemaraha Nature Reserve attracts tourist interest after Isalo, with nearly 21,000 visitors per year, both domestic and foreign.
Captured & Published at: 2026-11-03 06:09:20 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/11/tsingy-de-bemaraha-des-touristes.html