In the western side of Madagascar we find one of the least explored areas in all of the island: the lost world of the Makay Massif, a massive labyrinth of canyons, big and small, formed by extreme erosion and home to a unique biodiversity. Because of its unique geomorphology, the Makay is the ultimate playground for adventure seekers and hikers searching for a wild experience, completely off the beaten path.
Explore the narrow canyons and he deep valleys while wading through water, climbing over rocks and descending small streams leading you to a natural amphitheater of rocks in shades of pink, gray and yellow, accompanied by ferns, trees and scrubs where curious eyes of lemurs and parrots are following your moves. Refresh yourself in the turquoise water of hidden springs, creating little green paradises in between the rocky maze, while a harrier-hawk is stealing the show diving towards a lizard in front of you. During your expedition through the Makay you’ll feel like an explorer entering a forgotten ancient world, where around every corner, every rock a new sight awaits you.
The Makay Massif covers an area over 4,000 km2 of strong rock formations and deep valleys, penetrated by green rivers of forest and scrub finding its way through this complex of shades of gray and yellow, sheltering an valuable ecosystem with unique animals and plants, some of which are endemic to the Makay and cannot be found outside of the massif.
The Makay Massif harbors an unexpected green oasis locked up in its rocky kingdom and surrounded by the golden-yellow shrub steppes. Descending down to the bottom of the deep valleys inside these strange rock formations, you’ll be entering a whole new world with a whole network of springs, streams and small waterfalls and patches of green forests inhabited by lemurs.
This strange world made out of rocks and pillars is the product of the erosion of immense crystalline rock massifs that disappeared hundreds of millions of years ago, creating a truly monumental work of nature with fascinating landscapes.
Madagascar has a diverse mosaic of ecosystems of which there still are a few very little explored, little exploited areas with low human density and with a high potential for new discoveries. The yellow sandstone Makay massif, located in the west of this already peculiar island, is among them as an emblem of Terra Incognita and together with the tsingies one of the most alien places in the country. Even in Madagascar, few people know of the existence of this ruiniform relief.
The Makay labyrinth, created by extreme erosion cutting right through whole plateaus is home to isolated biotopes, sheltered from humans and home to several species endemic to the region and several animal and plant species yet to be discovered, living in a hidden network of canyons, streams, swamps, caves, small lakes and patches of forest, surrounded by walls up to thousands meters tall.
Besides a handful of brave adventurers such as climbers and mountain bikers as well as researchers there are very few people to ever come to this wonder of nature. Our travel agency has been exploring the region for the last decade, either as part of a research team or to set up an expedition for travelers ranging from one up to six people. We sell nature and wildlife tours in the Makay starting from five days and while hiking is the most popular activity, we also set up mountain bike tours in Makay combining even the southern and northern regions neighboring the Makay Massif.
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