Vohemar to Sambava by bike

Revision as of 03:13, 14 February 2020 by 154.126.10.53 (talk)

Revision as of 03:13, 14 February 2020 by 154.126.10.53 (talk)

Vohemar to Sambava is a 150km bike route with stunning scenery the entire way. Except for a few hills, it's mostly flat and straight biking on a tarred road in excellent condition with the odd potholes which are more a nuisance for cars than for bikes. Every few kilometres there's a small village with friendly locals greeting bypassers.

Vohemar to Mazava by bike 007.jpg

There are virtually no tourists here, although this will change in coming years once the often impassable part of the RN5a between Ambilobe and Vohemar is being completed. Meanwhile, the area and its main road remain isolated from the rest of the country.

Vohemar to Mazava by bike 002.jpg

The traffic is minimal during the rainy season from December to June and only a few crowded taxi-brousses and freight-trucks pass throughout the day, making it relatively safe for the odd reptile to cross the road.

Vohemar to Mazava by bike 017.jpg

Unless you are on a racing bike with light luggage, this journey is fastest done over two days, including a stay-over in the village of Mazava shortly after Ampanefena.

Vohemar-Mazava by bike map 001.jpg

Alternatively, for those who prefer to split the journey into three parts, a diversion to and stay over at Bobangira Park over half-way to Ampanefena is recommended. This will add another 34 kilometres to reach the coast and back to the main road again.

Bobangira 019.jpg

Vohemar to Mazava by bike 008.jpg
Vohemar to Mazava by bike 010.jpg Vohemar to Mazava by bike 006.jpg Vohemar to Mazava by bike 011.jpg

Mazava is an unknown village four kilometres south of Ampanefena and halfway between Vohemar and Sambava. As of 2020, none of the four hotels in Ampanefena offers particularly good value accommodation and so the best option is a stay at Maison Zaza in Mazava where vanilla farmers Mr and Mrs Zaza rent out five bungalows on their property, two of which have a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes.

Maison Zaza 001.jpg

The stretch after Mazava starts off with a couple of uphills and rewarding downhills with especially beautiful mountains until Antsirabe-Nord.

Mazava to Sambava by bike 022.jpg
Mazava to Sambava by bike 001.jpg Mazava to Sambava by bike 005.jpg Mazava to Sambava by bike 026.jpg
Mazava-Sambava by bike map.jpg

Closer to Sambava is Bemarivo, the river where much vanilla, coffee, pepper, cacao and cloves are cultivated along the river banks. Upstream, Marojejy can be seen in the distance.

Mazava to Sambava by bike 041.jpg
Mazava to Sambava by bike 034.jpg Diego-Sambava-Diego by bike 055.jpg Mazava to Sambava by bike 035.jpg
Mazava to Sambava by bike 020.jpg
Mazava to Sambava by bike 015.jpg Mazava to Sambava by bike 011.jpg Mazava to Sambava by bike 045.jpg

Shortly before reaching the centre of Sambava, Mimi Resto makes a good stop to plan the next days, whether biking further to Antalaha or Marojejy National Park. The tourist office for the SAVA region is located in the same building, where much information about Marojejy is available including the sale of entry tickets, organisation of guides etc.

Resto Mimi 176.jpg

Accommodation

This bike trip can be booked with Madabike with or without an accompanying guide on a bike via the tourist office at Hotel Resto Mimi.