Mandrare River Camp

Madagascar Classic Camping’s Mandrare River Camp is set in the shade of a grove of tamarind trees, three hours west of Fort Dauphin. To get there you head through the giant sand dunes of Lac Anony and the spiny desert to the tented camp on the banks of the mighty Mandrare River. Children of all ages are welcome.

Accommodation & Facilities
Mandrare River Camp is set in the grounds of an old colonial plantation house opposite the sacred ancestral forests of the Antandroy Tribe. It has six large tents, each with en-suite facilities with a flush loo and a shower. All the tents have a verandah overlooking the river and there’s a terrace right on the river’s edge on which you can relax in the middle of the day or sit with some binoculars enjoying the fantastic bird watching.

For families there are two tents that are close together that can each hold a double and two single beds. The ideal occupancy in each of these tents is two double beds, three single beds or one double and two single beds. The tents are close enough that families are comfortable with parents in one tent and the children in the other.

The camp has a small pool with steps which is 1.2m at its deepest. Children must swim under parental supervision.

Eating & Sleeping
The chefs are very happy to cater for children at times to suit. On arrival parents are asked what their children would prefer and menus are tailored accordingly. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice. Several staff members are trained to care for children. Most often the guides will entertain the children while the parents are away on an activity or simply want to rest. The guides are all first aid trained.

Wildlife & Activities
There are a number of varied activities possible at Mandrare River Camp including day and night walks to find the five species of lemurs present here, learn about the unique flora and fauna of the spiny forest, astronomy, meeting and interacting with the local Antandroy tribe. Visits to the local village and markets.

Specifically for children
• Learning traditional Antandroy survival skills in the spiny forest. This includes learning to make fire, discovering indigenous plants and their uses, finding water and shelter (from age six).
• Take a ‘bug walk’ around the camp grounds to collect colourful beetles and crickets.
• Make your own slingshot and target practice.
• Learn traditional weaving and beadwork.
• Scavenger hunts in the camp grounds.
• There is ample opportunity to get to know the local children by joining in their soccer and androvo (traditional Malagasy) games.