Kivalo ecotourism is moving up gear

Towards the end of 2019, the village will officially launch its community tourism tour, "Kivalo Soa Honko" (The greatmangroves of Kivalo in English). Actors of  promotion and development actors of village eco-tourism such as local communities supported by WWF, the Regional Office of Tourism in Menabe and the Association of Certified Guides of Morondava, are the lead of the initiative.

This project is based on the mangroves, tourist attraction and ecological wealth of the region. The training of local guides and women cooks started in 2017 and reception facilities (camping and catering) are already operational. Kivalo has the potential to be the destination for birdwatching lovers, canoe trips in the channels and hiking.

"Our desire is to make Kivalo a major destination for tourists like the Tsingy in Bekopaka and for that we are ready to double our efforts," said Justin Rakotomanahira, the president of the community organization in the village.

Already this year, Kivalo has welcomed over a hundred foreign tourists who have also participated in the restoration of mangroves on site. The village hopes to double or even triple that number next year. For the last two months of the year, the capacity of the three hamlets (Kivalo center, Ambato, Ampatiky) will be increased.