Visit the Pangalanes Canal, Madagascar

Running parallel to the Indian Ocean the Pangalanes Canal forms a network of man-made channels connecting freshwater lakes and lagoons.

Life around the Pangalanes Canal

Stretching 600 kilometres from the bustling port of Tamatave to Farafangana along the southeast coast, the Pangalanes is the longest canal in the world. Though overgrown with aquatic plants, the canal still dominates daily life in this region as it provides the main source of trade and transport. Plans are in place to clear the weeds and upgrade the canal once more to the busy commercial waterway that it once was. Cruising by boat on the calm waters of Pangalanes is fascinating.

The Betsimisaraka people

This area is the stronghold of the Betsimisaraka people, and their villages can be seen along the banks. On the waterways themselves you see pirogues, local fishermen, rafts carrying timber and over-crowded ferries with names such as 'Great Hopes' and 'Malagasy Fish'.