The drive from Antsohihy to Ankarana along RN6 offers a constantly changing landscape—ranging from dry forests to lush plantations dotted with baobabs. Road conditions improve as you head north, with stretches of good pavement, although some sections remain rough. We were relieved to finally enjoy smooth roads—until we reached the bridge over the Ifasy River, which had reportedly been damaged already two years ago.
The Ifasy bridge (located on the RN6 in Madagascar) was destroyed by Cyclone Gamane, which hit the region between March 26 and 29, 2024, causing significant destruction and flooding. It was characterised by its unexpected change in trajectory and slow movement, which compounded its destructive impact on the Sava, Diana, and Analanjirofo regions.
At the crossing, there was a provisional ferry, chaotically managed by the army and free of charge. Alternatively, there was a private option: a makeshift ferry consisting of three canoes tied together with a wooden platform, just large enough to carry a small car. This is where a familiar situation unfolded. The army insisted we join the queue of trucks, which would have taken several days to cross. The only other option was to pay an exorbitant 80,000 MGA, pushed by local fixers—about four times the rate charged to locals.
As night was falling and our patience had worn thin after repeated encounters like this, we decided to push through and made our way onto the ferry.
