No results
No results
Vohidava is a low peak in southern Madagascar, in Anosy region, within Amboasary-Atsimo district and the municipality of Ranobe. It rises to 268 m above sea level and belongs to the broad mountain system of Madagascar, within the Central Range, Ivakoany Range and the Rebord Menambrien.
It is the 30th highest of 30 named peaks in the Rebord Menambrien, so it sits near the lower end of that range’s summit list. The surrounding country is a mix of low hills and higher ridges, with other named peaks scattered around it at short to moderate distances.
Pick a date to see who is going
No users yet
No routes yet.
No ascent logs yet. Be the first to log your climb!
Vohidava lies in Ranobe municipality, Amboasary-Atsimo district, in Anosy region of Madagascar, on the African continent. It is part of the wider chain Madagascar > Central Range > Ivakoany Range > Rebord Menambrien. Within the Rebord Menambrien, it ranks 30th out of 30 named peaks, which places it at the lower end of the range’s elevation list.
The landscape around it is a hill country rather than a high alpine setting. Nearby summits and hills rise and fall over short distances, so a walk here is more likely to cross undulating ground, ridges and open slopes than long steep mountain faces.
The nearest named features around Vohidava are:
Among these, Belafa is the nearest higher peak at 13.0 km to the north. Several nearby hills are lower than Vohidava, while Vohitsiombe rises much higher to the southwest.
From Vohidava, the highest peaks within 25 km are modest in height compared with the major summits of southern Madagascar, but they give a clear sense of the local relief. The main named high points in that radius are Vohipotsy at 320 m to the SE, Ambolonisy at 298 m to the SE, and Amenda at 275 m to the N.
Because the surrounding terrain is made up of scattered hills and ridges, the summit view is likely to be a broad local panorama rather than a view dominated by very high mountains. The nearest much higher peak outside the immediate area is Vohitsimbe, far to the east.
Vohidava belongs to the Rebord Menambrien, which is part of the Ivakoany Range in the Central Range of Madagascar. The range’s highest peak is Vohitsimbe at 1,758 m, about 64 km E of Vohidava. The Rebord Menambrien contains 30 named peaks, and Vohidava is ranked 30th among them by elevation.
This places the mountain in a range with a clear vertical spread: a low summit like Vohidava sits far below the highest point of the same system. For walkers, that usually means a landscape of local hills and ridges rather than a single continuous high crest.
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest a warm tropical setting around Vohidava. At the summit, the warmest month is December at about 27 °C, while the coldest is July at about 18 °C. Temperatures stay above freezing in every month.
Rainfall in the surrounding area is about 1,400 mm a year. The wettest month is January with about 225 mm, and the driest is August with about 40 mm. Conditions are therefore wetter in the austral summer and drier in mid-year.
For a walk on Vohidava, the drier part of the year is usually the more practical choice. August is the driest month, and the period around the southern winter tends to bring less rain than the summer months. That makes tracks and slopes more manageable, especially where the ground is exposed or muddy after showers.
The warmer, wetter months from November to March are more likely to bring heavy rain, with January the wettest month. Even then, temperatures remain warm enough for hiking, so the main issue is rainfall rather than cold.
The hills around Vohidava are part of southern Madagascar’s varied uplands, where open slopes, scrub, grassland and patches of woodland can occur depending on local conditions. In this part of the island, vegetation often reflects seasonal rainfall and human land use, so the scenery may alternate between rough grass, bushy cover and cultivated ground.
Wildlife in the wider region can include birds, reptiles and small mammals adapted to warm, seasonal landscapes. On a short hill walk, the main practical concern is usually the terrain itself: sun exposure, rough ground and slippery sections after rain.
A visit to Vohidava is best treated as an easy hill outing, but the ground may still be uneven, muddy after rain and exposed to sun and wind. Sturdy footwear is sensible, along with a light layer for breezier sections. In the warmer months, it is wise to check for ticks and other insects if you leave paths or walk through grass and scrub.
For mountain rescue in Madagascar, the emergency number is 117 for police; ambulance is 124 and fire is 118. As on any hill walk, carry a charged phone and basic navigation, and plan for changing weather.
Vohidava is a low summit by regional standards, yet it still has a clear place in the local mountain system: it is the 30th highest of 30 named peaks in the Rebord Menambrien. Its nearest higher neighbour is Belafa, 13.0 km to the north, while the highest peak of the same range, Vohitsimbe, lies about 64 km to the east.
That contrast shows how varied the terrain is within the wider range hierarchy. A short distance from Vohidava, the land is already broken by other hills and peaks, but the system also includes much higher ground farther away.
How high is Vohidava? It rises to 268 m above sea level.
Where is Vohidava? It is in Ranobe municipality, Amboasary-Atsimo district, Anosy region, in Madagascar.
What mountain range is it part of? It belongs to the chain Madagascar > Central Range > Ivakoany Range > Rebord Menambrien.
What are the nearest named hills and peaks? The closest are Solabe to the west, Belafa to the north, Vohitsiombe to the southwest and Antanifotsy to the north.
Which peak is higher nearby? The nearest higher peak is Belafa, 335 m, about 13.0 km north of Vohidava.
What is the mobile phone coverage like? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground a signal is more likely, while in dips and behind ridges it often fails. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.
When is the best time to go? The drier months are usually easier, especially around August, while January is the wettest month.
No posts yet.