Lake Tritriva

Lake Tritriva is a volcanic crater lake in Madagascar's central highlands where emerald green waters fill a deep depression surrounded by steep gneiss walls. The cliffs frame the water in shades of grey and brown, creating a stark and dramatic enclosure.

The lake formed within an ancient volcanic crater shaped by eruptions millions of years ago. Its great depth reflects the powerful geological forces that created this depression in the landscape.

Local communities view the lake as sacred and avoid swimming because of a story about two lovers whose fate was tied to this place. This tale continues to shape how people treat and understand the site.

The site is reachable by road from Antsirabe, though the final stretch requires walking or a sturdy vehicle with good ground clearance. Watch the weather before visiting, as soil conditions can be muddy after rain.

The water behaves unusually here as levels drop during the rainy season and rise during dry months due to hidden underground channels. This reversed pattern reveals how the lake connects to the surrounding landscape through hidden geological networks.