Things to see and do Côte Du Palissandre

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is very popular for its famous indri. This lemur alone is the reason tourists flock to Andasibe.

The indri: a famous lemur. The park's altitude (1,000 m on average, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,250 m) explains the presence here of a rare and astonishing lemur: the indri. With an average height of 75 cm to 1 m (its tail is tiny by comparison: 5 cm at most!), weighing 7 to 10 kg and sporting a black and white coat, it is the largest of all its congeners. The way it stretches and stands is reminiscent of that of humans, hence its great success. It is a herbivore (very fond of fruit), and lives by day in groups of few individuals. Females can have up to three young per litter. The indri is best known for its spellbinding vocal prowess: howling? Siren? No one really knows. But the charm works. To see them, you need to arrive very early in the morning (around 5 a.m. from September to December, 8 a.m. from March to August).

The rest of the fauna. Several varieties of lemur live in the park: there are 14 in all, including the aye-aye and the varika mavo or cathemeral lemur. There are also 108 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles (including the boa manditra) and 84 species of amphibians.

Flora. The forest is mainly composed of ravinalas, pandanus and eucalyptus. With its abundance of majestic orchids (over a hundred species), tree ferns, lichens and sacred lianas, nature here is king. It rains a lot: average annual rainfall is around 1,700 mm (humidity is over 90%). Equip yourself accordingly. The only more or less dry season is from September to mid-November: the rest of the year, it's often rain, fog or drizzle that will accompany you on your visit! A raincoat is therefore essential. From July to September, it's not very hot either.

Various tours are available. In the Analamazaatra park (entrance just after the Feon'ny Ala, a very interesting free on-site interpretation center): 3 possible itineraries: count 40,000 Ar for the Indri 1 circuit, 50,000 Ar for the Indri 2 circuit, and 60,000 Ar for the Adventure circuit. In Mantadia Park (entrance after the Vakôna Forest Lodge): six trails have been set up: hiking time between 2 and 8 hours; guide fees between 40,000 Ar and 60,000 Ar for 1 to 4 people.

This private reserve of 35 ha houses seven species of lemurs at liberty (Indri indri is also present), reptiles, amphibians, crocodiles… Palms of all kinds abound. They can be reached by boat.

Initiated by the Association Man and the Environment, this project supports the conservation and sustainable management programme of the Vohibola Forest. In the programme: visit of the fishing village of Andranokoditra, discovery of the distillery and the process of manufacturing essential oils, walking by canoe, discovery of the interpretive trail and useful plants of the forest of Vohibola… Possibility to sleep in the living room.

Conservation - Education. The association manages the Vohibola forest and develops conservation programs with the local population.

Local population. Recruitment and training of local guides, income input for local populations.

Breeding and reproduction center, located in a beautiful landscape: a valley planted with rice fields, mango trees, lychee plantations, a cliff ... We discover there numerous aquatic and ornamental plants, beetles, reptiles, chameleons, amphibians (including the red frog and the dwarf frog or Mantella laviegata), crocodiles, boas, bats, and of course lemurs: two species are listed here, the sifaka and the fulvuss. The guides are well informed. The facilities deserve to be renovated.

The flora consists of eucalyptus plantations and primary forest. This well-designed reserve includes a small informal museum, a crocodile lake, various species of reptiles and amphibians, several endemic plants, a superb aviary and, above all, a "mini-park" for lemurs, including several islets with different species. We travel by canoe from islet to islet, to get up close and personal with the park's specimens, some of them tame. An unforgettable encounter.

Surrounded by a luxuriant forest, rises a circular building of impressive size. In the ^19th century, the manda of Mahavelona housed the garrison of the royal army and the residence of the merina governor. This hill-fortress was built on the initiative of King Radama ^I with the help of England from 1822. It was the central point of the strategic device composed of 5 citadels in charge of defending the east coast against invasion attempts. The surrounding wall, 6 m high and 70 m in circumference, built with a mixture of coral powder and stones bound with egg white as cement, is pierced with loopholes where cannons acquired at the beginning of the ^19th century and artillery pieces manufactured in Mantasoa remain. In the center of the circle (also a symbol of sacred harmony according to Malagasy cosmogony and astrology), the officers' houses, the barracks and the arsenal were built. The manda, where 25,000 soldiers of the Malagasy royal army were stationed, played an important role when the Merina soldiers and their allies repelled the first attempts at invasion and the French attacks, the first signs of colonial aggression at the end of the ^19th century. The fort was looted during the colonial period: its cannons can be found in collectors' shops, and it was partly destroyed: its materials were used in 1950 for the construction of the road that was to become the RN 5. From the top of the walls, from the covered way, the view is magnificent.

This little island was once a port, after being a repaire of pirates. It is a sacred place for the descendants of the Zanamalata, a Métis born of the union of pirates and Malagasy princesses. One of their most important cemeteries, with the tombs of the Zafindrabe family, of King Ratsimilaho's dynasty (th century). Inside the island, a huge cast iron pot (about a metre in diameter) was used to prepare the royal meals during the Fêtes festivities. It is still an object of worship, since we come to the site of the pot. It was on the reefs surrounding the island that Thomas White, the future father of King Ratsimilaho, failed before the love of a princess and a pirate would give birth to a Métis dynasty.

The access track of 8 km leading to the Park of Mananara Nord has been rehabilitated (but 4x4 necessary) towards the entrance of Verezanantsoro. This protected area, created in 1989, includes two spaces: terrestrial and marine with Nosy Antafana. It is part of the world network of Biosphere Reserves, managed by Unesco. The fauna and flora are very rich here: center of endemism of invertebrates, several species of fish in the Marine Park, dense humid forest of low altitude, granite island, beaches, coral reefs. A lemur (among the 12 species) not to be missed: the Indri Indri... which is not white like in Andasibe, but all black! Two other endemic species of lemurs: the Ampongy or Avahi laniger, with gray fur (it comes out especially at dusk). And the Daubentaunia madagascariensis or Aye Aye, with black fur. Nocturnal and solitary, it is not easy to observe! On the bird side, let's mention the Falcon newtoni or Hitsikitsika. The avifauna is globally exceptional.

Some paths start from the very small village of Sahasoa, in the middle of clove and vanilla fields. Four circuits are proposed to discover all these natural treasures, and it is possible to rent launches or pirogues to connect Nosy to Sahasoa and/or Antanambe. Rent a pirogue between Sahasoa and Nosy Antafana: from 30 000 Ar (capacity 2 persons). Renting a motorboat in the park : from 130 000 to 430 000 Ar per day depending on the chosen route (fuel not included).

Built on an island of 1 kilometer in circumference in the heart of the lake of Mantasoa, the private reserve of Nosy Soa has for main objective the reconstitution of a natural space too often ravaged by the man. The fauna and flora has been successfully reintroduced since 2002, transforming the place into a very pleasant zoological garden with an educational vocation. The place is ideal for families: mini-farm, meeting with lemurs etc., and is accessible by boat from the various hotels of Mantasoa or by reservation.

The palm grove of Ivondro is an agro-touristic domain belonging to the Savonnerie Tropicale S.A. You will be able to make half-day tours including the visit of the oil palm plantation, the discovery of tropical products (vanilla, coffee, banana, clove, cinnamon...), the betsimsaraka handicrafts, cultural excursions, bird watching and finally the visit of a mini-sugar factory... On the spot, you will find a good restaurant which proposes products made with coconut. A beautiful excursion.

There are traditional betsimisarakas dances, performances of songs and theatre, but also discover groups of local varieties. The program is posted on site.

Covering 50 hectares, the reserve - whose original name means "nest of dreams" - is home to exceptional flora and fauna. The various species of lemur in the region, and even the indri indri, can be found among the trees, and will not hesitate to come and meet you. For the more curious, they roam freely in this area to the delight of the curious: some even appear tame, so accustomed are they to visitors, but they are not. Children (and adults) will love this contact with these fascinating creatures.

This small island covered with dense forest offers the opportunity for a day trip from Toamasina (about 1h30 of navigation from the port). Here the seabed is superb; a mask and a snorkel allow you to get close to the marvelous ocean fauna... In complete safety because the coral reef belt blocks all access to the sharks. On the island, you can walk in the forest, walk to the lighthouse (the highest in Africa at 66 m). Put in your bag some products to keep away the insects that abound in the forest...

A specialist of all circuits on the Pangalanes canal, even from Manakara to Mananjary.

Ludovic rides you around the island aux Prunes. Observation of bats, snorkelling, tour of the lighthouse and possible fishing.

Covering an area of 64,370 ha, it boasts a unique wealth of Malagasy flora and fauna, including the red tree that gave it its name: Zahana Mena or Diatum unifoliatum. There are 13 species of lemur, including the Indri Indri (in November and December), 29 species of fish, 62 species of amphibian, 46 species of reptile, 425 species of insect, 112 species of bird, 60 species of orchid, 22 species of palm and 511 species of woody plant. Located 9 km from Antanandava, this park offers 2 circuits:

Bemoara. This challenging itinerary is divided into 3 stages. The first links Ankosy to Bemoara, a 6 km, 3-hour walk. In addition to the bird and lemur species(Indri indri, Varecia variegata, Eulemur fulvus, Propithecus diadema, Hapalemur griseus) that can be admired on both routes, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Alaotra. A beautiful natural swimming pool is also on the program. Allow 20,000 Ar for guiding, 10,000 Ar for the porter and 5,000 Ar for camping. The second hike links Bemoara to the sacred Andranomitsangana waterfall (over 80 m high). Allow 3 hours' hiking to cover 5 km; guide fee 20,000 Ar, porter 10,000 Ar.

Ambarihely. Less strenuous, but still not very easy, this loop circuit offers a glimpse of the local flora and fauna. The same species can be seen as on the previous circuit. Allow 2h30 walking for 5 km of trail; guide fee 15,000 Ar, porter 5,000 Ar.

This 22,000-hectare lake lies 3 hours from the town on a bad track. It is home to the famous "aquatic" lemur, known here as Bandro, an endemic species. The village of Andreba Gara (23 km north of Ambatondrazaka) is the best access point for observing this lemur, which inhabits the lake's marshes and islets. A dawn departure is recommended. Around the lake, 42 km north of Ambatondrazaka, visit the villages of Imerimandroso and Vohitsoa, whose varangue houses are a sight to behold. Take the opportunity to stroll towards the small Ambatomafana waterfalls.

Many hiking and rural tourism tours are available in the region. It is advisable to contact them in advance to organize them. The regional tourist office is very active and will be a very good resource to assist you in your organization (place to discover, contact with service providers, etc.) and its website has all the information on the possibilities of visits and accommodation in the region. A good source of information.

The park consists of three main islets: Nosy Be, Nosy Antafana and Nosy Rangontsy (beautiful mangrove, granite masses, this is where the legendary Rangontsy, a sight that lived the village of Sahasoa more north in the th century, is buried there). And a smaller island: Nosy Hely, where the most beautiful coral reefs (132 species of corals identified) are located.

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