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Nosy be

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Madagascar Destination

Nosy be

Along the north-west coast lies a number of islands, the largest of which is Nosy Be. Marvelous beaches and coral reef in a protected national zone, natural lemur reserve, wonderful fishing, numerous nearby desert islands, all await the lucky traveller.

The unfortunately named Hell-Ville is the largest town and port of Nosy Be (Big Island) Three-quarters the size of Singapore, Nosy Be has 60,000 inhabitants, half of whom live in Hell-Ville, and the island is apparently the centre of what little tourism exists in Madagascar (only about 150,000 tourists visit the country each year).

Small boats are available to make the short journey across to the nearby island of Nosy Komba (Lemur Island), where a pretty village sprawls along the northern beach. It is an enchanting spot, and the inhabitants are amiable, especially the ever-present children. Life here is simple, based on fishing, small-scale cultivation, and the rub-off from tourists arriving to see the 5,000 black lemurs that roam the island. At the end of the village, a small tribe of these delightful mammals is so habituated to human contact that they will jump onto one’s shoulders to eat bananas out of one’s hands. The nearby jungle defines the term “tropical paradise”. Fruit trees grow wild all around, with lemons, oranges, bananas, papayas and mangos waiting to be plucked. Coffee bushes, vanilla orchids, pepper plants and other spices abound, chameleons sun themselves on the acacia branches, and birds sing in every tree. Life here feels good.

Related Travel Information

Masoala National Park and Nosy Mangabe Island

Masoala National Park and Nosy Mangabe Island The recently gazetted Masoala National Park, east of the town Maroantsetra, protects the largest remaining Malagasy lowland rainforest. In some places, rainforest extends unbroken down to the sea. The Masoala peninsula, much of which remains unexplored, contains a bewildering diversity of plants and animals. In the Bay of Antongil, the uninhabited island reserve of Nosy Mangabe is a stronghold for the ruffed and white-fronted lemurs and the bizarre aye aye. Nosy Mangabe's reptilian denizens include the fringed (leaf-tailed) gecko. Only campsites provide accommodation in Masoala and Nosy Mangabe.

Nosy Tanikely

Nosy Tanikely The snorkelling is superb from this reef-ringed, marine reserve island. A small patch of forest provides roosting sites for fruit bats.

Lokobe Reserve

Lokobe Reserve These 740 hectares conserve the last original Sambirano forest remaining on Nosy Be island, inhabited by black lemur, Nosy Be sportive lemur, panther chameleon and Malagasy tree boa. The survival of the black lemur is threatened by loss of habitat. Sadly, the award-winning Black Lemur Forest Project , which represented the black lemur�s best hope of survival, is no longer in operation.