Ifaty Spiny Forest
Twenty-nine km north of Tulear, Ifaty attracts birders from around the world. It is possible to tick off all the rare endemics of the spiny desert zone in one good morning walk. This is a fascinating floristic zone, with bloated trees and plants (baobabs, pachypodiums, hildergardias, moringas) and spiny, drought resistant trees (didiera). The magnificent offshore reefs invite exploration. There is a PADI diving centre and Veso fishermen will ferry snorkellers to the reef by priogue. Between June and August, whales can be observed off Ifatys beautiful white beaches.
Related Travel Information
Kirindy (‘Swiss’) Forest
Tropical, dry deciduous forest is the world’s most threatened habitat type. This 10 000-hectare reserve, 60 km north of Morondava on the west coast, claims a world record for primate density. There are many lemurs, include the world’s smallest primate, the pygmy mouse lemur. Kirindy is the best place to see giant jumping rat and there are fosa (Madagascar’s largest predator), various spiny tenrecs, birds and reptiles aplenty. The diverse flora includes three of the six endemic Malagasy baobabs. We recommend an overnight stay in the campsite, but you can visit Kirindy on a full-day excursion.
Berenty Private Reserve
With its large populations of ringtails, brown lemurs and Verreaux’ sifakas, Berenty is probably the most famous Malagasy reserve. Birding is rewarding. The reserve protects both spiny bush and dry tamarind woodland, along the Mandrare River bank. The guides are among the best in Madagascar, but it is easy (and permitted) to follow the broad trails and explore Berenty independently. The museum has rare examples of Sakalava carvings.
Kakum Nature Reserve
Kakum nature reserve lays in Central Region near Cape Coast the regions capital. You can get there by lorry or taxi. Monkeys, elephants, antelope, leopards, warthogs and water buffalo roam all over the forest. The conditions of this reserve have been constantly improving.
In the park, there's a small museum about nature and forest reserve, also there is a good restaurant at the entrance, where you can spot animals while you eat. You can walk around in as mall part of what's left of a Rainforest in Ghana.
Either you walk on the ground or you take the canopy
Ampijoroa Forest Station
This outstanding example of western Malagasy tropical dry deciduous forest is 2 hours from the port Mahajanga. Lemurs include the Coquerel’s sifaka, mongoose and brown lemurs, and various nocturnal species. The giant hognosed snake, rhinoceros chameleon and fringed gecko are among the interesting reptiles. Rare birds include the Madagascar fish eagle, white-breasted mesite, Coquerel’s coua, Schlegel’s asity and Van Dam’s vanga. At the campsite, you can visit the Durrell Wildlife Trust’s breeding project for rare Malagasy tortoises and turtles.
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.
