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MANANARA NORTH
Mananara-North is 185 km north of Soanierana-Ivongo at the entrance
to the bay of Antongil, it is the only place in Madagascar where one
can pretty much be assured of seeing an Aye-Aye in the wild, on Aye-Aye
island.What to do in and around the town ?
There is more to do in Mananara than Aye-Aye island and a visit to the
biosphere reserve. There is a lively market, a good disco at weekends
and the ocean for relaxation. Three kilometres south of the town is a
beautiful bay protected by a reef, with shallow, safe swimming. Mananara
National Park and Biosphere reserve is one of the most interesting park
inland inspite of unreliable to say the least because by road is imposible,
by boat is sometimes a bit risky and the flight is only once a week, about
30 people can get in.
WHERE TO STAY ?
Hotel Aye-Aye (medium)
Ton-ton Galet (bottom)
MAROANTSETRA AND THE MASOALA PENINSULA
Maroantsetra is situated about 110 km north of Mananara North.Despite
difficulty of access and dodgy weather, this is perhaps the leading destination
for ecotourists who want to see Madagascar's most important natural habitat
in terms of biodiversity. The eastern rainforest, exemplified by Nosy
Mangabe and the Masoala peninsula.
WHERE TO STAY ?
Relais du Masoala (top)
Motel Cocobeach (medium)
NOSY MANGABE
In fine weather the small island of Nosy Mangabe is superb. It has beautiful
sandy coves, marvellous trees with huge buttress roots and also strangler
figs. And it is bursting with wildlife including, of course, its famous
Aye-Aye which were released here in the 1960s to prevent what was then
thought to be their imminent extinction. There is plenty to see on a day
visit, including the weird and wonderful leaf-tailed gecko. There is no
hotel in the Island, so you have to camp in the thatched shetters.
Much of Madagascar's unique flora and fauna
is concentrated in the eastern rainforests.
Other attractions are the ruggest mountain
scenerys beautiful green landscape, the friendly
people, abundant fruit and seafood, it has
the most lovely beach with white sand and plenty
of vegetations.
ANDASIBE
This 810 ha reserve protects the largest species
of the lemurs, Indri-Indri. Standing about
a metre high, with a barely visible tail, black
and white markings and a surprised teddy-bear.There
are nine species of lemur altogether in Analamazoatra
(Andasibe) including aye-aye. You may find
the troop of grey bamboo lemurs which are diurnal,
brown lemurs, wooly lemur curled up in the
fork of a tree, the greater dwarf lemur and
hibernates during the cold season.There are
tenrecs beautiful and varied insects and spiders,
as well as reptiles. This is also a great place
for bird watching.
MANTADIA Special Reserve
Mantadia is 20 km to the north of AndasibeWhat
is so special about Mantadia?There are 10 000
ha with just a few constructed trails, visitors
must be prepared to work for their trails.The
forest is bisected by the road. On the left
is the area for black and white ruffed lemurs
and to the right, the beautiful golden-coloured
diademed sifaka, and some Indri. This section
of Mantadia has some good areas, if steep,
trails with gorgeous views across the forest
and super bird watching possibilities, including
specials such as the sealy ground-rollers,
pitta-like ground-roller, and red-breasted
coua. It is really a terrific place, but you
must be in good shape.Andasibe is situated
125 km north east of Antananarivo
WHERE TO STAY ?
Hotel Feon'ny ala (medium)
VAKÔNA forest lodge (top)
PANGALANE (Manambato)
This series of lakes was linked by artificial
canals, a quiet inland water being preferable
to an often stormy sea. In recent years Pangalanes
has been developed for tourism, with lakeside
bungalows and private nature reserves competing
with the traditional ocean resorts for custom.
The centre for pangalanes tourism is Lake Ampitabe
, which has broad beaches of dazzlingly white
sand clean water for swimming. The surrounding
area is very green and rich of vegetation.
Pangalanes is situated in the south of Toamasina
about 140 km.
Where to stay ?
Hotel Acacias (medium)
Hotel Pangalanes (top)
TOAMASINA
Toamasina is situated in the Eastcoast of
Madagascar. It is one of the 6 big towns (province)
in Madagascar. Toamasina has the biggest harbour
of the country. Toamasina often calls the capital
of Betsimisaraka tribe. This town has always
an air of shaggy elegance with some fine coconut-rimmed
and palm-lined boulevards, and impressive colonial
house.Nearby is the excellent Parc Ivoloina,
which is the ideal place to spend a day (if
you are ready to camp).
WHERE TO STAY ?
Hotel Central (top)
Hotel Les Flamboyants
Noor Hotel
MAHAMBO
A Lovely beach resort with safe swimming,
and nice for diving or snorkling, beautiful
view of coconut trees along the beach. Mahambo
is situated 84 km north Toamasina.
WHERE TO STAY ?
Hotel Yang Yang
Hotel la pirogue
THE ISLAND SAINTE MARIE
Sainte Marie is 50 km long and 7 km at its
widest point. The only real town is Ambodifotatra.Other
small villages comprise bamboo and palm huts.
The island is almost universally known as Sainte
Marie few people call it NOSY BORAHA. Here
is a cliché of a tropical Island with
endless deserted beaches overhung by coconut
palms, bays protected from sharks by coral
reefs, hills covered with luxuriant vegetation,
and a relative absence of unslightly tourist
development. Most travellers love it. As soon
as they saw the island from the air, they were
ready to ditch their travel plans and speed
the rest of their trip nestled in paradise.
WHAT TO DO THERE?
Relax on the best beach of the island, whalewatching,
snorkling and diving. There are a few very
good places for sightseeing there, like the
catholic church, the pirates'cemetery, and
the surrounding area of Ile aux Nattes.
tours & prices
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