Western Madagascar - Madagascar - page 225

SLEEPING & EATING
Ecolodge de Kirindy LODGE €€
( 032 40 165 89, 95 928 65; [e-mail]; bungalows Ar52,000, without
bathroom Ar42,000, camping Ar12,000) Kirindy has something for every budget, from
comfortable bungalows to dorms and camping pitches. All beds come with bedding and
mozzie nets; lullabies arecourtesy oftheforestresidents. Thereisasmall on-site restaurant
serving good meals (mains Ar5000 to Ar20,000) and cold beer. Bring a good torch.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Kirindy is about 60km northeast of Morondava, signposted off the Belo-sur-Tsiribihina
road. If you're travelling by taxi-brousse (Ar10,000, two hours), this is as far as they will
take you. The forest camp and office are 5km into the reserve, which you'll have to walk if
you don't have your own vehicle.
Belo-sur-Mer
Few places will make you feel so far away from anywhere than Belo-sur-Mer. The village,
sitting on the edge of a small lagoon, seems to have been swallowed up by the dunes and
in the heat of the midday sun, time literally seems to stand still.
Thevillageisaregionalship-buildingcentre,andhugecargovesselsarestillconstructed
on the beach in the same manner they were four centuries ago. It's also one of the country's
main salt-producing areas, with vast salt marshes a few kilometres inland from the village.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
As the name of the village suggests, life in Belo is all about the sea, so spend a morning or
an afternoon wandering along the beach. Watch fishermen prepare their gear or bring their
catch, admire the craftsmanship of pirogue- and boutre -builders or look for beautiful shells
on the beach.
Nosy Andrahovo SNORKELLING
Belo-sur-Mer's star attraction is this string of coral-fringed islands, some semi-submerged.
The islands are uninhabited and offer fabulous snorkelling. All hotels in Belo can organise
trips to Nosy Andrahovo with local pirogues; allow around Ar15,000 per person for a half-
day, Ar35,000 for a full day with picnic lunch.
Menabe Plongée DIVING